bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture strength of flared root canals reinforced using different post and core materials
Authors: Tsukahara Ruri , Komada Wataru , Oishi Shinya , Yoshimatsu Shu , Miura Hiroyuki , Fueki Kenji
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To examine the fracture strength and fracture mode of flared root canals reinforced with different post and core materials.

Materials and methods

Forty endodontically treated bovine teeth structured to mimic human mandibular premolars with flared root canals were reinforced with resin composite and glass fiber post (FRC), composite resin (RC), ceramic core (LD), and ceramic core with resin composite reinforcement (RLD), and restored with single zirconia crowns (n = 10 in each group). The fracture strength and mode of the root canals restored with zirconia crown were assessed. The fracture strength was compared with a one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) following Tukey HSD tests. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the effect of the post/core materials on the fracture loads. Fisher's exact test was used in the failure mode analysis.

Results

The mean fracture strength of RLD was significantly higher than RC, FRC, and LD (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were found among RC, FRC, and LD (p < 0.05). The regression analysis found that the fracture strength using the lithium disilicate was significantly lower for the post and higher for the core than that using the resin composite (p < 0.05), and there were no significant difference in the fracture strengths between the resin composite and glass fiber used for the post (p > 0.05). Most of the specimens exhibited root fractures, and no significant differences were observed among the groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that reinforcement of flared root canals using a combination of resin composite for the core and lithium disilicate ceramic for the post is superior to resin composite and glass fiber in mechanical properties when restoring a single crown.
Ready for the worst? Negative affect in anticipation of a stressor does not protect against affective reactivity
Authors: Kalokerinos Elise K. , Moeck Ella K. , Rummens Koen , Meers Kristof , Mestdagh Merijn
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Lay wisdom suggests feeling negative while awaiting an upcoming stressor—anticipatory negative affect—shields against the blow of the subsequent stressor. However, evidence is mixed, with different lines of research and theory indirectly suggesting that anticipatory negative affect is helpful, harmful, or has no effect on emotional outcomes. In two studies, we aimed to reconcile these competing views by examining the affective trajectory across hours, days, and months, separating affective reactivity and recovery.

Methods

In Study 1, first‐year students (N = 101) completed 9 days of experience sampling (10 surveys/day) as they received their first‐semester exam grades, and a follow‐up survey 5 months later. In Study 2, participants (N = 73) completed 2 days of experience sampling (60 surveys/day) before and after a Trier Social Stress Test. We investigated the association between anticipatory negative affect and the subsequent affective trajectory, investigating (1) reactivity immediately after the stressor, (2) recovery across hours (Study 2) and days (Study 1), and (3) recovery after 5 months (Study 1).

Results

Across the two studies, feeling more negative in anticipation of a stressor was either associated with increased negative affective reactivity, or unassociated with affective outcomes.

Conclusion

These results run counter to the idea that being affectively ready for the worst has psychological benefits, suggesting that instead, anticipatory negative affect can come with affective costs.
Randomized controlled trials of mental health nurse‐delivered interventions: A systematic review
Authors: Dickens Geoffrey L. , Al Maqbali Mohammed , Blay Nicole , Hallett Nutmeg , Ion Robin , Lingwood Louise , Schoultz Mariyana , Tabvuma Tracy
Published: October 2022

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Well conducted randomized controlled trials provide the highest level of evidence of effectiveness of healthcare interventions, including those delivered by mental health nurses.

Trials have been conducted over the years but there has not been a comprehensive review since 2005, and never one including studies conducted outside the UK.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge?

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of results from randomized controlled trials of mental health nurse‐delivered interventions conducted in the UK, Ireland, US, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada and reported 2005 to 2020.

It highlights that the trial evidence is limited and offers only partial evidence for interventions that are central to mental health nursing practice.

What are the implications for practice?

Much mental health nursing practice is not supported by the highest level trial evidence. Mental health nurses need to carefully select evidence on which to base their practice both from the mental health nursing literature and beyond.

Mental health nurses and other stakeholders should demand greater investment in trials to strengthen the evidence base.

Introduction

Nurses are the largest professional disciplinary group working in mental health services and have been involved in numerous trials of nursing‐specific and multidisciplinary interventions. Systematic appraisal of relevant research findings is rare.

Aim

To review trials from the core Anglosphere (UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) published from 2005 to 2020.

Method

A systematic review reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses. Comprehensive electronic database searches were conducted. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of mental health nurse‐delivered interventions conducted in relevant countries. The risk of bias was independently assessed. Synthesis involved integration of descriptive statistics of standardized metrics and study bias.

Results

Outcomes from 348 between‐group comparisons were extracted from K = 51 studies (N = 11,266 participants), Standardized effect sizes for 68 (39 very small/small, 29 moderate/large) statistically significant outcomes from 30 studies were calculable. All moderate/large effect sizes were at risk of bias.

Discussion

Trial evidence of effective mental health nurse‐delivered interventions is limited. Many studies produced few or no measurable benefits; none demonstrated improvements related to personal recovery.

