Region Of Origin Research Articles

Impact of water level change on shifts in subsistence regimes revealed by anthropogenic fire in the lower Yangtze basin during the Mid-Holocene

The lower Yangtze is one of the regions of origin of rice agriculture but it is unclear if environmental change drove the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture. Long-term and continuous lacustrine records of anthropogenic fire are a more effective means of addressing this problem than the fragmentary terrestrial records available for the lower Yangtze region. We constructed a Holocene fire history revealed by records of black carbon content (BCC) and grain size of the sediments of Lake Nanyi in the lower Yangtze. Our results show the following: 1) Peaks in fire activity occurred during ∼8400–6500 (fire peak P1) and ∼ 1100–0 cal BP (fire peak P2), while weaker fire activity occurred during ∼6500–1100 cal BP (S2). 2) This temporal pattern of fire activity, with a double peak (P1-S2-P2), was asynchronous from east to west across the lower Yangtze. The warm and humid climate would not have caused intense fires and the reduction of forest during ∼8400–6500 and ∼ 1100–0 cal BP. Therefore, we suggest that anthropogenic ignitions, corresponding to pronounced population fluctuations after 8400 cal BP, dominated the regional fire activity. Combined with archaeological evidence, the inverse relationship between the agricultural and population levels and fire intensity during the mid-Holocene suggests that fire intensity at this time was the result of the diversity of landscape types associated with prehistoric subsistence patterns, rather than the magnitude of anthropogenic activity. Combined with sea level, rainfall and archaeological evidence, we propose a mechanism whereby asynchronous water-level rise during ∼8400–6500 cal BP forced the migration of humans to the foothills where they often used fire to modify the landscape as part of a broad-spectrum subsistence pattern. Whereas, water-level fall after 6500 cal BP expanded the area of open ground for human settlement, and in this less diverse landscape, less use was made of fire in agricultural subsistence. Overall, our study reveals how regional water-level, driven by sea-level rise and extreme rainfall, delayed the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture in the lower Yangtze region.

Periapical Cyst Forming Cutaneous Sinus Tract: Unusual Presentation-Case Report.

A cutaneous sinus tract due to periapical cyst being very rare may easily be misdiagnosed, leading to incorrect treatment. Identifying the etiology is difficult, but it is the key to effective therapy. The case presented here is a cutaneous sinus tract in the nasolabial region of odontogenic origin. After surgery and extraction of the tooth, the sinus tract healed remarkably (Belmehdi et al. in Contemp Clin Dent 9:314-318, 2018; Latifa et al. in Clin Case Rep 10:e05333, 2022).

Application of multiple stable isotopes to aid identification of the origin of regional and organic animal products in Hesse, Germany

ABSTRACT There is an increasing global demand for regional and organic produce. However, the growth of these markets depends on consumers’ trust. Thus, novel methods must be developed to aid the verification of the origin of produce. We built on our previous study to identify the geographical origin and production method of animal-derived food products. Thirty-samples of eggs, 99 of milk, 34 of beef, and 62 of pork were collected from different regions in central Germany and analysed for their stable isotopic composition. The analysis followed a single-variate authentification approach using five isotope signatures, δ 18O, δ 2H, δ 13C, δ 15N, and δ 34S. The best-performing indicators for verification of the geographical origin were δ 15N and δ 34S for beef; δ 18O, δ 2H, and δ 13C for milk, and δ 2H and δ 13C for pork. These tracers indicated statistically significant differences among regions with the exception of pork; the results recorded for eggs were inconclusive. It was possible to distinguish between production methods by means of δ 15N and δ 34S (beef); all five tracers (eggs), and δ 13C, δ 15N, and δ 34S (milk). This study demonstrated how the analysis of stable isotopes can be employed to determine the geographic region of origin and production method of animal-derived products in Germany.

