bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Interactive Visualization and Analysis of Neurotransmitter Data
Authors: Homescu Anne Thomas , Murray Teresa
Published: September 2022

We describe an interactive visualizer (implemented in R Shiny framework) to facilitate analysis and a better understanding of neurotransmitter data collected within the context of epileptic seizures.

Given the very high granularity of collected data (at millisecond level), it is challenging to use static visuals and/or tables for deeper data insights and features. Such challenges are greatly alleviated through an interactive visualizer (dashboard) which has ability to zoom out (for “big picture” analysis) and to zoom in (for a much more focused and targeted targeted analysis).

The visualizer is available at link https://kittyviz.shinyapps.io/GluGabaViz
Mechanistic analysis of a novel membrane-interacting variable loop in the pleckstrin-homology domain critical for dynamin function
Authors: Khurana Himani , Bhattacharyya Soumya , Pucadyil Thomas
Published: September 2022

Classical dynamins are best understood for their ability to generate vesicles by membrane fission. During clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), dynamin is recruited to the membrane through multivalent protein and lipid interactions between its Proline Rich Domain (PRD) with SRC Homology 3 (SH3) domains in endocytic proteins and its Pleckstrin Homology Domain (PHD) with membrane lipids. Variable loops (VL) in the PHD bind lipids and partially insert into the membrane thereby anchoring the PHD to the membrane. Recent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal a novel VL4 that interacts with the membrane. Importantly, a missense mutation that reduces VL4 hydrophobicity is linked to an autosomal dominant form of Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) neuropathy. To mechanistically link data from simulations with the CMT neuropathy, we analyzed functions of a VL4 mutant with reduced hydrophobicity. In assays that rely solely on lipid-based membrane recruitment, this mutant showed an acute membrane curvature-dependent binding and fission. Remarkably, in assays that mimic a physiological multivalent lipid- and protein-based recruitment, this mutant was completely defective in fission across a range of membrane curvatures. Importantly, expression of this mutant in cells inhibited CME, consistent with the autosomal dominant phenotype associated with the CMT neuropathy. Together, our results emphasize the significance of finely tuned lipid and protein interactions for efficient dynamin function.
Evaluating microbial contaminations of alternative heating oils
Authors: Surger Maximilian J. , Mayer Katharina , Shivaram Karthik , Stibany Felix , Plum Wilfried , Schäffer Andreas , Eiden Simon , Blank Lars M.
Published: September 2022

Since 2008, legislative initiatives for climate protection and reduced dependency on fossil resource imports led to the introduction of biofuels as CO2-reduced alternatives in the heating oil sector. In the case of biodiesel, the oil industry or its customers were confronted with accelerated and escalating microbial contaminations during heating oil storage. Since then, other fuel alternatives, like hydrogenated vegetable oils, gas-to-liquid products (GtL), or Oxymethylenether (OME) have been or will be developed and potentially introduced to the market. In this study, we use online monitoring of microbial CO2 production and the simulation of onset of microbial contamination to investigate the contamination potential of fuel alternatives during storage. As reference and blends, fossil heating oils of various refineries, in the course of this from various crude oils, and refinery processes reveal considerable variation in potential microbial activity. Oxymethylene ethers have an antimicrobial effect, while various forms of biodiesel confirm the promotion of microbial activity and diversity. The paraffinic Fischer-Tropsch products and biogenic hydrogenation products demonstrate high resistance to microbial contamination despite allowing microbial diversity. Through an array of analytics, including advanced chromatography coupled mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and microbial sequencing, we can discuss critical fuel properties that promote or inhibit microbial contaminations. In summary, novel, non-fossil heating oils show different strengths and weaknesses for long-term storage. Designing blends for microbial activity reduced long-term storage might be an option. While being niche products, these fuels will contribute to the rapid reduction of fossil resource use.
Localizing post-admixture adaptive variants with object detection on ancestry-painted chromosomes
Authors: Hamid Iman , Korunes Katharine L. , Schrider Daniel R. , Goldberg Amy
Published: September 2022

