bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Practice Perspective on Technology-Mediated Network Relations: The Use of Internet-Based Self-Serve Technologies
Authors: Schultze Ulrike , Orlikowski Wanda J.
Published: May 2004

Embedded relationships with customers have been key in generating repeat business and economic advantage, especially in business-to-business settings. Such relationships are typically maintained through interpersonal interactions between customers and their providers. Lately, however, firms have been seeking to make their service operations more scalable by offering customers access to Internet-based, self-serve technology. This raises questions about the implications of inserting self-serve technology into embedded relationships. Recent research on the role of information technology (IT) within interfirm network relations suggests that relationships and the use of IT are complementary. However, most of this research focuses on the organizational level and fails to consider the instantiation of these interfirm relations by the actions and interactions of individual actors (e.g., customers and salespeople) representing their respective firms.

In this paper, we explore the implications of using IT within interfirm relations through an analysis of customers’ and sales representatives’ (reps) work activities and interpersonal relationships. We apply a practice perspective that highlights how macrolevel phenomena such as interfirm relations are created and recreated through the microlevel actions taken by firm members. This analysis reveals that managing the complementarity between relationships and IT in practice is fraught with considerable tension. This study of WebGA, a bricks-and-clicks dotcom, highlights how the use of the self-serve technology made it more difficult for sales reps to build and maintain embedded relationships with their customers. The use of IT altered the nature and quality of information shared by the participants, undermined the ability of sales reps to provide consulting services to customers, reduced the frequency of their interaction, and prompted sales reps to expend social capital to promote customers’ technology adoption. These changes produced intended and unintended shifts in the network relations enacted by WebGA and its customers, and raised serious challenges to the viability of WebGA’s business model.
A Fault Threshold Policy to Manage Software Development Projects
Authors: Chiang I. Robert , Mookerjee Vijay S.
Published: May 2004

This paper presents a project management policy in which the appearance of software faults during system construction is used to determine the timing of system integration activities (e.g., team meetings, analyzing modules for interface inconsistencies, system fault correction, and so on). System integration is performed only if a threshold fault count has been exceeded; otherwise, module development is allowed to continue. We derive an expression for calculating fault thresholds and analyze the policy to reveal the presence of three operating regions: (1) a region in which development should continue with no system integration, (2) a region in which system integration occurs if a threshold fault count has been exceeded, and (3) a region in which system integration should always take place. Analytical and numerical results demonstrate how the fault thresholds change with system complexity, team skill, development environment, and project schedule. We also show how learning that occurs during each round of system integration leads to less frequent integration in the future, and lower total construction effort. Simulation experiments reveal that the fault threshold policy can be applied even if several homogeneity assumptions in the model are relaxed, allowing for differences in the propensity among modules to accumulate faults and the effort needed to correct these faults. Finally, the fault threshold policy outperforms a fixed-release policy in which system integration occurs whenever a fixed number of modules has been released.
Building Effective Online Marketplaces with Institution-Based Trust
Authors: Pavlou Paul A. , Gefen David
Published: May 2004

Institution-based trust is a buyer’s perception that effective third-party institutional mechanisms are in place to facilitate transaction success. This paper integrates sociological and economic theories about institution-based trust to propose that the perceived effectiveness of three IT-enabled institutional mechanisms–specifically feedback mechanisms, third-party escrow services, and credit card guarantees–engender buyer trust in the community of online auction sellers. Trust in the marketplace intermediary that provides the overarching institutional context also builds buyer’s trust in the community of sellers. In addition, buyers’ trust in the community of sellers (as a group) facilitates online transactions by reducing perceived risk.

Data collected from 274 buyers in Amazon’s online auction marketplace provide support for the proposed structural model. Longitudinal data collected a year later show that transaction intentions are correlated with actual and self-reported buyer behavior. The study shows that the perceived effectiveness of institutional mechanisms encompasses both “weak” (market-driven) and “strong” (legally binding) mechanisms. These mechanisms engender trust, not only in a few reputable sellers, but also in the entire community of sellers, which contributes to an effective online marketplace. The results thus help explain why, despite the inherent uncertainty that arises when buyers and sellers are separated in time and in space, online marketplaces are proliferating. Implications for theory are discussed, and suggestions for future research on improving IT-enabled trust-building mechanisms are suggested.
Does Animation Attract Online Users’ Attention? The Effects of Flash on Information Search Performance and Perceptions
Authors: Hong Weiyin , Thong James Y. L. , Tam Kar Yan
Published: May 2004