ANALISIS EFEKTIVITAS DAN KONTRIBUSI PENERIMAAN BEA PEROLEHAN HAK ATAS TANAH DAN BANGUNAN TERHADAP PENDAPATAN ASLI DAERAH PADA KABUPATEN SAMOSIR

This research aims to determine the level of effectiveness and how big the contribution of land and building rights acquisition fees is to local original income in Samosir Regency. The population in this study is target data and realization of Land and Building Rights Acquisition Fees and Original Regional Income since it was implemented in 2011-2022 at the Samosir Regency Regional Revenue Agency. The sample in this study is the realization and target of receipt of Land and Building Rights Acquisition Fees and Original Regional Income from 2018-2022 at the Samosir Regency Regional Revenue Agency. The data collection technique in this research was carried out using documentation techniques. The data analysis technique used in this research is a descriptive analysis technique with a formula for level of effectiveness and level of contribution.The results of the research conducted show that the overall effectiveness level of acceptance of Land and Building Rights Acquisition Fees from 2018-2022 is categorized as "effective" with an average effectiveness level of 91.65%. And the level of contribution of Land and Building Rights Acquisition Fees to Original Regional Income in Samosir Regency as a whole for 5 years is categorized as "very poor" with an average level of contribution of 6.40%. When compared with 2013-2017 (5 years before the research), the average contribution of Land and Building Rights Acquisition Fee revenue to Regional Original Income in 2018-2022 increased by 5.14%.

57 Validation of a List Learning Task for Monolingual Spanish Speaking Older Adults

Objective:The prevalence of dementia is higher among minoritized Hispanic/Latino populations in the U.S. Development of linguistically relevant and validated cognitive assessments are urgently needed to adequately address the care needs of this at-risk group. List learning tasks are widely used to evaluate verbal episodic memory and are consistently shown to be sensitive to memory deficits across variousneurologic etiologies. The aim of this study was to validate a Spanish list learning task developed as a linguistically appropriate measure of memory in a diverse sample of Spanish speaking Bay Area older adults who identify as Hispanic/Latino.Participants and Methods:Cognitive scores were assessed in 72 Spanish-speaking older adults living in the Bay Area, California, originally from different countries across South and Central America [(n=29 with CDR scores of 0; n=31 with CDRs of 0.5; and n=12 with CDR of 1), aged 54-96, 30% male)], who completed the Spanish list learning task and a brief neuropsychological battery. The list learning task contains 9 words, 3 words from 3 different semantic categories. Category exemplars were excluded. Administration includes three immediate recall trials, a 30-second delay free recall, 10-minute delay free and cued recall, and yes/no recognition. In this initial validation study, we selected the 10-minute delay recall trial as our primary variable and looked at several indices of construct validity. We hypothesized delayed free recall would: 1) correlate highly with other episodic memory tasks, and minimally with non-memory tests (controlling for CDR sum of boxes), and 2) show step-wise declines as total CDR increased from 0 to 1 (controlling for age, sex, and education).Results:Delayed recall scores of 30-seconds and 10-minutes showed step-wise declines as CDR scores increased (CDR 0 vs. 1, p<0.001 and CDR 0.5 vs. 1, p=0.001). There were no differences in delayed recall between CDR 0 vs. CDR 0.5 (p>0.05). 10-minute delay showed medium-to-large correlations with UDS Craft Story Delayed Recall (partial r =0.45, p<0.001) and Benson Complex Figure Recall (partial r=0.63, p<0.001). Nonsignificant, weaker associations were observed with measures of executive (F Word Verbal Fluency partial r=0.10, Digit Span Forward partial r=0.12), and language (Animal Fluency partial r=0.18) function.Conclusions:Although there is heterogeneity within Hispanic/Latino populations in the U.S., findings begin to support ecological and construct validity of the Spanish list learning task as a measure of verbal memory in older Spanish-speaking adults in the Bay Area. Supporting ecological validity, delayed recall scores significantly differentiated functionally impaired (CDR=1) from functionally mild or unimpaired older adults (CDR=0 or 0.5), though evidenced less sensitivity differentiating unimpaired from mild stages of illness. The Spanish list learning task evidenced strong construct validity as a measure of episodic memory, including strong correlations with other validated memory tasks, and non-significant correlations with non-memory tasks. Larger studies should account for diversity of Spanish speakers in the U.S to see how region of origin, education, and differences between first- and second-generation Spanish speakers influences performance on the task. Future work incorporating imaging markers of brain structure may help further validate the Spanish list learning task as an appropriate measure of memory.