Implications for Practice

Mental health nurses should look beyond gold standard RCT evidence, and to evidence‐based interventions that have not been trialled with mental health nurse delivery.
Fecal microbiota of horses with colitis and its association with laminitis and survival during hospitalization
Authors: Ayoub Cosette , Arroyo Luis G. , MacNicol Jennifer L. , Renaud David , Weese J. Scott , Gomez Diego E.
Published: October 2022

Background

The association of microbiota with clinical outcomes and the taxa associated with colitis in horses remains generally unknown.

Objectives

Describe the fecal microbiota of horses with colitis and investigate the association of the fecal microbiota with the development of laminitis and survival.

Animals

Thirty‐six healthy and 55 colitis horses subdivided into laminitis (n = 15) and non‐laminitis (n = 39, 1 horse with chronic laminitis was removed from this comparison) and survivors (n = 27) and nonsurvivors (n = 28).

Methods

Unmatched case‐control study. The Illumina MiSeq platform targeting the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was used to assess the microbiota.

Results

The community membership (Jaccard index) and structure (Yue and Clayton index) were different (analysis of molecular variance [AMOVA];P < .001) between healthy and colitis horses. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe; linear discriminant analysis [LDA] >3;P < .05) and random forest analyses found Enterobacteriaceae,Lactobacillus,Streptococcus, andEnterococcusenriched in colitis horses, whereasTreponema,Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae were enriched in healthy horses. The community membership and structure of colitis horses with or without laminitis was (AMOVA;P > .05). Enterobacteriaceae,Streptococcus, andLactobacilluswere enriched in horses with laminitis (LDA > 3;P < .05).The community membership (AMOVA;P = .008) of surviving and nonsurviving horses was different. Nonsurviving horses had an enrichment of Enterobacteriaceae,Pseudomonas,Streptococcus, andEnterococcus(LDA >3;P < .05).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Differences in the microbiota of horses with colitis that survive or do not survive are minor and, similarly, the microbiota differences in horses with colitis that do or do not develop laminitis are minor.
Which regionalization scheme is the best to predict wetland plant distribution in Western Patagonia?
Authors: Manzo Luz M. , Epele Luis B. , Grech Marta G. , Kutschker Adriana M. , Miserendino Maria L.
Published: October 2022

Questions

Given the current multiplicity of threats to pond biodiversity, there is a clear need to examine which environmental drivers determine the composition and distribution of species. Using wetland plants as pond biodiversity surrogates, two questions led to this work: How do wetland plant species assemblages and abundance vary across local‐ and regional‐scale classification schemes in wetlands? How does wetland plant beta‐diversity vary within these wetland classification schemes?

Location

Western Patagonia, Argentina, from 36°S to 56°S and from 73°W to 65°W.

Methods

Wetland plant distribution constrained by water and climatic factors was analyzed using canonical correspondence analysis. Variance partitioning analysis was performed to assess which classification scheme (phytogeographical units, wetland regions, wetland genesis and hydrogeomorphological types) better explained variation in plant composition. An IndVal analysis was also carried out to detect taxa with the highest association values (indicator taxa) for the different categories of wetland classification. Beta‐diversity was calculated to evaluate variation patterns within classification schemes.

Results

Plant distribution was mainly related to site location across the latitudinal gradient, following a decreasing pattern of air temperature from northern to southern wetlands. Variance partitioning analysis confirmed the effectiveness of a regional‐scale classification (wetland regions) in predicting plant associations, and the IndVal analysis also highlighted this classification scheme above the remainder, sustaining the highest number of indicator taxa. Wetland plant beta‐diversity patterns were explained by relatively high species turnover, with species composition showing low nestedness values.

Conclusion

Climate factors rather than local characteristics were the main drivers of plant distribution at the wide regional scale analyzed. Wetland region (classification based on climatic criteria) was the most effective scheme in predicting plant associations and sustaining the highest number of indicator taxa. Also, ponds located in the Patagonian Andes and those with a glacigenic origin contribute most to the regional wetland plant diversity. Therefore, these aspects should be taken directly into account in the future delineation of protected areas to increase the resilience of Patagonian wetland habitats and their associated biota, and to maintain the ecosystem services that they provide.
Holocene climate–fire–vegetation feedbacks in tropical savannas: Insights from the Marura sinkhole, East Arnhem Land, northern Australia
Authors: Rowe Cassandra , Rehn Emma , Brand Michael , Hutley Lindsay B. , Comley Rainy , Levchenko Vladimir , Zwart Costijn , Wurster Christopher M. , Bird Michael I.
Published: October 2022

Aims

Informed management of savanna systems depends on understanding determinates of composition, structure and function, particularly in relation to woody‐plant components. This understanding needs to be regionally based, both past and present. In this study, Holocene plant patterns are explored at a site within the eucalypt savannas of northern Australia. Australian savannas are the least developed globally and uniquely placed to track ecological change.

Location

Northern Territory, Australia.

