bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lockheed Martin Acquisitions: stay the course or change strategy?
Authors: White Susan , Dastidar Protiti
Published: September 2021

Theoretical Basis

In a typical strategy course, growth strategies like mergers and acquisitions (corporate strategy) are introduced in the second half of the course. To analyze the case, students will use strategies such as Porter’s five forces and resource-based view and will discuss why firms pursue mergers as a growth strategy, along with sources of synergies and risks in mergers. Finance theory used includes analyzing a given discounted cash flow analysis and perform a comparable multiples analysis to find the value of a merger target.

Research Methodology

The industry and financial information in the case comes from publicly available sources, including company 10K reports, business press reports and publicly available industry reports. The information about Lockheed Martin’s strategy comes from interviews with Peter Clyne, former vice president for Lockheed Martin’s IS&GS division. He then held the same position for Leidos Holding Corp., after the IS&GS division was divested and incorporated into Leidos.

Case overview/synopsis

This case is an interdisciplinary case containing aspects of strategy and finance. Lockheed Martin made a strategic move in 2016, to divest its Information Systems & Global Strategies Division (IS&GS), which engaged in government consulting, primarily in the defense and aerospace industries. Lockheed wanted to reassess its decision to divest consulting, given the high growth rates expected in this business, particularly in cybersecurity consulting. On the other hand, if Lockheed decided to maintain its hardware focus, it wanted to expand its offerings. In addition to a strategy analysis, two possible target firms can be analyzed: Fortinet and Maxar.

Complexity Academic Level

This case raises a broad set of issues related to the evaluation of M&A transactions across two different industries and corporate strategy, as it relates to strategic fit of the potential targets and LM’s current capabilities. It is appropriate for the core course in strategy at the MBA or senior undergraduate level. It can also be assigned to specialized courses in Mergers and Acquisitions. It is not appropriate for a lower level strategy or finance course, as it requires students to have prior knowledge of basic finance valuation techniques.
Comparing the dangers of a stay in English and German hospitals for high‐need patients
Authors: Friebel Rocco , Henschke Cornelia , Maynou Laia
Published: September 2021

Objective

To estimate the risk of an avoidable adverse event for high‐need patients in England and Germany and the causal impact that has on outcomes.

Data Sources

We use administrative, secondary data for all hospital inpatients in 2018. Patient records for the English National Health Service are provided by the Hospital Episode Statistics database and for the German health care system accessed through the Research Data Center of the Federal Statistical Office.

Study Design

We calculated rates of three hospital‐acquired adverse events and their causal impact on mortality and length of stay through propensity score matching and estimation of average treatment effects.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Patients were identified based on diagnoses codes and translated Patient Safety Indicators developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Principal Findings

For the average hospital stay, the risk of an adverse event was 5.37% in the English National Health Service and 3.26% in the German health care system. High‐need patients are more likely to experience an adverse event, driven by hospital‐acquired infections (2.06%–4.45%), adverse drug reactions (2.37%–2.49%), and pressure ulcers (2.25%–0.45%). Adverse event risk is particularly high for patients with advancing illnesses (10.50%–27.11%) and the frail elderly (17.75%–28.19%). Compared to the counterfactual, high‐need patients with an adverse event are more likely to die during their hospital stay and experience a longer length of stay.

Conclusions

High‐need patients are particularly vulnerable with an adverse event risking further deterioration of health status and adding resource use. Our results indicate the need to assess the costs and benefits of a hospital stay, particularly when care could be provided in settings considered less hazardous.
Characterization of the diastaphenazine/izumiphenazine C biosynthetic gene cluster from plant endophyte Streptomyces diastaticus W2
Authors: Dong Junli , He Beibei , Wang Ruinan , Zuo Xiuli , Zhan Rui , Hu Linfang , Li Yiqing , He Jing
Published: September 2021

Two phenazine compounds, diastaphenazine and izumiphenazine C, with complex structures and promising antitumour activity have been isolated from the plant endophytic actinomycete Streptomyces diastaticus W2. Their putative biosynthetic gene cluster (dap) was identified by heterologous expression and gene knockout. There are twenty genes in the dap cluster. dap14‐19 related to shikimic pathway were potentially involved in the precursor chorismic acid biosynthesis, and dapBCDEFG were confirmed to be responsible for the biosynthesis of the dibenzopyrazine ring, the nuclear structure of phenazines. Two transcriptional regulatory genes dapR and dap4 played the positive regulatory roles on the phenazine biosynthetic pathway. Most notably, the dimerization of the dibenzopyrazine ring in diastaphenazine and the loading of the complex side chain in izumiphenazine C could be catalysed by the cyclase homologous gene dap5, suggesting an unusual modification strategy tailoring complex phenazine biosynthesis. Moreover, metabolite analysis of the gene deletion mutant strain S. albus::23C5Δdap2 and substrate assay of the methyltransferase Dap2 clearly revealed the biosynthetic route of the complex side chain in izumiphenazine C.
Capture by hybridization for full‐length barcode‐based eukaryotic and prokaryotic biodiversity inventories of deep sea ecosystems
Authors: Günther Babett , Marre Sophie , Defois Clémence , Merzi Thomas , Blanc Philippe , Peyret Pierre , Arnaud‐Haond Sophie
Published: September 2021

