bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulation‐based study design accuracy weights are not generalisable and can still lead to biased meta‐analytic inference: Comments on Christie et al. (2019)
Authors: Pescott Oliver L. , Stewart Gavin B. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Variable study quality is a challenge for all the empirical sciences, but perhaps particularly for disciplines such as ecology where experimentation is frequently hampered by system complexity, scale and resourcing. The resulting heterogeneity, and the necessity of subsequently combining the results of different study designs, is a fundamental issue for evidence synthesis.

We welcome the recognition of this issue by Christie et al. (2019) and their attempt to provide a generic approach to study quality assessment and meta‐analytic weighting through an extensive simulation study. However, we have reservations about the true generality and usefulness of their derived study ‘accuracy weights’.

First, the simulations of Christie et al. rely on a single approach to effect size calculation, resulting in the odd conclusion that before‐after control‐impact (BACI) designs are superior to randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which are normally considered the gold standard for causal inference. Second, the so‐called ‘study quality’ scores have long been criticised in the epidemiological literature for failing to accurately summarise individual, study‐specific drivers of bias and have been shown to be likely to retain bias and increase variance relative to meta‐regression approaches that explicitly model such drivers.

Synthesis and applications. We suggest that ecological meta‐analysts spend more time critically, and transparently, appraising actual studies before synthesis, rather than relying on generic weights or weighting formulas to solve assumed issues; sensitivity analyses and hierarchical meta‐regression are likely to be key tools in this work.
Innovation and forward‐thinking are needed to improve traditional synthesis methods: A response to Pescott and Stewart
Authors: Christie Alec P. , Amano Tatsuya , Martin Philip A. , Shackelford Gorm E. , Simmons Benno I. , Sutherland William J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

In Christie et al. (2019), we used simulations to quantitatively compare the bias of commonly used study designs in ecology and conservation. Based on these simulations, we proposed ‘accuracy weights’ as a potential way to account for study design validity in meta‐analytic weighting methods. Pescott and Stewart (2022) raised concerns that these weights may not be generalisable and still lead to biased meta‐estimates. Here we respond to their concerns and demonstrate why developing alternative weighting methods is key to the future of evidence synthesis.

We acknowledge that our simple simulation unfairly penalised randomised controlled trial (RCT) relative to before‐after control‐impact (BACI) designs as we considered that the parallel trends assumption held for BACI designs. We point to an empirical follow‐up study in which we more fairly quantify differences in biases between different study designs. However, we stand by our main findings that before‐after (BA), control‐impact (CI) and after designs are quantifiably more biased than BACI and RCT designs. We also emphasise that our ‘accuracy weighting’ method was preliminary and welcome future research to incorporate more dimensions of study quality.

We further show that over a decade of advances in quality effect modelling, which Pescott and Stewart (2022) omit, highlights the importance of research such as ours in better understanding how to quantitatively integrate data on study quality directly into meta‐analyses. We further argue that the traditional methods advocated for by Pescott and Stewart (2022; e.g. manual risk‐of‐bias assessments and inverse‐variance weighting) are subjective, wasteful and potentially biased themselves. They also lack scalability for use in large syntheses that keep up‐to‐date with the rapidly growing scientific literature.