Methods

Palynological analyses were undertaken on a 5‐m sediment core, spanning the last 10,700 calendar years. Pollen was categorised to capture vegetation type, classified further according to plant function and/or environmental response. Detrended Correspondence Analysis was used to quantify ecological dissimilarities through time.

Results

At the Pleistocene transition, grasses were abundant then declined and remained low relative to increased woody cover from the mid‐late Holocene. Savanna composition gradually transitioned from Corymbia to Eucalyptus dominance until significantly disturbed by a phase of repeated, extreme climate events. Highest non‐savanna variability in terrestrial and wetland plant types formed mixed vegetation communities through the mid‐Holocene.

Conclusions

Savannas are not homogeneous but the product of plant changes in multiple dimensions. In the Northern Territory, dynamic though restricted non‐eucalypt shifts are embedded within larger, slower eucalypt change processes. Primary climate–vegetation relationships determine the long‐term fire regime. The role of large but infrequent disturbance events in maintaining savanna diversity are significant, in degrees of impact on tree–grass turnover, its form and the extent of vegetation recovery. People's landscape interactions were found to be interwoven within this feedback hierarchy.
Take only pictures, leave only… Cameras influence marmot vigilance but not perceptions of risk
Authors: Uchida K. , Burkle A. A. , Blumstein D. T.
Published: October 2022

Ecotourism provides an opportunity to experience nature that may promote its conservation. Ecotourists photograph wildlife, and photography plays an important role in focusing public's attention on nature. Although photography is believed to be a low‐impact activity, how the visual stimulus of cameras influences wildlife remains unknown. Since animals are known to fear eyes pointed towards them because of similarity to predator eyes, we predicted that cameras with zoom lens would increase vigilance. Using yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer) and adopting a behavioural approach to identify marmots' response to photography, we experimentally quantified proportion of time allocated to vigilance during foraging and flight initiation distance (FID, the distance at which a marmot started to flee from an approaching human) towards humans with and without a camera. We focused on time allocated to vigilance measured in three ways: the proportion of time when marmots moved their head and body towards observers (looking towards observer), the proportion of time when marmots moved their head away from observers (looking away from observer) and the total vigilance (sum of looking towards and away from observer). While a camera was pointed at a marmot, individuals allocated more time to looking towards the observer and less time to looking away from the observer than they did without a camera. However, the total proportion of time allocated to vigilance was not different when marmots were approached by humans with and without a camera. Additionally, whether or not an observer was carrying a camera had no effect on FID. Our results indicated that cameras distracted marmots but did not influence their subsequent risk assessment; marmots may be curious about cameras but were not threatened by them. However, capturing an individual's attention may reduce their ability to look out for predators and thus may increase vulnerability to predation. Regulating photography in locations where predation risk is high or vulnerable species ranges' overlap with humans may be required.
Feeding guilds among batoids in the northwest coast of the Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Reyes‐Ramírez Henrry , Tripp‐Valdez Arturo , Elorriaga‐Verplancken Fernando R. , Piñón‐Gimate Alejandra , Zetina Rejón Manuel J. , Galván‐Magaña Felipe
Published: October 2022

Research on the feeding habits of batoids provides information of intra and interspecific interactions of this taxon in marine ecosystems. We analyzed 832 stomachs of nine ray species collected from the artisanal fishery on the Northwest coast of Baja California Sur (NBCS). We identified 79 prey items assembled in five trophic groups (crustaceans, fish, mollusks, polychaetes, and sipunculidae). Results indicated that the red crabPleuroncodes planipeswas the most important prey in the diet of the seven batoid species. A low dietary similarity of the rays was observed, which evidenced different feeding strategies. In this regard, we identified four well‐separated trophic guilds. Each guild was characterized by the consumption of specific prey: (1)Hypanus dipterurusandNarcine entemedorthat fed mostly on polychaetes; (2)Rostroraja veleziandGymnura marmoratafed mostly on fishes (Clupeidae and Batrachoididae); (3)Hypanus longus,Myliobatis californica, andPlatyrhinoidis triseriatafed on crustaceans (Munnidae) and Sipunculus worms; and (4)Pseudobatos productusandZapteryx exasperatafed on crustaceans (Portunidae) and fishes (Synodontidae and Batrachoididae). We concluded that batoids off the NBCS show prey sharing between the different species.
The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 110
Authors: Gattacceca Jérôme , McCubbin Francis M. , Grossman Jeffrey , Bouvier Audrey , Chabot Nancy L. , D'Orazio Massimo , Goodrich Cyrena , Greshake Ansgar , Gross Juliane , Komatsu Mutsumi , Miao Bingkui , Schrader Devin
Published: October 2022

