Looking Through the (Mis)Classifieds: Why TaskRabbit is Better Suited than Uber and Lyft to Succeed Against a Worker Misclassification Claim

In the highly competitive gig-economy, companies are constantly trying to leverage whatever they can to gain a competitive advantage over competitors. One method of doing so is saving on employment costs by classifying workers as independent contractors. There are two ways to accomplish this: (1) structure the business as an internet-based marketplace or platform; or (2) structure the relationship between the business and the worker in a way that ensures the worker remains classified as an independent contractor under either the common law control test or the economic realities test. Both Uber and Lyft have faced accusations of intentionally misclassifying their workers to utilize this competitive advantage. Taking an in-depth look at Uber’s and Lyft’s business models reveals that both companies have failed to accomplish either of the two methods above, indicating their workers may in fact be misclassified. TaskRabbit’s model, on the other hand, has key distinguishing characteristics that make it more of a marketplace than Uber or Lyft while also allowing for proper classification of its workers as independent contractors under both the common law control and the economic realities tests. Therefore, TaskRabbit’s model allows the company to legally enjoy the benefits of classifying its workers as independent contractors, providing it a competitive edge in the gig-economy

Review of the Natural History of the Handsome Fungus Beetles (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Endomychidae)

The literature pertaining to natural history of Endomychidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea) is reviewed. One hundred fungal host records are provided for 32 endomychid species. Twenty-three records of endomychid yeast endosymbionts are compiled. Summaries are also presented for feeding preferences, interactions with natural enemies, non-lethal symbiotic relationships, and pest activity within the family. Unusual endomychid behaviors and habitats are reviewed, with particular attention to gregariousness and defensive strategies within Endomychidae

Discrimination of the notifiable pathogen Gyrodactylus salaris from G-thymalli (Monogenea) using statistical classifiers applied to morphometric data

The identification and discrimination of 2 closely related and morphologically similar species of Gyrodactylus, G. salaris and G. thymalli, were assessed using the statistical classification methodologies Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and k-Nearest Neighbours (KNN). These statistical methods were applied to morphometric measurements made on the gyrodactylid attachment hooks. The mean estimated classification percentages of correctly identifying each species were 98±1% (LDA) and 97±9% (KNN) for G. salaris and 99±9% (LDA) and 73±2% (KNN) for G. thymalli. The analysis was expanded to include another 2 closely related species and the new classification efficiencies were 94±6%(LDA) and 98±0% (KNN) for G. salaris; 98±2% (LDA) and 72±6% (KNN) for G. thymalli; 86±7% (LDA) and 91±8% (KNN) for G. derjavini ; and 76±5% (LDA) and 77±7% (KNN) for G. truttae. The higher correct classification scores of G. salaris and G. thymalli by the LDA classifier in the 2-species analysis over the 4-species analysis suggested the development of a 2-stage classifier. The mean estimated correct classification scores were 99±97% (LDA) and 99±99% (KNN) for the G. salaris±G. thymalli pairing and 99±4% (LDA) and 99±92% (KNN) for the G. derjavini±G. truttae pairing. Assessment of the 2-stage classifier using only marginal hook data was very good with classification efficiencies of 100% (LDA) and 99±6%(KNN) for the G. salaris±G. thymalli pairing and 97±2%(LDA) and 9±2%(KNN) for the G. derjavini±G. truttae pairing. Paired species were then discriminated individually in the second stage of the classifier using data from the full set of hooks. These analyses demonstrate that using the methods of LDA and KNN statistical classification, the discrimination of closely related and pathogenic species of Gyrodactylus may be achieved using data derived from light microscope studies

Composite Measures for Routine Clinical Practice in Psoriatic Arthritis:Testing of Shortened Versions in a UK Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE: To test shortened versions of the psoriatic arthritis (PsA) composite measures for use in routine clinical practice.METHODS: Clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were assessed in patients with PsA at 3 consecutive follow-up visits in a UK multicenter observational study. Shortened versions of the Composite Psoriatic Arthritis Disease Activity Index (CPDAI) and Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) Composite Exercise (GRACE) measures were developed using PROMs and tested against the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), composite Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis, and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID3). Discrimination between disease states and responsiveness were tested with the t-score, standardized response mean (SRM), and effect size (ES). Data were presented to members at the GRAPPA 2020 annual meeting and members voted on the recommended composite routine practice.RESULTS: The SRM for the GRACE, 3 visual analog scale (VAS), and 4VAS were 0.67, 0.77, and 0.63, respectively, and for CPDAI and shortened CPDAI (sCPDAI) were 0.54 and 0.55, respectively. Shortened versions of the GRACE increased the t-score from 7.8 to 8.7 (3VAS) and 9.0 (4VAS), but reduced the t-score in the CPDAI/sCPDAI from 6.8 and 6.1. The 3VAS and 4VAS had superior performance characteristics to the sCPDAI, DAS28, Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis, and RAPID3 in all tests. Of the members, 60% agreed that the VAS scales contained enough information to assess disease and response to treatment, 53% recommended the 4VAS for use in routine care, and 26% the 3VAS, while leaving 21% undecided.CONCLUSION: Shortening the GRACE to VAS scores alone enhances the ability to detect status and responsiveness and has the best performance characteristics of the tested composite measures. GRAPPA members recommend further testing of the 3VAS and 4VAS in observational and trial datasets.</p