Gene flow between previously isolated populations during the founding of an admixed or hybrid population has the potential to introduce adaptive alleles into the new population. If the adaptive allele is common in one source population, but not the other, then as the adaptive allele rises in frequency in the admixed population, genetic ancestry from the source containing the adaptive allele will increase nearby as well. Patterns of genetic ancestry have therefore been used to identify post-admixture positive selection in humans and other animals, including examples in immunity, metabolism, and animal coloration. A common method identifies regions of the genome that have local ancestry ‘outliers’ compared to the distribution across the rest of the genome, considering each locus independently. However, we lack theoretical models for expected distributions of ancestry under various demographic scenarios, resulting in potential false positives and false negatives. Further, ancestry patterns between distant sites are often not independent. As a result, current methods tend to infer wide genomic regions containing many genes as under selection, limiting biological interpretation. Instead, we develop a deep learning object detection method applied to images generated from local ancestry-painted genomes. This approach preserves information from the surrounding genomic context and avoids potential pitfalls of user-defined summary statistics. We find the-method is robust to a variety of demographic misspecifications using simulated data. Applied to human genotype data from Cabo Verde, we localize a known adaptive locus to a single narrow region compared to multiple or long windows obtained using two other ancestry-based methods.
Genesis of Ecto-symbiotic features based on Commensalistic Syntrophy
Authors: Krishnan Nandakishor , Csiszár Villő , Móri Tamás F. , Garay József
Published: September 2022

The origin of eukaryotes and organellogenesis have been recognized as a major evolutionary transition and subject to in-depth studies. Acknowledging the fact that the initial interactions and conditions of cooperative behaviour between free-living single-celled organisms are widely debated, we narrow our scope to a single mechanism that could possibly have set-off multi-species associations. We hypothesize that the very first step in the evolution of such cooperative behaviour could be a single mutation in an ancestral symbiont genome that results in the formation of an ecto-commensalism with its obligate ancestral host. We investigate the ecological and evolutionary stability of inter-species microbial interactions with vertical transmissions as an association based on syntrophy (cross-feeding). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a commensalistic model based on the syntrophy hypothesis is considered in the framework of coevolutionary dynamics and invadability by mutant phenotype into a monomorphic resident system.
Everyday life as an evolving context of information behaviour
Authors: Savolainen Reijo
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the nature of everyday life as a context of information behaviour by examining how researchers have approached this issue. To this end, particular attention is directed to how they have characterized everyday life as a constellation of work-related and non-work constituents.

Design/methodology/approach

Evolutionary concept analysis was conducted by focussing on 40 studies on the topic. It is examined how the conceptualizations of everyday life and the relationships between work-related and non-work constituents have been evolved since the 1990s. The analysis is based on the comparison of the similarities and differences between the characterizations of the above constituents.

Findings

Early conceptualizations of everyday life as a context of information behaviour were largely based on Savolainen's model for everyday life information seeking. Later studies have proposed a more holistic approach to everyday life in times when the boundaries between work-related and free-time activities have become blurred, due to the growing use of networked information technologies and telecommuting. Since the late 1990s, the understanding about the nature of everyday life as a context of information behaviour has become more nuanced; thanks to a more detailed identification of the overlaps of work-related and non-work constituents.

Research limitations/implications

As the study is based on a sample of studies examining the relationships of work-related and non-work constituents, the findings cannot be generalized to concern the contextual nature of everyday life as a whole.

Originality/value

The study pioneers by offering an in-depth analysis of the nature of everyday life as a context of information behaviour.
Customers' dining choice using meal ordering apps: insights from China and Indonesia
Authors: Shah Adnan Muhammad , Qayyum Abdul , Lee KangYoon
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Meal ordering apps (MOAs) have transformed the customers' dining habits, particularly during mobility restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the theoretical cover of the extended stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model, this paper attempts to explore the critical antecedents and outcomes of customer MOA engagement which predict the continuous purchase intentions using these apps. A multigroup analysis is conducted to investigate the difference between the hypothesized relationships between the Chinese and Indonesian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach, including a systematic literature review, an open-ended essay (qualitative) with 139 MOA users and an online survey (quantitative) with 1,207 MOA users in total, was used for hypotheses testing.

Findings

The structural equation model results revealed that customer MOA experience factors such as mobile online reviews (MR), food quality (FQ), restaurant reputation (RR), service quality and system quality (SyQ) are the absolute positive factors that influence customer MOA cognitive, affective and behavioral engagement, which in turn affect continuous purchase intentions. The multigroup analysis results reveal that Chinese customers prioritized MR and FQ for customer MOA engagement (cognitive, affective and behavioral). Comparatively, Indonesian customers placed most importance on RR and SyQ.

Originality/value

Considering a market-specific setting and based on the extended SOR framework, this study is one of the first to take a comprehensive look at the critical antecedents and outcome of multidimensional customer MOA engagement in the developing countries’ (China and Indonesia) online to offline meal delivery context. Further, this study investigates the customer continuous purchase intentions as an outcome of MOA engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings also reveal the differences in consumer behavior across the two developing but culturally diverse countries samples during the pandemic.
Organizational change towards Lean Six Sigma implementation in the manufacturing supply chain: an integrated approach
Authors: Orji Ifeyinwa Juliet , U-Dominic Chukwuebuka Martinjoe
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The topic of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation in a supply chain context is an emerging research stream comprising of diverse objectives and complex processes thereby presenting opportunities for further exploration and organizational process improvement. Thus, this study proposes an integrated multi-criteria decision-making methodology to determine what can facilitate the successful implementation of LSS as an organizational change strategy in the manufacturing supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology based on Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory and hierarchical Evaluation Based on Distance to Average Solution is employed to ascertain the relative importance and priorities of an identified framework of factors with the aid of opinions of managers in the Nigerian plastics industry.