80 Demographic Factors Affecting Sensitivity Rates of Performance Validity Tests in Spanish-Speaking Forensic Litigants.

Objective:This retrospective study compared base rates of failure on a series of standalone and embedded performance validity tests (PVTs) in a sample of Spanish-speaking forensic litigants and explored the impact of demographic factors on PVT performance.Participants and Methods:62 Spanish-speaking participants involved in litigation (primarily for work-related mTBI) underwent outpatient neuropsychological evaluation. Country of origin spanned South American (56.5%), Caribbean (22.5%), Central American (16.1%), North American (3.2%), and Spanish (1.6%) regions. Of this sample, 56 completed the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM), 45 completed the Rey Fifteen Item Test (RFIT), and 49 completed the Dot Counting Test (DCT). Embedded validity measures, Reliable Digit Span (RDS) and the WHO-Auditory Verbal Learning Test (WHO-AVLT) were completed by 32 and 48 participants, respectively.Results:Effects of age (M=42.4, SD=11.72) and region of origin did not significantly impact overall performance on any measure. Mean scores across all standalone PVTs were below cutoffs, which have been previously suggested for use with Spanish-speaking populations (TOMM <40, RFIT total <21, DCT e-score >18). Overall base rates of failure were as follows: 52.5% TOMM (T1 M= 37.5, SD=10.7; T2 M=35.1, SD=10.6), 64.9% RFIT (M=17.8, SD=7.8) 57.6% DCT (M=18.3, SD=8.8), 51.1% RDS (M=6.1, SD=1.6), 29.4% WHO-AVLT (M=10.7, SD=3.9. Years of education (M=9.98, 3.96) was significantly correlated with RFIT total score (r(43) = .48, p<.01) and DCT e-score (r(47) = -.34, p<.05. When stratified by level of education (0-6, 7-11, and 12+), a large discrepancy in base rate of failure was observed on the RFIT, with failures in 92% of participants with less than six years of education, as compared to 52% and 59% failure in those with 7-11 and 12+ years, respectively. Variability in base rates of DCT failure across levels of education, although less extreme than on the RFIT, again demonstrated higher rates of failure in participants with less than six years of education (0-6: 71%, 7-11: 54%, 12+: 52%).Conclusions:These findings add to the existing literature surrounding measurement of suboptimal effort in Spanish-speaking populations. Base rates of PVT failure on both standalone and embedded measures were generally much higher than those reported in prior studies of forensic or compensation-seeking groups, including some with Spanish speaking participants. These high rates of failure are likely attributable, at least in part, to sample characteristics, due to the high proportion of individuals engaged in litigation associated with workplace injuries on construction sites at the study location. Such findings illustrate the importance of a thorough effort assessment for this population. Finally, results demonstrating reduced specificity of the RFIT in Spanish-speaking participants with less than six years of education, suggesting caution is warranted for its use in neuropsychological evaluations with such individuals.

Volatile Profile in Greek Grape Marc Spirits with HS-SPME-GC-MS and Chemometrics: Evaluation of Terroir Impact.

Greek grape marc spirits, although being traditional products, have lately attracted increasing attention as a revisited spirit product category. A headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was optimized in order to determine the volatile composition of 39 samples of grape marc spirits from eight major geographical regions of Greece and 4 protected designations of origin (PDOs). This untargeted analysis approach yielded the identification and quantification of 200 volatiles characterizing those products. Principal component analysis and partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) combined with the volatile matrix were further employed to identify terroir denomination. Initial results showed a clear separation of the PDO products from Tyrnavos from the rest. Variable importance in projection data pretreatment was further adopted, and with 31 volatiles subsequently used with PLS-DA, products were correctly classified according to region of origin at 76.92% and for 3 out of 4 PDO denominations at 100%.