Biodiversity inventory of marine systems remains limited due to unbalanced access to the three ocean dimensions. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for metabarcoding allows fast and effective biodiversity inventory and is forecast as a future biodiversity research and biomonitoring tool. However, in poorly understood ecosystems, eDNA results remain difficult to interpret due to large gaps in reference databases and PCR bias limiting the detection of some major phyla. Here, we aimed to circumvent these limitations by avoiding PCR and recollecting larger DNA fragments to improve assignment of detected taxa through phylogenetic reconstruction. We applied capture by hybridization (CBH) to enrich DNA from deep‐sea sediment samples and compared the results with those obtained through an up‐to‐date metabarcoding PCR‐based approach (MTB). Originally developed for bacterial communities and targeting 16S rDNA, the CBH approach was applied to 18S rDNA to improve the detection of species forming benthic communities of eukaryotes, with a particular focus on metazoans. The results confirmed the possibility of extending CBH to metazoans with two major advantages: (i) CBH revealed a broader spectrum of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and particularly metazoan diversity, and (ii) CBH allowed much more robust phylogenetic reconstructions of full‐length barcodes with up to 1900 base pairs. This is particularly important for taxa whose assignment is hampered by gaps in reference databases. This study provides a database and probes to apply 18S CBH to diverse marine systems, confirming this promising new tool to improve biodiversity assessments in data‐poor ecosystems such as those in the deep sea.
track2KBA: An R package for identifying important sites for biodiversity from tracking data
Authors: Beal Martin , Oppel Steffen , Handley Jonathan , Pearmain Elizabeth J. , Morera‐Pujol Virginia , Carneiro Ana P. B. , Davies Tammy E. , Phillips Richard A. , Taylor Philip R. , Miller Mark G. R. , Franco Aldina M. A. , Catry Inês , Patrício Ana R. , Regalla Aissa , Staniland Iain , Boyd Charlotte , Catry Paulo , Dias Maria P.
Published: September 2021

Identifying important sites for biodiversity is vital for conservation and management. However, there is a lack of accessible, easily applied tools that enable practitioners to delineate important sites for highly mobile species using established criteria.

We introduce the R package ‘track2KBA’, a tool to identify important sites at the population level using tracking data from individual animals based on three key steps: (a) identifying individual core areas, (b) assessing population‐level representativeness of the sample and (c) quantifying spatial overlap among individuals and scaling up to the population.

We describe package functionality and exemplify its application using tracking data from three taxa in contrasting environments: a seal, a marine turtle and a migratory land bird.

This tool facilitates the delineation of sites of ecological relevance for diverse taxa and provides output useful for assessing their importance to a population or species, as in the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Standard. As such, ‘track2KBA’ can contribute directly to conservation planning at global and regional levels.
Misvaluation and the Asset Growth Anomaly
Authors: Lambertides Neophytos
Published: September 2021

It is widely shown that stocks with higher asset growth paradoxically earn lower returns (hereafter, the asset growth anomaly). Studies have pointed towards errors in expectations, over‐investment and limits‐to‐arbitrage as potential causes of misvaluation, the most documented explanation of the asset growth anomaly. What studies have not yet done, however, is provide compelling evidence that mispricing is the cause of the anomaly. Using a multiples valuation approach to calculate a direct proxy of mispricing (i.e., a firm‐specific misvaluation level relative to peers), this study shows that the negative relation between asset growth and subsequent returns occurs in undervalued stocks, whereas it is absent in overvalued stocks. By comparing and contrasting the theories on real options and asset pricing, the findings suggest that the asset growth anomaly is driven by the real options component, particularly for undervalued firms. The findings therefore provide new evidence in the mispricing‐based hypothesis for the asset growth anomaly.
Primed for addiction: A critical review of the role of microglia in the neurodevelopmental consequences of adolescent alcohol drinking
Authors: Melbourne Jennifer K. , Chandler Cassie M. , Van Doorn Catherine E. , Bardo Michael T. , Pauly James R. , Peng Hui , Nixon Kimberly
Published: September 2021

Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational substances worldwide, with drinking frequently initiated during adolescence. The developmental state of the adolescent brain makes it vulnerable to initiating alcohol use, often in high doses, and particularly susceptible to alcohol‐induced brain changes. Microglia, the brain parenchymal macrophages, have been implicated in mediating some of these effects, though the role that these cells play in the progression from alcohol drinking to dependence remains unclear. Microglia are uniquely positioned to sense and respond to central nervous system insult, and are now understood to exhibit innate immune memory, or “priming,” altering their future functional responses based on prior exposures. In alcohol use disorders (AUDs), the role of microglia is debated. Whereas microglial activation can be pathogenic, contributing to neuroinflammation, tissue damage, and behavioral changes, or protective, it can also engage protective functions, providing support and mediating the resolution of damage. Understanding the role of microglia in adolescent AUDs is complicated by the fact that microglia are thought to be involved in developmental processes such as synaptic refinement and myelination, which underlie the functional maturation of multiple brain systems in adolescence. Thus, the role microglia play in the impact of alcohol use in adolescence is likely multifaceted. Long‐term sequelae may be due to a failure to recover from EtOH‐induced tissue damage, altered neurodevelopmental trajectories, and/or persistent changes to microglial responsivity and function. Here, we review critically the literature surrounding the effects of alcohol on microglia in models of adolescent alcohol misuse. We attempt to disentangle what is known about microglia from other neuroimmune effectors, to which we apply recent discoveries on the role of microglia in development and plasticity. Considered altogether, these studies challenge assumptions that proinflammatory microglia drive addiction. Alcohol priming microglia and thereby perturbing their homeostatic roles in neurodevelopment, especially during critical periods of plasticity such as adolescence, may have more serious implications for the neuropathogenesis of AUDs in adolescents.
Bioethics of public commenting: Manipulation, data risk, and public participation in E‐Rulemaking
Authors: Beever Jonathan , Taylor Lakelyn E.
Published: September 2021

Little scholarly attention has been given to the ethics of public commenting as part of the online federal rule‐making process. This essay argues the process of public commenting on federal regulations in the digital era threatens both the integrity of those regulations and the integrity of the individuals they are meant to protect. The ongoing risk is anonymous public commenting is open to manipulation. This risk is particularly salient for eRulemaking with implications for human subjects as was shown in the completed revision process to the Common Rule. Guarding against physical and informational harms requires at least some verification of the identities of public commenters. The burdens of verification access are outweighed by the benefits to authentic participation in e‐Rulemaking.
Social Justice on the Couch: Collapse and Repair of Social Thirdness
Authors: Sehrbrock Joachim
Published: September 2021

How have the white, middle‐class, Eurocentric ideologies and practices of the Western psychoanalytic canon prepared us to make meaning of the complexities of our pluralistic world? Psychoanalysis has been criticized for its predominantly decontextualized and depoliticized perspectives that emphasize universal intrapsychic unconscious dynamics. In the context of a sociopolitically critical view of psychoanalytic theory and practice, I will reflect on what it means to keep conducting ‘business as usual’ in an era where movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, as well as the health inequities that became apparent due to the Covid‐19 pandemic are clear warning signs that our world is deeply troubled by injustice. I will argue that psychoanalytic theory and practice is not immune from this injustice. I will also contemplate aspects of a socially just psychoanalytic vision that may reverse decontextualizing, depoliticizing, and prejudicial trends using the principle of social thirdness, which expands traditional views of thirdness to include the patient's and therapist's embeddedness in the larger sociopolitical currents that inform and shape their engagement with each other. Reflecting on themes such as race, sexuality, gender, and sex/gender nonconformity, both the collapse and repair of social thirdness will be described and illustrated with relevant clinical examples.
Children’s screen and problematic media use in the United States before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Eales Lauren , Gillespie Sarah , Alstat Reece A. , Ferguson Gail M. , Carlson Stephanie M.
Published: September 2021

This mixed methods study examined parent‐reported child screen media use before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic by examining 2019–2020 changes in parent perceptions of media, screen media use (SMU), and problematic media use (PMU) in children aged 2–13 years (N = 129; 64 boys, 64 girls, 1 nonbinary; 90.7% White, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, 0.8% Black, 8.5% multiethnic; primarily middle‐to‐high income). Quantitative analyses showed a significant SMU and PMU increase (medium effect size). There was a steeper increase in PMU among school‐age (older) children. Together, the qualitative and quantitative results suggest that the PMU and SMU increase were influenced by distal, proximal, and maintaining factors including the COVID‐19 pandemic, distance learning, child behaviors, other children, parental mediation, and positive media reinforcement.
To see, not to see or to see poorly: Perceptual quality and guess rate as a function of electroencephalography (EEG) brain activity in an orientation perception task
Authors: Sheldon Sarah S. , Mathewson Kyle E.
Published: September 2021

Detection of visual stimuli fluctuates over time, and these fluctuations have been shown to correlate with time domain evoked activity and frequency‐domain periodic activity. However, it is unclear if these fluctuations are related to a change in guess rate, perceptual quality or both. Here we determined whether the quality of perception randomly varies across trials or is fixed so that the variability is the same. Then we estimated how perceptual quality and guess rate on an orientation perception task relate to electroencephalography (EEG) activity. Response errors were fitted to variable precision models and the standard mixture model to determine whether perceptual quality is from a varying or fixed distribution. Overall, the best fit was the standard mixture model that assumes that response variability can be defined by a fixed distribution. The power and phase of 2–7 Hz post‐target activities were found to vary along with task performance in that more accurate trials had greater power, and the preferred phase differed significantly between accurate and guess trials. Guess rate and σ were significantly lower on trials with high 2‐ to 3‐Hz power than low, and the difference started around 250‐ms post‐target. These effects coincide with changes in the P3 event‐related potential (ERP): There was a more positive deflection in the accurate trials versus guesses. These results suggest that the spread of errors (perceptual quality) can be characterised by a fixed range of values. Where the errors fall within that range is modulated by the post‐target power in the lower‐frequency bands and their analogous ERPs.
Field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Siviter Harry , Richman Sarah K. , Muth Felicity
Published: September 2021