The proliferation of information on the Internet poses a significant challenge on humans’ limited attentional resources. To attract online users’ attention, various kinds of animation are widely used on websites. Despite the ubiquitous use of animation, there is an inadequate understanding of its effect on attention. Focusing on flash animation, this study examines its effects on online users’ performance and perceptions in both task-relevant and task-irrelevant information search contexts by drawing on the visual search literature and two theories from cognitive psychology. In the task-relevant context, flash is applied on the search target; while in the task-irrelevant context, flash is applied on a nontarget item. The results of this study confirm that flash does attract users’ attention and facilitates quicker location of the flashed target item in tightly packed screen displays. However, there is no evidence that attracting attention increases recall of the flashed item, as is generally presumed in practice, and may even decrease the overall recall. One explanation is that when users have to use their limited attentional resources on suppressing the distraction of flash, they will have less mental resources to process information. Moreover, the results suggest that processing information about an item depends not only on the attention it attracts per se, but also on the attention that other items on the same screen attract. While flashing an item may not increase the recall of that item, it can reduce the recall of other items (especially the nontarget items) on the screen. Finally, flash has negative effects on users’ focused attention and attitude towards using the website. These results have implications for website interface design, online product promotion, online advertising, and multimedia training systems, among others.
Editorial Notes
Authors: Kemerer Chris F.
Published: May 2004

This month we welcome this year's new Associate Editors and say thanks to those who are finishing their terms.
Emotion and adherence to treatment in people with asthma: An application of the emotional Stroop paradigm
Authors: Jessop Donna C. , Rutter D.R. , Sharma Dinkar , Albery Ian P.
Published: May 2004

This study explored whether an emotional Stroop paradigm might represent an appropriate means of assessing individuals' emotional representations of asthma. In addition, the opportunity was taken to investigate whether emotional representations of asthma, as assessed by this method, were associated with adherence to inhaled preventative medication. An asthma Stroop task was devised which comprised three sets of stimuli: asthma symptom words, general negative words, and neutral words. Three groups of participants were compared on their performance on this task: individuals with asthma, individuals without asthma, and individuals without asthma who had been primed about the condition. It was found that individuals with asthma experienced significantly more interference when colour‐naming the asthma symptom words, but not when colour‐naming the general negative words. Furthermore, their performance on the asthma Stroop task was associated with self‐reported adherence levels. Specifically, individuals who reported the highest and lowest levels of adherence displayed more interference when colour‐naming the asthma symptom words than individuals with intermediate levels of adherence. It is concluded that the emotional Stroop paradigm might provide an objective and sensitive means of assessing individuals’ emotional representations of illness. Additionally, it is proposed that emotional responses to illness should be assessed and included in research designed to explain health behaviours and, furthermore, that such research should not assume that any relationship between emotional representations and health behaviours will be linear.
Estimating one's own personality and intelligence scores
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Chamorro‐Premuzic Tomas
Published: May 2004

One hundred and eighty‐seven university students completed the full NEO‐PI‐R assessing the five super‐traits and 30 primary traits, and the Wonderlic Personnel Test of general intelligence. Two months later (before receiving feedback on their psychometric scores), they estimated their own scores on these variables. Results at the super‐factor level indicated that participants could significantly predict/estimate their own Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness scores. The correlation between estimated and psychometrically measured IQ was r=.30, showing that participants could, to some extent, accurately estimate their intelligence. In addition, there were a number of significant correlations between estimated intelligence and psychometrically assessed personality (particularly Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Extraversion). Disagreeable people tended to award themselves higher self‐estimated intelligence scores. Similarly, stable people tended to award themselves higher estimates of intelligence (even when other variables were controlled). Regressing both estimated and psychometric IQ scores onto estimated and psychometric personality scores indicated that the strongest significant effect was the relationship between trait scores and self‐estimated intelligence.
Distant intentionality and the feeling of being stared at: Two meta‐analyses
Authors: Schmidt Stefan , Schneider Rainer , Utts Jessica , Walach Harald
Published: May 2004

Findings in parapsychology suggest an effect of distant intentionality. Two laboratory set‐ups explored this topic by measuring the effect of a distant intention on psychophysiological variables. The ‘Direct Mental Interaction in Living Systems’ experiment investigates the effect of various intentions on the electrodermal activity of a remote subject. The ‘Remote Staring’ experiment examines whether gazing by an observer covaries with the electrodermal activity of the person being observed. Two meta‐analyses were conducted. A small significant effect size (d =.11, p = .001) was found in 36 studies on ‘direct mental interaction', while a best‐evidence‐synthesis of 7 studies yielded d = .05 (p = .50). In 15 remote staring studies a mean effect size of d = 0.13 (p = .01) was obtained. It is concluded that there are hints of an effect, but also a shortage of independent replications and theoretical concepts.
A possible model for understanding the personality‐intelligence interface
Authors: Chamorro‐Premuzic Tomas , Furnham Adrian
Published: May 2004

Despite the recent increase in the number of studies examining empirical links between personality and intelligence (see Hofstee, 2001; Zeidner & Matthews, 2000), a theoretical integration of ability and nonability traits remains largely unaddressed. This paper presents a possible conceptual framework for understanding the personality‐intelligence interface. In doing so, it conceptualizes three different levels of intelligence, namely, intellectual ability (which comprises both Gf and Gc), IQ test performance and subjectively assessed intelligence (a mediator between personality, intellectual ability and IQ test performance). Although the model draws heavily upon correlation evidence, each of its paths may be tested independently. The presented model may, therefore, be used to explore causation and further develop theoretical approaches to understanding the relation between ability and nonability traits underlying human performance.
The Development and Growth of the Nigeria Police Force from a Social Context Perspective
Authors: Otu Noel
Published: May 2004