예비 유아 교사의 소명의식과 심리적 소진의 관계에서 회복탄력성의 매개 효과

The purpose of this study is to verify the mediating effect of resilience in the relationshipbetween calling consciousness and psychological exhaustion of college students majoring inearly childhood education. To this end, a survey was investigated targeting 445 students ofeducational university in eastern China. As for the analysis method, one-way ANOVA andcorrelation analysis was performed to find out the difference and correlation between thevariables, and hierarchical regression analysis was conducted using the three-step procedure ofBaron & Kenny's mediating effect verification theory by SPSS 27.0 statistical program. As aresult, first, it was found that three variables were significant differences according to the regionof origin, grade, and social economic status of the students. Second, the sense of callingconsciousness and resilience had a negative(-) effect on psychological exhaustion. Third, it wasconfirmed that the resilience partially affects psychological exhaustion in the relationshipbetween calling consciousness and psychological exhaustion. Finally, the limitations andsuggestions for future study were discussed.

Strategic enhancement of motor vehicle taxation in Jambi Province: A pathway to strengthened regional fiscal autonomy

This research aims to develop strategies for boosting motor vehicle tax revenue in Jambi Province. It employs a combination of secondary and primary data, including a time series analysis from 2007 to 2021. The data covers the number of vehicles, the average motor vehicle tax, and revenue realization in Jambi Province. Primary data were gathered from in-depth interviews with experts in local taxation. The study employs descriptive analysis and a SWOT approach for analytical depth. Findings reveal a consistent increase in two- and four-wheeled vehicles from 2017 to 2021 in Jambi Province, potentially signalling economic growth or shifts in mobility patterns. A critical insight from this study is the notable disparity between the rising number of vehicles and the corresponding realization of tax revenue. Specifically, the average tax revenue realization for two-wheeled vehicles during this period was just 25.03 per cent, and for four-wheeled vehicles, approximately 62.30 per cent. The study highlights the crucial role of enhancing Original Regional Revenue (PAD) through motor vehicle taxes as a key strategy to lessen dependence on central funding. It suggests implementing public education initiatives, enhancing public transportation service quality, and reinforcing taxpayer compliance as effective strategies to achieve this goal.

The Influence of Original Regional Income on Regional Expenditures in Regencies/Cities in West Java Province

The Purpose of the research is to know how much the influence of regional original revenue to regional expenditure on the local goverment city/regency in west java province. The research approach used in sample of this research is Budget Realization Report of Local Government in West Java Province. The method used in this research is descriptive and verifikatif method. Data collection techniques are conducted through secondary data, the data obtained from the Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) in West Java Province.Statistical analysis used in this study is normality test, autocorrelation test, simple linear regression analysis, person correlation analysis, coefficient of determination analysis, and t hypothesis and assisted with data processing using SPSS 25.0 for Windows.The result of the research show that regional original revenue has an effect on regional expenditure on the local goverment city/regency in west java province. The influence of regional original revenue on regional expenditure means that the higher the regional original revenue, the more the regional expenditure will increase.

Characterization of the Bacterial Profile from Natural and Laboratory Glossina Populations.

Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.; Diptera: Glossinidae) are viviparous flies that feed on blood and are found exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa. They are the only cyclic vectors of African trypanosomes, responsible for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT). In this study, we employed high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to unravel the diversity of symbiotic bacteria in five wild and three laboratory populations of tsetse species (Glossina pallidipes, G. morsitans, G. swynnertoni, and G. austeni). The aim was to assess the dynamics of bacterial diversity both within each laboratory and wild population in relation to the developmental stage, insect age, gender, and location. Our results indicated that the bacterial communities associated with the four studied Glossina species were significantly influenced by their region of origin, with wild samples being more diverse compared to the laboratory samples. We also observed that the larval microbiota was significantly different than the adults. Furthermore, the sex and the species did not significantly influence the formation of the bacterial profile of the laboratory colonies once these populations were kept under the same rearing conditions. In addition, Wigglesworthia, Acinetobacter, and Sodalis were the most abundant bacterial genera in all the samples, while Wolbachia was significantly abundant in G. morsitans compared to the other studied species. The operational taxonomic unit (OTU) co-occurrence network for each location (VVBD insectary, Doma, Makao, and Msubugwe) indicated a high variability between G. pallidipes and the other species in terms of the number of mutual exclusion and copresence interactions. In particular, some bacterial genera, like Wigglesworthia and Sodalis, with high relative abundance, were also characterized by a high degree of interactions.

Stable Isotope Provenance of Unidentified Deceased Migrants-A Pilot Study.

In the global migration crisis, one of the challenges in the effort to identify deceased migrants is establishing their region of origin, which facilitates the search for ante mortem data to be compared with the post mortem information. This pilot study explores the potential of using stable isotope analysis to distinguish between individuals coming from West Africa and the Horn of Africa. Six individuals (four of known origin and two of unknown origin) were sampled. δ13CVPDB(keratin), δ15NVPDB(keratin) and δ18OVSMOW(keratin) of hair were analysed using Elemental Analyzers coupled with Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS). δ18OVSMOW(carbonate) and δ13CVPDB(carbonate) of bone were analysed using GasBench II with IRMS, while 87Sr/86Sr composition was determined in bone and dental enamel using laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The stable isotope compositions of the individual from the Horn of Africa differed from the other individuals. The differences found between 87Sr/86Sr of enamel and bone and between δ18O and δ13C in bone and hair reflect changes in sources of food and water in accordance with regionally typical migration journeys. The analysis of multiple stable isotopes delivered promising results, allowing us to narrow down the region of origin of deceased migrants and corroborate the information about the migration journey.

The Influence of Tourism Attraction Levy Receipts on Original Regional Income in Ngada Regency

This exploration was directed determined to figure out the impact of vacation spot demand receipts on the nearby pay of Ngada Rule from 2016-2021. The information utilized in this examination is optional information. Perception, documentation and interview information assortment strategies were then investigated utilizing a basic direct relapse examination strategy utilizing the SPSS application. The consequences of this examination show that the receipt of vacation spot demands fundamentally affects nearby unique pay. This depends on the t test worth of the duty receipt variable of 3.297 and a critical worth of 0.030 which is more modest than the foreordained huge worth of 0.05 (5%

Analysis of the Growth Rate and Effectiveness of Advertisement Tax Revenue on Original Regional Income in Kupang City

This research aims to determine and explain the growth rate and effectiveness of advertising taxes on local revenue in Kupang City in 2017-2021. This research uses a qualitative descriptive approach. This research uses growth rate analysis by comparing the realization of regional revenues in a particular year and the realization of regional revenues in the previous year. The effectiveness of advertising tax is measured by comparing the realization and target of advertising tax revenue. The research results show that the growth rate of advertising tax revenue has fluctuated from 2017-2021 with an average of 8.73%. This shows that the growth of advertising tax revenue in Kupang City has not been successful. The effectiveness of advertising tax in Kupang City in 2017-2021 with an average of 93.94% is included in the effective category. For this reason, it is recommended that the government and the public, especially taxpayers, work together to increase revenue from the advertising tax sector in order to increase Original Regional Income

Characterization of sun-protective behaviours among Asian people in the USA stratified by geographic location of birth.

We examined national survey data on sun-protective behaviours and risk factors among Asian respondents from various regions of origin. Our findings highlight significant differences in behaviours across respondents from each geographic region included in the study.

