Information Perspective Research Articles

Metabolomic profiling and its association with the bio-efficacy of Aspergillus niger strain against Fusarium wilt of guava.

Bio-control agents are the best alternative to chemicals for the successful management of plant diseases. The fungus Aspergillus niger is known to produce diverse metabolites with antifungal activity, attracting researchers to exploit it as a bio-control agent for plant disease control. In the present study, 11 A. niger strains were isolated and screened for their antagonism against the guava wilt pathogen under in vitro and in planta conditions. Strains were identified morphologically and molecularly by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin, and calmodulin genes. The strains were evaluated through dual culture, volatile, and non-volatile methods under an in vitro study. AN-11, AN-6, and AN-2 inhibited the test pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii (FOP) at 67.16%, 64.01%, and 60.48%, respectively. An in planta study was conducted under greenhouse conditions with 6 months old air-layered guava plants (var. Allahabad Safeda) by pre- and post-inoculation of FOP. The AN-11 strain was found to be effective under both pre- and post-inoculation trials. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was carried out to characterize the volatile compounds of the most potential strain, A. niger. The hexane soluble fraction showed the appearance of characteristic peaks of hexadecenoic acid methyl ester (4.41%), 10-octadecanoic acid methyl ester (3.79%), dodecane (3.21%), undecane (3.19%), gibepyrone A (0.15%), 3-methylundecane (0.36%), and citroflex A (0.38%). The ethyl acetate fraction of the bio-control fungi revealed the occurrence of major antifungal compounds, such as acetic acid ethyl ester (17.32%), benzopyron-4-ol (12.17%), 1,2,6-hexanetriol (7.16%), 2-propenoic acid ethanediyl ester (2.95%), 1-(3-ethyloxiranyl)-ethenone (0.98%), 6-acetyl-8-methoxy dimethyl chromene (0.96%), 4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro dioxo furan acetic acid (0.19%), and octadecanoic acid (1.11%). Furthermore, bio-control abilities could be due to hyper-parasitism, the production of secondary metabolites, and competition for sites and nutrients. Indeed, the results will enrich the existing knowledge of metabolomic information and support perspectives on the bio-control mechanism of A. niger.

Perceived difference in expertize and individual performance in cross‐functional teams

AbstractPrevious studies examining diverse team knowledge resources and individual members' performance largely follow the information perspective and propose that team informational diversity may help individuals perform better. Unlike previous authors, we integrate arguments from subgroup theory and the social categorization perspective to argue that when a person works in a cross‐functional team, perceiving differences in expertize with other teammates may decrease the person's social exchange relationship with colleagues, that is, team‐member exchange/TMX. Thus, perceived differences in expertize with other teammates may reduce TMX and, in turn, weaken individual task performance. Moreover, team members' social exchange relationship with the leader/LMX may offset the individual's deficiency in TMX to complement the person's task performance. We examine dyadic data collected from Taiwanese worker‐supervisor pairs and find support for our hypotheses.

Fish-To Eat or Not to Eat? A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Conundrum of Fish Consumption in the Context of Marine Pollution in Indonesia.