Neonicotinoid insecticides can have sub‐lethal effects on bees which has led to calls from conservationists for a global ban. In contrast, agrochemical companies argue that neonicotinoids do not harm honeybees at field‐realistic levels. However, the focus on honeybees neglects the potential impact on other bee species. We conducted a meta‐analysis to assess whether field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees. We extracted data from 53 papers (212 effects sizes) and found that it largely consisted of two genera: bumblebees (Bombus) and mason bees (Osmia), highlighting a substantial taxonomic knowledge gap. Neonicotinoid exposure negatively affected reproductive output across all bees and impaired bumblebee colony growth and foraging. Neonicotinoids also reduced Bombus, but not Osmia, individual development (growth and body size). Our results suggest that restrictions on neonicotinoids should benefit bee populations and highlight that the current regulatory process does not safeguard pollinators from the unwanted consequences of insecticide use.
Female bird song rates do not covary with population density in a North American species
Authors: Dargis Lorraine , Benedict Lauryn , Najar Nadje A.
Published: September 2021

Bird song can vary across space and time or within different social environments. These variations in bird song have historically been considered from the perspective of males, particularly in North American temperate regions. In this study, we explored possible changes in singing behavior by females of a North American species, the canyon wren (Catherpes mexicanus). Male and female canyon wrens sing sex‐specific songs to defend resources. Females rarely sing spontaneously but sing readily when challenged with playback. We sought to determine whether the rarity of spontaneous female song seen in previous studies stems from low population density. In areas with higher population density, female canyon wrens should encounter neighbors and competitors for resources more often, potentially driving up song rates. We examined female song rates both within a single population and compared between two populations, hypothesizing that females with closer neighbors would (1) sing more often without playback and (2) sing with more aggressive features in their songs and behave more aggressively in response to playback. We estimated population density on the ground using nearest‐neighbor distances and verified these with eBird abundance models. We did not find that population density predicted rates of spontaneous song. Most song characters and playback response behaviors also did not vary with local canyon wren abundance. Females from our denser population sang with significantly lower pitch, but we attribute these differences mostly to geographic variation. Although population density is known to drive patterns and rates of male song behavior, it may be less important in determining female song behavior.
Mapping soil microbial residence time at the global scale
Authors: He Liyuan , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: September 2021

Soil microbes are the fundamental engine for carbon (C) cycling. Microbial residence time (MRT) therefore determines the mineralization of soil organic C, releasing C as heterotrophic respiration and contributing substantially to the C efflux in terrestrial ecosystems. We took use of a comprehensive dataset (2627 data points) and calculated the MRT based on the basal respiration and microbial biomass C. Large variations in MRT were found among biomes, with the largest MRT in boreal forests and grasslands and smallest in natural wetlands. Biogeographic patterns of MRT were found along climate variables (temperature and precipitation), vegetation variables (root C density and net primary productivity), and edaphic factors (soil texture, pH, topsoil porosity, soil C, and total nitrogen). Among environmental factors, edaphic properties dominate the MRT variations. We further mapped the MRT at the global scale with an empirical model. The simulated and observed MRT were highly consistent at plot‐ (R2= .86), site‐ (R2 = .88), and biome‐ (R2 = .99) levels. The global average of MRT was estimated to be 38 (±5) days. A clear latitudinal biogeographic pattern was found for MRT with lower values in tropical regions and higher values in the Arctic. The biome‐ and global‐level estimates of MRT serve as valuable data for parameterizing and benchmarking microbial models.
Long term impact of vonoprazan‐based Helicobacter pylori treatment on gut microbiota and its relation to post‐treatment body weight changes
Authors: Suzuki Sho , Gotoda Takuji , Takano Chika , Horii Toshiki , Sugita Tomomi , Ogura Kanako , Ichijima Ryoji , Kusano Chika , Ikehara Hisatomo
Published: September 2021

Background

Vonoprazan‐based Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment is highly effective in eradicating the target bacteria; however, its post‐1‐year impact on gut microbiota is unknown. This study evaluated the impact of vonoprazan‐based H. pylori therapy on gut microbiota 1‐year post‐therapy and investigated the relationship between body weight changes and post‐therapy gut microbiota perturbations.

Materials and Methods

Between March and May 2019, 43 patients with H. pylori infections received either vonoprazan/amoxicillin (VA) or vonoprazan/amoxicillin/clarithromycin (VAC) therapy. Fecal samples were collected prior to treatment and 1 year after treatment. The alpha and beta diversities and the bacterial taxa composition ratios were determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification of the V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The correlation between body weight changes and relative abundances of genera post‐therapy was also analyzed.

