bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remembering the “Human” in Human Trafficking: An Analysis of Female Leadership and Anti-Trafficking Policy Choices
Authors: Perry Kate , Burns Courtney
Published: October 2022

Could gender expectations play a role in executive leadership policy choices on human trafficking? To help explain why executive leaders of different genders may prioritize starkly different policies on the same issue, we situate our argument within the political double bind. We posit that human trafficking, a crime that exists at the nexus between foreign and domestic and masculine and feminine policy choices, is an arena where women will be more likely to demonstrate that they are compassionate domestically, thus choosing to fulfill the “feminine” side of the double bind over the “masculine” side. Using a cross-sectional time series regression analysis of forty-eight women leaders, we test this expected pattern for the years 2000–2016 and find that as the double bind suggests, women leaders prioritize protection measures over prosecution or prevention measures when addressing human trafficking, thereby fulfilling the domestic expectations of “feminine” leadership performance over the international expectations of “masculine” leadership performance to combat this crime. We also find that women have higher scores for anti-trafficking policy on the aggregate, indicating flexibility, and pointing to the careful balancing act women leaders must play when making policy choices.
“Come on f––er, just load!” Powerlessness, waiting, and life without broadband
Authors: Mathews Nick , Ali Christopher
Published: October 2022

Waiting is a way of experiencing the effects of power. This article finds those waiting for fixed broadband connection are powerless to end the waiting and increasingly frustrated with the powerful—the governmental officials, policy makers, and broadband providers—who control their waiting. This article, built on 19 interviews with residents of a rural county in the United States, details the lived experiences of those waiting for a fixed broadband connection and shines a critical light on the unequal power dynamics of digital inequality and waiting. The findings demonstrate residents suffer from “chronic waiting” for a connection. They also wait while using the internet, via inferior mobile connections, laboring through issues such as buffering. Finally, the findings illustrate the only way to avoid “technology-induced waiting” is to wait in alternative ways, including turning into a “second-shift” family to enjoy internet service in the middle of the night.
Resistance to Multiple Insecticide Classes in the Vinegar Fly Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Michigan Vineyards
Authors: Hubhachen Zhaorigetu , Pointon Henry , Perkins Jacquelyn A , Van Timmeren Steven , Pittendrigh Barry , Isaacs Rufus
Published: October 2022

Vinegar flies are vectors of pathogens causing fruit rots of grapes, so control of these insects is important for preventing vineyard yield loss. Recent outbreaks of sour rots may be linked to greater challenges controlling vinegar flies, so we investigated the insecticide susceptibility of populations collected from commercial vineyards across Michigan. We first determined the discriminating concentration for phosmet, malathion, methomyl, and zeta-cypermethrin using a laboratory susceptible (Canton-S) strain of D. melanogaster females. The discriminating concentrations were determined as 252.08, 2.58, 0.96, and 1.68 ppm of the four insecticides, respectively. These concentrations were first tested in 2020 against populations from the two major counties for grape production. In 2021, we expanded monitoring to twenty-three populations collected from vineyards across six counties. All populations had significantly lower sensitivity to all four insecticides compared with Canton-S strain, with up to 98.8% lower mortality for phosmet. The LC50, LC90, and LC99 values of the four insecticides for the two populations tested in 2020 were 7–1,157-fold higher than the Canton-S strain. For the twenty-three populations collected in 2021, mortality ranged from 56.3 to 100% when the flies were screened using a 10x concentration of the discriminating concentration of the insecticides, whereas it ranged from 82.4 to 100% when the flies were screened using a 20x concentration. Our results suggest variable levels of resistance to insecticides from multiple chemical classes in D. melanogaster populations in Michigan vineyards, highlighting the need to implement integrated sour rot management approaches that are less dependent on insecticides for control of this species.
Selection of Reference Genes for Normalization of qRT‒PCR Analysis in the Soybean Aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Wang Zhengbing , Zhang Hongfei , Zhang Ziyi , Zhao Jiayu , Ma Feilong , Zheng Manman , Yang Mingsheng , Sang Xiaoyue , Ma Keshi , Li Lili
Published: October 2022

The soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura is a predominant insect pest in Asia and North America and causes great losses to soybean. The release of genome data for A. glycines will facilitate gene function research in the future. However, suitable reference genes for A. glycines under various experimental conditions are scarce. To search for appropriate reference genes for A. glycines, nine candidate reference genes, including Act, α-Tub, β-Tub, RPS12, RPS18, RPL5, RPL27, EF1α, and Fer, were tested under six experimental conditions to evaluate their suitability for use in the normalization of qRT‒PCR data. Results showed that EF1α and RPS12 were optimal for the developmental stages of A. glycines, RPS18 and RPS12 were appropriate for wing dimorphism, β-Tub and RPS18 were suitable for different tissues and RPL5, and α-Tub could be used for normalization at different temperatures. β-Tub and EF1α could be proposed as reference genes for insecticide treatment, and RPL5 and RPS12 were found to be the most stable reference genes in different photoperiods. The results provide appropriate reference genes for analyzing gene expression in A. glycines and contribute to future research on the molecular physiology and biochemistry of A. glycines.
Ukraine and the Double Standards of the West
Authors: Ambos Kai
Published: October 2022

The West, under the leadership of the US, EU and NATO, claims to be defending a rules-based international order by way of its support for Ukraine, including its call for full accountability. Regrettably, however, this claim fails to fully convince given the inconsistencies in the West’s approach to international (criminal) law. I will develop this counterclaim in three steps: first, I will argue that the Western approach to the Russian aggression is by no means universally accepted, especially not in the Global South (Part 2). Secondly, I will try to explain, at least partly, the reason for this limited support by pointing out both historical and more recent Western inconsistencies with regard to international law (Part 3). On this basis I will then, by way of conclusion, call for (greater) Western consistency in international law, while formulating some caveats at the same time (Part 4).
Effects of Tissue Type and Temperature on Selected Life-History Traits of the Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis (Macquart, 1839) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: Bulut Meltem , Zeybekoğlu Ünal , Kökdener Meltem
Published: October 2022

The flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart 1839 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), colonizes estimation of the minimum post-mortem interval (min-PMI). This study examined the effects of different types of tissues and temperature on the development of S. crassipalpis. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the effects of life-history information of S. crassipalpis. Larvae were reared on three tissue types, chicken heart, bovine minced meat, and bovine tongue, at five temperatures, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 32°C. Pupal and larval development time, adult weight, and pupal and larval survival differed significantly for tissue type and temperature. Temperature had a significant effect on pupal weight but tissue type did not significantly affect pupal weight. The duration of the larval and pupal stages (except of chicken heart, 30°C) decreased with increasing temperature, except for 32°C, in all tissue types. Larval survival was lowest at 32°C in bovine minced meat, bovine tongue, and chicken heart, and at 32°C, all pupae failed to reach the adult stage in minced meat. The results of this study highlight the necessity of considering larval diet and temperature in forensic investigations.
D-galactose protects the intestine from ionizing radiation-induced injury by altering the gut microbiome
Authors: Zhu Tong , Wang Zhouxuan , He Junbo , Zhang Xueying , Zhu Changchun , Zhang Shuqin , Li Yuan , Fan Saijun
Published: October 2022

This article aims to investigate the protection of the intestine from ionizing radiation-induced injury by using D-galactose (D-gal) to alter the gut microbiome. In addition, this observation opens up further lines of research to further increase therapeutic potentials. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 7.5 Gy of total body irradiation (TBI) or 13 Gy of total abdominal irradiation (TAI) in this study. After adjustment, D-gal was intraperitoneally injected into mice at a dose of 750 mg/kg/day. Survival rates, body weights, histological experiments and the level of the inflammatory factor IL-1β were observed after TBI to investigate radiation injury in mice. Feces were collected from mice for 16S high-throughput sequencing after TAI. Furthermore, fecal microorganism transplantation (FMT) was performed to confirm the effect of D-gal on radiation injury recovery. Intraperitoneally administered D-gal significantly increased the survival of irradiated mice by altering the gut microbiota structure. Furthermore, the fecal microbiota transplanted from D-gal-treated mice protected against radiation injury and improved the survival rate of recipient mice. Taken together, D-gal accelerates gut recovery following radiation injury by promoting the growth of specific microorganisms, especially those in the class Erysipelotrichia. The study discovered that D-gal-induced changes in the microbiota protect against radiation-induced intestinal injury. Erysipelotrichia and its metabolites are a promising therapeutic option for post-radiation intestinal regeneration.
A preclinical model to investigate normal tissue damage following fractionated radiotherapy to the head and neck
Authors: Juvkam Inga Solgård , Zlygosteva Olga , Arous Delmon , Galtung Hilde Kanli , Malinen Eirik , Søland Tine Merete , Edin Nina Jeppesen
Published: October 2022