Findings

The results show a high significance of institution-based factors (e.g. government regulations) and present relevant implications to the policymakers as well as the managers and practitioners of the plastics manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

This study indicates a possible pathway to accurately evaluate a framework of critical factors to integrate and institutionalize LSS in the manufacturing supply chain for organizational performance improvement.
A value chain development model for the public sector
Authors: Cardoso Anne , Silva Thais Fernanda Bueno da , Takagi Nilton , Silva Cleiton , Micelli Alessandro
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The value chain is an essential management tool for the elaboration of strategic organizational planning. However, there are few published works providing methods for the development of value chains. This research aims to present a model to develop the value chain for the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research was used with case study in the evaluation step.

Findings

This research presents a model for value chain development along seven steps, covering data collection planning to the formalization of final product acceptance. The model suggests executing these seven steps in three iteration levels: operational, tactical and strategic. Through case studies, six practical insights were also highlighted in this work.

Research limitations/implications

Given the absence of related work, one of the limitations is the lack of comparison with other methods of value chain development in the public sector.

Originality/value

There are practical guides to value chain development in the public sector; however, to the best of authors’ knowledge, such guides have not been developed using research methods. In the literature, no works provide details on how value chain can be developed in the public sector. In addition, the constraints of face-to-face contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic led the research team to conduct remotely the model's development and evaluation in the case studies. The model presents elements that enable value chain development without face-to-face contact between the execution team and public institution's stakeholders.
Perceptions on the use of mixed reality in mobile environments in secondary education
Authors: Marín Díaz Verónica , Sampedro Begoña Esther , Aznar Inmaculada , Trujillo Juan Manuel
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The beliefs about this subject of N = 223 secondary education teachers were collected through an ex post facto research method using a descriptive and correlational design and a 27-item questionnaire.

Design/methodology/approach

The arrival of online learning, in this case m-learning, to secondary education, has made educators in this stage incorporate digital resources, such as Smartphones or mixed reality (MR), to their classroom methodologies. The present study describes the results obtained in the project design, implementation and evaluation of MR materials in learning environments (PID2019-108933GB-I00). The starting general objective is to determine the perception of Compulsory Education teachers-in-training from the areas of Experimental Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, and Health Sciences, on the use of MR as a teaching tool under the m-learning modality.

Findings

The main conclusion obtained was that neither sex nor age had an influence on the use of MR in the classroom, and its use was determined by elements associated with the classroom methodology, such as collaborative work and attention to diversity, which took place in the education center.

Research limitations/implications

The main obstacle found when conducting the research was being able to access the general population of teachers-in-training in the aforementioned Master's program.

Originality/value

The value of the article lies in publicizing the knowledge that secondary school teachers have of MR and giving clues to create training actions that encourage its incorporation into the classroom methodology.
Institutional pressures and strategic response to auditing implementation of sustainable development goals: the role of public sector auditors
Authors: Tetteh Lexis Alexander , Agyenim-Boateng Cletus , Simpson Samuel Nana Yaw
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of public sectors auditors in strategically responding to institutional pressures to conduct a performance audit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

To gather in-depth and rich empirical data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 senior and middle management auditors of Ghana's Supreme Audit Institution (SAI).

Findings

The findings indicate that the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions, the government, auditees, political executives and the Audit Service Board all exert institutional pressure on Ghana's audit of SDG implementation. In response to these pressures, the SAI deploys acquiescence, compromise and manipulation strategies that result in the coupling, and in some cases, the loose coupling of SDG audit practices.

Research limitations/implications

Observation method of data collection would have given the researchers first-hand knowledge of the role of auditors, the institutional pressures to SDG audit and the strategic response to the institutional pressures. The authors were unable to accompany the public sector auditors to their field audits. This would have aided in obtaining more detailed empirical data.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that external and internal factors affect public sector audit of SDG implementation. Because the SAI of Ghana is dependent on the central government for budgetary allocation and auditees for miscellaneous logistics, it is under coercive pressure to meet rent seeking demands of political executives. As a result, SAIs in emerging economies must revisit the other side of accountability by reinforcing a constructive dialogue with those held accountable, particularly politicians and auditees.

