bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blind spots and spotlights in bureaucratic politics: An analysis of policy co‐production in environmental governance dynamics in Indonesia
Authors: Sahide Muhammad Alif K. , Fisher Micah R. , Sirimorok Nurhady , Faturachmat Fatwa , Dhiaulhaq Ahmad , Maryudi Ahmad , Batiran Karno B. , Supratman Supratman
Published: January 2023

Motivation

There has been growing interest in recent years in a better understanding of knowledge/science and policy co‐production in environmental governance.

Purpose

We aim to shed more light on the politics among the numerous actors shaping ideas that drive environmental policy in Indonesia. We focus our theoretical engagement on a framing of bureaucratic politics, which is a research tradition that has made various strides in explaining the formal and non‐formal processes that influence environmental governance outcomes.

Methods and approach

Building from a wide range of case studies drawn from deep engagement of participatory research in policy‐making in Indonesia, we established a simple typology that helps explain eight categories that emerge when bureaucracies, knowledge institutions, and publics come together to shape environmental governance outcomes.

Findings

The bureaucratic politics specifically clarified the features of cases that have clear fragmentation of bureaucracy but clear explanation variables from the formal and informal interest of bureaucracy. Potential uncovered by bureaucratic politics framing means that, if the metapolitical works alter, the bureaucracy works smoothly or makes it impossible for bureaucracy to operationalize their formal and informal interest in capturing the dynamics of macro and micro politics. In terms of form of knowledge, knowledge produced “from below” can also be used in policy co‐production. It can be produced by non‐expert actors, or from dialogue among them and sympathetic experts that occur below the bureaucracy's radar (people‐driven).

Policy implications

Our ideal policy co‐production implication is where the three actors have a strong foundation of “common consciousness” and interact equally to address a particular environmental policy agenda, with enough working space to jointly commit to creating the knowledge base to shape policy.
Lipids uniquely alter the secondary structure and toxicity of amyloid beta 1–42 aggregates
Authors: Zhaliazka Kiryl , Matveyenka Mikhail , Kurouski Dmitry
Published: January 2023

Abrupt aggregation of amyloid β1‐42 (Aβ) peptide is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a severe pathology that affects more than 44 million people worldwide. A growing body of evidence suggests that lipids can uniquely alter rates of Aβ1‐42 aggregation. However, it remains unclear whether lipids only alter rates of protein aggregation or also uniquely modify the secondary structure and toxicity of Aβ1‐42 oligomers and fibrils. In this study, we investigated the effect of phosphatidylcholine (PC), cardiolipin (CL), and cholesterol (Chol) on Aβ1‐42 aggregation. We found that PC, CL and Chol strongly accelerated the rate of fibril formation compared to the rate of Aβ1‐42 aggregation in the lipid‐free environment. Furthermore, anionic CL enabled the strongest acceleration of Aβ1‐42 aggregation compared to zwitterionic PC and uncharged Chol. We also found that PC, CL and Chol uniquely altered the secondary structure of early‐, middle‐ and late‐stage Aβ1‐42 aggregates. Specifically, CL and Chol drastically increased the amount of parallel β‐sheet in Aβ1‐42 oligomers and fibrils grown in the presence of these lipids. This caused a significant increase in the toxicity of Aβ : CL and Aβ : Chol compared to the toxicity of Aβ : PC and Aβ1‐42 aggregates formed in the lipid‐free environment. These results demonstrate that toxicity of Aβ aggregates correlates with the amount of their β‐sheet content, which, in turn, is determined by the chemical structure of lipids present at the stage of Aβ1‐42 aggregation.
Drought‐induced increase in tree mortality and corresponding decrease in the carbon sink capacity of Canada's boreal forests from 1970 to 2020
Authors: Liu Qiuyu , Peng Changhui , Schneider Robert , Cyr Dominic , McDowell Nate G. , Kneeshaw Daniel
Published: January 2023

Canada's boreal forests, which occupy approximately 30% of boreal forests worldwide, play an important role in the global carbon budget. However, there is little quantitative information available regarding the spatiotemporal changes in the drought‐induced tree mortality of Canada's boreal forests overall and their associated impacts on biomass carbon dynamics. Here, we develop spatiotemporally explicit estimates of drought‐induced tree mortality and corresponding biomass carbon sink capacity changes in Canada's boreal forests from 1970 to 2020. We show that the average annual tree mortality rate is approximately 2.7%. Approximately 43% of Canada's boreal forests have experienced significantly increasing tree mortality trends (71% of which are located in the western region of the country), and these trends have accelerated since 2002. This increase in tree mortality has resulted in significant biomass carbon losses at an approximate rate of 1.51 ± 0.29 MgC ha−1 year−1 (95% confidence interval) with an approximate total loss of 0.46 ± 0.09 PgC year−1 (95% confidence interval). Under the drought condition increases predicted for this century, the capacity of Canada's boreal forests to act as a carbon sink will be further reduced, potentially leading to a significant positive climate feedback effect.
Migraine, inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Welander Nike Zoe , Rukh Gull , Rask‐Andersen Mathias , Harder Aster V. E. ,   The International Headache Genetics Consortium, van den Maagdenberg Arn M. J. M. , Schiöth Helgi Birgir , Mwinyi Jessica
Published: January 2023

Objective

To assess whether migraine may be genetically and/or causally associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease.