Background: The Indonesian government faces a dilemma of promoting fish consumption for its health benefits and to ease food insecurity, while at the same time seeking effective approaches to reduce the high levels of marine pollution. However, the factors associated with fish consumption in the face of persistent high levels of marine pollution are not well elucidated in the literature. Objectives: This was an explorative study to investigate the sociodemographic factors related to fish consumption and to understand the perspectives of expert informants on marine pollution and its impact on fish quality and availability in Indonesia. Methods: We characterized fish consumption among respondents aged 15 years and older in the fifth wave of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (n = 31,032), based on their sociodemographic profiles, and developed multinomial regression models to assess the relationship between respondents' sociodemographic profiles and quintiles of fish consumption. We also conducted in-depth interviews on fish consumption and marine pollution with key informants from Indonesia (n = 27). We then used a convergent mixed-methods design to synthesize the results of both datasets. Results: Fish was the most frequently consumed animal-source food reported by survey respondents: 2.8 (±2.6) days/week. More younger respondents (15-19 years) reported relatively lower consumption of fish (9.3% in Q1 versus 5.9% in Q5) compared to respondents 50 years and older (37% in Q1 versus 39.9% in Q5; p < 0.01). When classified by region, more respondents from the Java region reported lower consumption of fish (86.5% in Q1 versus 53% in Q5; p < 0.01). Key-informants' perspectives corroborated the survey results by indicating that the younger generation tends not to want to consume fish; informants expanded the survey results by suggesting that fish is scarce in the Java region due to high levels of marine pollution. Informants further implied that there is low awareness about the impact of marine pollution on fish quality among most of the Indonesian population. Conclusion: Evidence from both data sources converge on differential preference for fish consumption by age group. Informants' perspectives also link marine pollution to fish scarcity, which poses a threat to food security among low-income Indonesians and to human health globally. More studies are needed to corroborate our findings and inform policy guidelines to reduce marine pollution while promoting fish consumption in Indonesia.

Addressing the mental health needs of older adult refugees: Perspectives of multi-sector community key informants

Addressing the mental health needs of older adult refugees: Perspectives of multi-sector community key informants

A Novel Analysis of CMAP Scans From Perspective of Information Theory: CMAP Distribution Index (CDIX).

The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scan is a useful technique for examination of neuromuscular disorders. The objective of this study is to develop a novel analysis of CMAP scans from the perspective of information theory. A novel index parameter called CMAP distribution index (CDIX) was developed to characterize CMAP scan based on calculation of the information entropy. The performance of CDIX was evaluated using CMAP scan data from healthy control and spinal cord injury (SCI) subjects, and compared with D50 and MScanFit motor unit number estimation (MUNE). CDIX was significantly lower for the SCI subjects compared with the healthy control subjects (p < 0.001). A significant correlation ( R2 = 0.58, p < 0.001) was found between CDIX and MScanFit MUNE. Among all tested parameters (maximum CMAP, D50, MScanFit MUNE and CDIX), CDIX achieved the smallest relative width of the overlapping zone (WOZ%) between SCI and healthy control subjects. CDIX can be inferred as a useful index reflecting motor unit loss and muscle fiber reinnervation changes.

HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening promotion among Black individuals: social ecological perspectives from key informants interviews

ABSTRACT Objectives Rates of HPV infection and HPV-related cancers are elevated in the Black population of the US. Efforts to promote HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening are important to reducing the cancer burden among Black populations. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study guided by social ecological model (SEM) was to describe from the perspective of key informants, the challenges and opportunities for HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening promotion among Black adults. Design Twenty-three key informants participated in individual interviews over zoom video conferencing. The sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and checked for accuracy prior to data analysis. Two qualitatively trained researchers analyzed the data using content analysis. Results Participants were aged 50 ± 4.1 years, 12 were females, and 18 identified as Black. Participants included health care providers, teachers, church and community leaders. Themes included HPV and cancer literacy, influence of religion, health care provider recommendations, social and cultural influences, accessibility and availability of services, economic constraints, limited community resources, and HPV vaccine mandates. Conclusions SEM factors contribute to low HPV vaccine uptake and cervical cancer screening and these factors need to be addressed. Interventions addressing SEM factors peculiar to Black populations may promote HPV vaccination and cancer screening in this population.

Gender Pension Gap in EU Countries: A Between-Group Inequality Approach

Pension entitlements are influenced by individual career paths and labor market conditions, which often result in gender-based disparities. Women face several challenges during their working lives, such as late entry into the labor market, the gender pay gap, discontinuous working careers, and early retirement due to family caregiving, which lead to lower pension incomes. This paper investigates the gender pension gap in nine European Union countries from 2004 to 2020. Our study adopts a non-parametric estimation strategy that utilizes additively decomposable inequality measures to provide a more informative perspective on gender inequality. We aim to demonstrate that this approach surpasses the standard gender gap in pension index in capturing between-gender inequality in societies. Employing data from the SHARE database, we find that gender inequality in the studied countries is decreasing on average, with a convergence trend observed from 2011 onwards. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the gender pension gap phenomenon, which is crucial for developing effective policy responses in a welfare perspective.