Originality/value

This study's contribution is the exploration and application of institutional theory and Oliver (1991) model for responding to institutional pressures to a novel research area, namely, SDG implementation audit by public sector auditors in an emerging economy.
International universities-firms cooperation as a mechanism for environmental sustainability: a case study of EdgeWise
Authors: Marques João , Franco Mário , Rodrigues Margarida
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand in what way international cooperation between universities and/or firms can be seen as a vehicle in the transfer of knowledge and innovation for implementation of environmentally sustainable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, a qualitative approach was adopted, resorting to the case study method: the EdgeWise project. Data were obtained from interviews, documentation provided by partners and observation, and the content analysis technique was also used.

Findings

The results lead to the conclusion that this type of international cooperation is supported by solid dimensions, such as knowledge transfer and appropriate choice of partners. In addition, the dimension related to organisational culture is not considered a barrier in the cooperation process studied here, but rather as a form of learning among partners.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence suggests that it will add value to the understanding of the various issues surrounding resources (water and energy) that differ from country to country. However, the administrative-bureaucratic dimension is identified as a barrier to this type of cooperation/project, with its analysis being suggested for future studies.

Originality/value

This innovative study shows that the literature and the case study made identified various dimensions; motivations, barriers and drivers, of knowledge transfer, choice of partners and organisational culture. In addition, this study contributes for international universities-firms cooperation in sustainability area.
Violence against on-duty police officers: the role of criminal motivation and premeditation in offenders' choice of weapons
Authors: Haoran Xu , Verhage Antoinette , Vandeviver Christophe
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This research uses rational choice theory to analyze the effects of motivation, premeditation and offender characteristics on offenders' weapons during decision-making processes when they are violent towards on-duty police officers. The paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers examined 597 cases (n = 597) of violence against the police in the China Judgments Online (CJO) database, and analyzed the data using multinomial logistic regression methods. Rational choice theory was used to explore the offenders' weapons decision-making process.

Findings

The research results showed that offenders with premeditation were more likely to use a weapon, and tended to choose sharp weapons; offenders motivated to “escape arrest” were more likely to use a weapon, and tended to choose a vehicle as a weapon; and offenders motivated by “conflict resolution” were more likely to choose a sharp or blunt weapon.

Research limitations/implications

These findings have limited applicability to other countries and must be considered in the local background of violence against police.

Practical implications

Through the rational choice theory analytical framework, this study clarifies how motivation and premeditation influence offenders' weapons decision-making processes.

Social implications

Also, this study may provide support for frontline police officers' law enforcement.

Originality/value

The research identified some specific connections between offenders' weapon choice preferences, their motivation for the violence and whether or not there was premeditation. The findings provide guidance for police agencies developing preventive policies, and for frontline officers in interpreting and managing the situations they face.
The association between financial literacy confidence and financial satisfaction
Authors: Pearson Blain , Korankye Thomas
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study examines the association between financial literacy confidence and financial satisfaction. The authors posit that overconfident poor performers will experience greater levels of financial satisfaction and underconfident high performers will experience lower levels of financial satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the results of an objective financial literacy assessment and a subjective financial literacy assessment, variables measuring study participants' financial literacy overconfidence and financial literacy underconfidence are constructed. The variables are analyzed for their associations with financial satisfaction.

Findings

The results from the multivariate analysis suggest that financial literacy overconfidence (underconfidence) is associated positively (negatively) with higher levels of financial satisfaction and is associated negatively (positively) with lower levels of financial satisfaction.

Practical implications

The discussion first highlights that to increase objective financial literacy, the disconnect between subjective financial literacy assessment and objective financial literacy must be recognized. Secondly, the discussion encourages financial literacy and education programs to incorporate behavioral education, which can provide learners with an awareness of the role of financial literacy confidence when making financial decisions.

Originality/value

Financial literacy overconfidence can result in an inability to recognize the realities of one's financial situation. Individuals who are overconfident in their level of financial literacy preformed lower on an objective assessment of their financial literacy, yet also tended to have a greater sense of financial satisfaction. This finding not only suggests that financial literacy overconfidence results in financial ineptitude, but also suggest that financial literacy overconfidence can result in specious conclusions regarding one's financial situation. The financial literacy underconfidence finding suggests that those who are financial literate, and who are also underconfident in their financial literacy, are less likely to have high financial satisfaction.
Empirically testing the influence of light regime on diel activity patterns in a marine predator reveals complex interacting factors shaping behaviour
Authors: Storrie Luke , Hussey Nigel E. , MacPhee Shannon A. , O'Corry‐Crowe Greg , Iacozza John , Barber David G. , Loseto Lisa L.
Published: September 2022

Diel cycles in marine predator diving behaviour centre around the light‐mediated diel vertical migration (DVM) of prey, and are considered critical for optimizing foraging and limiting competition across global seascapes. Yet, our understanding of predator diel behaviour is based primarily on examining relative depth usage between constant day/night cycles with no formal investigation of how varying light regimes interact with abiotic factors to shape diel activity.