Background

Migraine has been linked to IBD and celiac disease in observational studies, but whether this link may be explained by a shared genetic basis or could be causal has not been established. The presence of a causal association could be clinically relevant, as treating one of these medical conditions might mitigate the symptoms of a causally linked condition.

Methods

Linkage disequilibrium score regression and two‐sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses were performed using summary statistics from cohort‐based genome‐wide association studies of migraine (59,674 cases; 316,078 controls), IBD (25,042 cases; 34,915 controls) and celiac disease (11,812 or 4533 cases; 11,837 or 10,750 controls). Migraine with and without aura were analyzed separately, as were the two IBD subtypes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Positive control analyses and conventional Mendelian randomization sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

Migraine was not genetically correlated with IBD or celiac disease. No evidence was observed for IBD (odds ratio [OR] 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99–1.02, p = 0.703) or celiac disease (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.02, p = 0.912) causing migraine or migraine causing either IBD (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.96–1.22, p = 0.181) or celiac disease (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.79–1.48, p = 0.614) when all participants with migraine were analyzed jointly. There was some indication of a causal association between celiac disease and migraine with aura (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, p = 0.045), between celiac disease and migraine without aura (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99, p = 0.006), as well as between migraine without aura and ulcerative colitis (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29, p = 0.025). However, the results were not significant after multiple testing correction.

Conclusions

We found no evidence of a shared genetic basis or of a causal association between migraine and either IBD or celiac disease, although we obtained some indications of causal associations with migraine subtypes.
A synthesis of Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata arquata) demography and population viability to inform its management
Authors: Viana Duarte S. , Santoro Simone , Soriguer Ramón C. , Figuerola Jordi
Published: January 2023

The European population of Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata arquata, a near‐threatened wader subspecies, has undergone pronounced population declines over the past 30 years. To assess the demography and viability of its global population, we surveyed studies quantifying demographic rates (productivity and survival) and complemented this review with new estimates of survival probability at the flyway scale. Then, using a demographic model, we estimated population growth rates while accounting for the range of variation of demographic parameters, and compared these estimates (expected based on demographic rates) with those observed based on population censuses. Both observed and expected average growth rates were negative but the observed rates were higher than estimates from demographic models (λ = 0.98–0.99 compared with 0.85–0.95). This discrepancy implies that there is geographical variation in the demography of different populations that is not fully covered by current demographic data, namely unstudied regions with higher productivity. According to our calculations, at the flyway scale, productivity is currently c. 0.57 fledglings per pair per year, higher than the average reported productivity of 0.29, but lower than the 0.68 needed to achieve a stable global population size (λ = 1). Adult survival, estimated at 0.90, was the most sensitive parameter determining population growth rates, but the low productivity levels over the last few decades seems to be the most probable cause of population declines. The negative population growth rates require immediate conservation actions to preserve adult survival and increase the extremely low productivity in western and northern European populations to values above 0.68 fledglings per pair per year. We hope our synthesis on the demographic status of Curlew in Europe will encourage the collection of more demographic data and allow concrete management goals at the flyway scale to be established in order to recover the global population of this iconic species.
Comparison of the characteristics and factors influencing hospital visits among children with nocturnal enuresis in Japan: The Hirakata–Urayasu population‐based cohort study
Authors: Nishizaki Naoto , Tsuji Shoji , Akagawa Shohei , Hirano Daishi , Takahashi Ken , Shimizu Toshiaki , Kaneko Kazunari
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics of school‐aged children with nocturnal enuresis and factors influencing hospital visits between two regions in Japan.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, and Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to all public elementary and junior high school students (aged 6–16 years) or their guardians. Questions included age, gender, perinatal history, frequency of nocturnal enuresis, frequency of bowel movements, comorbidities, and hospital visits for nocturnal enuresis.

Results

The survey response rates were 15.4% in Hirakata City and 37.0% in Urayasu City. In total, 426 children with nocturnal enuresis in Hirakata City and 270 in Urayasu City were included in the final analysis. In both cities, the boy–girl ratio was approximately 2:1, and the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis gradually decreased with age. Multivariate analysis revealed that children aged ≥11 years had a significantly higher proportion of hospital visits (OR, 2.61; 95% CI: 1.49–4.56; p = 0.001; OR, 2.72; 95% CI: 1.12–6.64; p = 0.027, respectively). However, the frequency of nocturnal enuresis did not affect hospital visits.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that parents with school‐aged children have low awareness that nocturnal enuresis is a health problem and therefore subject to medical consultation. Although the proportion of hospital visits increases for children aged ≥11 years, children and families suffering from nocturnal enuresis should be encouraged to see a doctor instead of adopting a “wait and see attitude,” even at a young age.
Silencing of the immune gene BmPGRP‐L4 in the midgut affects the growth of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae
Authors: Liang Yebin , Wang Tao , Yang Weiyi , Chen Zemin , Li Qingrong , Swevers Luc , Liu Jisheng
Published: January 2023