Meteoritical Bulletin 110 contains the 2802 meteorites approved by the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society in 2021. It includes 10 falls (Arpu Kuilpu, Djadjarm, Glendale, Kindberg, Madura Cave, Motopi Pan, Orconuma, Punggur, Tihigrin, Winchcombe), with 2014 ordinary chondrites (including 1 ungrouped ordinary chondrite), 220 carbonaceous chondrites (including 11 ungrouped), 212 HED achondrites, 69 lunar meteorites, 62 ureilites, 43 iron meteorites, 35 Martian meteorites, 31 Rumuruti chondrites, 27 primitive achondrites, 24 mesosiderites, 19 relict meteorites (all iron meteorites), 15 pallasites, 13 enstatite chondrites, 11 ungrouped achondrites, 7 enstatite achondrites. Of the meteorites classified in 2021, 1270 are from Antarctica, 1049 from Africa, 329 from South America, 123 from Asia, 20 from North America, 6 from Europe, 3 from Oceania, and 2 from unknown locations.
Primrose homostyles: A classic case of possible balancing selection revisited
Authors: Charlesworth Deborah
Published: October 2022

In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Mora‐Carrera et al. (2022) revisit a case of the loss of an outcrossing system in primroses, which has been studied as an example of balancing selection in the wild since the 1940s. Molecular variants in the gene involved in the mutant self‐fertile phenotype, which is now known, help towards understanding this textbook example of breakdown of an outcrossing system. However, as often happens, new information also raises further questions.
Prototype early diagnostic model for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis based on deep learning and big data training
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Mujiao , Fan Peimin , Wang Hua , Cai Jing , Wang Kai , Zhang Tao , Xiao Zelin , Yan Jingdong , Chen Chaomin , Lv Qingwen
Published: October 2022

Background

Currently, the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) mainly depends on the integration of clinical, radiological and microbiological data. Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown great advantages in dealing with data‐rich biological and medical challenges, but the literature on IPA diagnosis is rare.

Objective

This study aimed to provide a non‐invasive, objective and easy‐to‐use AI approach for the early diagnosis of IPA.

Methods

We generated a prototype diagnostic deep learning model (IPA‐NET) comprising three interrelated computation modules for the automatic diagnosis of IPA. First, IPA‐NET was subjected to transfer learning using 300,000 CT images of non‐fungal pneumonia from an online database. Second, training and internal test sets, including clinical features and chest CT images of patients with IPA and non‐fungal pneumonia in the early stage of the disease, were independently constructed for model training and internal verification. Third, the model was further validated using an external test set.

Results

IPA‐NET showed a marked diagnostic performance for IPA as verified by the internal test set, with an accuracy of 96.8%, a sensitivity of 0.98, a specificity of 0.96 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.99. When further validated using the external test set, IPA‐NET showed an accuracy of 89.7%, a sensitivity of 0.88, a specificity of 0.91 and an AUC of 0.95.

Conclusion

This novel deep learning model provides a non‐invasive, objective and reliable method for the early diagnosis of IPA.
Preferences for end‐of‐life care and decision‐making among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults: A comparative cross‐sectional study in Hong Kong and Wuhan in China
Authors: Cheng Hui‐Lin , Kwong Enid , Chan Kitty , Lai Claudia , Xi Xin‐Xue , Lee Paul
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to describe and compare end‐of‐life care and decision‐making preferences among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults between Wuhan and Hong Kong in China. The study adopted a cross‐sectional correlation design and recruited a convenience sample of 259 older adults, aged ≥65 years old from five community centers in Wuhan and Hong Kong. Participants completed a validated structured questionnaire that measured their end‐of‐life care and decision‐making preferences. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results showed that Wuhan participants were significantly more likely to view “trying every means to extend the life span” as very important/important; and they perceived “support from religious personnel” as unimportant/very unimportant. Different from those older adults in Hong Kong, the Wuhan participants significantly chose their home as the preferred place for end‐of‐life care and death. They also tended to prefer family members to enact the decision‐maker role in end‐of‐life decision situations. The study suggests older adults in Hong Kong and Wuhan have some differences in preferences for end‐of‐life care and decision‐making, which provides the basis for future development of culturally relevant community‐based end‐of‐life care.
Do ectomycorrhizal exploration types reflect mycelial foraging strategies?
Authors: Jörgensen Karolina , Clemmensen Karina E. , Wallander Håkan , Lindahl Björn D.
Published: October 2022

Ectomycorrhizal exploration types are commonly assumed to denote spatial foraging patterns and resource‐related niches of extraradical mycelia. However, empirical evidence of the consistency of foraging strategies within exploration types is lacking.

Here, we analysed ectomycorrhizal foraging patterns by incubating root‐excluding ingrowth mesh bags filled with six different substrates in mature Picea abies forests. High‐throughput sequencing was used to characterise ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in the mesh bags and on adjacent fine roots after one growing season.

Contrary to expectations, many ectomycorrhizal genera of exploration types that are thought to produce little extraradical mycelium colonised ingrowth bags extensively, whereas genera commonly associated with ample mycelial production occurred sparsely in ingrowth bags relative to their abundance on roots.