Synthesis and applications. We suggest, contrary to Pescott and Stewart's narrative, that moving towards alternative weighting methods is key to future‐proofing evidence synthesis through greater automation, flexibility and updating to respond to decision‐makers' needs—particularly in crisis disciplines in conservation science where problematic biases and variability exist in study designs, contexts and metrics used. While we must be cautious to avoid misinforming decision‐makers, this should not stop us investigating alternative weighting methods that integrate study quality data directly into meta‐analyses. To reliably and pragmatically inform decision‐makers with science, we need efficient, scalable, readily automated and feasible methods to appraise and weight studies to produce large‐scale living syntheses of the future.
Shifts in growth light optima among diatom species support their succession during the spring bloom in the Arctic
Authors: Croteau Dany , Lacour Thomas , Schiffrine Nicolas , Morin Philippe‐Israël , Forget Marie‐Hélène , Bruyant Flavienne , Ferland Joannie , Lafond Augustin , Campbell Douglas A. , Tremblay Jean‐Éric , Babin Marcel , Lavaud Johann 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Diatoms of the Arctic Ocean annually experience extreme changes of light environment linked to photoperiodic cycles and seasonal variations of the snow and sea‐ice cover extent and thickness which attenuate light penetration in the water column. Arctic diatom communities exploit this complex seasonal dynamic through a well‐documented species succession during spring, beginning in sea‐ice and culminating in massive phytoplankton blooms underneath sea‐ice and in the marginal ice zone. The pattern of diatom taxa sequentially dominating this succession is relatively well conserved interannually, and taxonomic shifts seem to align with habitat transitions.

To understand whether differential photoadaptation strategies among diatom taxa explain these recurring succession sequences, we coupled laboratory experiments with field work in Baffin Bay at 67.5°N. Based on field data, we selected five diatom species typical of different ecological niches and measured their growth rates under light intensity ranges representative of their natural habitats. To characterize their photoacclimative responses, we sampled pigments and total particulate carbon, and conducted 14C‐uptake photosynthesis response curves and variable fluorescence measurements.

We documented a gradient in species respective light intensity for maximal growth suggesting divergent light response plasticity, which for the most part align with species sequential dominance. Other photophysiological parameters supported this ecophysiological framing, although contrasts were always clear only between succession endmembers, Nitzschia frigida and Chaetoceros neogracilis. To validate that these photoacclimative responses are representative of in situ dynamics, we compared them to the chlorophyll a‐specific light‐limited slope (α*) and saturated rate of photosynthesis (), monitored in Baffin Bay on sea‐ice and planktonic communities. This complementary approach confirmed that unusual responses in α* and as a function of light history intensity are similar between sentinel sympagic species N. frigida and natural ice‐core communities. While no light‐history‐dependent trends were observed in planktonic communities, their α* and values were in the range of measurements from our monospecific cultures.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that Arctic diatoms species photoadaptation strategy is tuned to the light environment of the habitats in which they dominate and indeed drives the seasonal taxonomic succession.
Soil causes gut microbiota to flourish and total serum IgE levels to decrease in mice
Authors: Zhou Dongrui , Li Na , Yang Fan , Zhang Honglin , Bai Zhimao , Dong Yangyang , Li Mengjie , Zhu Wenyong , Fei Zhongjie , Xiao Pengfeng , Sun Xiao , Lu Zuhong 
Published: March 2022

SummaryTraditional farm environments induce protection from allergic diseases. In this study, farm environmental factors were classified into three categories, environmental microbes, soil, and organic matter. To explore the impact of soil and environmental microorganisms on gut microbiota and immune function, mice were fed sterilized soil and inhaling microbes, soil microbes, or non‐sterilized soil. Metagenomic sequencing results showed the intake of sterile soil, that is, inhaling a small amount of soil microbes in the air increased gut microbial diversity and the abundance of type III secretion system (T3SS) genes, and decreased serum immune IgE levels induced by 2‐4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The intake of soil microbes increased the abundance of genes involved in the metabolism of short‐chain fatty acids and amino acid biosynthesis. Meanwhile, the intake of soil increased gut microbial diversity, the abundance of T3SS genes and related infectious elements, and genes associated with the metabolism of short‐chain fatty acids and amino acid biosynthesis, and decreased serum IgE levels. Therefore, soil may be useful as a potential ‘prebiotic’ promoting the reproduction and growth of some intestinal microorganisms that harbour bacterial secretion system genes, especially those of T3SS, whose abundance was positively and significantly correlated with innate immune function of mice.
Refining policies for financial stress
Authors: Best Rohan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHousehold financial stress is a persistent problem that can be exacerbated by shocks such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. This paper finds that assets are more important than income for explaining financial stress using the Household Expenditure Survey, conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Households in the bottom quintile for net assets are more likely to experience many dimensions of financial stress, with a magnitude of approximately 3 percentage points in most cases. Total income often has no identifiable impact on financial stress, all else equal, although the component of income based on investments may be a better predictor of financial stress. Further, there is a positive relationship between liabilities and financial stress. In addition, substantial financial stress is observable for recipients of payments for unemployment or disability, with lower impacts suggested for some other welfare groups. Three policy options are refining asset tests to provide higher benefits for low‐wealth households, raising benefits for particular welfare types including for those receiving unemployment and disability payments, and promoting financial literacy to avoid excessive liabilities.
Information From Same‐Race/Ethnicity Experts Online Does Not Increase Vaccine Interest or Intention to Vaccinate
Authors: GADARIAN SHANA KUSHNER , GOODMAN SARA WALLACE , MICHENER JAMILA , NYHAN BRENDAN , PEPINSKY THOMAS B. 
Published: March 2022

