Field Study Research Articles

Journalism Beyond the Nation-State: Multiscalar Fields and How to Navigate Them

AbstractAnalysis of journalistic fields is dominated by approaches that take news media at the nation-state level as the major unit of analysis. More recently, sociologists have asked whether we can speak of global journalistic fields. Many scholars have concluded that global journalistic fields are weak at best, and news production remains bounded by nation-states. This paper offers a more fine-tuned understanding of the boundaries of journalistic fields. Drawing on an interview-based qualitative study of regional journalistic fields in contemporary Crimea (a region of Ukraine annexed by Russia in 2014) and in Tatarstan (a region of Russia), I answer the questions “how do states shape the autonomy of regional journalistic fields?” and “how do journalists navigate the limitations they face?” I advance two arguments: first, journalistic fields can be understood as multiscalar fields, and the practices of journalists are shaped by the configuration of political relations along different scales simultaneously (the scale of the city, the region, the national scale, the scale of other nation-states, and the international arena). Second, the scales that exert the most influence on journalistic fields can change depending on whether the nation-state or the region is embroiled in conflict.

Innovative approach to utilising magnetic fields to enhance wheat yield: evidence from field studies in China

Innovative approach to utilising magnetic fields to enhance wheat yield: evidence from field studies in China

Contrasting regulation of leaf gas exchange of semi-arid tree species under repeated drought

Abstract Predicting how plants respond to drought requires an understanding of how physiological mechanisms and drought response strategies occur, as these strategies underlie rates of gas exchange and productivity. We assessed the response of eleven plant traits to repeated experimental droughts in four co-occurring species of central Australia. The main goals of this study were to i) compare the response to drought between species; ii) evaluate whether plants acclimated to repeated drought; and iii) examine the degree of recovery in leaf gas exchange after cessation of drought. Our four species of study were two tree species and two shrub species, which field studies have shown to occupy different ecohydrological niches. The two tree species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Corymbia opaca) had large reductions in stomatal conductance (gs) values, declining by 90% in the second drought. By contrast, the shrub species (A. aptaneura and H. macrocarpa) had smaller reductions gs in the second drought of 52 and 65% respectively. Only, A. aptaneura showed a physiological acclimatation to drought due to small declines in gs vs ᴪpd (0.08 slope) during repeated droughts, meaning they maintained higher rates of gs compared with plants that only experienced one final drought (0.19 slope). All species in all treatments rapidly recovered leaf gas exchange and leaf mass per area following drought, displaying physiological plasticity to drought exposure. This research refines our understanding of plant physiological responses to recurrent water stress, which has implications for modelling of vegetation, carbon assimilation and water-use in semi-arid environments under drought.

Correction to The Effect of a Default Nudge on Experienced and Expected Autonomy: A Field Study on Food Donation

Correction to The Effect of a Default Nudge on Experienced and Expected Autonomy: A Field Study on Food Donation

Negotiation strategies in ubiquitous human-computer interaction: a novel storyboards scale & field study

Negotiation strategies in ubiquitous human-computer interaction: a novel storyboards scale & field study

Dye tracing of upward brine migration in snow

Abstract Salt is often present in the snow overlying seasonal sea ice, and has profound thermodynamic and electromagnetic effects. However, its provenance and behaviour within the snow remain uncertain. We describe two investigations tracing upward brine movement in snow: one conducted in the laboratory and one in the field. The laboratory experiments involved the addition of dyed brine to the base of terrestrial snow samples, with subsequent wicking being measured. Our field experiment involved dye being added directly (without brine) to bare sea-ice and lake ice surfaces, with snow then accumulating on top over several days. On the sea ice, the dye migrated upwards into the snow by up to 5 cm as the snow's basal layer became more salty, whereas no migration occurred in our control experiment over non-saline lake ice. This occurred in relatively dry snowpacks where brine took up $< 6\%$ of the snow's calculated pore volume, suggesting pore saturation is not required for upward salt transport. Our results highlight the potential role of microstructural parameters beyond those currently retrievable with penetrometry, and the potential value of longitudinal, process-based field studies of young snowpacks.