Previous assumptions about soil foraging patterns of exploration types do not seem to hold. Instead, we propose that variation in the proliferation of extraradical mycelium is related to intergeneric differences in mycelial longevity and the mobility of targeted resources.
AabHLH113 integrates jasmonic acid and abscisic acid signaling to positively regulate artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua
Authors: Yuan Mingyuan , Shu Guoping , Zhou Jiaheng , He Ping , Xiang Lien , Yang Chunxian , Chen Ming , Liao Zhihua , Zhang Fangyuan
Published: October 2022

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Artemisia annua, is in huge market demand due to its efficient antimalarial action, especially after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Many researchers have elucidated that phytohormones jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) positively regulate artemisinin biosynthesis via types of transcription factors (TFs). However, the crosstalk between JA and ABA in regulating artemisinin biosynthesis remains unclear.

Here, we identified a novel ABA‐ and JA‐induced bHLH TF, AabHLH113, which positively regulated artemisinin biosynthesis by directly binding to the promoters of artemisinin biosynthetic genes, DBR2 and ALDH1. The contents of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinic acid increased by 1.71‐ to 2.06‐fold and 1.47‐ to 2.23‐fold, respectively, in AabHLH1113 overexpressed A. annua, whereas they decreased by 14–36% and 26–53%, respectively, in RNAi‐AabHLH113 plants.

Furthermore, we demonstrated that AabZIP1 and AabHLH112, which, respectively, participate in ABA and JA signaling pathway to regulate artemisinin biosynthesis, directly bind to and activate the promoter of AabHLH113.

Collectively, we revealed a complex network in which AabHLH113 plays a key interrelational role to integrate ABA‐ and JA‐mediated regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis.
Persistently abnormal device‐detected thoracic impedance and OptiVol fluid index related to breast reconstruction surgery
Authors: Nagra Bipinpreet , Ibrahim Tanya , Shah Arti N. , Kantharia Bharat K.
Published: October 2022

With significant correlation shown between intrathoracic impedance and intrathoracic fluid volume, the utility of OptiVol fluid index (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) in the management of patients with heart failure has been well‐described. Although intrathoracic impedance is mainly affected by the changes in the intrathoracic fluid volume, a “false‐positive” OptiVol fluid index can occur in the absence of overt congestive heart failure. We present a case of false positive Optivol fluid index elevation in a woman following breast reconstruction surgery.
Explaining public policy change in a developing country: A case study of Ghana's forest and wildlife policy
Authors: Asante William
Published: October 2022

The quest for answers to global policy changes has engaged many a policy researcher's agenda. This has led to the adoption and application of various theoretical perspectives in a bid to explain the complex policy change process for better understanding. However, the highly contested reasons for policy change underpinned by context‐specific variables in the extant literature demand more empirically supported studies. This article responds by adopting the multiple streams framework (MSF) to explain and deepen understanding of why policies change in a developing African country, specifically Ghana, with the forest and wildlife policy (FWP) as a case study. Adopting a qualitative case study design, the study empirically supports the MSF assumption that the effective coupling of the three streams of problem, policy, and politics through a window of opportunity was crucial in Ghana's FWP change in 2012. This study attempts to balance practice and theory.

Related Articles

Brant, Hanna K., Nathan Myers, and Katherine L. Runge. 2017. “Promotion, Protection, and Entrepreneurship: Stakeholder Participation and Policy Change in the 21st Century Cures Initiative.” Politics & Policy 45(3): 372–404. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12201.

Dunning, Kelly Heber. 2021. “Unlikely Conservation Policy Making in a Polarized Congress: A Multiple Streams Analysis of ‘America's Most Successful Conservation Program.’” Politics & Policy 50: 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12448.

Tanaka, Yugo, Andrew Chapman, Tetsuo Tezuka, and Shigeki Sakurai. 2020. “Multiple Streams and Power Sector Policy Change: Evidence from the Feed‐in Tariff Policy Process in Japan.” Politics & Policy 48(3): 464–89. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12357.
Path dependence and resistance to it in public policies: The case of charter school policies in the United States
Authors: Holyoke Thomas T.
Published: October 2022

Policies are assumed to rarely change after enactment. Punctuated equilibrium theory argues this is because law makers shift attention away from policies after enactment, letting them run on autopilot. I argue that the periods between punctuations deserves study, and that what law makers do is design institutions to make policies path dependent so they can only change within limited parameters—if at all. It may also be that interest groups opposing new policies are still able to shape the way they evolve, pushing against intended paths. In this article I test the influence of path dependence versus group opposition in state charter school policies. I find some evidence of path dependence, but I also find that, to some extent, opposing interests can still change these laws after enactment. Furthermore, I find these policies became increasingly similar over time, partially because of path dependence, but also because of the influence of opposing interests.

Related Articles

Ertas, Nevbahar. 2015. “Policy Narratives and Public Opinion concerning Charter Schools.” Politics & Policy 43(3): 426–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12120.

Kwon, Sung‐Wook, and Sylvia Gonzalez‐Gorman. 2019. “Influence of Local Political Institutions on Policy Punctuation in Three Policy Areas.” Politics & Policy 47(2): 300–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12295.

