Alternative Linkage Research Articles

ICOOP puzzle: localistic practices, internationalism values, and Fair Trade in South Korea’s cooperative movement

ABSTRACT This article illuminates an intellectual puzzle of how South Korean cooperative movements attempt to overcome the dilemma between localistic practices and the value of internationalism. Moving beyond anti-capitalistic debates of building links globally, the cooperative movement brings Fair Trade products from developing countries to consumer cooperatives in South Korea, resulting in a scaling up of community economies globally and forging real international solidarity. Engaging with feminist theories put forward by Gibson-Graham and their collaborators, this article calls upon an expanded feminist politics that challenge the “spatial bounding” of community economies that are often joined with localistic practices. Born as one of the most significant forms of community economies to address the economic precarity of grassroots farmers and workers during the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, iCOOP was set up as a consumer cooperative federation to support local Korean producers with alternative market linkage. Through Fair Trade movement, iCOOP serves as an interesting case to overcome localistic practices and nurture the value of internationalism. This article develops an expanded feminist politics of community economies to confront the tendency of localistic practices by providing four layers of analysis: value, campaign tactics, new governance structure, and scaling solidarity.

Alternative Linkage Chemistries in the Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Microviridin-Based Cyclic Peptides.

Engineering biosynthetic pathways to ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) offers several advantages for both in vivo and in vitro applications. Here we probe the ability of peptide cyclases to generate trimacrocycle microviridin analogs with non-native cross-links. The results demonstrate that diverse chemistries are tolerated by macrocyclases in the ATP-grasp family and allow for the construction of unique cyclic peptide architectures that retain protease inhibition activity. In addition, cocomplex structures of analogs bound to a model protease were determined, illustrating how changes in functional groups maintain peptide conformation and target binding.

Ancient Connections of Sinitic

Six main alternative linkage proposals which involve the Sino-Tibetan family, including Sinitic and other language families of the East Asian area (Miao-Yao, Altaic/Transeurasian, Austroasiatic, Tai-Kadai, Austronesian) are briefly outlined. Using the standard techniques of comparative linguistics, a remote linkage between the Sino-Tibetan languages, including Sinitic, the Yeniseian languages of Siberia, and the Na-Dene languages of northwest North America is demonstrated. This includes cognate core lexicon showing regular sound correspondences, morphological similarities of form and function, as well as similarities in social structure. The other proposals for linkages that connect Sinitic and other languages of the East Asian area appear not to be based on a genetic linguistic relationship but rather due to contact: millennia of loanwords from Sinitic into the languages of those families and some lexicon borrowed into Sinitic. More remains to be done to further document the status of the linkage between Sino-Tibetan and Dene-Yeniseian.

Retreating or repairing? Examining the alternate linkages between daily partner-instigated incivility at home and helping at work.

Although research has recognized the straining effects of incivility at work, it is less clear how incivility experiences at home affect employees' daily states and behaviors at work. We argue that partner-instigated incivility-ambiguous aggressions from an employee's partner prior to work may affect helping behavior at work in multiple ways. Building on prior research, which has identified different mechanisms (i.e., resource drain, reactive compensation) linking family and work domains, we argue that whereas partner-instigated incivility may be cognitively depleting, thus limiting employees' capacity to help others, it may also induce negative mood, which may drive employees to compensate for this unpleasant experience by engaging in more person- and task-focused helping behaviors at work. Furthermore, we consider perspective taking as an individual difference with the potential to buffer the effects of partner-instigated incivility on cognitive depletion and negative mood. Results from a critical incident study (Study 1) supported our assertion that partner-instigated incivility is cognitively depleting and inducing of negative mood. In an experience sampling study (Study 2), which included daily reports from employees and their partners who instigated incivility, we replicated the initial effects and found support for a compensation linkage between partner-instigated incivility and both forms of helping at work via negative mood and partial support for the moderating role of perspective taking. Results also indicated that person-focused helping lessened employees' negative mood in the evening, suggesting that mood repair benefits are associated with this behavior. Implications of these findings for family incivility occurrences and self-regulation are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Automatic patch linkage detection in code review using textual content and file location features