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are one of the receptors in insects' immune pathways, essential for insects to recognize the exogenous pathogens in order to activate the Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathway. In the silkworm Bombyx mori, previous studies focused on the short PGRPs and less is known about the long PGRPs. In this study, a long PGRP in silkworm BmPGRP‐L4 was cloned and its expression and function were analysed. The results showed that BmPGRP‐L4 contains a transmembrane region, a conserved PGRP domain, and an amidase‐2 domain. The expression profile demonstrated that BmPGRP‐L4 existed in diverse tissues including epidermis, fat body, midgut, and silk glands, with remarkably high expression in the midgut in the 5th instar. Oral infection with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus significantly induced BmPGRP‐L4 in the midgut and epidermis, as well as in the fat body and silk glands. Peptidoglycan also induced the expression of BmPGRP‐L4 in midgut tissue ex vivo and BmN4 cells in vitro. RNAi of BmPGRP‐L4 was effective in the midgut and epidermis, while the efficiency in the fat body was transient. RNAi‐mediated knock‐down of BmPGRP‐L4 reduced the weight and growth of the silkworm, possibly due to its participation in the immune response and the regulation of the microbiota in the midgut lumen of the silkworm larvae.
Systemic immune mediators reflect tumour‐infiltrating lymphocyte intensity and predict therapeutic response in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Lopes Ananda D. , Galdino Nayane A. L. , Figueiredo Amanda B. , Brianese Rafael C. , Morais Katia L. P. , De Brot Marina , Osório Cynthia A. B. T. , Teixeira‐Carvalho Andrea , Calsavara Vinicius F. , Evangelista Guilherme F. B. , Alves Natalia S. , Makdissi Fabiana B. , Sanches Solange M. , Cordeiro de Lima Vladmir C. , Carraro Dirce M. , Gollob Kenneth J.
Published: January 2023

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer (BC). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has proven efficacy in its treatment, and a pathological complete response (pCR) to therapy is predictive of improved long‐term survival. The immune response is key to successful neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as indicated by the relation between the percentage of stromal tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in pre‐treated tumour tissue samples and the likelihood of achieving pCR. Here we studied systemic immune mediators from volunteer TNBC patients before undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy to determine the systemic response association with TIL intensity, treatment response and survival. Patients were classified into pCR responder or non‐responder at time of surgery. We found higher levels of immune mediators before treatment began in patients that went on to be pCR responders versus non‐pCR, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.64–0.80. We also observed a positive correlation between inflammatory systemic immune mediators and the percentage of TILs in pCR responder patients. Combining TILs and systemic immune mediator levels provided stronger AUC values (range of 0.72–0.82). Last, performing a progression‐free survival analysis with several of the systemic cytokines that predict pCR, segregated the patients into long‐ and short‐survival groups based on high and low production of the cytokines, respectively. Our study demonstrates that circulating cytokines, before treatment begins, predict pCR in TNBC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Moreover, they may act as a surrogate marker of high TILs or together with TILs to better predict pCR and survival.
Online reach correction in 6‐ and 11‐month‐old infants
Authors: Verhaar Erik , Medendorp W. Pieter , Hunnius Sabine , Stapel Janny C.
Published: January 2023

The current study investigated the development of online reach control. Six‐ and 11‐month‐old infants reached for a toy while their hand position was tracked. The toy either remained stationary (baseline trials) or unexpectedly displaced left‐ or rightward during the reach (perturbation trials). To obtain a measure of online reach correction, we compared reaches in the perturbation trials to reaches in baseline trials using autoregression analysis. Infants of both age groups adjusted their reach trajectories in the direction of the displacement. Moreover, we divided the reaching movements into movement units, defined as the submovements of a reach between local minima in hand speed. Eleven‐month‐old infants adjusted their reach within the span of a single movement unit; corrections in 6‐month‐olds spanned multiple movement units. These results suggest that the reach control system has a rudimentary replanning capacity by 6 months of age, which, with age, further develops to a more sophisticated online control mechanism for ongoing reaches.
Family income modifies the association between frequent sugar intake and dental caries
Authors: Lima Laura Jordana Santos , da Consolação Soares Maria Eliza , Moreira Luana Viviam , Ramos‐Jorge Joana , Ramos‐Jorge Maria Letícia , Marques Leandro Silva , Fernandes Izabella Barbosa
Published: January 2023

Aim

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate whether family income modifies associations between dental caries and sex, age, mother's education, type of preschool, sugar intake, and toothbrushing.

Background

Dental caries is a multifactorial dyanamic disease primarily mediated by biofilm and sugar.

Design

A randomly selected sample of 308 Brazilian preschool children aged 1–3 years underwent a clinical oral examination for the assessment of moderate/extensive dental caries using codes 3–6 of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System. Mothers were asked to fill out a form addressing the child's demographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as the frequency of sugar intake. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, the chi‐squared test, and Poisson regression models.