Radiotherapy (RT) of head and neck (H&N) cancer is known to cause both early- and late-occurring toxicities. To better appraise normal tissue responses and their dependence on treatment parameters such as radiation field and type, as well as dose and fractionation scheme, a preclinical model with relevant endpoints is required. 12-week old female C57BL/6 J mice were irradiated with 100 or 180 kV X-rays to total doses ranging from 30 to 85 Gy, given in 10 fractions over 5 days. The radiation field covered the oral cavity, swallowing structures and salivary glands. Monte Carlo simulations were employed to estimate tissue dose distribution. The follow-up period was 35 days, in order to study the early radiation-induced effects. Baseline and post irradiation investigations included macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the skin, lips, salivary glands and oral mucosa. Saliva sampling was performed to assess the salivary gland function following radiation exposure. A dose dependent radiation dermatitis in the skin was observed for doses above 30 Gy. Oral mucositis in the tongue appeared as ulcerations on the ventral surface of the tongue for doses of 75–85 Gy. The irradiated mice showed significantly reduced saliva production compared to controls. In summary, a preclinical model to investigate a broad panel of normal tissue responses following fractionated irradiation of the H&N region was established. The optimal dose to study early radiation-induced effects was found to be around 75 Gy, as this was the highest tolerated dose that gave acute effects similar to that observed in cancer patients.
Radiation-induced NF-κB activation is involved in cochlear damage in mice via promotion of a local inflammatory response
Authors: Tong Jiaojiao , Hu Chunhui , Wu Yuqian , Liu Qin , Sun Dianshui
Published: October 2022

The radiation-induced inflammatory response is involved in radiation damage to the cochlea and causes sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). NF-κB, as the master switch of the inflammatory response, regulates the expression of many inflammation-related genes and thus the inflammatory response. Therefore, in this study we used a mouse model to determine whether radiation-induced NF-κB activation is involved in damage to the cochlea and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Eventually, we found that NF-κB was activated after radiation of the cochleae and the activation reached a maximum at 2–6 h after radiation. And morphological analysis showed severe damage to the cochleae after radiation, but this damage was significantly ameliorated by JSH-23 (an inhibitor of NF-κB) pretreatment. Along with these morphological changes, the expression levels of proinflammatory molecules (including proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2 and inflammation-related proteins VCAM-1, MIP-1β) in the cochlear tissues were significantly increased after radiation, but were significantly decreased by JSH-23 pretreatment compared to radiation alone. Therefore, these results indicated that radiation-induced NF-κB activation was involved in damage to the cochleae and resultant SNHL via its promotion of the inflammatory response mediated by overexpression of some proinflammatory molecules in cochlear tissues, and inhibition of radiation-induced NF-κB was conducive to preventing such damage.
Estimating intra-seasonal photosynthetic discrimination and water use efficiency using δ13C of leaf sucrose in Scots pine
Authors: Tang Yu , Schiestl-Aalto Paulina , Lehmann Marco M , Saurer Matthias , Sahlstedt Elina , Kolari Pasi , Leppä Kersti , Bäck Jaana , Rinne-Garmston Katja T
Published: October 2022