The origin, development and practice of the Nigeria Police Force have been studied from several theoretical and philosophical perspectives. This article utilises Rothman's (1971) ‘social context’ approach, which weighs progress against failure and assumes history to be the consequence of multiple factors. Examination of the development and operation of the Nigeria Police Force since the colonial era reveals many complex situations, amongst them that colonial Nigeria's police force was more humane than precolonial methods of social control (banishment, exile or death). As one might expect, economics was a factor in establishing the Nigeria police, but not the only factor. Finally, in a developing democracy, a police force plays a creative role that no other agency of government is so critically able to assume. It makes far more discretionary determinations in individual cases than any other class of administrators. The problem is the lack of clear guidelines to which the Nigeria police can refer when exercising authority. It is acknowledged that the government has not taken many strides forward to improve the force since Nigeria's achievement of independence in 1960. There should be enforceable rules and regulations (especially with regard to bribery), both departmental and legislative. To reduce the number of low-visibility corrupt decisions, the police must develop their own policy-making body to review decisions made by officers.
Parlour Games: The Value of an Internet Site Providing Punters' Views of Massage Parlours
Authors: Soothill Keith
Published: May 2004

Should we condemn or applaud an Internet forum in the northwest of England that is used by those who wish to pay for sex? This article suggests that such a site performs a ‘latent function’ in being helpful rather than harmful in the maintenance of order. Internet message sites can provide a supportive environment whereby the knowledge and, indeed, wisdom of experienced punters can be a useful resource. They have a vested interest in public order and will recognise what aspects of the parlour game may raise concerns amongst the police. Internet sites of this kind are best if they can remain in the public domain and are not hidden away behind membership doors.
The Plow that Broke the Plain Epic Tradition: HesiodWorks and Days, vv. 414–503
Authors: Beall E. F.
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis article presents a detailed study of an early section of the actual works and days of Hesiod's Works and Days. The treatment consistently eschews obsolete assumptions about this poem, in particular that it reduces to a didactic presentation to the early Greek farmer. A key principle of the method followed is to pay closer attention to the text's relation to epic forms than has been typical among the poem's commentators. The result is to find that a certain literary figure gradually develops in the section discussed. Namely, the plowing nominally covered there stands for the section's portion on the human condition, a condition implicitly compared with that associated with traditional epic. The figure evokes a well-rounded person, aware of the divine and of the world's uncertainties, with a long-term sense of purpose involving good organization of one's life, as opposed to someone engaged in helter-skelter pursuit of transitory activities, perhaps war specifically. With this identification of virtual protagonist established by the end of the section, the ground is prepared for any further development of the figure as that entity's undertakings or adventures in the remainder of the poem.
Becoming Tacitus: Significance and Inconsequentiality in the Prologue ofAgricola
Authors: Sailor Dylan
Published: May 2004

AbstractI argue that the prologue of Tacitus' Agricola is at pains to maintain for the work the option to be important or to be inconsequential. The goal of this effort is to anticipate a spectrum of possible receptions: if the work is welcomed by its audiences, it can serve as the first step in a prestigious literary career; if it meets with indifference or hostility, Tacitus' already-existing social self can find protection behind the claims to limited importance. In the first section, I describe the rhetorical strategies through which Tacitus advances this doubled set of claims. In the second, I discuss Agricola's relationship to Sallust's monographs and adduce for comparison Pliny the Younger's career as a Catullan poet; I show that claims to write after the manner of a canonical author directly serve the aim of “keeping options open.”
Tacitus's Dangerous Word
Authors: Haynes Holly
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe fact that vocabulum appears with far more frequency in Tacitus' texts than in any other author except for the encyclopaedists argues for his idiosyncratic usage of the term. This article argues that imperial discourse, nearly identical in structure and expression to that of the Republic but divorced from Republican connotations, provided an empty site where Roman fantasies of self-definition took strong hold, and that Tacitus uses vocabulum to indicate words and concepts that illustrate this process, particularly with reference to representations of the foreign and the past. Such a discourse was congenial for the concentration of power in the hands of one person, as it no longer expressed the conflicting desires of a community engaged in public affairs, but collectivized the public desire for an image of Roman superiority. Thus Germany and the old Republican past were easily mythologized as what Rome desired to be, but feared it was not. Tacitus' use of vocabulum highlights the words in imperial discourse that betray the gap in the political unconscious between Romans' idea of themselves as masters of the Empire and as slaves to one ruler. Nor does he position himself as an outside observer of this process, but creates an experience of it for the reader through gaps and inconsistencies within his narrative.
The Athenian Treasury at Delphi and the Material of Politics
Authors: Neer Richard
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis study makes a pair with the author's “Framing the Gift: The Politics of the Siphnian Treasury at Delphi,” Classical Antiquity 20 (2001): 273–336. Like that essay, it argues that the function of a treasury is to provide a civic frame for ostentatious dedications by wealthy citizens: in effect, to “nationalize” votives. In this sense, the Athenian Treasury is a material trace, or fossil, of city politics in the 480s. The article tracks this function through the monument's iconography; its use of marble from the medizing island of Paros; its relation to the “Alkmeonid” temple of Apollo; and the responses it evoked at Delphi and in Athens. Special attention is given to the methodological problem of finding meaning in non-iconic or non-representational features, such as building materials. The article concludes with a new reading of Pindar's sixth Pythian, for Megakles of Athens, which neatly encapsulates what was at stake in this building project.
On Death and Courtship
Authors: Haag Pamela
Published: February 2024