Climate-Induced Non-Economic Loss and Damage: Understanding Policy Responses, Challenges, and Future Directions in Pacific Small Island Developing States

Despite mitigation and adaptation efforts, the residual risks of climate change will continue to impact the most vulnerable communities globally. Highly exposed regions, such as the Pacific Islands, will continue to experience profound negative loss and damage as a result of climate change, which will challenge current ways of life. Knowledge on the extent to which regional and national climate change polices can identify and respond to non-economic loss and damage (NELD) is limited. From the perspectives of stakeholders in the Pacific Islands region, this research aims to gain insights into how regional and national policies are responding to NELD, as the well as the barriers, shortcomings, and requirements for future responses. Utilising a mixed qualitative–quantitative approach, this research explores the perspectives of expert informants, including those from the government, donors and development partners, civil society, intergovernmental organisations, and other relevant bodies, such as universities. The key findings of this study indicate that current policy responses include a regional policy that integrates disaster and climate change losses, national efforts to preserve traditional and local knowledge, national adaptation and resilience planning, community-based projects, and relocation and resettlement. Additionally, NELD is a relatively new concept for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, and it is difficult to conceptualise the diversity of issues related to NELD in the region. Owing to this poor understanding, a key gap relates to the dominance of the economic lens when characterising climate-induced impacts in the region. As such, there is a limited holistic consideration of climate change impacts, and thus a limited appreciation of the interrelated factors of NELD within policy responses that then cascade towards communities. Finally, the paper outlines key policy insights as follows: policies on integration, adaptation, resilience planning, relocation and resettlement have advanced; the economic lens dominates when characterising climate-induced impacts on the region; there is a limited appreciation of the interrelated factors of NELD; and there exists a need to account for residual and intangible losses to land, culture, traditional knowledge, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human agency. The insights gained from this research can provide a practical basis for guiding local to regional action and help support and design comprehensive risk management solutions in order to address NELD associated with climate change.

Online job scheduling scheme for low-carbon data center operation: An information and energy nexus perspective

As the digitalization of the economy and society accelerates, the enormous and fast-growing energy consumption of data centers is becoming a global concern. With the unique power consumption flexibility introduced by computing job scheduling, data centers could play an important role in enhancing the capability to integrate renewable generation as a demand-side resource. In this paper, we propose an online job scheduling scheme for low-carbon data center operation from an information and energy nexus perspective. We formulate the job scheduling problem as a Markov decision process in which job dependencies, job heterogeneity, and quality of service are considered comprehensively. To address the challenges of large-scale heterogeneous computing jobs, we propose a deep reinforcement learning-based approach to solve the energy-aware scheduling problem and achieve an optimal online policy. The case study results based on real-world data illustrate that the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the carbon footprint and energy cost of a data center while maintaining the quality of service for cloud products.

Incomplete mixed data-driven outlier detection based on local–global neighborhood information

Outlier detection is a crucial task for identifying unexpected patterns, errors, and behaviors; therefore, maximizing the valuable information obtained from ubiquitous, incomplete, redundant, noisy, and mixed data poses a great challenge. To achieve efficient graph-based outlier detection, we enhance the connectivity between similar objects and weaken the connectivity between heterogeneous objects. The network structure proposed in this paper is called “an incomplete local and global neighborhood information (ILGNI) network.” In this network, incomplete mixed data can be exploited considering two aspects; single-attribute local information and multi-attribute global information. Specifically, we initially utilize unsupervised attribute reduction methods to improve data quality. Then, from the perspective of local and global information, we use the level of similarity of objects to design strong-neighborhood and weak-similarity relations to deal with incomplete data. On this basis, the topology reconstruction of a high number of fine-grained neighborhood information networks can be realized. Finally, the outlier scores are calculated considering the stationary distribution of the Markov random walk model over the ILGNI network. The experiments conducted on four real-telecom fraud datasets demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve enhanced outlier detection performance with low time complexity. In addition, the proposed method can effectively mine the information obtained from incomplete data and has high applicability to feature-related and feature-independent datasets.