Results

Among the 43 patients, 18 received VA therapy and 21 received VAC therapy. One year after treatment, the alpha diversity was significantly higher in both the treatment groups (p < .001, using observed operational taxonomic units and Chao1 index), and beta diversity was significantly different in both the groups (p = .001, using unweighted UniFrac distance) compared with baseline findings. Significant positive correlations were found between body weight changes and the relative abundances of Coprococcus spp. (p = .037) and Odoribacter spp. (p = .022) post‐therapy.

Conclusion

Vonoprazan‐based H. pylori therapies are associated with long‐term impacts on gut microbiota, including effects on bacterial species richness, and potentially affect metabolism by altering the microbiota. Trial registration number: UMIN000040025.
Migrations internes, envois de fonds et taux d'activité dans l'Inde rurale: analyse à travers le prisme du genre
Authors: KHAN Mohd Imran , BARUAH Ashapurna
Published: September 2021

Cet article porte sur l'impact des envois de fonds effectués par les migrants internes en Inde sur le taux d'activité des membres du ménage, hommes ou femmes, restés au foyer. Les estimations obtenues par la méthode des variables instrumentales révèlent un effet négatif sur ce taux. Les envois de fonds semblent sans incidence sur l'emploi salarié régulier, mais ils entraînent un recul de l'emploi salarié occasionnel et du travail familial non rémunéré, et une progression de l'activité indépendante, surtout chez les femmes. Ils se traduisent aussi par une forte hausse de la proportion de femmes se consacrant aux tâches domestiques, en dehors du marché du travail.
Sequence determinants as key regulators in gene expression of T cells
Authors: Nicolet Benoit P. , Zandhuis Nordin D. , Lattanzio V. Maria , Wolkers Monika C.
Published: September 2021

T cell homeostasis, T cell differentiation, and T cell effector function rely on the constant fine‐tuning of gene expression. To alter the T cell state, substantial remodeling of the proteome is required. This remodeling depends on the intricate interplay of regulatory mechanisms, including post‐transcriptional gene regulation. In this review, we discuss how the sequence of a transcript influences these post‐transcriptional events. In particular, we review how sequence determinants such as sequence conservation, GC content, and chemical modifications define the levels of the mRNA and the protein in a T cell. We describe the effect of different forms of alternative splicing on mRNA expression and protein production, and their effect on subcellular localization. In addition, we discuss the role of sequences and structures as binding hubs for miRNAs and RNA‐binding proteins in T cells. The review thus highlights how the intimate interplay of post‐transcriptional mechanisms dictate cellular fate decisions in T cells.
Fracture toughness of 3Y‐TZP ceramic determined by modified SCF method based on femtosecond laser
Authors: Cui Jinping , Gong Zhenyuan , Rao Pinggen , Guan Kang , Zeng Qingfen
Published: September 2021

In this work, the femtosecond laser was used to replace the traditional indentation to process ultra‐sharp defects on the test bars for the fracture toughness testing of 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y‐TZP) ceramic materials by a modified SCF method. Finite element (FE) analysis shows that the positions of the maximum stress on the crack tip of the two types of defects are almost the same. Thus, the fracture toughness is calculated based on classical beam deflection theory by comparing their stress intensity factors. Results show that the ratio of the stress intensity factors almost keeps constant when the length and depth of the defects are controlled in a certain range. 3Y‐TZP ceramic material is used as a typical material to study fracture toughness for the verification of this method. The fracture toughness of 3Y‐TZP ceramics determined by this method is 4.4 MPa·m1/2 which coincides with the fracture toughness values tested by traditional SCF method, SEPB method, and SEVNB method. This method exhibits an obvious advantage in good high accuracy and operability for reliable fracture toughness testing of structural ceramics with a smaller defect.
Healthcare providers’ perspectives on the relevance and utility of recommended sex trafficking indicators: A qualitative study
Authors: Pederson Anna C. , Gerassi Lara B.
Published: September 2021

Aims

The aims of this study were to (1) explore the barriers and challenges of sex trafficking identification and (2) understand how sex trafficking indicators are perceived (i.e. relevance and utility) by healthcare providers at five sites of a large sexual health care organization in a Midwestern state within the United States.

Design

A qualitative, collective case study was conducted.

Method

In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 23 healthcare staff (e.g. medical assistants, nurse practitioners) who provided sexual and reproductive healthcare between fall 2018 and spring 2020.

Results

Findings suggest that providers perceived behavioural and verbal sex trafficking indicators (e.g. patients appearing nervous or being unable to answer questions) as relevant, particularly with a female patient accompanied by a ‘controlling’ male. Medical and physical indicators (e.g. repeat STIs, bruises and tattoos) were perceived as generally lacking clinical utility or irrelevant. Some indicators were only perceived as relevant when combined or only later, upon reflection (e.g. older, female adult accompanying one or more female patients).