Tax Dispute Analysis of Incorrect Vat Payment on Offshore Royalty Viewed From the Ease of Administration Principle (Case Study of PT X)

The purposes of this research are: (i) to analyse basic considerations from the Indonesian Tax Authority (ITA) in making regulations regarding the incorrect transfer of VAT on taxable services from outside customs territory which cannot be overbooked; and (ii) to analyse whether the administrative sanctions penalized to the taxpayer are appropriate from the ease of tax administration principle’s perspective. This study is using (i) VAT imposition on intangible taxable goods and services from outside the Indonesian customs territory; (ii) Ease of Administrative principles: certainty, efficiency, convenience of payment, and simplicity as theoretical references. The research is categorized as applied study with a qualitative method using qualitative data collection techniques through literatures and field studies (interview with various key informants from ITA, representatives of the taxpayers, and taxation experts and academia. The qualitative analysis on data/information was done via triangulating process with related theories, VAT laws and regulation, as well as expert opinions. Results of the study conclude that the basis of considerations of the ITA makes regulations for the utilization of Intangible Taxable Goods and Taxable Services from Outside the Customs Territory, which cannot be done with overbook because both offshore VAT objects are difficult to detect and can be used for tax avoidance modus by the taxpayers. The ownership of documentary evidence is actually a foreign party while the person who is supposed to make a transfer request is the owner of the document evidence, and the tax that has been deposited has become a tax credit and will not move to another place other than the state treasury because the tax credit is the taxpayer's right. Considerations taken by ITA have not met the theory of good tax administration because there has been no legal formulation related to this matter and ITA's accountability is still considered to be lacking in terms of supervision and control. Administrative sanctions penalized to PT X due to tax deposit errors are not in accordance with the ease of tax administration principle. Even though it is certainly stipulated in the prevailing law and regulation, but the procedure is so lengthy and detrimental to the taxpayer, increase and disrupt cash flow for business activities carried out by PT X. In terms of efficiency principle, the rejection of overbooking process creates additional compliance costs to the taxpayer, namely: fiscal financial cost, time cost and psychological cost and denial the facts that actually the fund/money have been transferred to the State Treasury. Implications of research: To provide examples of practice in the field of how complicated tax administration procedures can cause unnecessary losses for taxpayers if the tax regulations are not made by taking into account the principle of ease of tax administration. It is also recommended that the tax authorities should reduce administrative burden for the implementation of rights and fulfillment of tax obligations that are too rigid to be more friendly in order to make it easier for taxpayers to carry out their tax obligations and make themselves a facilitator for taxpayers to increase cooperative tax compliance. Originality/value: Ease of carrying out tax obligations for taxpayers must be something that is facilitated by the Tax Authority rather than being subject to penalties and this can be done, one way, through the application of the principle of ease tax administration in the formulation of tax regulations.

Getting away “Scott” (but not Susan) free: The effects of safety‐specific abusive supervision and supervisor gender on follower attributions and safety outcomes

SummaryWhile most research emphasizes the harmful effects of abusive supervision, we argue that certain contextual factors—specifically hazardous work environments and supervisor gender—may lead abusive supervision to be perceived as driven by performance promotion intentions as opposed to injury initiation intentions. We introduce the concept of Safety‐Specific Abusive Supervision (SSAS), which we define as the extent to which a supervisor's active response to safety incidents is perceived by employees as abusive. Drawing from event system theory and research on attributions of abusive supervision, we theorize that when supervisors engage in SSAS, employees are more likely to attribute their behavior to performance promotion rather than injury initiation, perceiving the supervisors' actions as a means to keep them safe rather than to cause harm. We predict that performance promotion attributions mediate the relationship between SSAS and safety performance outcomes, namely safety voice and perceived supervisor safety commitment. However, consistent with role congruity theory, we hypothesize that this relationship is only true for male supervisors and not for female supervisors. Across three studies (two experimental studies and one field study), we largely find support for our hypotheses.