Sucrose has a unique role in recording environmental and physiological signals during photosynthesis in its carbon isotope composition (δ13C) and transport of the signal to tree rings. Yet, instead of sucrose, total organic matter (TOM) or water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are typically analysed in studies that follow δ13C signals within trees. To study how the choice of organic material may bias the interpretation of δ13C records, we used mature field-grown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) to compare for the first time δ13C of different leaf carbon pools with δ13C of assimilates estimated by a chamber-Picarro system (δ13CA_Picarro), and a photosynthetic discrimination model (δ13CA_model). Compared with sucrose, the other tested carbon pools, such as TOM and WSC, poorly recorded the seasonal trends or absolute values of δ13CA_Picarro and δ13CA_model. Consequently, in comparison with the other carbon pools, sucrose δ13C was superior for reconstructing changes in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), agreeing in both absolute values and intra-seasonal variations with iWUE estimated from gas exchange. Thus, deriving iWUE and environmental signals from δ13C of bulk organic matter can lead to misinterpretation. Our findings underscore the advantage of using sucrose δ13C to understand plant physiological responses in depth.
Tomato POLLEN DEFICIENT 2 encodes a G-type lectin receptor kinase required for viable pollen grain formation
Authors: Micol-Ponce Rosa , García-Alcázar Manuel , Lebrón Ricardo , Capel Carmen , Pineda Benito , García-Sogo Begoña , Alché Juan de Dios , Ortiz-Atienza Ana , Bretones Sandra , Yuste-Lisbona Fernando Juan , Moreno Vicente , Capel Juan , Lozano Rafael
Published: October 2022

Pollen development is a crucial biological process indispensable for seed set in flowering plants and for successful crop breeding. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating pollen development in crop species. This study reports a novel male-sterile tomato mutant, pollen deficient 2 (pod2), characterized by the production of non-viable pollen grains and resulting in the development of small parthenocarpic fruits. A combined strategy of mapping-by-sequencing and RNA interference-mediated gene silencing was used to prove that the pod2 phenotype is caused by the loss of Solanum lycopersicum G-type lectin receptor kinase II.9 (SlG-LecRK-II.9) activity. In situ hybridization of floral buds showed that POD2/SlG-LecRK-II.9 is specifically expressed in tapetal cells and microspores at the late tetrad stage. Accordingly, abnormalities in meiosis and tapetum programmed cell death in pod2 occurred during microsporogenesis, resulting in the formation of four dysfunctional microspores leading to an aberrant microgametogenesis process. RNA-seq analyses supported the existence of alterations at the final stage of microsporogenesis, since we found tomato deregulated genes whose counterparts in Arabidopsis are essential for the normal progression of male meiosis and cytokinesis. Collectively, our results revealed the essential role of POD2/SlG-LecRK-II.9 in regulating tomato pollen development.
The Psychological Consequences of Combat Injury Among U.S. Navy Health Care Personnel
Authors: MacGregor Andrew J , Zouris James M , Dougherty Amber L , Dye Judy L
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Military health care personnel face numerous risks to mental health, including those associated with combat injury, although no study has described combat injuries within this subgroup or assessed their impact on mental health outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Male U.S. Navy-enlisted health care personnel, or corpsmen, with combat injury were identified from clinical records. Noninjured corpsmen were matched to injured corpsmen with a 4:1 ratio on year of deployment end or injury and location (Iraq or Afghanistan). The final study population included 2,025 corpsmen (405 injured and 1,620 noninjured). Mental health disorders assessed included posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, adjustment, mood, and substance abuse disorders. Stratified Cox models were used for analysis while controlling for additional covariates, and injury severity was evaluated as a predictor.

Results

Injuries primarily involved the head/neck (73.8%) and extremities (45.7%), and overall injury severity was mostly mild-to-moderate (85.9%). Injured relative to noninjured corpsmen had greater risk of PTSD (risk ratio [RR] 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.05 to 2.94), anxiety disorder (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.96), adjustment disorder (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.27), mood disorder (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.79), and substance abuse (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.91). More severe injuries yielded stronger associations with PTSD (RR 3.57, 95% CI 2.48 to 5.14), anxiety disorder (RR 2.53, 95% CI 1.74 to 3.69), and adjustment disorder (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.27).