How did consumers' self-protective behavior formed during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This study explored the formation mechanism of consumers' self-protective behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is very important for policy settings to regulate consumer behavior. Based on the basic framework of the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM), this study analyzed the formation mechanism of consumers' self-protective willingness from the perspective of risk information, and explained the deviation between consumers' self-protective willingness and behavior from the perspective of protective behavior attributes. Based on 1,265 consumer survey data during the COVID-19 pandemic, the empirical test was carried out. The amount of risk information has a significant positive impact on the consumers' self-protective willingness, where the credibility of risk information plays a positive moderating role between them. Risk perception plays a positive mediating role between the amount of risk information and the consumers' self-protective willingness, and the positive mediating effect of risk perception is negatively moderated by the credibility of risk information. In the protective behavior attributes, hazard-related attributes play a positive moderating role between the consumers' self-protective willingness and behavior, while resource-related attributes play the opposite role. Consumers pay more attention to hazard-related attributes than resource-related attributes, and they are willing to consume more resources to reduce risk.

Revolution in abortion care? Perspectives of key informants on the importance of abortion method choice in the era of telemedicine

Patient choice of medical or surgical abortion is a standard of quality abortion care, but the choice of surgical abortion is constrained in England and Wales, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic and introduction of telemedicine. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of abortion service providers, managers, and funders on the need to offer a choice of methods within early gestation abortion services in England and Wales. Twenty-seven key informant interviews were conducted between August and November 2021, and framework analysis methods were used. Participants presented arguments both for and against offering method choice. Most participants felt that it was important to maintain choice, although they recognised that medical abortion suits most patients, that both methods are very safe and acceptable, and that the priority for abortion services is to maintain timely access to respectful care. Their arguments related to practicalities around patient needs, the risk of reinforcing inequalities in access to patient-centred care, potential impacts on patients and providers, comparisons to other services, costs, and moral issues. Participants argued that constraining choice has a greater impact on those who are less able to advocate for themselves and there were concerns that patients may feel stigmatised or isolated when unable to choose their preferred method. In conclusion, although medical abortion suits most patients, this study highlights arguments for maintaining the option of surgical abortion in the era of telemedicine. More nuanced discussion of the potential benefits and impacts of self-management of medical abortion is needed.

Study on the nitrogen content estimation model of cotton leaves based on "image-spectrum-fluorescence" data fusion.

Precise monitoring of cotton leaves' nitrogen content is important for increasing yield and reducing fertilizer application. Spectra and images are used to monitor crop nitrogen information. However, the information expressed using nitrogen monitoring based on a single data source is limited and cannot consider the expression of various phenotypic and physiological parameters simultaneously, which can affect the accuracy of inversion. Introducing a multi-source data-fusion mechanism can improve the accuracy and stability of cotton nitrogen content monitoring from the perspective of information complementarity. Five nitrogen treatments were applied to the test crop, Xinluzao No. 53 cotton, grown indoors. Cotton leaf hyperspectral, chlorophyll fluorescence, and digital image data were collected and screened. A multilevel data-fusion model combining multiple machine learning and stacking integration learning was built from three dimensions: feature-level fusion, decision-level fusion, and hybrid fusion. The determination coefficients (R2) of the feature-level fusion, decision-level fusion, and hybrid-fusion models were 0.752, 0.771, and 0.848, and the root-mean-square errors (RMSE) were 3.806, 3.558, and 2.898, respectively. Compared with the nitrogen estimation models of the three single data sources, R2 increased by 5.0%, 6.8%, and 14.6%, and the RMSE decreased by 3.2%, 9.5%, and 26.3%, respectively. The multilevel fusion model can improve accuracy to varying degrees, and the accuracy and stability were highest with the hybrid-fusion model; these results provide theoretical and technical support for optimizing an accurate method of monitoring cotton leaf nitrogen content.