Results

The prevalence of moderate/extensive dental caries was 42.5%. The adjusted model revealed that within low‐income families (<2 times the monthly minimum wage), the prevalence of dental caries was higher among children with a high frequency of sugar intake (≥ twice per day) than in those with a low frequency of sugar intake (< twice a day) (RR = 1.79; CI: 1.38–2.33). In families with higher income (≥2 times the monthly wage), no significant association between sugar intake and dental caries was, however, found.

Conclusions

In conclusion, monthly family income can modify the association between the high frequency of sugar intake and dental caries.
Evolution of female colours in birds: The role of female cost of reproduction and paternal care
Authors: Fargevieille Amélie , Grégoire Arnaud , Gomez Doris , Doutrelant Claire
Published: January 2023

Female ornamentation is frequently observed in animal species and is sometimes found as more evolutionary labile than male ornamentation. A complex array of factors may explain its presence and variation. Here we assessed the role of female cost of reproduction and paternal care. Both factors have been pinpointed as important by theoretical studies but have not been investigated yet in details at the interspecific level. We worked on 133 species of North temperate Passeriformes bird species for which both the clutch volume – here taken as the proxy of female cost of reproduction – and amount of paternal care are relatively well known. Using spectrometry, we measured the whole-body coloured plumage patches and quantified three metrics corresponding to brightness (i.e. achromatic component), colour chromaticity (i.e. intensity) and colour volume (i.e. diversity). We found a strong association between male and female colour metrics. Controlling for this association, we found additional small but detectable effects of both cost of reproduction and paternal care. First, females of species with more paternal care were slightly brighter. Second, the interaction between the level of paternal care and egg volume was correlated with female colour intensity: females with more paternal care were more chromatic, with this association mostly present when their investment in reproduction was low. Together these results suggest that female cost of reproduction and paternal care are part of the multiple factors explaining variation of female coloration, besides the strong covariation between male and female coloration.

Abstract

To a lesser extent than male conspicuous plumage, female plumage colouration may also vary across bird species. This study explores the role of egg production and male parental care in the evolution of female plumage colouration, using 133 species of songbirds. Pictures were provided by Justine Le Vaillant, David López-Idiáquez and Matthew Silk.
Readmissions and postdischarge mortality by race and ethnicity among Medicare beneficiaries with multimorbidity
Authors: Wei Melissa Y. , Cho Jinmyoung
Published: January 2023

Background

Disparities in readmission risk and reasons they might exist among diverse complex patients with multimorbidity, disability, and unmet social needs have not been clearly established. These characteristics may be underestimated in claims‐based studies where individual‐level data are limited. We sought to examine the risk of readmissions and postdischarge mortality by race and ethnicity after rigorous adjustment for multimorbidity, physical functioning, and sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics.

Methods

We used Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data linked to Medicare claims. To obtain ICD‐9‐CM diagnostic codes to compute the ICD‐coded multimorbidity‐weighted index (MWI‐ICD) we used Medicare Parts A and B (inpatient, outpatient, carrier) files between 1991–2015. Participants must have had at least one hospitalization between January 1, 2000 and September 30, 2015 and continuous enrollment in fee‐for‐service Medicare Part A 1‐year prior to hospitalization. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association of MWI‐ICD with 30‐day readmissions and mortality 1‐year postdischarge. Using HRS data, we adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking, physical activity, education, household net worth, and living arrangement/marital status, and examined for effect modification by race and ethnicity.

Results

The final sample of 10,737 participants had mean ± SD age 75.9 ± 8.7 years. Hispanic adults had the highest mean MWI‐ICD (16.4 ± 10.1), followed by similar values for White (mean 14.8 ± 8.9) and Black (14.7 ± 8.9) adults. MWI‐ICD was associated with a higher odds of readmission, and there was no significant effect modification by race and ethnicity. For postdischarge mortality, a 1‐point increase MWI‐ICD was associated with a 3% higher odds of mortality (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.03–1.04), which did not significantly differ by race and ethnicity.

Conclusions

Multimorbidity was associated with a monotonic increased odds of 30‐day readmission and 1‐year postdischarge mortality across all race and ethnicity groups. There was no significant difference in readmission or mortality risk by race and ethnicity after robust adjustment.
Plastic value chain and performance metric framework for optimal recycling
Authors: Olatayo Kunle Ibukun , Mativenga Paul T. , Marnewick Annlizé L.
Published: January 2023

Despite the promotion of plastic recycling to sustainably manage plastic waste and advance the circular economy, existing plastic recycling systems globally are largely experiencing low performance and growth. To transition to world‐class plastic material recycling and circularity, defining the metrics that impact the performance of a plastic recycling system is crucial. Bringing together existing literature, this study developed a conceptual framework, comprised of eight key performance metrics, for benchmarking recycling success or assessing the degree to which the performance of any plastic recycling system is optimal. Through a value chain approach, the specific performance metrics relevant to each stage of the plastic recycling system, their objectives, and the actors characterizing the system were analyzed in detail. Also, specific maturity models were developed to measure the performance of any plastic recycling system. This framework provides essential knowledge for related stakeholders to inform further development of plastic recycling and a circular economy.
Middle‐Managerial Deviance as a Response to Structural Strain: Rescoping, Reconfiguring and Replacing Norms
Authors: Azambuja Ricardo , Islam Gazi
Published: January 2023