Contemporary code review tools are a popular choice for software quality assurance. Using these tools, reviewers are able to post a linkage between two patches during a review discussion. Large development teams that use a review-then-commit model risk being unaware of these linkages. Our objective is to first explore how patch linkage impacts the review process. We then propose and evaluate models that detect patch linkage based on realistic time intervals. First, we carry out an exploratory study on three open source projects to conduct linkage impact analysis using 942 manually classified linkages. Second, we propose two techniques using textual and file location similarity to build detection models and evaluate their performance. The study provides evidence of latency in the linkage notification. We show that a patch with the Alternative Solution linkage (i.e., patches that implement similar functionality) undergoes a quicker review and avoids additional revisions after the team has been notified, compared to other linkage types. Our detection model experiments show promising recall rates for the Alternative Solution linkage (from 32% to 95%), but precision has room for improvement. Patch linkage detection is promising, with likely improvements if the practice of posting linkages becomes more prevalent. From our implications, this paper lays the groundwork for future research on how to increase patch linkage awareness to facilitate efficient reviews.

Insights into varying dimension structures for deep-UV optical crystals NaBa2Al(P2O7)2 and NaBaAl(PO4)2 constructed separately from unique [Al(P2O7)2] chains and [Al(PO4)2] layers

Two new metal aluminium phosphate millimetre-crystals NaBa2Al(P2O7)2 and NaBaAl(PO4)2 were successfully grown by using high-temperature molten method. The crystals NaBa2Al(P2O7)2 and NaBaAl(PO4)2 are located in space groups P¯1 and P21/c, respectively. NaBa2Al(P2O7)2 displays a [Al(P2O7)2] 1D chain structure constructed from corner-sharing linkage of novel AlP4O169− anion groups, and the AlP4O169− group is formed by edge-sharing connection of two P2O7 dimers and one AlO6 octahedron. However, NaBaAl(PO4)2 exhibits a new [Al(PO4)2] 2D layer structure composed of AlP2O107− anion groups via corner-sharing, and the AlP2O107− group is generated by alternate linkages of corner-sharing PO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra. Analysis based on Pauling's electrostatic rule and Brown's bond valence model finds that structural feature of the two anion groups is mainly responsible for their different dimension structures in addition to structure-directed role of large Ba2+. The two crystals manifest a deep-UV optical transparency below 190 ​nm and good thermal stability, making them a potential optical window material. First-principles calculations reveal that the optical bandgaps of both crystals are determined by the Ba–O groups, rather than Al–O and P–O common groups.

Panel analysis on the changes in the quality of life of the divorced elderly

In this study, a panel analysis was conducted by combining the 2013 Korea Welfare Panel data and 2018 data to examine the differences in the quality of life of the divorced elderly and the difference between the married elderly. To this end, I analyzed data from 3,049 married elderly and 149 divorced seniors among 3,098 married persons over 60 years of age in the eighth Wave of Korea Welfare Panel 2013. The frequency, reliability, cross tab, paired t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed using SPSS 21.0. First, the change in marital status of the elderly was not significant. Second, the divorced elderly were adjusting to life after divorce. In other words, income satisfaction, family relationship satisfaction, child relationship satisfaction, leisure life satisfaction, and life satisfaction were all positively changed in 2018 compared to 2013. Third, the divorced elderly had a lower quality of life compared to the married elderly. In other words, despite the positive change in quality of life for five years after divorce, the income satisfaction, family relationship satisfaction, child relationship satisfaction, social relationship satisfaction, and leisure life satisfaction were all lower than those of married elderly people were. It is important to find ways to improve the quality of life after divorce. Efforts are needed to reduce negative social perceptions about divorce in old age. And, alternative family linkages are needed.

Bivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks with Tunable Spin-Crossover Properties.

In this work, pyrazine (A), aminopyrazine (B), quinoxaline (C), and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoxaline (D) have been screened out among a large number of pyrazine derivatives to construct Hofmann-type metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Fe(L)[M(CN)4 ] (M=Pt, Pd) with similar 3D pillared-layer structures. X-ray single-crystal diffraction reveals that the alternate linkage between M and FeII ions through cyano bridges forms the 2D extended metal cyanide sheets, and ligands A-D acted as vertical columns to connect the 2D sheets to give 3D pillared-layer structures. Subsequently, a series of bivariate MOFs were constructed by pairwise combination of the four ligands A-D, which were confirmed by 1 H NMR, PXRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that ligand size and crystallization rate play a dominant role in constructing bivariate Hofmann-type MOFs. More importantly, the spin-crossover (SCO) properties of the bivariate MOFs can be finely tuned by adjusting the proportion of the two pillared ligands in the 3D Hofmann-type structures. Remarkably, the spin transition temperatures, Tc ↑ and Tc ↓ of Fe(A)x (B)1-x [Pt(CN)4 ] (x=0 to 1) can be adjusted from 239 to 254 K and from 248 to 284 K, respectively. Meanwhile, the width of the hysteresis loops can be widened from 9 to 30 K. Changing Pt to Pd, the hysteresis loops of Fe(A)x (B)1-x [Pd(CN)4 ] can be tuned from 9 (Tc ↑=215 K, Tc ↓=206 K) to 24 K (Tc ↑=300 K, Tc ↓=276 K). This research provides wider implications in the development of advanced bistable materials, especially in precisely regulating SCO properties.

The spatial econometrics of the coronavirus pandemic

In this paper we use spatial econometric specifications to model daily infection rates of COVID-19 across countries. Using recent advances in Bayesian spatial econometric techniques, we particularly focus on the time-dependent importance of alternative spatial linkage structures such as the number of flight connections, relationships in international trade, and common borders. The flexible model setup allows to study the intensity and type of spatial spillover structures over time. Our results show notable spatial spillover mechanisms in the early stages of the virus with international flight linkages as the main transmission channel. In later stages, our model shows a sharp drop in the intensity spatial spillovers due to national travel bans, indicating that travel restrictions led to a reduction of cross-country spillovers.

A Colorimetric Assay to Enable High-Throughput Identification of Biofilm Exopolysaccharide-Hydrolyzing Enzymes.

Glycosidase enzymes that hydrolyze the biofilm exopolysaccharide poly-β-(1→6)-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) are critical tools to study biofilm and potential therapeutic biofilm dispersal agents. Function-driven metagenomic screening is a powerful approach for the discovery of new glycosidase but requires sensitive assays capable of distinguishing between the desired enzyme and functionally related enzymes. Herein, we report the synthesis of a colorimetric PNAG disaccharide analogue whose hydrolysis by PNAG glycosidases results in production of para-nitroaniline that can be continuously monitored at 410 nm. The assay is specific for enzymes capable of hydrolyzing PNAG and not related β-hexosaminidase enzymes with alternative glycosidic linkage specificities. This analogue enabled development of a continuous colorimetric assay for detection of PNAG hydrolyzing enzyme activity in crude E. coli cell lysates and suggests that this disaccharide probe will be critical for establishing the functional screening of metagenomic DNA libraries.