Conclusion

Healthcare providers may be aware of sex trafficking indicators conducive to identifying female patients, in relationships with older men, who are at risk of sex trafficking. Our study finds that healthcare providers may not be aware of all recommended sex trafficking indicators and the nuances of how patients present.

Impact

Provider trainings on sex trafficking dynamics and nuanced clinical presentations should include observing ST indicators in simulated interviews, assessing and safety planning (including using harm reduction strategies) with seemingly ambiguous cases. In addition, we recommend that trainings emphasize the relationship between the continuum of agency and victimization in sex trafficking and patient presentations.
The expression pattern, polymorphisms and association analyses of the porcine NREP gene
Authors: Knoll Aleš , Nesvadbová Michaela , Urban Tomáš
Published: September 2021

NREP (neuronal regeneration related protein homolog) plays a role in the transformation of neural, muscle, and fibroblast cells and in smooth muscle myogenesis. The NREP gene was selected for detailed study as an expressional and functional candidate gene on the basis of data from the expression microarray, which detected the differences in gene expression between Czech Large White pigs and wild boars in the longissimus lumborum et thoracis and biceps femoris muscle tissues. Quantitative real‐time PCR results confirmed that porcine NREP was expressed in both skeletal muscles and significantly overexpressed in Czech Large White pigs compared with wild boars (14.5‐ and 11.6‐fold; p < .05). We identified 9 polymorphic sites in the genomic DNA of NREP. Six of these polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium, and therefore, only 4 loci were informative. The associations of the HF571253:g.103G>A, HF571253:g.134G>A, HF571253:g.179T>C and HF571253:g.402_409delT polymorphisms with backfat thickness, lean meat content and average daily gain were assessed in Czech Large White pigs. The GG genotypes HF571253:g.103G>A and HF571253:g.134G>A, the TT genotypes HF571253:g.179T>C and 67 HF571253:g.402_409delT genotypes had favourable effects on the studied traits. Our results indicate the possibility of utilizing the variability of the NREP gene in marker‐assisted selection in order to improve meat production in pigs.
Unveiling Inconsistency: Consensus and Contestation along the Council–Comitology Cycle of EU Policy‐Making
Authors: Fernández Pasarín Ana Mar , Font Nuria
Published: September 2021

Do Member States behave inconsistently along the EU policy life cycle? Existing research has extensively examined patterns of conduct in the Council and in comitology. However, the question of whether national governments' behaviours differ along both stages of EU policy‐making is under‐explored. This article examines whether and under what conditions voting outcomes along the Council–comitology cycle differ. Based on a dataset combining voting records in the Council and in comitology, the study tests hypotheses derived from delegation theory and demonstrates that legislative contestation, changing legislative preferences, and stringent delegation procedures increase inconsistency. Moreover, it demonstrates that inconsistency increases when there is contestation in the Council and changes in national governments' preferences between the two votes increase. Ultimately, inconsistency is associated with the reversal of Council contestation in comitology.
A global alfalfa diversity panel reveals genomic selection signatures in Chinese varieties and genomic associations with root development
Authors: Chen Lin , He Fei , Long Ruicai , Zhang Fan , Li Mingna , Wang Zhen , Kang Junmei , Yang Qingchuan
Published: September 2021

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage crop worldwide. However, little is known about the effects of breeding status and different geographical populations on alfalfa improvement. Here, we sequenced 220 alfalfa core germplasms and determined that Chinese alfalfa cultivars form an independent group, as evidenced by comparisons of FST values between different subgroups, suggesting that geographical origin plays an important role in group differentiation. By tracing the influence of geographical regions on the genetic diversity of alfalfa varieties in China, we identified 350 common candidate genetic regions and 548 genes under selection. We also defined 165 loci associated with 24 important traits from genome‐wide association studies. Of those, 17 genomic regions closely associated with a given phenotype were under selection, with the underlying haplotypes showing significant differences between subgroups of distinct geographical origins. Based on results from expression analysis and association mapping, we propose that 6‐phosphogluconolactonase (MsPGL) and a gene encoding a protein with NHL domains (MsNHL) are critical candidate genes for root growth. In conclusion, our results provide valuable information for alfalfa improvement via molecular breeding.
Decreased in‐hospital mortality rate following implementation of a comprehensive electronic medical record system
Authors: South Mike , Cheng Daryl , Andrew Lauren , Egan Nicholas , Carlin John
Published: September 2021

Aim

To evaluate changes in in‐hospital mortality rate following implementation of a comprehensive electronic medical record (EMR) system.

Methods

Before and after study of 355,709 hospital discharges, over an 8‐year period, at a paediatric teaching hospital. The major outcome measures were crude number of in‐hospital deaths, deaths per 1000 discharges, and standardised mortality ratio.