This paper examines how middle managers subvert organizational norms through diverse forms of deviance. Considering deviance not only in its negative sense, but including elements of adaptability and innovation, we draw on Mertonian theorizing around structural strains to explain deviance as resulting from mismatches between organizational norms and everyday work ‘on‐the‐ground’, with deviance practices feeding back iteratively into norm formation itself. Drawing upon observations, shadowing and interviews in a Brazilian accounting firm, we explore how deviance follows from incompatible pressures and norms across organizational levels and locations, and is realized in creative practical operationalizations of, and reaction to, conflicting norms. Through thick descriptions of three exemplary cases, we examine middle‐managerial deviance at varying level of detachment from, and dialogical relation to, norms. On this basis, we advance a multifaceted conceptualization of deviance – rescoping, reconfiguring and replacing norms – accounting for its conditions of emergence, diversity of mechanisms, and repercussions on middle managers' agency and organizational functioning and norms. Our findings demonstrate that deviance paves the way for new norm formation, reconciling contradictory constraints while consolidating middle managers' power over and beyond their official mandates.
The influence of horizontal glass fiber posts on fracture strength and fracture pattern of endodontically treated teeth: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of in vitro studies
Authors: Abdulrab Saleem , Geerts Greta , Al‐Maweri Sadeq Ali , Alhajj Mohammed Nasser , Alhadainy Hatem , Ba‐Hattab Raidan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to summarize available evidence regarding the effect of horizontal glass fiber posts (HGFPs) on fracture strength and fracture pattern of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) compared to controls without HGFP. The review protocol was registered on the OSF registries.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and ProQuest for all relevant studies published up to February 2022. All in vitro studies that assessed the influence of HGFPs on fracture strength and fracture pattern of ETT whether mesio‐occluso‐distal or mesio‐occlusal or DO cavities were considered eligible. Review Manager (RevMan) was used for the meta‐analysis. Subgroup and funnel plot analyses were also performed. Quality assessment was conducted by two independent reviewers.

Results

A total of 12 articles met the inclusion criteria, and 10 studies underwent quantitative evaluation. The pooled effect showed that fracture resistance of molar teeth restored with HGFP was significantly higher than teeth without HGFP (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14, 3.09,p = 0.03), whereas marginally significant for premolars (SMD: 1.36, 95% CI: −0.00, 2.73,p = 0.05). Regarding fracture patterns, the presence of an HGFP significantly increased the occurrence of restorable fracture patterns for premolars (odds ratios [OR]: 4.15, 95% CI: 1.60, 10.82,p = 0.004) compared to controls, whereas the difference was not significant for molars (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.43, 2.77,p = 0.85). Moderate risk of bias was identified in 9/12 studies; one study showed a high risk of bias and two studies showed a low risk of bias.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, there is evidence from in vitro studies that the use of HGFP increases the fracture resistance of the ETT when compared to teeth without HGFP and also reduces the occurrence of non‐restorable fractures for premolars. However, well‐conducted in vitro and prospective clinical studies are warranted to validate this finding.
Grand challenges and emerging market small and medium enterprises: The role of strategic agility and gender diversity
Authors: Zahoor Nadia , Khan Huda , Donbesuur Francis , Khan Zaheer , Rajwani Tazeeb
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the role played by strategic agility and gender diversity in enabling the creation of value for grand challenges (VCGCs) by small and medium‐sized enterprises originating from emerging markets (ESMEs). ESMEs face significant challenges due to the dynamic environments in which they operate and the limited support they receive from formal institutions. In such contexts, strategic agility enables ESMEs to drive VCGCs through responsible collaborative innovation. We further argue that gender diversity is an important boundary condition that influences the effect of strategic agility on VCGCs via responsible collaborative innovation. Utilizing 228 survey responses from ESMEs originating from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), our findings shed light on the vital role played by strategic agility in enhancing ESMEs' VCGCs. Specifically, our findings indicate that responsible collaborative innovation acts as an important mediating mechanism between strategic agility and VCGCs. In addition, gender diversity emerges as an important moderating factor in that, in the presence of more heterogeneous senior management teams, the effect of strategic agility on VCGCs through the mediating mechanism of responsible collaborative innovation is higher. These findings contribute to the literature on dynamic capabilities, upper echelons, and grand challenges by providing important insights into the mechanisms and boundary conditions of VCGCs in the context of emerging market firms.
Best practices in new product development and innovation: Results from PDMA's 2021 global survey
Authors: Knudsen Mette Praest , von Zedtwitz Max , Griffin Abbie , Barczak Gloria
Published: January 2023