In this narrative medicine essay, a professional writer pens a letter to the surgeon who tried to repair her brother’s coronary artery dissection to share her regret that neither she nor the physician discussed his imminent death.
The role of oxytocin receptor gene variants in appetitive aggression: A study in a South African male sample
Authors: Lohrentz Catherine , Womersley Jacqueline S. , Swart Patricia C. , Sommer Jessica , Hinsberger Martina , Elbert Thomas , Weierstall Roland , Kaminer Debbie , Seedat Soraya , Hemmings Sian M. J.
Published: February 2024

Chronic exposure to trauma and violence can promote aggressive behavior. Oxytocin and variants in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene may play a role in the etiology of proactive, that is, goal‐oriented instrumental aggression, or reactive aggression, which typically occurs in response to emotionally triggering situations. The current study builds on previous findings that experienced and witnessed trauma in childhood predicts higher levels of appetitive aggression, a form of proactive aggression characterized by the enjoyment of participating in violent behavior. The current study explores the role of OXTR rs2254298 and rs53576 variants in appetitive and reactive aggression. Adult males living in Cape Town, South Africa, and at risk for violent behavior completed the Appetitive Aggression Scale (AAS) and Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). OXTR rs2254298 and rs53576 were successfully genotyped via restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in 238 and 239 participants, respectively. Regression analysis showed that rs2254298 G/G and A/G genotypes and the rs53576 A/G genotype were significantly associated with lower AAS scores (p < .001) compared to the A/A genotype. Additionally, genotype interaction analyses conducted in 232 participants, found that the combination of rs2254298 A/G and rs53576 G/G genotypes produced opposite effects on appetitive and reactive aggression. Specifically, this combination was associated with a 0.29‐point increase in AAS scores (p = .032) and a 0.13‐point decrease in BPAQ scores (p = .037) when compared to A‐allele homozygosity for both variants. These results suggest that genetic variation in a signaling system involved in influencing environmental and social salience may contribute to appetitive aggression.
Comparative Risk of Gout Flares When Initiating or Escalating Various Urate‐Lowering Therapy: A Systematic Review With Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Maher Dorsa , Reeve Emily , Hopkins Ashley , Tan Jiun Ming , Tantiongco Mahsa , Ailabouni Nagham , Woodman Richard , Stamp Lisa , Bursill David , Proudman Susanna , Wiese Michael
Published: February 2024

Objective

We systematically examined comparative gout flare risk after initiation or escalation of different urate‐lowering therapies (ULTs), comparative flare risk with and without concomitant flare prophylaxis, adverse event rates associated with flare prophylaxis, and optimal duration of flare prophylaxis.

Methods

We searched the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases and clinical trial registries from inception to November 2021 for trials investigating adults with gout initiating or escalating ULT. We performed random effects network meta‐analyses and calculated risk ratios (RRs) between treatments. Bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool.

Results

We identified 3,775 records, of which 29 publications (27 trials) were included. When compared to placebo plus prophylaxis, the RR of flares ranged from 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87–1.33) for febuxostat 40 mg plus prophylaxis to RR 2.65 [95% CI 1.58–4.45] for febuxostat 80 mg plus lesinurad 400 mg plus prophylaxis. Compared to ULT alone, the RR of flares was lower for ULT plus rilonacept 160 mg (RR 0.35 [95% CI 0.25–0.50]), ULT plus rilonacept 80 mg (RR 0.43 [95% CI 0.31–0.60]) and ULT plus colchicine (RR 0.50 [95% CI 0.35–0.72]). There was limited evidence for other flare prophylaxis and on prophylaxis harms and optimal duration. Primarily because of missing outcome data and bias in the selection of reported results, 71.4% and 63.4% of studies were assessed as high risk of bias for flares and adverse events, respectively.

Conclusion

The RR of flares when introducing ULT varies depending on ULT drug and dosing strategies. There were limited data on ULT escalation. Flare prophylaxis with colchicine and rilonacept reduces flare incidence. More research is required on the harms and optimal duration of prophylaxis.
Death data in Canadian province exposes division over harm reduction
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: February 2024

The parting comments of British Columbia's former chief coroner about the region's continued increase in drug‐related deaths have reignited an already heated debate over the province's much‐watched harm reduction strategies for combating the opioid crisis.
Project SAM presents to Congress: Be smart about marijuana
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2024