Policy Points
Mass vaccination is essential for bringing the COVID‐19 pandemic to a close, yet substantial disparities remain between whites and racial and ethnic minorities within the United States.
Online messaging campaigns featuring expert endorsements are a low‐cost way to increase vaccine awareness among minoritized populations, yet the efficacy of same‐race/ethnicity expert messaging in increasing uptake remains unknown.
Our preregistered analysis of an online vaccine endorsement campaign, which randomly varied the racial/ethnic identity of the expert, revealed no evidence that information from same race/ethnicity experts affected vaccine interest or the intention to vaccinate.
Our results do not rule out the possibility that other low‐cost endorsement campaigns may be more effective in increasing vaccine uptake, but do suggest that public health campaigns might profitably focus on issues of access and convenience when targeting minoritized populations in the United States.
ContextThe COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States has been unequally experienced across racial and ethnic groups. Mass vaccination is the most effective way to bring the pandemic to an end and to manage its public health consequences. But the racialization of public health delivery in the United States has produced a sizable racial/ethnic gap in vaccination rates. Closing this gap in vaccine uptake is therefore essential to ending the pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a preregistered, well‐powered (N = 2,117) between‐subjects survey experiment, fielded March 24 to April 5, 2021, in which participants from YouGov's online panel—including oversamples of Black (n = 471), Hispanic/Latino/a (n = 430), and Asian American (n = 319) participants—were randomly assigned to see COVID‐19 vaccine information endorsed by same‐ or different‐race/ethnicity experts or to a control condition. We then measured respondents’ vaccination intentions, intention to encourage others to get vaccinated, and interest in learning more information and sharing information with others.FindingsSame‐race/ethnicity expert endorsements had no measurable effect on nonwhite or white respondents’ willingness to get the COVID‐19 vaccine, to encourage others to get the vaccine, or to learn more or share information with others.ConclusionsOur study provides empirical evidence suggesting online endorsements from same‐race/ethnicity experts do not increase vaccine interest, advocacy, or uptake, though same‐race/ethnicity endorsements may be effective in other venues or mediums.
Effects of tax benefits on the price elasticity of charitable contributions in South Korea
Authors: Kim YoungRok 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUsing South Korean panel data from 2008 to 2019 and censored quantile regression method, this study calculates the effects of different tax incentives on charitable contributions. We observe price elasticity under two different tax‐benefit systems in South Korea and find that, first, taxpayers tend to be more sensitive to tax incentives under a tax deduction system than a tax credit system. The price elasticity gap between a tax deduction and tax credit is approximately −2.3 to −1.0. Second, we show the existence of heterogeneity in taxpayers’ behaviour: the price elasticity of charitable contributions exhibits a convex shape, where more significant donors have lesser reactions to tax incentives. We further show that socioeconomic contexts, such as income, gender, marital status, and education, affect people's attitudes. In sum, the results are as expected: tax deductions work more efficiently than tax credits.
Comparative analysis of flavonoids in white and red table grape cultivars during ripening by widely targeted metabolome and transcript levels
Authors: Xia Hui , Zhang Xuefeng , Shen Yanqiu , Guo Yuqi , Wang Tong , Wang Jin , Lin Lijin , Deng Honghong , Deng Qunxian , Xu Kunfu , Lv Xiulan , Liang Dong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe flavonoid metabolites were compared between red ‘Summer Black’ (SB) and white ‘Shine Muscat’ (SM) table grapes during fruit development based on widely targeted metabolome. A total of 134 flavonoids were identified in two cultivars, including 37 flavones, 33 flavonols, and 11 anthocyanidins, and so on. From young to veraison, the composition and the content of most flavonoids were decreasing in both cultivars but increased at maturation in SB. In general, SB has higher flavonoid compositions and content than SM during the whole fruit development, especially the content of anthocyanin after veraison. While the SM had higher content of flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol and their derivatives. The expression of anthocyanin‐related genes such as UFGT, OMT, GST, MATE, MYBA1, and MYBA2 was remarkably higher in SB than those in SM, which may attribute to higher anthocyanin content, while the higher expression of F3H and FLS resulted higher level of flavonols in SM. These results improve our understanding of flavonoid profiles and molecular mechanism in table grape cultivars.
Foaming characteristics and impact of ethanol pretreatment in drying behavior and physical characteristics for avocado pulp powder obtained by foam mat drying
Authors: Santos Newton Carlos , Almeida Raphael Lucas Jacinto , de Medeiros Maria de Fátima Dantas , Hoskin Roberta Targino , da Silva Pedrini Márcia Regina 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe objective of this study was to optimize the production of powdered avocado using foam mat drying. In order to achieve this, the effect of Emustab® (4, 6, and 8% w/w), goat's milk (10, 15, and 20% w/w), and whipping time (15, 20, and 25 min) on the foam physical properties of avocado pulp were evaluated. In addition, the influence of ethanol pretreatment on the drying kinetics, thermodynamic properties, and physicochemical characteristics of the powders was also assessed. An experimental design 23 with three central points was used in this study and optimized foam conditions were dried at 50, 60, and 70°C, with a fixed air speed of 1.5 m/s. Empirical and diffusive models (boundary conditions of the third type) were adjusted to the experimental data to describe the drying kinetics and to determine the process activation energy and thermodynamic properties. The final products were characterized regarding their physical properties. Optimized foam mat drying conditions were achieved when avocado pulp was whipped for 15 min and 8% of Emustab® and 20% of powdered goat milk were used as foaming agents. The use of an ethanol pretreatment and higher drying temperature (70°C) resulted in higher drying rate (1.6 × 102/min) and shorter processing time (270 min). The ethanol pretreatment reduced the activation energy and Biot number and led to more uniform moisture distribution. The physical properties, such as water content, water activity, bulk, and tapped densities decreased with an increase in drying temperature and pretreatment with ethanol, whereas water absorption capacity increased.Practical ApplicationIn this work, new information about the drying kinetics and mass transfer of the foam mat avocado pulp using ethanol as pretreatment is obtained. The results will contribute to the optimization production avocado foaming and powder. Ethanol pretreatment can represent an alternative to minimize the negative impacts on drying process and can be surely suggested as an industrial application.
Peptide mediated, enhanced toxicity of a bacterial pesticidal protein against southern green stink bug
Authors: Banerjee Rahul , Flores‐Escobar Biviana , Chougule Nanasaheb P. , Cantón Pablo Emiliano , Dumitru Razvan , Bonning Bryony C. 
Published: March 2022