Extending 30 years of NPD best practice studies, this paper presents the results of the most recent 2021 global best practice survey on product development management practices conducted by the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA). With responses from 651 companies in 37 countries, the results reveal once again that no single capability is necessary or sufficient to explain the best performance. The Best firms rely on the skillful combination of multiple new product development (NPD) practices to achieve greater overall innovation success. However, for the first time in this series of research, having an innovation strategy that encourages radical innovation, is oriented toward risk‐taking and long‐term, and strives for growth through new markets and new technologies is now a more important component of these practices than was previously found. Further results regarding the practices of the Best are discussed in the paper, and implications are provided.
Effects of short naps during simulated night shifts on alertness and cognitive performance in young adults
Authors: Sakai Amiru , Kawamoto Nami , Hayashi Mitsuo
Published: January 2023

While short daytime naps have been found to provide alertness and performance benefits without inducing sleep inertia, the effects of a similar napping strategy during nights shifts are largely unknown. This study examined the effects of a 20‐min nap (scheduled at 2:00 a.m.) during night shifts among 16 participants (mean [SD] age 22.0 [1.08] years) who worked in a simulated night shift from midnight (12:00 a.m.) to morning (ending at 6:00 or 8:00 a.m.). The participants underwent both a ‘nap condition’ and a ‘no‐nap condition’ by engaging in repeated 10‐min tasks (four‐choice reaction time tasks and vigilance tasks) and 10‐min rest. The results showed that compared to the no‐nap condition, sleepiness was significantly lower in the nap condition between 3:20 and 5:20 a.m. (p < 0.05). The nap condition also yielded significantly better performance in the vigilance tasks between 2:40 and 5:40 a.m., except at 4:40 am (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in sleepiness and performance in the vigilance task at 5:40 a.m. or immediately after the nap between the two conditions. The results showed that a 20‐min nap at 2:00 a.m. did not induce sleep inertia upon waking. Furthermore, it mitigated sleepiness and sustained work performance for 3 h after the nap. However, the effect of napping was no longer observed near the end of the night shift. Considering risks of falling asleep while driving home from work that may cause a traffic accident, further research should examine ways to mitigate sleepiness after a night shift.
Is prior knowledge essential? Additional training opportunities restore sleep‐associated memory benefits under conditions of low prior knowledge
Authors: Cordi Maren J. , Schreiner Thomas , Rasch Björn
Published: January 2023

Sleep‐mediated memory benefits are modulated by several factors. Prior knowledge is assumed critical for consolidation during sleep, despite inconclusive empirical findings. Additionally, prior knowledge facilitates encoding, leading to differences in memory strength already before the retention filled with sleep. We tested whether increasing memory strength of unfamiliar learning material pre‐sleep can restore sleep‐mediated memory benefits in cases of low prior knowledge. One‐hundred and fifty‐four healthy young students learned translations of Dutch words. One group was German‐speaking, the other French‐speaking. As French is less similar to Dutch than German, we expected a lower prior knowledge in French participants. We manipulated memory strength during pre‐sleep encoding by varying the number of learning possibilities (one and two rounds for German‐speaking, two and three rounds for French‐speaking participants). When using the same learning paradigm for both groups (two rounds), lower prior knowledge modulated sleep‐mediated memory benefits: French‐speaking participants showed no advantage in memory after nighttime sleep compared with daytime wakefulness. In contrast, German‐speaking participants showed robust sleep‐mediated memory benefits. However, increasing memory strength before sleep restored sleep‐mediated memory benefits in French subjects to a level of German‐speaking participants. Conversely, reducing the training in German‐speaking participants reduced sleep‐mediated memory benefits. Our results show that prior knowledge and memory strength strongly modulate sleep‐associated memory benefits. However, in cases of low prior knowledge, sleep‐mediated memory benefits can be successfully restored by additional training. While prior knowledge might modulate encoding and consolidation processes more generally, its effect on sleep‐specific processes of memory retention might be less important than previously assumed.
Horner syndrome as a physiological biomarker of disease in canine cervical myelopathy
Authors: Murthy Vishal D. , Phillips Kathryn , Knipe Marguerite , Giuffrida Michelle , Li Chai‐Fei
Published: January 2023

Background

Horner syndrome often occurs with cervical myelopathies and might provide insight into the underlying disease and prognosis.

Objectives

To describe the clinical and imaging features of dogs with cervical myelopathy and concurrent Horner syndrome and to determine association of Horner syndrome with diseases or magnetic resonance images (MRI).

Animals

Ninety‐three client‐owned dogs with cervical myelopathy and concurrent Horner syndrome and 99 randomly selected client‐owned dogs with cervical myelopathy without Horner syndrome (control cases).

Methods

Retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed to identify Horner and control cases and clinical findings recorded. MRI were reviewed, and lesions characterized and recorded. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed.