Results

Primary analysis of data from 2 years before and 2 years after EMR go‐live showed a reduction in absolute mortality of 33 deaths, a reduction in the mortality rate of 0.48 per 1000 discharges (95% CI 0.09, 0.88 per 1000): and a relative 22% decrease (95% CI: 4%, 36%, P = 0.02) in deaths per 1000 discharges from 2.20 to 1.72. There was also a reduction in standardised mortality ratio of 47% (95% CI: 18%, 66%, P = 0.004). Post‐hoc analysis of mortality rates for an additional 2‐year pre‐intervention period indicated that these changes in the mortality rate were not part of a pre‐existing downward trend. Further analysis of an additional 20‐month post‐intervention period suggests that the reduced mortality rate has been sustained.

Conclusion

We documented evidence of a clinically important decrease in in‐hospital mortality rate following the implementation of a modern comprehensive EMR system in an Australian paediatric teaching hospital. The study does not prove a causal relationship, and it is possible that other factors explain some, or all, of this difference, but no changes in the hospital population or other major interventions were identified as alternative explanations for this observed change.
Mechanism of action and the uses betaine in pig production
Authors: Fu Rong , Wang Qin , Kong Caihua , Liu Kena , Si Huaxin , Sui Shiyan
Published: September 2021

Betaine, the trimethyl derivative of glycine, is a good methyl group donor, and an important component in pig production. However, betaine has not been extensively studied in this field. Therefore, in this study, we reviewed the effects of betaine in pig production performance, meat quality and reproductive performance, as well as its mechanisms, to provide a theoretical basis for the optimal use and development of this compound.
Low light acclimation strategy of the brown macroalga Undaria pinnatifida: Significance of lipid and fatty acid remodeling for photosynthetic competence
Authors: Zhukova Natalia V. , Yakovleva Irina M.
Published: September 2021

Brown macroalgae, being important components of benthic communities in temperate regions, are frequently subjected to light limitation. To extend our understanding of their low light acclimation strategies to the regulation of membrane lipid environment, photosynthetic characteristics, lipid class, fatty acid profiles and chloroplast ultrastructure were compared in Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae, Ochrophyta) after long‐term exposure to low and moderate light intensities (LL, 100 and ML, 280 µmol photons · m−2 · s−1). We show that light limitation significantly increased PSII quantum efficiency and photosynthetic electron transport rate, enhanced pigment contents and concentration of thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts but decreased the distance between the thylakoid stacks. These physiological alterations at LL were accompanied by a selective remodeling of thylakoid membrane lipids driven by increases in monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) contents. Light limitation also induced active production of PG specific trans‐Δ3‐hexadecenoic acid and accumulation of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) mostly in PG and MGDG at the expense of the rise in 18:3n−3 and 20:5n−3, 18:4n−3, respectively. These changes in lipid and FA profiles are apparently responsible for supporting thylakoid biogenesis and efficient photosynthesis at light limitation, thus contributing to photoacclimation strategies in brown algae. The content of triacylglycerols (TAG) and the level of their PUFA were decreased at LL, suggesting the consumption of TAG as a source of PUFA and energy reserves. Thus, U. pinnatifida is able to successfully overcome periods of low irradiance through the effective light harvesting and utilization that are provided by high flexibility of lipid biosynthesis.
Mitigating bias in medical school admissions and the MCAT to optimize equity
Authors: Seo Gabriella T.
Published: September 2021

Commenting on Robinette et al.'s strategy for battling racism in admissions, Seo encourages further consideration of subtle forms of bias as a means to optimize equity.
Magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for an essential tremor patient with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A case report
Authors: Ito Hisashi , Aoki Sho , Odo Takashi , Fukutake Shigeru , Kishihara Jun , Yamamoto Kazuaki , Taira Takaomi , Yamaguchi Toshio
Published: September 2021

We report a 52 years‐old, right‐handed man with medication‐refractory essential tremor (ET). Because of ventricular fibrillation (Vf) due to coronary spasm, he had been treated with an MR‐conditional subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S‐ICD) and medications including amiodarone, nifedipine, and isosorbide nitrate. Amiodarone was discontinued as Vf was not observed for more than 2 years, and it induced thyrotoxicosis. Vf did not occur after the cessation of amiodarone. Moreover, he did not suffer from an angina attack after the administration of vasodilators. After receiving informed consent to stop S‐ICD during the procedure, we performed MRI‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) left ventral intermediate nucleus thalamotomy. The right‐hand tremor disappeared immediately, and we observed neither Vf nor S‐ICD‐related complications during the procedure. MRgFUS thalamotomy may be feasible as one of the therapeutic options for ET patients even with S‐ICD.
The genome sequence provides insights into salt tolerance of Achnatherum splendens (Gramineae), a constructive species of alkaline grassland
Authors: Ren Guangpeng , Jiang Yanyou , Li Ao , Yin Mou , Li Minjie , Mu Wenjie , Wu Ying , Liu Jianquan
Published: September 2021