Patrick, Barbara. 2016. “Performance Policies and Workforce Development: Can the Market Model Be Successfully Implemented in the Public Arena?” Politics & Policy 44(6): 1116–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12185.
Race to the top and the diffusion of state education intervention policy in the American states
Authors: Mallinson Daniel J. , Lovell Darrell
Published: October 2022

This study aims to explain the adoption and spread of school turnaround legislation in the American states. While turnaround policy started in New Jersey in 1989, it did not spread rapidly or widely until the eras of No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top (RTTT). We specifically address how RTTT leveraged a coercive federalism that helped propel policies like school turnarounds. Using data on turnaround adoptions from 1989 to 2019 and applying diffusion of innovations theory, we find evidence that ideological learning and RTTT competition relate to the policy's spread among the states, though there is stronger evidence for a horizontal diffusion than a vertical one. The findings build on a growing literature regarding the dynamics of federal oversight in policy diffusion and contribute to understanding how competitive incentives like RTTT can have ripple effects on nonwinning states.

Related Articles

Butz, Adam M., Michael P. Fix, and Joshua L. Mitchell. 2015. “Policy Learning and the Diffusion of Stand‐Your‐Ground Laws.”Politics & Policy43(3): 347–77.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12116.

Maranto, Robert, Julie Trivitt, Malachi Nichols, and Angela Watson. 2017. “No Contractual Obligation to Improve Education: School Boards and Their Superintendents.”Politics & Policy45(6): 1003–23.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12216.

Satterthwaite, Shad. 2002. “State Charter School Adoptions: A Probit Regression Model.”Politics & Policy30(1): 32–9.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2002.tb00633.x.
Agile contracting: Managing incentives under uncertain needs
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Agrawal Anupam , Ryan Jennifer K.
Published: October 2022

We consider a novel principal–agent model that captures some salient features of an agile software development project. Specifically, the project is technically complex, can be modularized via a set of independent stories which are developed in sprints, and has requirements that can change over time due to exogenous changes in business needs, technologies, or market conditions. In addition, given the iterative nature of agile development, our model also captures and analyzes the interaction between two types of learning effects, namely, viability learning and cost learning, which until our paper have been examined only individually in the literature. Our paper makes the following contributions to the literature: (i) We characterize an optimal contract for the principal in closed‐form and generate managerial insights on how the agent's incentive to work changes, and consequently how the optimal contracting terms offered by the principal change, depending upon the business environment. We show that the interaction between the two learning effects and need‐risk plays an important and yet unexplored role in influencing the dynamics in the optimal contract. (ii) Using the optimal contract as the benchmark, we examine the performance of time‐and‐material contracts that are popularly used in agile projects. (iii) We obtain an optimal contract for precedence‐dependent stories in which one story must be completed before starting another story. Overall, our results provide both prescriptive and qualitative guidance to firms outsourcing agile software development projects.
Transcriptome analysis of perennial ryegrass reveals the regulatory role of Aspergillus aculeatus under salt stress
Authors: Li Xiaoning , Fan Shugao , Cui Xinyu , Shao An , Wang Wei , Xie Yan , Fu Jinmin
Published: October 2022

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is an important turf grass and forage grass with moderately tolerant to salinity stress. Aspergillus aculeatus has been documented to involved in salt stress response of perennial ryegrass, while the A. aculeatus‐mediated molecular mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying A. aculeatus‐mediated salt tolerance, the comprehensive transcriptome analysis of the perennial ryegrass roots was performed. Twelve cDNA libraries from roots were constructed after 12 h of plant–fungus cocultivation under 300 mM salt stress concentrations. A total of 21,915 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified through pairwise comparisons. Enrichment analysis revealed that potentially important A. aculeatus‐induced salt responsive genes belonging to specific categories, such as hormonal metabolism (auxin and salicylic acid metabolism related genes), secondary metabolism (flavonoid's metabolism related genes) and transcription factors (MYB, HSF and AP2/EREBP family). In addition, weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) showed that blue and black modules were significantly positively correlated with the peroxidase activity and proline content, then the hub genes within these two modules were further identified. Taken together, we found the categories of A. aculeatus‐induced salt responsive genes, revealing underlying fungus‐induced molecular mechanisms of salt stress response in perennial ryegrass roots. Besides, fungus‐induced salt‐tolerant hub genes represent a foundation for further exploring the molecular mechanisms.
Endophytic bacteria perform better than endophytic fungi in improving plant growth under drought stress: A meta‐comparison spanning 12 years (2010–2021)
Authors: Tufail Muhammad Aammar , Ayyub Muhaimen , Irfan Muhammad , Shakoor Awais , Chibani Cynthia Maria , Schmitz Ruth A.
Published: October 2022