Results

Non‐compressive disease occurred more frequently in the Horner group compared with controls (58%; 95% CI: 48‐68 vs 9%; 95% CI: 5‐16; P < .0001). The most common diseases were fibrocartilaginous embolism in the Horner group (44/93; 47%) and intervertebral disc extrusion (76/99; 77%) amongst controls. On MRI, parenchymal hyperintensity was seen more commonly in the Horner group (95%; 95% CI: 88‐98) compared with controls (51%; 95% CI: 41‐60; P < .0001). In the Horner group, dogs that did not survive to discharge (N = 13) had more extensive MRI lesions relative to the adjacent vertebral length (200%; IQR 110%‐575%) compared with survivors (N = 80; 110%; IQR 40%‐250%; P = .02). Lateralization of Horner signs and MRI changes matched in 54% of cases. The overall survival rate was high in both Horner (80/93; 86%) and control (95/99; 96%) groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Horner syndrome in cervical myelopathy is commonly associated with noncompressive intraparenchymal disease.
Genomic health is dependent on long‐term population demographic history
Authors: Wootton Eric , Robert Claude , Taillon Joëlle , Côté Steeve D. , Shafer Aaron B. A.
Published: January 2023

Current genetic methods of population assessment in conservation biology have been challenged by genome‐scale analyses due to their quantitatively novel insights. These analyses include assessments of runs‐of‐homozygosity (ROH), genomic evolutionary rate profiling (GERP), and mutational load. Here, we aim to elucidate the relationships between these measures using three divergent ungulates: white‐tailed deer, caribou, and mountain goat. The white‐tailed deer is currently expanding, while caribou are in the midst of a significant decline. Mountain goats remain stable, having suffered a large historical bottleneck. We assessed genome‐wide signatures of inbreeding using the inbreeding coefficient F and %ROH (FROH) and identified evolutionarily constrained regions with GERP. Mutational load was estimated by identifying mutations in highly constrained elements (CEs) and sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT) mutations. Our results showed that F and FROH are higher in mountain goats than in caribou and white‐tailed deer. Given the extended bottleneck and low Ne of the mountain goat, this supports the idea that the genome‐wide effects of demographic change take time to accrue. Similarly, we found that mountain goats possess more highly constrained CEs and the lowest dN/dS values, both of which are indicative of greater purifying selection; this is also reflected by fewer mutations in CEs and deleterious mutations identified by SIFT. In contrast, white‐tailed deer presented the highest mutational load with both metrics, in addition to dN/dS, while caribou were intermediate. Our results demonstrate that extended bottlenecks may lead to reduced diversity and increased FROH in ungulates, but not necessarily an increase in mutational load, probably due to the purging of deleterious alleles in small populations.
Isolation of lymph shows dysregulation of STAT3 and CREB pathways in the spleen and liver during leukemia development in a rat model
Authors: Steinskog Eli Sihn Samdal , Finne Kenneth , Wagner Marek , Enger Marianne , Helgeland Lars , Iversen Per Ole , McCormack Emmet , Wiig Helge , Tenstad Olav
Published: January 2023

Background and aims

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignant condition characterized by massive infiltration of poorly differentiated white blood cells in the blood stream, bone marrow, and extramedullary sites. During leukemic development, hepatosplenomegaly is expected to occur because large blood volumes are continuously filtered through these organs. We asked whether infiltration of leukemic blasts initiated a response that could be detected in the interstitial fluid phase of the spleen and liver.

Material and Methods

We used a rat model known to mimic human AML in growth characteristics and behavior. By cannulating efferent lymphatic vessels from the spleen and liver, we were able to monitor the response of the microenvironment during AML development.

Results and Discussion

Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocytes showed increased STAT3 and CREB signaling in spleen and depressed signaling in liver, and proteins related to these pathways were identified with a different profile in lymph and plasma in AML compared with control. Additionally, several proteins were differently regulated in the microenvironment of spleen and liver in AML when compared with control.

Conclusion

Interstitial fluid, and its surrogate efferent lymph, can be used to provide unique information about responses in AML‐infiltered organs and substances released to the general circulation during leukemia development.
Investigation of the Characteristics and Mechanism of Interosseous Membrane Injuries in Typical Maisonneuve Fracture
Authors: He Jinquan , Ma Xinlong , Hu Yongcheng , Wang Shuli , Cao Hongbing , Li Nan , Wang Guixin , Guo Lin , Zhao Bin
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Previous studies on the mechanism and scope of interosseous membrane injury in Maisonneuve fractures have been inconsistent. In order to better guide clinical treatment, the characteristics and mechanism of interosseous membrane injuries and proximal 1/3 fibular fracture in typical Maisonneuve fracture were investigated.

Methods

The study comprised 15 patients between January 2019 and June 2021 with Maisonneuve fracture. All patients received X‐ray and MRI examination of the calf and ankle joint, and CT scanning of the ankle joint. The injuries of medial structure, inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis, fibula, posterior malleolus, and interosseous membrane were evaluated.