Achnatherum splendens Trin. (Gramineae) is a constructive species of the arid grassland ecosystem in Northwest China and is a major forage grass. It has good tolerance of salt and drought stress in alkaline habitats. Here, we report its chromosome‐level genome, determined through a combination of Illumina HiSeq sequencing, PacBio sequencing and Hi‐C technology. The final assembly of the ~1.17 Gb genome sequence had a super‐scaffold N50 of 40.3 Mb. A total of 57 374 protein‐coding genes were annotated, of which 54 426 (94.5%) genes have functional protein annotations. Approximately 735 Mb (62.37%) of the assembly were identified as repetitive elements, and among these, LTRs (40.53%) constitute the highest proportion, having made a major contribution to the expansion of genome size in A. splendens. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. splendens diverged from the Brachypodium distachyon–Hordeum vulgare–Aegilops tauschii subclade around 37 million years ago (Ma) and that a clade comprising these four species diverged from the Phyllostachys edulis clade ~47 Ma. Genomic synteny indicates that A. splendens underwent an additional species‐specific whole‐genome duplication (WGD) 18–20 Ma, which further promoted an increase in copies of numerous saline–alkali‐related gene families in the A. splendens genome. By transcriptomic analysis, we further found that many of these duplicated genes from this extra WGD exhibited distinct functional divergence in response to salt stress. This WGD, therefore, contributed to the strong resistance to salt stress and widespread arid adaptation of A. splendens.
Effect of body condition score on the testicular biometrical measures, semen characteristics and testosterone level in jackass
Authors: Masoud Shimaa R. , Kishta Afaf A. , Kandil Omaima M. , Fathalla Said I. , Shawky Sherif M. , Abdoon Ahmed Sabry S.
Published: September 2021

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of body condition score (BCS) on testicle and epididymis biometrics, semen characteristics and testosterone level in Egyptian Jack. This study was conducted on 50 mature Jacks divided according to their body condition score into four groups: Poor (G1), moderate (G2), good (G3) and fat (G4). The complete testis was collected immediately after execution in the Giza Zoo abattoir; then, the epididymis was carefully dissected at the testicular junction. Biometrical measures including length, weight and volume were determined for the right and left testis and epididymis. Also, epididymal sperm was collected from all examined animas and evaluated for sperm concentration, progressive motility, viability and sperm abnormalities. Serum samples were collected for determination of total testosterone level. Results showed that the body condition score of the examined animal affects their biometrical measure of testicles and epididymis. There is a significant decrease (p < .05) in biometrical measures for the testicles and epididymis, sperm concentration, motility, viability and testosterone level in poor BCS animals (G1). The highest values were recorded in Good BCS (G3) Jacks. Conclusion: Jacks with good BCS (G3) should be selected for breeding activity in donkey.
Control of invasive Phragmites australis (European common reed) alters macroinvertebrate communities
Authors: Robichaud Courtney D. , Basso Jacob V. , Rooney Rebecca C.
Published: September 2021

Wetland restoration often involves invasive‐plant suppression to encourage the recovery of native‐dominated vegetation communities. However, assessment of recovery is usually focused only on vegetation, and the response of other critical wetland biota, such as macroinvertebrates, is seldom assessed. We characterized the aquatic, semi‐aquatic, and terrestrial macroinvertebrate communities in remnant, uninvaded marsh to identify restoration targets and compared this to the communities in Phragmites australis‐invaded marsh and in the formerly invaded marsh that was treated with the herbicide glyphosate in 2016 to simultaneously evaluate the effects of invasion and invasive‐species suppression. We sampled invertebrates in 2017 and 2018 to track 2 years following herbicide treatment. The invertebrate community composition was similar between P. australis invaded and remnant marsh, suggesting invasion has little effect on macroinvertebrate community structure. There was also high concordance between the aquatic and emerging‐invertebrate communities in the invaded and uninvaded habitats. In contrast, herbicide‐treated sites had a unique community composition, characterized by very high densities of Chironomidae (Diptera) and low taxa richness and evenness. Herbicide‐treated sites also exhibited low concordance between the aquatic and emerging‐invertebrate communities, potentially attributable to the sparse, emergent‐vegetation cover providing limited substrates for emergence. Herbicide‐based, invasive‐species control resulted in considerable changes to the macroinvertebrate community in freshwater marshes for at least 2 years after treatment, which may have consequences for aquatic food webs and species that rely on macroinvertebrates as prey.
Psychological factors and performance in women’s football: A systematic review
Authors: Pettersen Susann Dahl , Adolfsen Frode , Martinussen Monica
Published: September 2021

The amount of research conducted on female football players, compared to male players, is sparce. Even though research on female football players has increased the past decade, there is still a lack of studies of how psychological factors affect their performance. The objective of the current systematic review was therefore to summarize existing quantitative research into the relationship between psychological factors and performance in women's football. Literature was sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and PsychInfo. Two independent reviewers applied the selection criteria and assessed the quality of the studies. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total number of participants was 1449, and 15 psychological factors were examined in relation to football performance. The results revealed a tendency for higher leveled players to score higher on psychological factors like mental toughness, conscientiousness, and executive functions. They also had lower levels of anxiety. Enjoyment and a perceived mastery climate were related to increased levels of performance and perceived competence. Mood was unrelated to performance. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.