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) met last week for its annual policy conference, and included a trip to Capitol Hill where president Kevin Sabet, former White House advisor, and colleagues educated lawmakers about stopping drug use before it starts and other marijuana‐related topics. SAM is opposed to rescheduling, which the Biden administration is considering, and legalization. It is not opposed to decriminalization. But it supports evidence‐based information.
Interlayer Engineering of Layered Materials for Efficient Ion Separation and Storage
Authors: Yang Jinlin , Zhang Yu , Ge Yanzeng , Tang Si , Li Jing , Zhang Hui , Shi Xiaodong , Wang Zhitong , Tian Xinlong
Published: February 2024

Layered materials are characterized by strong in‐plane covalent chemical bonds within each atomic layer and weak out‐of‐plane van der Waals (vdW) interactions between adjacent layers. The non‐bonding nature between neighboring layers naturally results in a vdW gap, which enables the insertion of guest species into the interlayer gap. Rational design and regulation of interlayer nanochannels are crucial for converting these layered materials and their 2D derivatives into ion separation membranes or battery electrodes. Herein, based on the latest progress in layered materials and their derivative nanosheets, various interlayer engineering methods are briefly introduced, along with the effects of intercalated species on the crystal structure and interlayer coupling of the host layered materials. Their applications in the ion separation and energy storage fields are then summarized, with a focus on interlayer engineering to improve selective ion transport and ion storage performance. Finally, future research opportunities and challenges in this emerging field are comprehensively discussed.
Improving Charge Storage of Biaxially‐Oriented Polypropylene under Extreme Electric Fields by Excimer UV Irradiation
Authors: Huang Bangdou , Yu Jiachuan , Dong Jie , Zhou Ying , Zhai Lei , Dou Liguang , Wu Chao , Liang Xidong , Zhang Cheng , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Shao Tao
Published: February 2024

Biaxially‐oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is one of the most commonly used materials for film‐based capacitors for power electronics and pulsed power systems. To address the pressing issue of performance‐limiting loss under extreme electric‐fields, here a one‐step, high‐throughput, and environment‐friendly process based on very low‐dose ultra‐violet irradiation from KrCl (222 nm) and Xe2 (172 nm) excimer is demonstrated. The performance of commercial BOPP is boosted in terms of withstanding electric‐field extremes (Weibull breakdown strength 694 to 811 V µm−1 by 17% at 25 °C and 428 to 651 V µm−1 by 52% at 120 °C), discharged energy density, and conduction losses. Importantly, the depth profile of space charge is precisely measured in situ with a high resolution of 500 nm by laser induced pressure pulse. Consequently, the space charge effect and electric‐field distortion are reduced and related to the improved polymer films. It is demonstrated that energetic UV photons act as scissors for BOPP chains and dissociate oxygen molecules leading to the more thermally stable oxygen‐containing structures, as deep traps to impede charge migration. This work provides a promising approach to produce polymers with customized microscopic characteristics that is compatible with the assembly lines of polymer‐based capacitors.
High‐Performance Organic Phototransistors Based on Single‐Crystalline Microwire Arrays
Authors: Qiu Yuchen , Zhang Yu , Su Huixue , Li Xinyi , Wei Yanjie , Wu Yuchen , Dong Meiqiu , Wei Xiao , Gao Hanfei
Published: February 2024

High‐performance organic phototransistors (OPTs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their high photoresponse and low‐cost solution‐processing manufacturing. To meet the increasing demand for integrated optoelectronic circuits, organic single‐crystalline micro‐/nanowire arrays for OPTs construction are prominently anticipated. However, the manufacturing and patterning of organic single‐crystalline arrays have hit a bottleneck due to the uncontrollable dewetting dynamics. In this work, a capillary‐bridge lithography strategy is proposed to guide ordered nucleation and unidirectional dewetting of microfluid, thus enabling the large‐scale preparation of highly aligned organic single‐crystalline microwire arrays. Taking advantage of efficient carrier transport, a competitive average field‐effect hole mobility (μ) of 6.64 cm2 V−1 s−1 is obtained, and the high‐throughput one‐dimensional (1D) arrays based OPTs also exhibit excellent optoelectrical performance with photosensitivity (P) of 1.36 × 106, responsivity (R) of 3.18 × 104 A W−1, and specific detectivity (D*) of 9.22 × 1014 Jones. This work provides a guide for the designing and patterning of high‐throughput OPTs toward multifunctional integrated optoelectronics.
Direct Injection Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI‐MS) Analysis of Proteins with High Matrix Content:Utilizing Taylor–Aris Dispersion
Authors: Szabo Ruben , Nagy Cynthia , Gaspar Attila
Published: January 2024

This is the first work demonstrating the utility of the Taylor–Aris (TA) dispersion in avoiding serious interference issues commonly occurring in the electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometric (ESI‐MS) determination of therapeutic protein pharmaceuticals undergoing no pre‐separation or sample purification. It was also pointed out that the TA dispersion conditions and its analytical utilization for proteomics can be easily accomplished in a commercial CE‐MS instrument. In the proposed Taylor–Aris dispersion‐assisted mass spectrometry (TADA‐MS) analysis 0.5 μL sample is injected into a 65 cm long 50 μm i.d. capillary and pumped with 1 bar toward the MS. The procedure is efficient for the direct injection analysis of components having low diffusion coefficients (proteins) that are present in complex matrices of small organic and inorganic compounds.
A Modular Turn‐On Strategy to Profile E2‐Specific Ubiquitination Events in Living Cells
Authors: Hill Caitlin J. , Datta Suprama , McCurtin Nicholas P. , Kimball Hannah Z. , Kingsley Molly C. , Bayer Abraham L. , Martin Alexander C. , Peng Qianni , Weerapana Eranthie , Scheck Rebecca A.
Published: January 2024