The extreme seasonal light regimes (midnight sun, polar night, day/night cycle) in the Arctic provide a unique natural experimental setting to empirically investigate the occurrence and intensity of diel behaviour in marine predators relative to changing light levels while concomitantly assessing interacting abiotic factors.

Depth time series data from satellite‐linked tags deployed on six beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) for up to 12 months were used to quantify diel behaviour by calculating dissimilarity in time‐at‐depth between periods of low and high solar altitude on each day. Generalized additive mixed effects models were used to examine the influence of hours of daylight across extreme light cycles, coupled with bathymetry and sea ice concentration; focal diel patterns were further examined relative to the thermal structure of the water column.

As predicted, belugas exhibited cathemerality during the midnight sun, and initiated diel behaviour with the onset of the fall day/night cycle, with a marked increase in its intensity with the progression to equal day/night length. Occurrence of diel patterns, however, was complex; ceasing in regions with seafloor depths <700 m, and occurring with greatest intensity when the water column was thermally homogeneous within the upper 150 m.

Through empirical investigation, this study demonstrates that the onset of day/night light cycles and presumably associated prey DVM can modulate predator diel dive behaviour under certain circumstances, but highlights how the complex interaction of abiotic factors with light regime shape dynamic spatiotemporal patterns. These findings, building on a body of recent work, emphasize that the traditional view of the ubiquitous occurrence of diel behaviour tied to DVM at the base of the food web oversimplifies vertical predator–prey interactions, identifying the need for more structured investigation.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Unwrapping broken tails: Biological and environmental correlates of predation pressure in limbless reptiles
Authors: Moura Mario R. , Costa Henrique C. , Abegg Arthur D. , Alaminos Esmeralda , Angarita‐Sierra Teddy , Azevedo Weverton S. , Cabral Hugo , Carvalho Priscila , Cechin Sonia , Citeli Nathalie , Dourado Ângelo C. M. , Duarte André F. V. , França Frederico G. R. , Freire Eliza M. X. , Garcia Paulo C. A. , Mol Rafael , Montero Ricardo , Moraes‐da‐Silva Antônio , Passos Daniel C. , Passos Paulo , Perez Renata , Pleguezuelos Juan M. , Prado Pedro , Prudente Ana Lúcia C. , Sales Raul F. D. , Santana Diego J. , Santos Livia C. , Silva Vinicius T. C. , Sudré Vinícius , Torres‐Carvajal Omar , Torres‐Ramírez Juan J. , Wallach Van , Winck Gisele R. , Guedes Jhonny J. M.
Published: September 2022

Studying species interactions in nature often requires elaborated logistics and intense fieldwork. The difficulties in such task might hinder our ability to answer questions on how biotic interactions change with the environment. Fortunately, a workaround to this problem lies within scientific collections.

For some animals, the inspection of preserved specimens can reveal the scars of past antagonistic encounters, such as predation attempts. A common defensive behaviour that leaves scars on animals is autotomy, the loss of a body appendage to escape predation. By knowing the collection site of preserved specimens, it is possible to assess the influence of organismal biology and the surrounding environment in the occurrence of autotomy.

We gathered data on tail loss for 8189 preserved specimens of 33 snake and 11 amphisbaenian species to investigate biological and environmental correlates of autotomy in reptiles. We applied generalized linear mixed effect models to evaluate whether body size, sex, life‐stage, habitat use, activity pattern, biome, tropicality, temperature and precipitation affect the probability of tail loss in limbless reptiles.

We observed autotomy in 23.6% of examined specimens, with 18.7% of amphisbaenian and 33.4% of snake specimens showing tail loss. The probability of tail loss did not differ between snakes and amphisbaenians, but it was higher among large‐sized specimens, particularly in adults and females. Chance of tail loss was higher for diurnal and arboreal species, and among specimens collected in warmer regions, but it was unaffected by biome, precipitation, and tropicality.

Autotomy in limbless reptiles was affected by size‐dependent factors that interplay with ontogeny and sexual dimorphism, although size‐independent effects of life‐stage and sex also shaped behavioural responses to predators. The increase in probability of tail loss with verticality and diurnality suggests a risk‐balance mechanism between species habitat use and activity pattern. Although autotomy is more likely in warmer regions, it seems unrelated to seasonal differences in snakes and amphisbaenians activity. Our findings reveal several processes related to predator–prey interactions involving limbless reptiles, demonstrating the importance of scientific collections to unveil ecological mechanisms at different spatio‐temporal scales.
Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245 exploits Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 biofilm to overgrow in dual‐species macrocolonies
Authors: Díaz Pablo R. , Romero Manuel , Pagnussat Luciana , Amenta Melina , Valverde Claudio F. , Cámara Miguel , Creus Cecilia M. , Maroniche Guillermo A.
Published: September 2022