Social categorisation of asylum seekers: Free-listing by professionals in German reception centres

Abstract Background Newly arriving asylum seekers in Germany mostly live in large reception centres. Goods and services are provided by professionals. Their social categorisations may impact discretionary decisions and determine the scope of access to health and social services. We sought to explore what social categories were mostly applied to asylum seekers in that context. Methods We conducted a modified, verbal free-listing with health care, security, translation, social work and administrative staff in two German reception centres, asking what kind of asylum seekers were there. After qualitative content analysis, categories were quantitatively mapped using the Excel Macro “Flame” showing frequencies, ranks and salience of those social categories. Results 40 professionals listed on average 16 items (min = 4, max = 31). In total 624 items were analysed. Categorisations were of individual, interactional, professional, and societal nature. Professionally relevant categories like needs were not mentioned with the highest frequencies. The leading social categorisations of asylum seekers referred to asylum seekers attitudes professionals derived from their behaviour mostly in combination with socio-demographic variables, such as countries and regions of origin and sex. The most relevant social categories were “demanding and expectant” and “polite and friendly” behaviour, also the effort to adapt to the German environment was often evaluated. The category “economic refugees” ranked forth. Conclusions Social categorisation is permeable to public and political discourses related to motives for flight, or integration efforts and chances, impacting on negotiations of deservingness. Since categorisation structures perception, it potentially influences interaction and decision-making, it can trigger empathy and support as well as rejection and discrimination. Free-listing provides a suitable tool, to explore real world categorisation without leaning on pre-given social categories. Key messages • Public health studies on bias, racism and discrimination could benefit from free-listing as useful methodological tool to explore real world social categorisation without using pre-given categories. • Health sciences should foster awareness on political and societal discourses about migrant and minority populations seeping into professional cognition, which can trigger support or discrimination.

COVID-19 mortality and use of intensive care among ethnic minorities – a Danish register study

Abstract Background Migrants and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compared to the majority population. Therefore, we studied mortality and use of mechanical ventilation (MV) by country of birth and migrant status in a nationwide cohort in Denmark. Methods Nationwide register data on all cases hospitalized for > 24-hours with COVID-19 between February 2020 and March 2021. Main outcome measures were mortality and MV within 30 days of hospitalization for COVID-19. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by region of origin and migrant status using logistic regression analyses, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity and sociodemographic factors. Results Of 6,406 patients, 977 (15%) died and 342 (5%) were treated with mechanical ventilation. Immigrants (OR:0.55;95%CI: 0.44-0.70) and individuals of non-Western origin had a lower odds (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.37-0.65) of death upon admission with COVID-19 compared to Danish born individuals. Immigrants and descendants (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.22-2.15) as well as individuals of non-Western origin (OR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.35-2.47) had a significantly higher odds of MV compared to Danish born individuals. Outcomes of individuals with Western origin did not differ. Conclusions Immigrants and individuals of non-Western origin had a significantly lower COVID-19 associated mortality compared to individuals of Danish origin after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and comorbidity. In contrast, the odds of MV was higher for immigrants and individuals of non-Western origin compared to individuals of Danish origin. Key messages • Immigrants and individuals of non-Western origin had a significantly lower COVID-19 associated mortality compared to individuals of Danish origin. • Risk of technical ventilation was higher for immigrants and individuals of non-Western origin compared to individuals of Danish origin.