SummaryThe damage caused by stink bugs that feed on agricultural crops accounts for such significant losses that transgenic plant resistance to stink bugs would be highly desirable. As the level of toxicity of the Bacillus thuringiensis‐derived, ETX/Mtx2 pesticidal protein Mpp83Aa1 is insufficient for practical use against the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula, we employed two disparate approaches to isolate peptides NvBP1 and ABP5 that bind to specific proteins (alpha amylase and aminopeptidase N respectively) on the surface of the N. viridula gut. Incorporation of these peptides into Mpp83Aa1 provided artificial anchors resulting in increased gut binding, and enhanced toxicity. These peptide‐modified pesticidal proteins with increased toxicity provide a key advance for potential future use against N. viridula when delivered by transgenic plants to mitigate economic loss associated with this important pest.
The Intricacies of Firms’ Support for Labor Provisions in US Trade Agreements
Authors: Cezar Rodrigo Fagundes 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDo pro‐trade firms want trade agreements to include stronger provisions protecting workers? The position of those firms in the US in recent years is often counterintuitive vis‐à‐vis the expectations of the literature. To solve that puzzle, I argue that it is necessary to account for the intricacies of the position of firms/associations on US trade–labor linkage according to their GVC integration. I argue that highly GVC‐integrated firms/associations fear the uncertainties of strong labor provisions in PTAs and prefer to oppose commitments that could potentially lead to sanctions. However, it can be risky to oppose the inclusion of strong labor provisions in US PTAs. Instead, I argue that highly integrated firms/associations nowadays support trade–labor linkage but attach intricate conditions to that support based on lessons from previous experiences. To probe that argument, I perform a qualitative text analysis of the public submissions of firms/industry associations positioning themselves on the link between trade and labor in US PTAs between 2008 and 2020. The empirical analysis underscores the plausibility of my hypothesis. The results point to subtle ways in which pro‐trade firms may lobby trade–labor linkage. The paper has implications to the design of sustainable development provisions in US PTAs and beyond.
Assessing warming impacts on marine fishes by integrating physiology‐guided distribution projections, life‐history changes and food web dynamics
Authors: Kuo Chi‐Yun , Ko Chia‐Ying , Lai Yin‐Zheng 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Rising ocean temperatures pose a continuing threat to marine fish communities. As warming has far‐reaching impacts at multiple ecological levels, incorporating multimodal data is necessary for more accurately forecasting the responses of species and communities to the warming ocean. Range shifts, life‐history changes, and alterations of trophic dynamics are three important aspects of warming impacts, yet there has not been a formal integration of all three aspects in the same analysis.