The Power of Charisma: Investigating the Neglected Citizen–Politician Linkage in Hugo Chávez's Venezuela

Charisma has long been considered a powerful tool for leaders worldwide to rise to greatness. Yet we have given less attention to the way in which charismatic leaders develop deep, unmediated emotional bonds with their followers. I propose a compact theory that explains how charismatic attachments form, overwhelm alternative linkage types, and facilitate the development of powerful and potentially enduring political movements. To illustrate the theory, I turn to Hugo Chávez’s Bolivarian movement in Venezuela. Firstly, the analysis of a 2007 survey from the Latin American Public Opinion Project demonstrates the disproportionate influence of charisma on citizens’ attachments to Bolivarianism relative to competing factors. Next, six original focus groups conducted with Bolivarian followers in 2016 illustrate the mechanisms underlying the followers’ surprisingly resilient loyalty, not only to the leader but also to his overarching movement. The results suggest that affective political attachments can help sustain charismatic movements after their founders disappear.

Modification of Poly(5,6-epoxy-l-norleucine) Gives Functional Polypeptides with Alternative Side-Chain Linkages.

The preparation and characterization of a new epoxide containing polypeptide, poly(5,6-epoxy-l-norleucine), via postpolymerization modification of poly(l-homoallylglycine) is described. Addition of thiols to the epoxide groups in poly(5,6-epoxy-l-norleucine) was studied as a means to prepare side-chain functional polypeptides. The solution properties of the derivatized polypeptides were studied in water and compared to similar thioether containing functional polypeptides prepared via different routes. Subtle differences in side-chain linkage chemistry were found to influence polypeptide solubility, chain conformation in solution, and thermoresponsive behavior. Poly(5,6-epoxy-l-norleucine) was found to be useful as a readily prepared intermediate that can be reacted with thiols to give a variety of functional polypeptides.

Optimal Design of Rotor Slot Geometry to Reduce Rotor Leakage Reactance and Increase Starting Performance for High-Speed Spindle Motors

This paper proposes optimal designs of three closed rotor slots geometries for reducing the rotor leakage reactance and increasing the starting performance of high-speed spindle motors. The optimal designs were developed using the response surface methodology and Finite Element Method (FEM). Three closed rotor slot geometries, namely closed, round, and oval were investigated through FEM calculation and validated by experimental measurement for improving starting performance parameters such as starting current, starting torque, magnetic flux linkage in starting condition, and efficiency. In this study, a starting performance analysis, including the alternative equivalent circuit method and flux linkage FEM analysis, was employed. The results show that among the three slot geometries, the optimal design of the circular closed rotor slot produces the lowest rotor leakage reactance and the highest magnetic flux linkage, starting torque, and efficiency. A comparison between the simulation and experimental results validated the accuracy of the proposed model with percentage error being approximately 8%.

Periplasmic Expression of 4/7 α-Conotoxin TxIA Analogs in E. coli Favors Ribbon Isomer Formation - Suggestion of a Binding Mode at the α7 nAChR.

Peptides derived from animal venoms provide important research tools for biochemical and pharmacological characterization of receptors, ion channels, and transporters. Some venom peptides have been developed into drugs (such as the synthetic ω-conotoxin MVIIA, ziconotide) and several are currently undergoing clinical trials for various clinical indications. Challenges in the development of peptides include their usually limited supply from natural sources, cost-intensive chemical synthesis, and potentially complicated stereoselective disulfide-bond formation in the case of disulfide-rich peptides. In particular, if extended structure–function analysis is performed or incorporation of stable isotopes for NMR studies is required, the comparatively low yields and high costs of synthesized peptides might constitute a limiting factor. Here we investigated the expression of the 4/7 α-conotoxin TxIA, a potent blocker at α3β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and three analogs in the form of maltose binding protein fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. Upon purification via nickel affinity chromatography and release of the toxins by protease cleavage, HPLC analysis revealed one major peak with the correct mass for all peptides. The final yield was 1–2 mg of recombinant peptide per liter of bacterial culture. Two-electrode voltage clamp analysis on oocyte-expressed nAChR subtypes demonstrated the functionality of these peptides but also revealed a 30 to 100-fold potency decrease of expressed TxIA compared to chemically synthesized TxIA. NMR spectroscopy analysis of TxIA and two of its analogs confirmed that the decreased activity was due to an alternative disulfide linkage rather than the missing C-terminal amidation, a post-translational modification that is common in α-conotoxins. All peptides preferentially formed in the ribbon conformation rather than the native globular conformation. Interestingly, in the case of the α7 nAChR, but not the α3β2 subtype, the loss of potency could be rescued by an R5D substitution. In conclusion, we demonstrate efficient expression of functional but alternatively folded ribbon TxIA variants in E. coli and provide the first structure–function analysis for a ribbon 4/7-α-conotoxin at α7 and α3β2 nAChRs. Computational analysis based on these data provide evidence for a ribbon α-conotoxin binding mode that might be exploited to design ligands with optimized selectivity.