Biofilms are essential for plant‐associated bacteria to colonize their host. In this work, we analysed the interaction of Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245 and Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 in mixed macrocolony biofilms. We identified certain culture conditions where A. baldaniorum Sp245 exploits P. fluorescens A506 to boost its growth. Azospirillum growth increased proportionally to the initial number of pseudomonads building the biofilm, which in turn were negatively affected in their growth. Physical contact with P. fluorescens A506 was essential for A. baldaniorum Sp245 growth increase. Biofilm ultrastructure analysis revealed that Pseudomonas produces a thick structure that hosts Azospirillum cells in its interior. Additional experimentation demonstrated that Azospirillum growth boost is compromised when interacting with biofilm‐deficient Pseudomonas mutants, and that a low oxygen concentration strongly induce A. baldaniorum Sp245 growth, overriding Pseudomonas stimulation. In this line, we used a microaerophilia reporter strain of A. baldaniorum Sp245 to confirm that dual‐species macrocolonies contain a higher number of cells under microaerophilic conditions. Taking all the results into consideration, we propose that A. baldaniorum Sp245 can benefit from P. fluorescens A506 partnership in mixed biofilms by taking advantage of the low oxygen concentration and scaffold made up of Pseudomonas‐derived matrix, to expand its growth.
Childhood disability, social class and social mobility: A neglected relationship
Authors: Chatzitheochari Stella , Velthuis Sanne , Connelly Roxanne
Published: September 2022

Disability theorists have long highlighted the role of institutional, social, and environmental barriers in constructing disability, emphasizing its parallels with other socially constructed axes of stratification. However, despite theoretical developments toward sociological understandings of disability, social stratification and life‐course research have largely neglected childhood disability as a social division. As a result, we still know little surrounding the socio‐economic attainment of disabled children and young people. Drawing on Next Steps data, this research note highlights stark overlooked inequalities between disabled and non‐disabled young people's activity status and social mobility in early adulthood. We specifically focus on the importance of social class for disabled young people's outcomes, emphasizing the need for intersectional analyses of disability inequalities. We also outline longitudinal survey data enhancements necessary for life‐course research on childhood disability and its intersections.
Tax policies to reduce carbon emissions
Authors: Adam Stuart , Delestre Isaac , Levell Peter , Miller Helen
Published: September 2022

Carbon taxes or similar pricing instruments could play a crucial role in helping countries decarbonise their economies. No country has a single carbon price that applies to all greenhouse gas emissions. The UK is typical in having adopted a complex patchwork of policies that raise the cost of different polluting activities to different degrees, resulting in implied carbon taxes that vary greatly across sources of emissions. We document and quantify these inconsistencies in the case of the UK, and assess the case for greater uniformity after accounting for considerations of efficiency, distribution, carbon leakage and the use of alternative policy instruments. We argue for greater rationalisation of environmental taxes in the UK and other developed economies.
Forensic anthropology casework at the Cook County Illinois Medical Examiner's Office, Chicago, IL, 2012–2022
Authors: Waxenbaum Erin B. , Grauer Anne L.
Published: September 2022

Forensic anthropology has grown in recent years with increased methodological standardization, technical advancements, and increasing numbers of academic institutions offering coursework and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, few practicing forensic anthropologists publish the composition of their casework, resulting in limited understanding of the true mechanics of the field by academics and forensic professionals. This study reports on forensic anthropology casework at the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office between March 2012 and February 2022. A total of 132 cases were evaluated. Results indicate that peak months of discovery were June (n = 19) and September (n = 17), with the fewest in January (n = 5). Most discovery contexts were outdoor surface recoveries (n = 55) and were fully skeletonized (n = 47). The majority of consultation requests consisted of biological profile estimation (n = 99). An average of 77.1 days elapsed from discovery to anthropology consult, 60.3 days from consultation to anthropological analysis, and 14.1 days from analysis to report submission. Assessment of the data indicates that the impact of seasonal variation, changing Medical Examiner personnel, as well as the complexity of cases influence forensic anthropology casework in Cook County. Report and discussion of forensic anthropologists' casework strengthens our understanding of the field, allows for the formulation of best practices, and serves as data upon which decisions regarding protocol, funding, resources, and need can be based. With additional practitioners collecting and sharing their data, a clearer understanding of the scope and utility of the field will be appreciated by colleagues and the greater forensic scientific community.
Post‐progression survival after atezolizumab plus carboplatin and etoposide as first‐line chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer has a significant impact on overall survival
Authors: Masubuchi Ken , Imai Hisao , Wasamoto Satoshi , Tsuda Takeshi , Minemura Hiroyuki , Nagai Yoshiaki , Yamada Yutaka , Kishikawa Takayuki , Umeda Yukihiro , Shiono Ayako , Takechi Hiroki , Shiihara Jun , Kaira Kyoichi , Kanazawa Kenya , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Kaburagi Takayuki , Kagamu Hiroshi , Minato Koichi
Published: September 2022