Drought stress is a serious issue that affects agricultural productivity all around the world. Several researchers have reported using plant growth‐promoting endophytic bacteria to enhance the drought resistance of crops. However, how endophytic bacteria and endophytic fungi are effectively stimulating plant growth under drought stress is still largely unknown. In this article, a global meta‐analysis was undertaken to compare the plant growth‐promoting effects of bacterial and fungal endophytes and to identify the processes by which both types of endophytes stimulate plant growth under drought stress. Moreover, this meta‐analysis enlightens how plant growth promotion varies across crop types (C3 vs. C4 and monocot vs. dicot), experiment types (in vitro vs. pots vs. field), and the inoculation methods (seed vs. seedling). Specifically, this research included 75 peer‐reviewed publications, 170 experiments, 20 distinct bacterial genera, and eight fungal classes. On average, both endophytic bacterial and fungal inoculation increased plant dry and fresh biomass under drought stress. The effect of endophytic bacterial inoculation on plant dry biomass, shoot dry biomass, root length, photosynthetic rate, leaf area, and gibberellins productions were at least two times greater than that of fungal inoculation. In addition, under drought stress, bacterial inoculation increased the proline content of C4 plants. Overall, the findings of this meta‐analysis indicate that both endophytic bacterial and fungal inoculation of plants is beneficial under drought conditions, but the extent of benefit is higher with endophytic bacteria inoculation but it varies across crop type, experiment type, and inoculation method.
Introduction of non‐native fish for aquaculture in China: A systematic review
Authors: Kang Bin , Vitule Jean R. S. , Li Shan , Shuai Fangmin , Huang Liangliang , Huang Xiaoxia , Fang Jinghui , Shi Xiaotao , Zhu Yugui , Xu Dongpo , Yan Yunrong , Lou Fangrui
Published: October 2022

Aquaculture, especially of non‐native species and translocated domestic species, is a greatly encouraged way of relieving the conflicts between food and economic demand and resource depletion. We herein summarized the introduction history of non‐native fish for aquacultural use in China, including 105 species introduced from abroad and 61 species translocated domestically across river basins, which has brought great economic benefits but high ecological risks. Of these, one‐fourth have successfully established wild populations in natural waters and 15% have successfully invaded. We presented specific examples of seven aquaculture species/taxa and three aquarium species/taxa to explain their outcomes. The notable economic benefits, complex species composition and strain selection of tilapias, carps and sturgeons may together facilitate their invasion, and result in fish diversity decline, genetic pollution, and loss of ecosystem service. We specifically reviewed invasion cases in lakes and reservoirs and found that lakes in western China and reservoirs made by major hydroprojects are hotspots for non‐native species, and this has led to the disappearance of endemic species and changes to the original faunal composition. The escaped non‐native fish introduced via aquaculture has changed the original fish biogeography, resulting in the loss of assemblage uniqueness and causing faunal homogeneity. China has achieved significant progress in completing the Aichi Targets by improving the legal system and strengthening conservational actions on controlling non‐native species. Further actions, especially on risk assessment and management of non‐native species are expected for a healthy outlook for the aquaculture industry of China.
Aristotle vs. Plato: The classical origins of capitalist & socialist political economies*
Authors: Grigoriadis Theocharis
Published: October 2022

Competing definitions of justice in Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics indicate the existence of two distinct economic systems with different priorities. The three‐class society of the Platonic economy (guardians, auxiliaries, producers) gives rise to guardians who by virtue are expected to enforce output targets on producers directly or through auxiliaries. The three‐class society of the Aristotelian economy (rich, middle, poor) facilitates the emergence of different ruling coalitions and compensates the efficiency losses of central planning with political gains derived from representative governance. In the Aristotelian economy, the middle class is better off than in the Platonic economy (auxiliaries), because a just society (polity) is achieved under its coalition with the rich. I argue that the equilibrium solutions of the Platonic and Aristotelian economic systems provide analytical insights on the origins of capitalist and socialist political economies.
Biased managers with network externalities
Authors: Choi Kangsik , Lee DongJoon , Lee Ki‐Dong
Published: October 2022

In network industry under Cournot and Bertrand competition, we examine a model when owners of firms hire biased managers who have incorrect market demand. Contrast to previous studies, we show that (i) regardless of the strength of network externalities when consumers form the responsive and passive expectations, owners realize strategic advantage by hiring biased managers to be more aggressive under Cournot and Bertrand competition, (ii) firms prefer facing passive expectations for the weak network externalities and vice versa for the strong network exteranlities under Bertrand and Cournot competition, (iii) if the network size is sufficiently large, then the prisoner's dilemma that firms hire aggressive managers no longer exists under both competition modes. As with no delegation case, we obtain the different rankings of firms' profit depending on both network externalities and forming of expectations under Cournot and Bertrand competition.
Markets or unions? De‐unionisation and German firms' provision of flexible working‐time policies from 2002 to 2016
Authors: Jacobi Aljoscha
Published: October 2022