Abstract WP316: Assessing the Accuracy of a Linkage Between the Michigan Emergency Medical Services Information System and the Michigan Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry

Background: Michigan’s Ongoing Stroke Registry to Accelerate Improvement of Care (MOSAIC) supports expansion of statewide stroke systems of care. The Michigan EMS Information System (Mi-EMSIS) is a repository for EMS data developed to standardize collection, storage, sharing and analysis of data. To provide feedback to EMS providers concerning stroke patient identification, care, and outcomes, development of statewide linkage between hospital and EMS registry data is needed. Objectives: Develop data linkage between MOSAIC and MiEMSIS stroke data and assess completeness and accuracy of match results. Method: All patients transported by EMS in 2017 with an impression of stroke (i.e. suspected stroke) were linked to patients who were discharged with confirmed stroke or TIA from 33 participating MOSAIC hospitals with successful linkage defined as suspected stroke transport having confirmed stroke upon discharge. Records were deterministically matched using four variables: receiving hospital code, hospital admission date, date of birth, and sex. Additionally, performance on EMS stroke quality measures and hospital outcomes were calculated. Results: 197 EMS agencies transported 4,580 suspected stroke patients to MOSAIC hospitals. Of the 11,352 confirmed stroke cases discharged from MOSAIC hospitals, 4,924 (43.4%) were documented to have arrived via EMS. However, only 1,287 (26.1%) cases were successfully linked to the MiEMSIS data. Of the 4,580 suspected stroke transports 1,287 (28.1%) were confirmed as acute stroke cases at discharge. Conclusions: A deterministic linkage between Coverdell stroke cases and EMS suspected strokes from a state EMS registry resulted in low match rates, which may imply low rates of EMS stroke recognition or high rates of match failure. Alternative linkage methods such as probabilistic matching and inclusion of all EMS transports should be explored.

Export take-offs and acceleration: Unpacking cross-sector linkages in the evolution of comparative advantage

Abstract The transition into non-traditional export activities attracts important policy and academic attention. Using international trade data, we explore how alternative linkages relate to the take-off and acceleration of export industries. Concretely, we run a horse-race among alternative Marshallian linkages across sectors: input-output relations, technology and labor. Technology has a predictive power depending on the specification used. We consistently find, however, that export take-offs are more likely to occur in sectors that are upstream to already competitive export industries. Our findings, which are mostly driven by developing economies, are consistent with Albert Hirschman’s 60-year-old view that the forces behind upstream linkages fueled the growth of new competitive industries in the developing world.

UBC9 Mutant Reveals the Impact of Protein Dynamics on Substrate Selectivity and SUMO Chain Linkages.

SUMO, a conserved ubiquitin-like protein, is conjugated to a multitude of cellular proteins to maintain genomic integrity and resist genotoxic stress. Studies of the SUMO E2 conjugating enzyme mutant, UBC9P123L, suggested that altered substrate specificity enhances cell sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. Using nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift studies, we confirm that the mutation does not alter the core globular fold of UBC9, while 15N relaxation measurements demonstrate mutant-induced stabilization of distinct chemical states in residues near the active site cysteine and substrate recognition motifs. We further demonstrate that the P123L substitution induces a switch from the preferential addition of SUMO to lysine residues in unstructured sites to acceptor lysines embedded in secondary structures, thereby also inducing alterations in SUMO chain linkages. Our results provide new insights regarding the impact that structural dynamics of UBC9 have on substrate selection and specifically SUMO chain formation. These findings highlight the potential contribution of nonconsensus SUMO targets and/or alternative SUMO chain linkages on DNA damage response and chemotherapeutic sensitivity.