Here, we present a novel framework that integrates species distribution projections, life‐history changes, and food web dynamics to assess warming impacts on marine fish communities. We first introduce a simple yet effective way of incorporating thermal physiological data into the species distribution model without the need to empirically measure thermal performance curves. We then use the dynamic size‐spectrum model as the modeling backbone to incorporate data from species distributions and population‐level life history analyses. With this framework, we evaluate how individual species are affected under two warming scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). We also simulate large‐scale top‐down and bottom‐up perturbations to examine community resilience under rising temperatures.

We find that warming generally reduces species biomass and shifts species size spectra towards larger individuals, even though the maximum size tends to decrease under warming. However, the exact responses to rising temperatures differ among species and do not exhibit strong correlations with species size and the pace of life history. More severe warming also renders the focal community more vulnerable to top‐down perturbations, even though the community remains sufficiently resilient overall.

The complex nature of species and community responses result from the fact that distribution range, life history, and food web dynamics change with warming in different directions that may not be intuitive to predict a priori. Importantly, we show that neglecting changes in species distribution or life history will lead to biased assessment of species and community responses. Our analyses highlight trophic dynamics, species biomass, and community resilience as three emergent properties that our framework can uniquely quantify. This integrative framework is readily applicable to other communities of interest and can be scaled up for multi‐regional or global analyses.