Conclusions

U.S. Navy corpsmen are at risk of combat injury and associated mental health disorders. Injured corpsmen should be screened for mental health problems in the acute phase postinjury, during their remaining time in theater, and after returning home. Future research should address how combat injury compares with other stressors that health care personnel experience and whether the psychological consequences of these injuries (e.g., PTSD) negatively impact work performance and increase risk of burnout.
Swift and XMM–Newton observations of an RS CVn-type eclipsing binary SZ Psc: superflare and coronal properties
Authors: Karmakar Subhajeet , Naik Sachindra , Pandey Jeewan C , Savanov Igor S
Published: October 2022

We present an in-depth study of a large and long duration (>1.3 d) X-ray flare observed on an RS CVn-type eclipsing binary system SZ Psc using observations from Swift observatory. In the 0.35–10 keV energy band, the peak luminosity is estimated to be 4.2 × 1033 $\rm {erg}~\rm {s}^{-1}$. The quiescent corona of SZ Psc was observed ∼5.67 d after the flare using Swift observatory, and also ∼1.4 yr after the flare using the XMM–Newton satellite. The quiescent corona is found to consist of three temperature plasma: 4, 13, and 48 MK. High-resolution X-ray spectral analysis of the quiescent corona of SZ Psc suggests that the high first ionization potential (FIP) elements are more abundant than the low-FIP elements. The time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of the flare shows a significant variation in the flare temperature, emission measure, and abundance. The peak values of temperature, emission measure, and abundances during the flare are estimated to be 199 ± 11 MK, 2.13 ± 0.05 ×  1056 cm−3, 0.66 ± 0.09 $\rm {Z}_{\odot }$, respectively. Using the hydrodynamic loop modelling, we derive the loop length of the flare as 6.3 ± 0.5 ×  1011 cm, whereas the loop pressure and density at the flare peak are derived to be 3.5 ± 0.7 ×  103 dyn cm−2 and 8 ± 2 ×  1010 cm−3, respectively. The total magnetic field to produce the flare is estimated to be 490 ± 60 G. The large magnetic field at the coronal height is supposed to be due to the presence of an extended convection zone of the subgiant and the high orbital velocity.
A search for planetary transits on a set of 1.4 million multisector DIAmante light curves
Authors: Montalto M
Published: October 2022

I report the results of a new search for transiting planets on a set of 1.4 million light curves extracted from TESS Full Frame Images (FFIs) using the DIAmante pipeline. The data come from the first 2 yr of observations of TESS (Sectors 1–26) and the study is focused on a sample of FGKM dwarf and subgiant stars optimized for the search of transiting planets. The search was performed on the detrended and stitched multisector light curves applying the Box-fitting Least Squares algorithm and a Random Forest classifier. I present a catalogue of 1160 transiting planet candidates, among which 842 are novel discoveries. The median radius of the transiting bodies in the catalogue is 6.8 R⊕. The radii range from 0.8 R⊕ to 27.3R⊕, while the orbital periods range from 0.19 to 197.2 d with a median of 3.6 d. Each candidate is accompanied by a validation report and the corresponding DIAmante light curve. The material is available at CDS, on the ExoFOP website and on the DIAmante portal at MAST.
Evolution and Diversity of the TopoVI and TopoVI-like Subunits With Extensive Divergence of the TOPOVIBL subunit
Authors: Brinkmeier Julia , Coelho Susana , de Massy Bernard , Bourbon Henri-Marc
Published: October 2022