Evidence on the Effectiveness-Acceptance Trade-Off Between Forced Active Choice and Default Nudging: A Field Study to Reduce Meat Consumption in Cafeterias

Overconsumption of meat remains common in Western diets. In a cafeteria setting, we assessed the impact of two interventions on reducing meat consumption: forced active choice (explicitly choosing meat portion size) and default nudge (offering a reduced meat portion with an opt-out option). Our field study, involving 5,966 food choices and feedback from 125 cafeteria users, revealed both interventions were effective and perceived as ethical. Across 11 meat dishes, both interventions increased the selection of reduced meat portions. Notably, the default nudge had a more substantial impact, with 90.6% opting for reduced portions compared to 38.5% for active choice. Interestingly, gender differences are most pronounced during the active choice phase and reduced through a default condition. We predict that in biased food choice environments where one option is clearly favored, differences in food choices influenced by socio-demographic factors are likely to diminish.

A fungal endophyte induces local cell wall–mediated resistance in wheat roots against take-all disease

Take-all disease, caused by the Ascomycete fungus Gaeumannomyces tritici, is one of the most important root diseases of wheat worldwide. The fungus invades the roots and destroys the vascular tissue, hindering the uptake of water and nutrients. Closely related non-pathogenic species in the Magnaporthaceae family, such as Gaeumannomyces hyphopodioides, occur naturally in arable and grassland soils and have previously been reported to reduce take-all disease in field studies. However, the mechanism of take-all protection has remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that take-all control is achieved via local but not systemic host changes in response to prior G. hyphopodioides root colonisation. A time-course wheat RNA sequencing analysis revealed extensive transcriptional reprogramming in G. hyphopodioides–colonised tissues, characterised by a striking downregulation of key cell wall–related genes, including genes encoding cellulose synthases (CESA), and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTH). In addition, we characterise the root infection biologies of G. tritici and G. hyphopodioides in wheat. We investigate the ultrastructure of previously described “subepidermal vesicles” (SEVs), dark swollen fungal cells produced in wheat roots by non-pathogenic G. hyphopodioides, but not by pathogenic G. tritici. We show that G. hyphopodioides SEVs share key characteristics of fungal resting structures, containing a greater number of putative lipid bodies and a significantly thickened cell wall compared to infection hyphae. We hypothesise that SEVs are fungal resting structures formed due to halted hyphal growth in the root cortex, perhaps as a stress response to locally induced wheat defence responses. In the absence of take-all resistant wheat cultivars or non-virulent G. tritici strains, studying closely related non-pathogenic G. hyphopodioides provides a much needed avenue to elucidate take-all resistance mechanisms in wheat.

Potential applications of microbial genomics in nuclear non-proliferation

As nuclear technology evolves in response to increased demand for diversification and decarbonization of the energy sector, new and innovative approaches are needed to effectively identify and deter the proliferation of nuclear arms, while ensuring safe development of global nuclear energy resources. Preventing the use of nuclear material and technology for unsanctioned development of nuclear weapons has been a long-standing challenge for the International Atomic Energy Agency and signatories of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Environmental swipe sampling has proven to be an effective technique for characterizing clandestine proliferation activities within and around known locations of nuclear facilities and sites. However, limited tools and techniques exist for detecting nuclear proliferation in unknown locations beyond the boundaries of declared nuclear fuel cycle facilities, representing a critical gap in non-proliferation safeguards. Microbiomes, defined as “characteristic communities of microorganisms” found in specific habitats with distinct physical and chemical properties, can provide valuable information about the conditions and activities occurring in the surrounding environment. Microorganisms are known to inhabit radionuclide-contaminated sites, spent nuclear fuel storage pools, and cooling systems of water-cooled nuclear reactors, where they can cause radionuclide migration and corrosion of critical structures. Microbial transformation of radionuclides is a well-established process that has been documented in numerous field and laboratory studies. These studies helped to identify key bacterial taxa and microbially-mediated processes that directly and indirectly control the transformation, mobility, and fate of radionuclides in the environment. Expanding on this work, other studies have used microbial genomics integrated with machine learning models to successfully monitor and predict the occurrence of heavy metals, radionuclides, and other process wastes in the environment, indicating the potential role of nuclear activities in shaping microbial community structure and function. Results of this previous body of work suggest fundamental geochemical-microbial interactions occurring at nuclear fuel cycle facilities could give rise to microbiomes that are characteristic of nuclear activities. These microbiomes could provide valuable information for monitoring nuclear fuel cycle facilities, planning environmental sampling campaigns, and developing biosensor technology for the detection of undisclosed fuel cycle activities and proliferation concerns.