Background

The effect of first‐line chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) may be significantly influenced by subsequent therapy for patients with extensive disease small cell lung cancer (ED‐SCLC). Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between progression‐free survival (PFS), post‐progression survival (PPS), and OS of ED‐SCLC patients treated with atezolizumab plus carboplatin and etoposide as first‐line therapy.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 57 patients with relapsed ED‐SCLC treated with atezolizumab plus carboplatin and etoposide (AteCE) as first‐line chemotherapy between August 2019 and September 2020. The respective correlations between PFS‐OS and PPS‐OS following first‐line AteCE treatment were examined at the individual patient level.

Results

Spearman's rank correlation analysis and linear regression analysis showed that PPS strongly correlated with OS (r = 0.93,p < 0.05,R2 = 0.85) and that PFS moderately correlated with OS (r = 0.55,p < 0.05,R2 = 0.28). Performance status at relapse (0–1/≥2), number of cycles of atezolizumab maintenance therapy (<3/≥3), and platinum rechallenge chemotherapy all significantly positively correlated with PPS (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Upon comparing OS‐PFS and OS‐PPS in this patient population, OS and PPS were found to have a stronger correlation. These results suggest that performance status at relapse, atezolizumab maintenance, or chemotherapy rechallenge could affect PPS.
Factors associated with onset‐age in major affective disorders
Authors: Miola Alessandro , Tondo Leonardo , Salvatore Paola , Baldessarini Ross J.
Published: September 2022

Background

Research findings on factors associated with onset‐age (OA) with bipolar (BD) and major depressive disorders (MDD) have been inconsistent, but often indicate greater morbidity following early OA.

Methods

We considered factors associated with OA in 1033 carefully evaluated, systematically followed mood disorder subjects with DSM‐5 BD (n = 505) or MDD (n = 528), comparing rates of descriptive and clinical characteristics following early (age <18), intermediate (18–40), or later onset (≥40 years), as well as regressing selected measures versus OA. Exposure time (years ill) was matched among these subgroups.

Results

As hypothesized, many features were associated with early OA: familial psychiatric illness, including BD, greater maternal age, early sexual abuse, nondepressive first episodes, co‐occurring ADHD, suicide attempts and violent suicidal behavior, abuse of alcohol or drugs, smoking, and unemployment. Other features increased consistently with later OA: %‐time‐depressed (in BD and MDD, women and men), as well as depressions/year and intake ratings of depression, educational levels, co‐occurring medical disorders, rates of marriage and number of children.

Conclusions

OA averaged 7.5 years earlier in BD versus MDD (30.7 vs. 38.2). Some OA‐associated measures may reflect maturation. Associations with family history and suicidal risk with earlier OA were expected; increases of time‐depressed in both BD and MDD with later OA were not. We conclude that associations of OA with later morbidity are complex and not unidirectional but may be clinically useful.
The ambrosia beetle Anisandrus maiche (Stark) is repelled by conophthorin and verbenone and attracted to ethanol in a dose‐dependent manner
Authors: Tobin Kelsey N. , Ginzel Matthew D.
Published: September 2022

Anisandrus maiche (Stark) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a non‐native ambrosia beetle recently detected in northwestern Indiana. There is a critical need for advanced methods to detect and manage this potentially destructive beetle. Identifying semiochemicals that function as attractants or repellents can inform management practices to protect high‐value plantings of hardwood trees.

We evaluated the extent to which (S)‐(−)‐verbenone, (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin and ethanol influence trap capture of A. maiche using two trap types and heights. We also investigated the effect of ethanol release rate on trap capture.

Traps baited with ethanol alone captured the most beetles, while traps baited with (S)‐(−)‐verbenone or (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin alone captured few A. maiche, and each compound decreased capture when paired with ethanol lures.

There was no difference in mean capture of A. maiche between trap types across treatments, and the height of ethanol‐baited traps did not influence the capture rate suggesting this species is widely distributed throughout the canopy.