Results

MR images of the calf showed that the injury of interosseous membrane (IOM) was from the syndesmosis to the proximal fibular fracture site in two patients, with a range of 32.3 and 29.8 cm, respectively. In the other 13 patients, the IOM rupture was not only confined to the distal third of the calf, but also close to the fibula fracture, and the IOM was intact between the two fracture sites. The range of distal IOM rupture was 3.7–12.2 cm, with an average of 8.06 ± 2.35 cm. The proximal IOM was completely ruptured from the fibular side at the site of the fibular fracture and the range was 4.1–9.1 (average: 6.75 ± 1.64) cm. The average length of the integrate middle segment of the IOM was 14.55 ± 4.11 (5.6–20.3) cm. MR images of the calf also showed partial rupture of the posterior tibial muscle at the ending point on the fibula in 15 cases, partial rupture of soleus muscle and flexor hallucis longus in seven cases.

Conclusions

The rupture of the IOM was caused by a combination of abduction and external rotation violence. It was manifested in two forms, most of which was not only distal end but also near fibular fracture site ruptures with the middle part intact, and a few were ruptures of the IOM from the ankle to the near fibular fracture site. The tibialis posterior muscle may be related to the location of the fibular fracture.
Impact of Tuition‐Free Education Policy on Child Marriage and Early Childbearing: Does Secondary Matter More?
Authors: Bhuwania Pragya , Huh Kate , Heymann Jody
Published: January 2023

Child marriage and early childbearing severely impact maternal and child health as well as long‐term economic outcomes. Given their continued high incidence, analyzing the feasibility of effective national interventions remains crucial. While cross‐sectional surveys and a few small‐scale randomized experiments suggest delays in marriage and childbearing associated with secondary schooling, the impact of policies that advance secondary school at a national scale is largely unknown. Using a quasi‐experimental research design, we examine whether making secondary school tuition‐free delayed marriage and childbearing. We use a difference‐in‐differences strategy that exploits the natural variation in the timing of policy rollout in five sub‐Saharan African countries. Using the Demographic and Health Surveys, we estimate the impact of the policy change by comparing changes in outcomes over the study period between girls who were exposed to the policy to those who were not. We find that tuition‐free secondary reduced the probability of marriage and childbearing before 15 and 18 years of age. We observed significantly larger effects associated with tuition‐free secondary over tuition‐free primary for all outcomes. Our findings show it is important to support tuition‐free secondary education as a policy instrument to delay marriage and childbirth, especially given current high rates and their long‐term health and economic consequences.
A natural promoter variation of SlBBX31 confers enhanced cold tolerance during tomato domestication
Authors: Zhu Yingfang , Zhu Guangtao , Xu Rui , Jiao Zhixin , Yang Junwei , Lin Tao , Wang Zhen , Huang Sanwen , Chong Leelyn , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: January 2023

Cold stress affects crop growth and productivity worldwide. Understanding the genetic basis of cold tolerance in germplasms is critical for crop improvement. Plants can coordinate environmental stimuli of light and temperature to regulate cold tolerance. However, it remains unknown which gene in germplasms could have such function. Here, we utilized genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to investigate the cold tolerance of wild and cultivated tomato accessions and discovered that increased cold tolerance is accompanied with tomato domestication. We further identified a 27‐bp InDel in the promoter of the CONSTANS‐like transcription factor (TF) SlBBX31 is significantly linked with cold tolerance. Coincidentally, a key regulator of light signalling, SlHY5, can directly bind to the SlBBX31 promoter to activate SlBBX31 transcription while the 27‐bp InDel can prevent S1HY5 from transactivating SlBBX31. Parallel to these findings, we observed that the loss of function of SlBBX31 results in impaired tomato cold tolerance. SlBBX31 can also modulate the cold‐induced expression of several ERF TFs including CBF2 and DREBs. Therefore, our study has uncovered that SlBBX31 is possibly selected during tomato domestication for cold tolerance regulation, providing valuable insights for the development of hardy tomato varieties.
Natural variation in Tiller Number 1 affects its interaction with TIF1 to regulate tillering in rice
Authors: Zhang Quan , Xie Jianyin , Zhu Xiaoyang , Ma Xiaoqian , Yang Tao , Khan Najeeb Ullah , Zhang Shuyang , Liu Miaosong , Li Lin , Liang Yuntao , Pan Yinghua , Li Danting , Li Jinjie , Li Zichao , Zhang Hongliang , Zhang Zhanying
Published: January 2023

Tiller number per plant—a cardinal component of ideal plant architecture—affects grain yield potential. Thus, alleles positively affecting tillering must be mined to promote genetic improvement. Here, we report a Tiller Number 1 (TN1) protein harbouring a bromo‐adjacent homology domain and RNA recognition motifs, identified through genome‐wide association study of tiller numbers. Natural variation in TN1 affects its interaction with TIF1 (TN1 interaction factor 1) to affect DWARF14 expression and negatively regulate tiller number in rice. Further analysis of variations in TN1 among indica genotypes according to geographical distribution revealed that low‐tillering varieties with TN1‐hapL are concentrated in Southeast Asia and East Asia, whereas high‐tillering varieties with TN1‐hapH are concentrated in South Asia. Taken together, these results indicate that TN1 is a tillering regulatory factor whose alleles present apparent preferential utilization across geographical regions. Our findings advance the molecular understanding of tiller development.