Genotype × Environment Interaction for Grain Yield and Its Component Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Varietal Recommendations in Meghalaya State of India

The study aims to evaluate the stability of fifteen wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under varying sowing dates to identify genotypes with superior grain yield and stability in the North Eastern Region of India. The study also seeks to assess G×E using the Eberhart and Russell model and the AMMI model, to recommend suitable genotypes for cultivation in this region. This is a two-year field study conducted during the rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. Fifteen genotypes were sown on six different dates including E1 (27th Oct. 2017-18), E2 (6th Nov. 2017-18), E3 (16th Nov. 2017-18), E4 (27th Oct. 2018-19), E5 (6th Nov. 2018-19), and E6 (16th Nov. 2018-19) to evaluate the stability of these genotypes. This experiment was performed in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. All genotypes exhibited significant differences across the studied environments. The genotype-environment interaction was significant for most traits except days to 50% crop emergence, test weight, and harvest index. RAJ-3765 and HD-2985 were identified as high-yielding and stable genotypes across all environments, while HD-3118 and HD-2733 performed well in favorable conditions. The AMMI analysis revealed that HD-2985 and RAJ-3765 were the most stable, and WR-544 was the poorest performer. Genotypes RAJ-3765 and HD-2985 showed superior stability and yield across diverse environments, making them suitable for broader cultivation in Meghalaya. HD-2733 and HD-3118 were better suited for favorable environments, while WR-544 was the least adapted. These findings suggest the potential for expanding wheat cultivation in the region using these stable genotypes.

SolBeePopecotox: A Population Model for Pesticide Risk Assessments of Solitary Bees.

In agricultural landscapes, solitary bees occur in a large diversity of species and are important for crop and wildflower pollination. They are distinguished from honey bees and bumble bees by their solitary lifestyle as well as different nesting strategies, phenologies, and floral preferences. Their ecological traits and presence in agricultural landscapes imply potential exposure to pesticides and suggest a need to conduct ecological risk assessments for solitary bees. However, assessing risks to the large diversity of managed and wild bees across landscapes and regions poses a formidable challenge. Population models provide tools to estimate potential population-level effects of pesticide exposures, can support field study design and interpretation, and can be applied to expand study data to untested conditions. We present a population model for solitary bees, SolBeePopecotox, developed for use in the context of ecological risk assessments. The trait-based model extends a previous version with the explicit representation of exposures to pesticides from relevant routes. Effects are implemented in the model using a simplified toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model, BeeGUTS (GUTS = generalized unified threshold model for survival), adapted specifically for bees. We evaluated the model with data from semifield studies conducted with the red mason bee, Osmia bicornis, in which bees were foraging in tunnels over control and insecticide-treated oilseed rape fields. We extended the simulations to capture hypothetical semifield studies with two soil-nesting species, Nomia melanderi and Eucera pruinosa, which are difficult to test in empirical studies. The model provides a versatile tool for higher-tier risk assessments, for instance, to estimate effects of potential exposures, expanding available study data to untested species, environmental conditions, or exposure scenarios. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-17. © 2024 SETAC.