Our results suggest that (S)‐(−)‐verbenone and (E)‐(±)‐conophthorin are effective repellents for A. maiche and a release rate of at least 3 g/day of ethanol enhances trap to capture.
Politicians’ Private Sector Jobs and Parliamentary Behavior
Authors: Weschle Simon
Published: September 2022

About 80% of democracies allow legislators to be employed in the private sector while they hold office. However, we know little about the consequences of this practice. In this article, I use newly assembled panel data of all members of the United Kingdom House of Commons and a difference‐in‐differences design to investigate how legislators change their parliamentary behavior when they have outside earnings. When holding a private sector job, members of the governing Conservative Party, who earn the vast majority of outside income, change whether and how they vote on the floor of parliament as well as increase the number of written parliamentary questions they ask by 60%. For the latter, I demonstrate a targeted pattern suggesting that the increase relates to their employment. The article thus shows that one of the most common, and yet least studied, forms of money in politics affects politicians’ parliamentary behavior.
What is the benefit of membership in farm producer organizations? The case of coffee producers in Peru
Authors: Grashuis Jasper , Skevas Theodoros
Published: September 2022

Empirical evidence of the benefit of farm producer organizations (FPOs) in the developing world is mounting. There is, however, no work in South America on the relationship between FPO membership and farm‐level performance. We address the gap by estimating the treatment effect of FPO membership with respect to three outcomes: quantity produced, quantity sold, and price received. The empirical application focuses on the Peruvian coffee sector, where FPOs may have played an important role during the recent price crisis. A sample of approximately 9,000 survey responses from Peruvian coffee producers during the 2015–19 period is used in the analysis. Results show a positive treatment effect of FPO membership on all three farm‐level outcomes. Compared to non‐FPO members, FPO members produced 120–295 kg/ha more, sold 118–296 kg/ha more, and received 0.42–1.53 PEN/kg more. We also find evidence of heterogeneity in the estimated effect of FPO membership across time, farm size, and membership probability. The findings yield novel implications in terms of policy support for FPOs.
Exploring the attractiveness of social enterprises to job seekers: The role of perceived value fit and prestige
Authors: Crucke Saskia , Bockaert Hanne
Published: September 2022

Existing research indicates that job seekers are attracted to organizations demonstrating social responsibility. This seems especially true for commercial enterprises that engage in socially responsible practices, but is challenged in the case of social enterprises. While commercial enterprises stay focused on their primary aim of generating financial revenues when engaging in social responsibility, social enterprises’ social responsibility is primary and at the core of their business. However, the attractiveness of social enterprises on the job market has not been the focus of extant research. This study aims to enrich the academic literature by exploring the attractiveness of social enterprises to job seekers. When studying job seekers’ intentions to pursue a job with a social enterprise, we also examine some of the underlying mechanisms that affect individuals’ attraction process to social enterprises. We perform an experimental design study involving 349 Belgian students about to graduate. The results reveal that participants’ intentions to pursue a job with a social enterprise are significantly lower in comparison to their job pursuit intentions with commercial enterprises. Furthermore, factors relating to personal values, like perceptions of value fit and individuals’ prosocial values, play a significant role in the attractiveness of social enterprises.
Impact of COVID‐19 on the endoscopy department since the early phase of the pandemic in 2020: A questionnaire study among patients with canceled examinations at a single Japanese institution
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Igarashi Kimihiro , Murakami Fumiya , Tanaka Ippei , Nawata Yoshitaka , Tanaka Yukari , Okuzono Toru , Tsubokura Masaharu , Hirasawa Dai , Nakahori Masato , Matsuda Tomoki
Published: September 2022

Introduction

In early 2020, the Japanese government declared a nationwide state of emergency for the COVID‐19 pandemic. We investigated the impact of the emergency declaration on endoscopy adherence and conducted a follow‐up study of patients with canceled examinations at a tertiary endoscopy facility in Japan in 2020.

Methods

We compared the number of endoscopies performed, and cancelations at the endoscopy unit between 2019 and 2020 and used the Bayesian structural time series (BSTS) model to estimate the decrease in the number of endoscopies in 2020. We administered a questionnaire to those who had not undergone a scheduled endoscopy.

Results

Of 14 146 and 13 338 scheduled examinations, 1233 (8.7%) and 1403 (10.5%) were canceled in 2019 and 2020, respectively. During both years, age < 50 years, age > 80 years, upper endoscopy, and experience of endoscopy in the past 5 years were significantly associated with cancelations. In 2020, cancelations in the 14th–26th week of the year, including the period of state of emergency, increased significantly, and more women canceled. Of the 409 questionnaire‐respondents, 174 (42.5%) indicated that COVID‐19 had influenced their cancelation, and 315 (77.0%) had not undergone similar endoscopic examinations since then. The BSTS model predicted a decrease of 957 (95% CI −1213 to −708, P = .003) examinations.

Conclusion

In 2020, despite low numbers of COVID‐19 cases in the study site, the number of endoscopies decreased, and cancelation increased. Further research is needed on the future impact of a decrease in the number of endoscopies during a COVID‐19 pandemic.