Key informant perspectives on the enforcement of police-imposed barring notices and prohibition orders in Western Australia.

Individuals who engage in problematic behaviours within Australian night-time entertainment precincts can be banned from entering certain locations. Bans are expected to deter recipients, and prospective recipients, from further inappropriate behaviours. The collective effect is intended to reduce crime and increase community safety within entertainment precincts. This article explores key informant perspectives regarding the enforcement of two patron banning mechanisms (police barring notices and prohibition orders) used across Western Australia. Interviews were conducted with 54 participants, including licensees, venue staff, WA Police officers, ID scanner representatives, andRegistered Training Organisations. Few participants opposed patron banning in principle, but most identified limitations within the current operation of both provisions. Concerns were expressed about the effectiveness of enforcement, linked to questions about the way in which banned patron information is currently shared and the practicalities of identifying recipients of bans. Suggestions included improved data-sharing protocols and the wider use of ID scanners. With improvements to operational processes-particularly more effective sharing of banned patron data, and consideration of networked ID scanners-there is clear potential to improve the enforcement and increase the effectiveness of police barring notices and prohibition orders. This study is part of a wider project which has examined the use and effects of patron banning in WA. Additional findings are presented in further papers.

How does financial development influence carbon emission intensity in the OECD countries: Some insights from the information and communication technology perspective

Based on an extended STIRPAT framework, this paper investigates the effects of financial development on carbon emission intensity in OECD countries from linear and non-linear perspectives, where financial development is proxied by three dimensions: financial deepening, financial deepening, and financial size, and financial efficiency. Fortunately, three types of financial development significantly alleviate carbon emission intensity. An extended moderation effect model is built to estimate the effect of financial development via information and communication technology on carbon emission intensity. The results reveal that internet-based information and communication technology and service-based information and communication technology are positively correlated with carbon emission intensity. To effectively handle the endogeneity issue triggered by causal relationships between variables and allow potential non-linear nexus, an advanced dynamic panel threshold model incorporating the generalised method of moments is employed to investigate how financial development affects carbon emission intensity under different types of information and communication technology. Empirical evidence demonstrates the significance of the non-linear nexus between financial development and carbon emission intensity. Lastly, heterogeneity analysis demonstrates the existence of heterogeneity associated with institutional quality, degree of economic development, and resource endowment concerning the effect of financial development on carbon emission intensity among the OECD countries.

Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities for Interoperability: Findings From Key Informant Interviews With Stakeholders in Ohio.

Interoperability-the exchange and integration of data across the health care system-remains a challenge despite ongoing policy efforts aimed at promoting interoperability. This study aimed to identify current challenges and opportunities to advancing interoperability across stakeholders. Primary data were collected through qualitative, semistructured interviews with stakeholders (n=24) in Ohio from July to October 2021. Interviewees were sampled using a stratified purposive sample of key informants from 4 representative groups as follows: acute care and children's hospital leaders, primary care providers, behavioral health providers, and regional health information exchange networks. Interviews focused on key informant perspectives on electronic health record implementation, the alignment of public policy with organizational strategy, interoperability implementation challenges, and opportunities for health information technology. The interviews were transcribed verbatim followed by rigorous qualitative analysis using directed content analysis. The findings illuminate themes related to challenges and opportunities for interoperability that align with technological (ie, implementation challenges, mismatches in interoperability capabilities across stakeholders, and opportunities to leverage new technology and integrate social determinants of health data), organizational (ie, facilitators of interoperability and strategic alignment of participation in value-based payment programs with interoperability), and environmental (ie, policy) domains. Interoperability, although technically feasible for most providers, remains challenging for technological, organizational, and environmental reasons. Our findings suggest that the incorporation of end user considerations into health information technology development, implementation, policy, and standard deployment may support interoperability advancement.