The S in STEM: gender differences in science anxiety and its relations with science test performance-related variables

BackgroundSTEM education has experienced significant growth due to its pivotal role in innovation and economic development. While cognitive factors like prior knowledge are known predictors of STEM success, non-cognitive factors, including attitudes and demographics, also play vital roles. However, there is a notable scarcity of research focusing on the "S" in STEM—science—compared to extensive studies in fields like mathematics. This study aims to address this gap by exploring gender differences in science test performance and related attitudes, providing insights into this under-researched aspect of STEM education.ResultsThe effective sample comprised 1839 Estonian 12th-grade students who took a computer-assisted science test. The test consisted of tasks combining chemistry, physics, biology, and geography, and a post-test survey was also administered. Across the total sample, the results showed that test performance positively correlated with test-taking duration, effort, and test importance. Test performance was negatively correlated with perceived test difficulty. Interestingly, while general science anxiety was not associated with test performance, subject-specific anxiety, especially chemistry anxiety had a negative association with test performance. While there were no gender differences in test performance, female students scored consistently higher on all science anxiety measures, compared to male students. Furthermore, female students assessed the science test to be more difficult, and they also took more time to complete the test. The correlations in gender subsamples mirrored those observed in the total sample.ConclusionsThe association between science test performance and test-related variables is nuanced: students might not necessarily have a “general” STEM anxiety but it may be associated with a specific subject. Moreover, the findings imply that although there are no gender differences in test performance, girls have a greater anxiety when it comes to natural sciences subjects. These findings indicate the need for investigating the origin of such anxieties, which do not seem to stem from aptitude.

Visual Pollution of the Banks of the Tigris River in Baghdad City Capital of Iraq

The study titled "Visual Pollution of the Tigris Riverbanks in Baghdad City" consists of two main sections: the first section is dedicated to the theoretical framework, while the second section covers the practical aspect (field study). Specific areas of Baghdad were selected for this study due to the widespread presence of solid waste along the riverbanks. The importance of the study lies in the fact that visual pollution is one of the dangerous types of pollution that affects both human health and the environment. The study concluded that visual pollution along the Tigris River banks results from the impact of human activities spread linearly along the river, and the lack of environmental awareness among residents has negatively affected the river environment through the disposal of household and construction waste and the discharge of untreated wastewater from sewage treatment plants. The research recommends the importance of strict monitoring of human activities near the river, imposing financial penalties on violators of environmental standards, and working on rehabilitating and developing the riverbanks to make them attractive environments for residents, turning them into tourist and recreational areas that serve the city.

Empowered by representation: How plus‐size models create brand evangelists

AbstractTraditional beauty standards are evolving as brands embrace diversity and equity through inclusive communication strategies. This paradigm shift is evident in the transition from stereotypical slender models to the inclusion of more diverse plus‐size models in brand communication. However, an important question arises: Does the presence of a plus‐size model in an advertisement enhance consumer support for a brand? The present research encompasses six studies, including one field study and five experimental studies, that delve into the relationship between models' body size and brand evangelism. The findings demonstrate that featuring a plus‐size model in an advertisement enhances brand evangelism among consumers. Further, consumer empowerment is the underlying mechanism driving this effect. Finally, this research identifies the moderating role of empathy such that consumers with higher levels of empathy experience a heightened sense of empowerment through inclusive brand communication. By illuminating these dynamics, this research contributes to the growing literature of diversity, equity, and inclusion in brand communication.

Estimation of soil loss using RUSLE model and GIS tools: Case study in the Jucusbamba Micro-Watershed (Amazonas, NW Peru)

Human activities have intensified soil erosion globally, negatively impacting the physical, chemical, and microbiological quality of water and soil. This study estimated soil loss in the Jucusbamba Micro-Watershed (Amazonas, northwestern Peru) using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) data. Meteorological data, soil maps, digital elevation models, and land cover and use maps were integrated into a GIS environment to predict the spatial distribution of erosion. The results showed five classes of soil loss severity: slight (93.34%), moderate (3.94%), high (1.82%), very high (0.61%), and severe (0.29%). Areas with high, very high, and severe erosion levels were mainly located in the middle and lower parts of the micro-watershed. The average annual soil loss was estimated at 23.24 t/ha/year. The information obtained is crucial for the formulation of soil management plans and programs to address erosion problems in the Jucusbamba River Micro-Watershed. Future research should focus on validating these models through field studies and implementing soil conservation practices based on these findings. Keywords: Amazonas, hydrology, RUSLE model, water erosion map, watershed.