Migration and severe maternal outcomes in high income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Literature focusing on migration and maternal health inequalities is inconclusive. This is potentially explained by heterogeneous definitions and settings. Our objective was to assess migrants’ risk of severe maternal outcomes compared to native women in high income countries overall, according to host country, and by the migrant's region of birth. Methods Systematic literature review and meta-analysis using MEDLINE/Pubmed and EMBASE databases between 1990 and 25 March, 2022. Observational studies comparing the risk of maternal mortality or all-cause or cause-specific severe maternal morbidity in high income countries between migrant, defined by birth outside the host country, and native women, were included. Case-control and case studies were excluded. We performed random-effects meta-analyses when possible. Subgroup analyses were planned by host country and migrant's region of birth. Results From 2010 unique references, 36 studies reporting data from 32 databases were included. In Europe, migrants had a higher risk of maternal mortality than native women (RR 1.4;95%CI 1.1-1.6), but not in USA and Australia. Migrants born in sub-Saharan Africa (RR 3.3;95%CI 2.5-4.4), Latin America and the Caribbean (RR 2.8;95%CI 1.2-6.9), and Asia (RR 1.8;95%CI 1.3-2.4) were at higher risk of maternal mortality than natives, but not those born in Europe or the Middle East and North Africa. Patterns were similar for all-cause severe maternal morbidity. Conclusions The differential risk of severe maternal outcomes in migrant versus native women in high income countries varies by host country and by women's region of origin. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms of these inequalities. Key messages • In high income countries, the differential risk of severe maternal outcomes in migrants (born outside the host country) compared to natives, varies by the host country and the region of birth. • Our findings strengthens the evidence supporting the need to fight migrant’s health inequalities and to customise related health policies in each context.

Uncovering the magnitude of African pangolin poaching with extensive nanopore DNA genotyping of seized scales.

Trade in pangolins is illegal, and yet tons of their scales and products are seized at various ports. These large seizures are challenging to process and comprehensively genotype for upstream provenance tracing and species identification for prosecution. We implemented a scalable DNA barcoding pipeline in which rapid DNA extraction and MinION sequencing were used to genotype a substantial proportion of pangolin scales subsampled from 2 record shipments seized in Singapore in 2019 (37.5t). We used reference sequences to match the scales to phylogeographical regions of origin. In total, we identified 2346 cytochrome b (cytb) barcodes of white-bellied (Phataginus tricuspis) (from 1091 scales), black-bellied (Phataginus tetradactyla) (227 scales), and giant (Smutsia gigantea) (1028 scales) pangolins. Haplotype diversity was higher for P. tricuspis scales (121 haplotypes, 66 novel) than that for P. tetradactyla (22 haplotypes, 15 novel) and S. gigantea (25 haplotypes, 21 novel) scales. Of the novel haplotypes, 74.2% were likely from western and west-central Africa, suggesting potential resurgence of poaching and newly exploited populations in these regions. Our results illustrate the utility of extensively subsampling large seizures and outline an efficient molecular approach for rapid genetic screening that should be accessible to most forensic laboratories and enforcement agencies.

COVID-19 as a chronic stressor and the importance of individual identity: A data-driven look at academic productivity during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted personal and professional life. For academics, research, teaching, and service tasks were upended and we all had to navigate the altered landscape. However, some individuals faced a disproportionate burden, particularly academics with minoritized identities or those who were early career, were caregivers, or had intersecting identities. As comparative endocrinologists, we determine how aspects of individual and species-level variation influence response to, recovery from, and resilience in the face of stressors. Here, we flip that framework and apply an integrative biological lens to the impact of the COVID-19 chronic stressor on our endocrine community. We address how the pandemic altered impact factors of academia (e.g., scholarly products) and relatedly, how factors of impact (e.g., sex, gender, race, career stage, caregiver status, etc.) altered the way in which individuals could respond. We predict the pandemic will have long-term impacts on the population dynamics, composition, and landscape of our academic ecosystem. Impact factors of research, namely journal submissions, were altered by COVID-19, and women authors saw a big dip. We discuss this broadly and then report General and Comparative Endocrinology (GCE) manuscript submission and acceptance status by gender and geographic region from 2019 to 2023. We also summarize how the pandemic impacted individuals with different axes of identity, how academic institutions have responded, compile proposed solutions, and conclude with a discussion on what we can all do to (re)build the academy in an equitable way. At GCE, the first author positions had gender parity, but men outnumbered women at the corresponding author position. Region of manuscript origin mattered for submission and acceptance rates, and women authors from Asia and the Middle East were the most heavily impacted by the pandemic. The number of manuscripts submitted dropped after year 1 of the pandemic and has not yet recovered. Thus, COVID-19 was a chronic stressor for the GCE community.