Linking metabolite production to taxonomic identity in environmental samples by (MA)LDI-FISH

One of the greatest challenges in microbial ecology remains to link the metabolic activity of individual cells to their taxonomic identity and localization within environmental samples. Here we combined mass-spectrometric imaging (MSI) through (matrix-assisted) laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MSI ([MA]LDI-TOF/MSI) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to monitor antibiotic production in the defensive symbiosis between beewolf wasps and ‘Streptomyces philanthi' bacteria. Our results reveal similar distributions of the different symbiont-produced antibiotics across the surface of beewolf cocoons, which colocalize with the producing cell populations. Whereas FISH achieves single-cell resolution, MSI is currently limited to a step size of 20–50 μm in the combined approach because of the destructive effects of high laser intensities that are associated with tighter laser beam focus at higher lateral resolution. However, on the basis of the applicability of (MA)LDI-MSI to a broad range of small molecules, its combination with FISH provides a powerful tool for studying microbial interactions in situ, and further modifications of this technique could allow for linking metabolic profiling to gene expression

Television and contraceptive use in Indonesia - A weak signal?

In recent years, rural electrification and access to television have spread throughout the developing world. The values and cultural norms embodied in television programming have potentially profound implications for influencing behaviour, including reproductive decisions. After replicating Westhoff and Koffman’s (2011) finding of a positive correlation between television ownership and contraception using pooled Indonesian data, we proceed to estimate a fixed-effects model. The coefficient on television loses its significance while other policy relevant variables retain theirs. We conclude that the growing corpus of cross-sectional evidence on a link between television and contraception should be interpreted cautiously

The preserving effect of social protection on social cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Kenya

This paper examines empirically whether social protection in the form of adapted social assistance programmes are affecting social cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using unique primary data from nationally representative, in-person surveys from Kenya allows for the exploration of the effect of social protection on attributes of social cohesion (trust, cooperation and identity). The analysis employs a difference-in-differences approach that compares households with and without social assistance coverage before and after the first wave of the pandemic. The findings suggest that social assistance programmes have a preserving effect on social cohesion. Attributes of social cohesion remain stable for beneficiaries, while they decline for non-beneficiaries due to the pandemic. This result is pronounced in regions that faced larger restrictions due to government lockdown policies. Overall, the results suggest that existing national social assistance programmes and their adaptation in times of large covariate shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can be beneficial for social cohesion

Biophysical characterization of S100A8 and S100A9 in the absence and presence of bivalent cations

AbstractS100A8 and S100A9 are two proinflammatory molecules belonging to the S100 family of calcium-binding proteins. Common to all S100 proteins S100A8 and S100A9 form non-covalently associated complexes which have been shown to exhibit different functional properties. Besides dimerization, recent research is focused on the importance of higher oligomeric structures of S100 proteins induced by bivalent cations. While S100A8/S100A9-heterodimers are formed in the absence of calcium, tetramerization is strictly calcium-dependent. Heterodimer formation is not a simple process and our biophysical analyses (FRET, ESI-MS) demonstrate that simply mixing both subunits is not sufficient to induce complex formation. Steps of denaturation/renaturation are necessary for the recombinant complex to show identical biophysical properties as S100A8/S100A9 obtained from granulocytes. In addition to calcium both proteins are able to bind zinc with high affinity. Here we demonstrate for the first time by different biophysical methods (MALDI-MS, ESI-MS, fluorescence spectroscopy) that zinc-binding, like calcium, induces (S100A8/S100A9)2-tetramers. Using mass spectrometric investigations we demonstrate that zinc triggers the formation of (S100A8/S100A9)2-tetramers by zinc-specific binding sites rather than by interactions with calcium-specific EF-hands. The zinc-induced tetramer is structurally very similar to the calcium-induced tetramer. Thus, like calcium, zinc acts as a regulatory factor in S100A8/S100A9-dependent signaling pathways

Chemical Imaging of Cyanoacrylate‐Fumed Fingerprints by Matrix‐assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging

For new techniques to be incorporated into forensic science, they must be compatible with current practices. Here, cyanoacrylate fuming, a common development technique for latent fingerprints, is studied for its compatibility with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) for chemical imaging of latent fingerprints. Half of a fingerprint was fumed while the other half was not; then, the changes in chemical composition and signal intensity were compared with MALDI‐MS imaging. No evidence was found that fingerprint compounds are chemically altered by fuming or their signal intensities affected. The only exceptions were significant signal loss for quaternary ammonium compounds from hygiene products and moderate signal loss for tertiary amine compounds. This result is in striking contrast with the previous attempts by others, which is attributed to the difference in instrumentation

Impacts of a Micro-Enterprise Clustering Program on Firm Performance in Ghana

Widely considered as an important backbone of economies in developing countries, micro- and small enterprises face several constraints in doing business in Ghana. The creation of industrial zones (IZ) with improved access to infrastructure and secured land tenure is a potential remedy to promote local economic development. In this paper, we assess the effects of an intervention on business performance that establishes or upgrades IZs for micro- and small enterprises in Ghana based on firm-level data on 227 enterprises. Lacking reliable baseline data and an appropriate control group, we use retrospective questions to reconstruct the situation before the intervention. Furthermore, in order to account for general changes in the local economic environment, we examine regional agricultural market development over time. The results show that the establishment of IZs leads to the creation of new firms, but for existing firms that relocated to the IZs the effects on firm performance are negative.Ein bedeutendes Merkmal der Wirtschaft in Ghana ist der hohe Anteil an Kleinunternehmen. Die Produktivität dieser Unternehmen ist oft aufgrund mangelnder Infrastruktur (Elektrizität, Wasser, Straßen) und unsicherer Landbesitzverhältnisse eingeschränkt. In dieser Studie wird untersucht, inwieweit die Einrichtung oder Verbesserung von Gewerbezonen diese Probleme vermindert und die Produktivität der Unternehmen beeinflusst. Dazu wurden Informationen von 227 kleinen Unternehmen aus drei Gewerbezonen erhoben. Wir nutzen retrospektive Fragen, um die Unternehmenssituation vor dem Umzug in die neuen Gewerbezonen zu rekonstruieren. Die Ergebnisse unserer Analyse zeigen, dass die Einrichtung von Gewerbezonen zu mehr Unternehmensgründungen führt und umgezogene Unternehmen nicht von der Maßnahme profitieren

Linking Social Protection Schemes: The Joint Effects of a Public Works and a Health Insurance Programme in Ethiopia

In developing countries and in particular in sub-Saharan Africa, social protection schemes tend to operate in silos. However, schemes targeting the same geographical areas may have synergies that have not yet been examined, and which are worth scrutinising. This paper contributes to this knowledge gap by examining the joint impacts of two social protection programmes in Ethiopia, that is, the Productive Safety Net Programme and a Community Based Health Insurance Scheme. Based on three rounds of individual level panel data and several rounds of qualitative interviews, we find that individuals covered by both programmes, as opposed to neither or only one of the two programmes, provide greater labour supply, have larger livestock holdings, and have a lower amount of outstanding loans. Furthermore, joint participation is associated with greater use of modern health care facilities as compared to participating only in the safety net programme. These results show that bundling of interventions enhances protection against multiple risks and that linking social protection schemes yields more than the sum of their individual effects