Working‐time regimes structure time‐use and (gender) inequality, but processes shaping the availability of flexible working‐hours arrangements remain poorly understood. This study adopts a longitudinal perspective to investigate change in the provision of long‐ and short‐term working‐time accounts by firms in Germany between 2002 and 2016. In this period, flexibility policies became more common, but union coverage declined, motivating the question: Are unions losing their influence on working‐time arrangements? And if so, is availability increasingly determined by firms' agency? Dualization theory implies that while unions have a narrowing sphere of influence, their collective bargaining power remains intact. By contrast, the classical assumption is that reduced coverage leads to a reduced bargaining power. A third line of argument holds that where unions' influence declines, firms' agency driven by factors such as competition for skilled employees or the need to retain female employees becomes more important. Using the German IAB Establishment Panel this study decomposes the overall expansion of flexibility policies in parts accruing to changes in firms' behaviour and changes in industrial relations and labour market conditions. The study finds that increased competition for employees contributed to better working conditions. The penalty for firms employing a high share of women decreased slightly, but not for the most legally protected policies. Erosion of collective bargaining is found to have a small negative impact on working‐time arrangements. Overall, the findings confirm that despite a diminished sphere of influence, union's bargaining power remained relatively stable.
Understanding Preferences for Comprehensive Electoral Reform in the United States
Authors: Coll Joseph , J. Tolbert Caroline , Ritter Michael
Published: October 2022

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine whether Americans have a latent attitude toward comprehensive electoral reform the determinants of this attitude.

Methods

The article creates and validates an index of election reform attitudes; examines the independent and interactive roles of partisanship, political interest, electoral fortunes, and satisfaction with democracy on these attitudes.

Results

While a majority of Americans favor comprehensive election reform, this desire is strongest among Democrats, independents, people who feel they regularly lose in elections, and individuals who are dissatisfied with democracy, with no independent effect of political interest. Multivariate results find the effect of partisanship is conditioned by whether the respondent feels they generally win or lose in elections and satisfaction with democracy. Partisanship also interacts with political interest. More interested Democrats (Republicans) are more (less) supportive of comprehensive reform. Independents who are electoral losers or dissatisfied with government strongly favor election reform and resemble Democrats, while independents who feel they regularly win or are more satisfied are more opposed and resemble Republicans.

Conclusion

Two‐thirds of Americans favor modernizing and updating U.S. election laws, but these attitudes are colored by partisanship, with evidence suggesting both elite messaging and expected electoral advantage as potential influences. Additionally, asymmetric partisan interactive effects are uncovered.
Temporal variation in soil carbon in various paddy soil types in a cold temperate continental monsoon climate
Authors: Wang Qiuju , Liu Xin , Li Jingyang , Li Pengfei , Zuo Xin , Chang Benchao , Liu Yanxia , Zhang Nan , Yu Hongjiu , Miao Lili , Liu Jie , Guo Zhenhua
Published: October 2022

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most important carbon pool in the terrestrial ecosystem. However, temporal variations in paddy SOC under a temperate continental monsoon climate are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that significant SOC variations occur in meadow soil (MS), black soil (BS) and planosol (PS) paddy soils. Several soil samples were collected from different regions where rice was cultivated for 1, 6, 10, 23 and 40 years for MS samples; for 1, 6, 10, 20 and 35 years for BS samples and 1, 5, 10, 15 and 25 years for PS samples. The total organic carbon (TOC) content and humus organic carbon (HOC) content were found to increase as the rice cultivation duration increased, while the mineralizable organic carbon (MOC) content and carbohydrate organic carbon (COC) content exhibited the opposite trend. The relationships between the relative carbon accumulation (Y) in the three soil types and time (X) were consistent with the following models: YTOC = 0.9973X0.0245, YHOC = 0.9936X0.0457, YMOC = 1.023X−0.073, and YCOC = 1.040X−0.059, describing the temporal variation in the various forms of organic carbon in paddy soils under a temperate continental monsoon climate. The results of this study provide a reference for soil carbon pool management and fertilization management.
The APETALA2a/DWARF/BRASSINAZOLE‐RESISTANT 1 module contributes to carotenoid synthesis in tomato fruits
Authors: Sang Kangqi , Li Junjie , Qian Xiangjie , Yu Jingquan , Zhou Yanhong , Xia Xiaojian
Published: October 2022

Ethylene (ET) signaling plays a critical role in the ripening of climacteric fruits such as tomato. Brassinosteroids (BRs) were found to promote the ripening of both climacteric and non‐climacteric fruits. However, the mechanism of interaction between ET and BRs during fruit ripening is unclear. Here, we found that BR synthesis and signaling increased after the onset of fruit ripening. Overexpression of the BR synthesis gene DWARF (DWF) promotedfruit softening, lycopene synthesis and ET production, whereas defect of DWF inhibited them. BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) as a key component of BR signaling, enhanced fruit lycopene content by directly activating the transcription of PSY1 gene. Interestingly, the increases in BR synthesis and BZR1 protein levels were dependent on ET signaling. Knocking out the ET‐induced APETALA2a (AP2a) suppressed the expression of DWF and BR accumulation. Molecular assays demonstrated that AP2a was a positive regulator of DWF expression. Furthermore, 28‐homobrassinolide, a bioactive BR, partially compensated the defects of lycopene accumulation and expression of PSY1 in ap2a mutant fruits. The results demonstrated that AP2a mediated ET signaling to regulate BR synthesis and signaling. BRs played critical roles in lycopene synthesis after onset of fruit ripening.