The association between initiation weekday of radiotherapy and local control in stage 1 glottic carcinoma: a retrospective analysis.

Radiotherapy is one of the definitive treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially early-stage glottic squamous cell carcinoma. Although there are several studies on the initiation weekday of cancer treatment, there are very few studies in the radiotherapy field. Thus, the present study investigated whether the initiation weekday of radiotherapy affects the local control rate for stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 105 patients with stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma underwent definitive radiotherapy alone between 2007 and 2021. The group in which radiotherapy was started between Monday and Wednesday was compared with the group in which radiotherapy was started on Thursday or Friday. Sixty-seven patients started radiotherapy between Monday and Wednesday and 38 on Thursday or Friday. The 5-year local control rate was 98% (95% confidence interval: 94-100%) in the Monday-Wednesday group and 83% (95% confidence interval: 71-96%) in the Thursday-Friday group, with a significant difference (P = 0.005). On multivariate analysis including age, overall administration time (days), fractionation, irradiation field size and initiation weekday of radiotherapy, no factors other than initiation weekday affecting local control were identified. Radiotherapy toxicity did not differ between the two groups. For stage 1 glottic squamous cell carcinoma, starting radiotherapy on Thursday or Friday is associated with a lower local control rate; therefore, radiotherapy should be started by Wednesday.

Recent results and outstanding questions on the response of the electrodynamics of the low latitude ionosphere to solar wind and magnetospheric disturbances

Storm-time ionospheric electrodynamics effects have been the subject of extensive studies. The solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere and thermosphere disturbance wind dynamos have long been identified as the main drivers of low latitude storm-time electrodynamics. Extensive detailed studies showed that climatology of low latitude disturbance electric fields and currents is in good agreement with results from global theoretical and numerical models. Over the last decade, however, numerous studies have highlighted that the response of low latitude electrodynamics to enhanced geomagnetic activity is significantly more complex than previously considered. It is now clear that the electrodynamic disturbance processes are affected by a larger number of solar wind and magnetospheric parameters and that they also have more significant spatial dependence. This is especially pronounced during and after large geomagnetic storms when multiple simultaneous disturbance processes are also active. In this work, we briefly review the main past experimental and modeling studies of low latitude disturbance electric fields, highlight new results, discuss outstanding questions, and present suggestions for future studies.

Limited support for a direct connection between prebiotics and intestinal permeability - a systematic review.

The intestinal barrier is a selective interface between the body´s external and the internal environment. Its layer of epithelial cells is joined together by tight junction proteins. In intestinal permeability (IP), the barrier is compromised, leading to increased translocation of luminal contents such as large molecules, toxins and even microorganisms. Numerous diseases including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Coeliac disease (CD), autoimmune disorders, and diabetes are believed to be associated with IP. Dietary interventions, such as prebiotics, may improve the intestinal barrier. Prebiotics are non-digestible food compounds, that promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This systematic review assesses the connection between prebiotic usage and IP. PubMed and Trip were used to identify relevant studies conducted between 2010-2023. Only six studies were found, which all varied in the characteristics of the population, study design, and types of prebiotics interventions. Only one study showed a statistically significant effect of prebiotics on IP. Alteration of intestinal barrier function was measured by lactulose/mannitol, chromium-labelled Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (51Cr-EDTA), lactulose/rhamnose, and sucralose/erythritol excretion as well as zonulin and glucagon-like peptide 2 levels. Three studies also conducted gut microbiota assessment, and one of them showed statistically significant improvement of the gut microbiome. This study also reported a decrease in zonulin level. The main conclusion from this review is that there is a lack of human studies in this important field. Futhermore, large population studies and using standardized protocols, would be required to properly assess the impact of prebiotic intervention and improvement on IP.