A cascade of three enzymes, E1−E2−E3, is responsible for transferring ubiquitin to target proteins, which controls many different aspects of cellular signaling. The role of the E2 has been largely overlooked, despite influencing substrate identity, chain multiplicity, and topology. Here we report a method—targeted charging of ubiquitin to E2 (tCUbE)—that can track a tagged ubiquitin through its entire enzymatic cascade in living mammalian cells. We use this approach to reveal new targets whose ubiquitination depends on UbcH5a E2 activity. We demonstrate that tCUbE can be broadly applied to multiple E2s and in different human cell lines. tCUbE is uniquely suited to examine E2−E3‐substrate cascades of interest and/or piece together previously unidentified cascades, thereby illuminating entire branches of the UPS and providing critical insight that will be useful for identifying new therapeutic targets in the UPS.
The archaeology of 19th century oyster consumption in Melbourne
Authors: Marshall Brendan
Published: February 2024

This paper presents comparative research on marine shell from four 19th century historical archaeological sites in Melbourne. The shell derives predominantly from Mud Oyster (Ostrea angasi) and Sydney Rock Oyster (Saccostrea glomerata) commercially harvested from natural reefs along the south‐east Australian coastline. The research collects quantitative data that informs on the 19th century oyster industry and investigates inter‐site shell variability and its implications for processing, consumption and discard. Dredging of subtidal reefs provides an explanation for the numerical dominance of oyster, the presence of subfossil cultch (Anadara) and the wide range of minor shellfish. Mud oyster and Sydney rock oyster comparisons in valve size, sided counts and preservation record significant differences within and between sites due to the origins, depositional conditions and the processing of the shell. These data form the basis of two models. The first predicts the archaeological representation of reef dredging and ranks shellfish according to categories, from live oysters to dead shell sampled from the reef substrate. Based on oyster shell anatomy and the separate uses of the right (lid) and left (dish) valves, the second model considers how oyster processing and consumption is characterised archaeologically in differential valve counts and pairing rates.
Impact of choice set complexity on decoy effects
Authors: Stanley Jacob M. , Wedell Douglas H.
Published: February 2024

Studies of contextual choice typically use three option choice sets to evaluate how preference relations depend on the values of a third decoy option. However, often real‐world decisions are made using choice sets with many more than three alternatives, such as in online shopping. Three experiments tested for attraction and compromise decoy effects in choice sets that varied the number and ordering of alternatives using a within‐subjects preferential choice grocery shopping task. In Experiment 1, attraction and compromise effects were significantly reduced as alternatives increased from three to nine. Experiment 2 found significantly greater attraction effects in nine alternative choice sets ordered by attributes compared with a random ordering. Experiment 3 used eye tracking and found significant attraction effects in choice sets with 3, 9, and 15 alternatives, but the effect was reduced with increasing alternatives. Eye tracking revealed that participants engaged in more by‐dimension comparisons as the number of alternatives increased, but, contrary to previous research, the proportion of by‐alternative to by‐dimension transitions was not linearly predictive of decoy effects. With increased alternatives, the proportion of the total information attended to decreased, leading to worse choice outcomes, and participants were more likely to engage in a lexicographic decision‐making strategy.
Fus‐SMO: Kinetics, Biochemical Characterisation and In Silico Modelling of a Chimeric Styrene Monooxygenase Demonstrating Quantitative Coupling Efficiency
Authors: Knaus Tanja , Macheroux Peter , Mutti Francesco G.
Published: February 2024

The styrene monooxygenase, a two‐component enzymatic system for styrene epoxidation, was characterised through the study of Fus‐SMO – a chimera resulting from the fusion of StyA and StyB using a flexible linker. Notably, it remains debated whether the transfer of FADH2 from StyB to StyA occurs through diffusion, channeling, or a combination of both. Fus‐SMO was identified as a trimer with one bound FAD molecule. In silico modelling revealed a well‐distanced arrangement (45–50 Å) facilitated by the flexible linker‘s loopy structure. Pre‐steady‐state kinetics elucidated the FADox reduction intricacies (kred=110 s−1 for bound FADox), identifying free FADox binding as the rate‐determining step. The aerobic oxidation of FADH2 (kox=90 s−1) and subsequent decomposition to FADox and H2O2 demonstrated StyA′s protective effect on the bound hydroperoxoflavin (kdec=0.2 s−1) compared to free cofactor (kdec=1.8 s−1). At varied styrene concentrations, kox for FADH2 ranged from 80 to 120 s−1. Studies on NADH consumption vs. styrene epoxidation revealed Fus‐SMO′s ability to achieve quantitative coupling efficiency in solution, surpassing natural two‐component SMOs. The results suggest that Fus‐SMO exhibits enhanced FADH2 channelling between subunits. This work contributes to comprehending FADH2 transfer mechanisms in SMO and illustrates how protein fusion can elevate catalytic efficiency for biocatalytic applications.
Hybrid Catalysis in Concurrent Mode: How to Make Catalysts and Biocatalysts Compatible?
Authors: Gastaldi Cédric , Gautier Arnaud , Forano Claude , Hélaine Virgil , Guérard‐Hélaine Christine
Published: February 2024