Partial Agreements in Probabilistic Linkages

IntroductionRecord linkage units around the world use probabilistic linkage techniques for routine linkage of large datasets. It is widely known how probabilities are converted to agreement and disagreement weights for each field, yet there has been little exploration of the methodology to optimally convert field similarity scores into partial weights.
 Objectives and ApproachString similarity comparators such as Jaro-Winkler are commonly used in traditional linkage, other comparators such as the Sorenson Dice coefficient, Jaccard similarity and Hamming distance are used in alternative privacy-preserving record linkage techniques. Determining partial weights to apply at each level of similarity is a non-trivial task. However, both types of linkages would greatly benefit from similarity to weight functions for each field that maximises the accuracy of the linkage.
 We evaluated several methods for computing partial agreement weights and applied these to synthetic datasets with varying levels of corruption. We then evaluated the methods on real administrative datasets.
 ResultsExact comparisons can miss matches where typographical errors or misspellings produce small changes in value. Similarity comparisons can reduce the number of missed matches, but may also increase the number of incorrect matches.
 Various results of the partial agreement methods on Jaro-Winkler, Sorenson Dice coefficient, Jaccard similarity and Hamming distance comparators will be presented. A generic function to convert similarity values to weights, created from synthetic data, can be used on most datasets with a greatly improved result in linkage quality. However, maximising the linkage quality requires the creation of similarity-to-weight functions that are optimised for each dataset.
 Conclusion/ImplicationsAccuracy in record linkage is vital for the correct analysis of linked data. It is even more critical in privacy-preserving record linkage where the ability for clerical review is limited. Optimised functions for converting similarities to partial weights can significantly improve the quality of linkage and should not be overlooked.

Glycan Isomer Identification Using Ultraviolet Photodissociation Initiated Radical Chemistry.

Glycans are fundamental biological macromolecules, yet despite their prevalence and recognized importance, a number of unique challenges hinder routine characterization. The multiplicity of OH groups in glycan monomers easily afford branched structures and alternate linkage sites, which can result in isomeric structures that differ by minute details. Herein, radical chemistry is employed in conjunction with mass spectrometry to enable rapid, accurate, and high throughput identification of a challenging series of closely related glycan isomers. The results are compared with analysis by collision-induced dissociation, higher-energy collisional dissociation, and ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) at 213 nm. In general, collision-based activation struggles to produce characteristic fragmentation patterns, while UVPD and radical-directed dissociation (RDD) can distinguish all isomers. In the case of RDD, structural differentiation derives from radical mobility and subsequent fragmentation. For glycans, the energetic landscape for radical migration is flat, increasing the importance of the three-dimensional structure. RDD is therefore a powerful and straightforward method for characterizing glycan isomers.

Export Take-Offs and Acceleration: Unpacking Cross-Sector Linkages in the Evolution of Comparative Advantage

The transition into non-traditional export activities attracts important policy and academic attention. Using international trade data, we explore how alternative linkages relate to the take-off and acceleration of export industries. Concretely, we run a horse-race among alternative Marshallian linkages across sectors: input-output relations, technology and labor. Technology has a predictive power depending on the specification used. We consistently find, however, that export take-offs are more likely to occur in sectors that are upstream to already competitive export industries. Our findings, which are mostly driven by developing economies, are consistent with Albert Hirschman’s 60-year-old view that the forces behind upstream linkages fueled the growth of new competitive industries in the developing world.