Screening Inspiration

Documentaries and film festivals embody in a concrete way Paulo Freire’s pedagogy of indignation, of denouncing injustice while also announcing possibilities. This article examines a study on the learning potential of documentary films for nine incarcerated women in a carceral setting who participated in a documentary film and discussion series. The impetus for this project came from a larger study of three documentary film festivals rooted in community development, activism, and social change. Like many attendees at these festivals, participants suggested that they gained information and new perspectives on themselves, others, and social issues. They reported being inspired by stories of adversity and appreciated the films as a form of informal learning. This article also discusses the unique challenges of adapting film showings to a carceral setting, including logistics and access, participant selection, and film selection.

Model Construction of Chinese Preservice Physical Education Teachers’ Perception of Social Media: A Grounded Theory Approach

(1) Background: Pre-service physical education teachers commonly embrace social media for multiple purposes. However, little is known about their perception of social media, which could affect the appropriate use of social media in their future professional work. This study aims to explore a theoretical model of how pre-service physical education teachers perceive social media in order to provide a basis for educators to guide their appropriate use of social media. (2) Methods: Qualitative data were collected in diverse ways, mainly from interviews. Seventeen Chinese preservice physical education teachers were selected as participants by a purposive sampling technique. The interview questions focused on participants' motivation, expectations, and experiences in social media usage. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data by ROST CM and Nvivo 12. (3) Results: The perception of social media among teachers includes three subsidiary categories made up of 10 sub-categories, 70 concepts, and 307 labels. The three categories are (a) value perception, including the perspective of intelligent function, interaction, and rich information, (b) risk perception, involving psychological risk, information risk and privacy risk and (c) overall perception, like development trends, current status and basic elements. (4) Conclusions: Chinese preservice physical education teachers perceive social media as having similarities and differences compared to other countries. Future research should consider a large sample survey to revise and verify the initial exploration of perception and study diverse groups of teachers' perceptions of social media.

Do stakeholders have the same concerns about anti-food waste law in China? Using big data from social media

As an important issue in global sustainable development, food waste and related waste management is an essential way to achieve China's “double carbon” goal and a critical factor in reaching global climate goals. To address the issue of food waste, the Chinese government issued the Anti-Food Waste Law (AFWL) in 2021. The implementation of the policy has had an impact on public life and sparked intense disputes on social media platforms. Based on Sina Weibo data, this study analyzed the connection between the main stakeholders and the AFWL from the multi-stage, multi-subject, and dynamic information perspective to clarify the current status of the AFWL implementation and then propose policy recommendations. The results show that public attention to AFWL is positively correlated with local economic development; the influence of integrated media accounts is more significant than that of specific food media accounts; stakeholders show a more consistent discourse tendency, but each has its focus according to the functions of each stakeholder. To promote anti-food waste efforts, the following policy recommendations are proposed: refine existing standards and develop localized policies, strengthen the guidance of opinion leaders and information monitoring in social media, set standards to regulate corporate food marketing models and promote digital marketing, and gradually cultivate consumers' awareness of food waste reduction. The study provides direction for optimizing AFWL in China, and the framework can be applied to other policy studies.

Online Lending Business And Its Criminal Aspect Of Collectibility

Online lending business opportunities or what is often referred to as fintech applications grow very fertile in today's digital era. On the one hand, it can be assumed as the growth of the economy, but on the other hand, the collectibility side for these business actors reflects a concerning reality. There are events where they are actually disturbing when collecting using harsh methods, with words that tend to be threatening and inhumane. This is an unlawful reality. This paper will discuss the criminal aspects of these activities from the perspective of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law. This study is conducted using a descriptive method with a normative approach. The data sources analyzed are secondary data, which are then interpreted qualitatively. The results of the study show how the billing model can be seen as an unlawful act in Article 27 Paragraph (1) of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law. Thus, the individual collectors of the online loan company can be held criminally liable.