For a long time, catalysis and biocatalysis seemed to be in competition until the organic chemist decided to synergize them for the better. However, their inherent differences presented such a challenge that most of the hybrid catalysis processes developed turned out to be sequential. Nevertheless, some processes have demonstrated that achieving the seemingly impossible was indeed feasible, by combining catalysts and biocatalysts in concurrent mode. This means having them operate under the same experimental conditions, in the presence of all reagents, from the start of the reaction cascade. The objective of this review is to illustrate how it became possible, drawing upon multidisciplinary fields such as organic and inorganic chemistry, chemo‐ and biocatalysis, to reconcile catalysts that are opposed by many parameters. Through a classification of encountered difficulties, organic chemists can swiftly identify methods to overcome them, creating a toolbox to develop new innovative processes.
The Piezoionic Effect: Biomimetic Transduction Mechanism for Sensing, Actuation, Interface, and Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ho Derek
Published: January 2024

Invited for this issue's Front Cover is Prof. Derek Ho of the Atoms‐to‐Systems Lab at the City University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro‐Cardiovascular Health Engineering. The front cover highlights the vision of an iontronic artificial limb seamlessly integrated with the human body. The sensory signal of touch is transduced through the biomimetic piezoionic process to natively communicate with the human nervous system. Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/celc.202300268.
Effect of high energy radiation on electrical properties of synthetic bone materials
Authors: Machuga Krishna S. , Tauraso Aria , Kazmi Mahack , Su Ching Hua , Cullum Brian , Arnold Bradley , Choa Fow‐Sen , Prasad Narasimha , Singh N. B.
Published: February 2024

Hydroxyapatites have been investigated since past six decades as laser host materials. Because of their important roles in bone and teeth, these have been subjects of recent investigations. Gallium and titanium have great potential for decreasing the depletion of calcium and reducing osteoporosis. The electrical properties and polarity play important roles in regeneration of the bones. We observed growth of grains in selenium‐doped gallium and titanium containing silicate hydroxyapatites. Observed morphology showed non‐facetted microstructures and it helped in achieving larger grains. For the material processed for the period of longer than 70 h, we did not observe any difference in the dielectric constant and resistivity of the selenium‐doped materials. For irradiating the materials, a Cs‐137  γ‐radiation with 5 µm curie dose was used up to 100 h. We observed that the dielectric constant and resistivity at different frequencies ranging from 100 to 100 000 Hz were affected by the high energy radiation. However, bias voltage in the range of 50–1 000 mV did no alter the dielectric constant or resistivity. This indicated that the breakdown of the material did not occur for this bias range.
Hyphae‐mediated bioassembly of carbon fibers derivatives for advanced battery energy storage
Authors: Huang Lei , Qiu Zhong , Liu Ping , Xia Xinhui , Cao Feng , He Xinping , Wang Chen , Wan Wangjun , Zhang Yongqi , Xia Yang , Zhang Wenkui , Chen Minghua , Zhou Jiancang
Published: February 2024

Ingenious design and fabrication of advanced carbon‐based sulfur cathodes are extremely important to the development of high‐energy lithium‐sulfur batteries, which hold promise as the next‐generation power source. Herein, for the first time, we report a novel versatile hyphae‐mediated biological assembly technology to achieve scale production of hyphae carbon fibers (HCFs) derivatives, in which different components including carbon, metal compounds, and semiconductors can be homogeneously assembled with HCFs to form composite networks. The mechanism of biological adsorption assembly is also proposed. As a representative, reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) decorated with hollow carbon spheres (HCSs) successfully co‐assemble with HCFs to form HCSs@rGOs/HCFs hosts for sulfur cathodes. In this unique architecture, not only large accommodation space for sulfur but also restrained volume expansion and fast charge transport paths are realized. Meanwhile, multiscale physical barriers plus chemisorption sites are simultaneously established to anchor soluble lithium polysulfides. Accordingly, the designed HCSs@rGOs/HCFs‐S cathodes deliver a high capacity (1189 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C) and good high‐rate capability (686 mA h g−1 at 5 C). Our work provides a new approach for the preparation of high‐performance carbon‐based electrodes for energy storage devices.
Phosphonium‐Substituted Diphosphaindenylide (PPI): Exploration of Biradical Character and Ligand Properties
Authors: Coburger Peter , Zuber David , Schweinzer Clara , Scharnhölz Moritz
Published: February 2024

