Analyzing who is relevant to engage in environmental decision-making processes by interests, influence and impact: The 3i framework.

Outcomes in participatory environmental processes are strongly affected by choices about who is engaged. Inclusive engagement diversifies the range of interests and perspectives represented, including those from vulnerable and marginalized groups, ultimately contributing to more socially and environmentally sustainable and equitable outcomes. However, existing "stakeholder analysis" methods often bias participant identification away from disenfranchised groups with limited pre-existing interest or influence, instead favoring the most easily accessed and influential stakeholders.

Cortical neural precursors inhibit their own differentiation via N-cadherin maintenance of beta-catenin signaling.

Little is known about the architecture of cellular microenvironments that support stem and precursor cells during tissue development. Although adult stem cell niches are organized by specialized supporting cells, in the developing cerebral cortex, neural stem/precursor cells reside in a neurogenic niche lacking distinct supporting cells. Here, we find that neural precursors themselves comprise the niche and regulate their own development.

Cadherin inhibition of beta-catenin signaling regulates the proliferation and differentiation of neural precursor cells.

The generation and differentiation of neurons during development requires coordination of intercellular interactions with spatio-temporal changes in gene expression. To examine the role of adhesion in cerebral cortical development, we overexpressed full-length cadherin and dominant-negative truncated cadherin in mouse cortical precursors. Full-length cadherin allowed for the maintenance of cell contact between daughter cells following cell division while dominant-negative cadherin decreased cell contact.