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Peter Coburger at the Technical University of Munich. The image, painted by Dr. Christoph Selg, depicts the bonding relationships in a biradicaloid chromium complex as a staircase, with the people symbolizing the two‐way flow of electrons between the ligand and the metal. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202302970.
Wavelet analysis of rainfall and application of hydrological model in a semi‐arid river basin of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Sharma Devesh , Sharma Aditya , Panda S. K. , Babel Mukand S. , Kumar Manish
Published: February 2024

Rainfall–runoff modeling requires a selection of a suitable hydrologic model for the determination of an accurate quantity. A better understanding of rainfall–runoff processes is important for stream flow generation within a river basin. This study investigate the long‐term spatial–temporal trend of rainfall and streamflow using the hydrologic engineering center‐hydrologic modeling system (HEC‐HMS) model to understand the rainfall–runoff dynamics in the Banas River basin. Rainfall variability was analyzed for two periods: 1971–1995 and 1996–2020. Continuous wavelet transform was used to analyze the periodicity and the inter‐seasonal relationship in rainfall. HEC‐GeoHMS was used to generate the various inputs for the hydrologic modeling inputs for the HEC‐HMS model. Initial constant loss and ModClark transform method were used to set up the HEC‐HMS model for the study area. Calibration and validation of the model were performed using 3 years of observed data 2010–2012 and 2013–2015, respectively. Statistical model efficiency was checked using the coefficient of determination (R2), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, and root mean squared error to evaluate the performance of the HEC‐HMS model. The finding indicated that the R2 values are 0.80 for calibration and 0.82 for validation periods, respectively, which are in good arrangement with the measured values. This study analyzes the relationship between rainfall and runoff, which will aid in proper and efficient water resource management.
Glofitamab as a salvage treatment for B‐cell lymphomas in the real world: A multicenter study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Ya‐Ting , Wu Shang‐Ju , Kao Hsiao‐Wen , Hsiao Sheng‐Yen , Liao Chun‐Kai , Chen Tsai‐Yun , Wang Ming‐Chung
Published: February 2024

Background

Glofitamab is a bispecific antibody with promise for treating relapsed/refractory B‐cell lymphoma according to a phase 1/2 clinical trial. This study examined its real‐world effectiveness.

Methods

This was an investigator‐initiated, multicenter retrospective study including 34 patients who had relapsed/refractory B‐cell lymphomas after at least three prior lines of therapy and received glofitamab monotherapy in a compassionate use program in Taiwan between January 2021 and October 2022.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 15.9 months, 56% of patients responded to glofitamab and 23% achieved complete remission. Response to the previous line of therapy significantly correlated with response to glofitamab (p = .020). Most responses were durable; only five out of the 19 responders had documented disease recurrence at the data cutoff date. The estimated progression‐free survival (PFS) was 3.2 months, and the estimated 1‐year PFS was 33% for the entire cohort. PFS was better for responders than nonresponders (median PFS, 16.9 vs. 1.8 months; 1‐year PFS, 60% vs. 0%). Forty‐three cytokine release syndrome (CRS) events were observed, three of which were grade 3; all were manageable without glofitamab discontinuation. No immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity was reported. Among seven hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers (six had antiviral prophylaxis) and 14 patients with remote HBV (four had antiviral prophylaxis), no HBV reactivation was observed.

Conclusions

In this real‐world cohort, glofitamab exhibited effectiveness comparable to trial results without excessive CRS or new safety issues. With appropriate prophylaxis, glofitamab‐treated patients with chronic or remote HBV infection are unlikely to experience virus reactivation.
Selectivity and Activity of Benzene‐1,2,4‐triol and its Dimers as Antimicrobial Compounds Against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri
Authors: Cavalca Lúcia B. , Atlason Úlfur Á. , Trofin Alexandru , Ribeiro Camila M. , Pavan Fernando R. , Deuss Peter J. , Scheffers Dirk‐Jan
Published: February 2024

Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, is one of the main threats to citrus fruit production. Several phenolic compounds active against X. citri have been described in recent years. Benzene‐1,2,4‐triol is a bio‐based phenolic compound that has shown high potential as a scaffold for the synthesis of new anti‐X. citri compounds. However, benzene‐1,2,4‐triol is prone to oxidative dimerization. We evaluated the antibacterial activity of benzene‐1,2,4‐triol, its oxidized dimers, and analogous compounds. Benzene‐1,2,4‐triol has a low inhibitory concentration against X. citri (0.05 mM) and is also active against other bacterial species. Spontaneous formation of benzenetriol dimers (e. g. by contact with oxygen in aqueous solution) reduced the antimicrobial activity of benzenetriol solutions. Dimers themselves displayed lower antibacterial activity and where shown to be more stable in solution. Unlike many other phenolic compounds with anti‐X. citri activity, benzene‐1,2,4‐triol does not act by membrane permeabilization, but seems to limit the availability of iron to cells. Benzene‐1,2,4‐triol is widely recognized as toxic – our results indicate that the toxicity of benzene‐1,2,4‐triol is largely due to spontaneously formed dimers. Stabilization of benzene‐1,2,4‐triol will be required to allow the safe use of this compound.