Type II DNA topoisomerases regulate topology by double-stranded DNA cleavage and ligation. The TopoVI family of DNA topoisomerase, first identified and biochemically characterized in Archaea, represents, with TopoVIII and mini-A, the type IIB family. TopoVI has several intriguing features in terms of function and evolution. TopoVI has been identified in some eukaryotes, and a global view is lacking to understand its evolutionary pattern. In addition, in eukaryotes, the two TopoVI subunits (TopoVIA and TopoVIB) have been duplicated and have evolved to give rise to Spo11 and TopoVIBL, forming TopoVI-like (TopoVIL), a complex essential for generating DNA breaks that initiate homologous recombination during meiosis. TopoVIL is essential for sexual reproduction. How the TopoVI subunits have evolved to ensure this meiotic function is unclear. Here, we investigated the phylogenetic conservation of TopoVI and TopoVIL. We demonstrate that BIN4 and RHL1, potentially interacting with TopoVIB, have co-evolved with TopoVI. Based on model structures, this observation supports the hypothesis for a role of TopoVI in decatenation of replicated chromatids and predicts that in eukaryotes the TopoVI catalytic complex includes BIN4 and RHL1. For TopoVIL, the phylogenetic analysis of Spo11, which is highly conserved among Eukarya, highlighted a eukaryal-specific N-terminal domain that may be important for its regulation. Conversely, TopoVIBL was poorly conserved, giving rise to ATP hydrolysis-mutated or -truncated protein variants, or was undetected in some species. This remarkable plasticity of TopoVIBL provides important information for the activity and function of TopoVIL during meiosis.
Plant Growth Hormones and Nanomaterial Interface: Exploring the connection from development to defense
Authors: Kandhol Nidhi , Singh Vijay Pratap , White Jason C , Tran Lam-Son Phan , Tripathi Durgesh Kumar
Published: October 2022

The global increase in nanotechnology applications has been unprecedented and has now moved into the area of agriculture and food production. Applications with promising potential in sustainable agriculture include nanobiosensors, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nano-mediated remediation strategies for contaminated soils and nanoscale strategies to increase crop production and protection. Given this, the impact of nanomaterials/nanoparticles (NPs) on plant species needs to be thoroughly evaluated as this represents a critical interface between the biosphere and the environment. Importantly, phytohormones represent a critical class of biomolecules to plant health and productivity; however, the impact of NPs on these molecules is poorly understood. In addition, phytohormones, and associated pathways, are widely explored in agriculture to influence several biological processes for the improvement of plant growth and productivity under natural as well as stressed conditions. However, the impact of exogenous applications of phytohormones on NP-treated plants has not been explored. The importance of hormone signaling and cross-talk with other metabolic systems makes these biomolecules ideal candidates for a thorough assessment of NP impacts on plant species. This article presents a critical evaluation of the existing yet limited literature available on NP–phytohormone interactions in plants. In addition, the developing strategy of nano-enabled precision delivery of phytohormones via nanocarriers will be explored. Finally, directions for future research and critical knowledge gaps will be identified for this important aspect of nano-enabled agriculture.
Integration of Auxin, Brassinosteroid and Cytokinin in the Regulation of Rice Yield
Authors: Gupta Aarti , Bhardwaj Mamta , Tran Lam-Son Phan
Published: October 2022

Crop varieties with a high yield are most desirable in the present context of the ever-growing human population. Mostly, the yield traits are governed by a complex of numerous molecular and genetic facets modulated by various quantitative trait loci (QTLs). With the identification and molecular characterizations of yield-associated QTLs over recent years, the central role of phytohormones in regulating plant yield is becoming more apparent. Most often, different groups of phytohormones work in close association to orchestrate yield attributes. Understanding this cross talk would thus provide new venues for phytohormone pyramiding by editing a single gene or QTL(s) for yield improvement. Here, we review a few important findings to integrate the knowledge on the roles of auxin, brassinosteroid and cytokinin and how a single gene or a QTL could govern cross talk among multiple phytohormones to determine the yield traits.
Microstructural Evidence for the Fluid Dynamical Behaviour in Vertically and Laterally Propagated Dykes of the British and Irish Paleogene Igneous Province
Authors: Holness Marian B
Published: October 2022

A detailed study of dykes from the British and Irish Paleogene Igneous Province, with the Birdsboro dyke of the Newark Basin, USA, as a comparison, shows that microstructures vary systematically as a function of distance from the parent igneous complex. Proximal dykes (both those that propagated vertically and the proximal exposures of laterally propagated dykes) have invariant plagioclase grain shape and a generally coarse grain size, consistent with sustained convection during solidification. In contrast, distal exposures of laterally propagated dykes are generally finer grained and have a systematic spatial variation of plagioclase grain shape indicative of in situ nucleation and growth on inwards-propagating solidification fronts. These differences are argued to be a consequence of a systematic progression in the level of exposure along the dyke swarm, due to differential uplift and erosion associated with underplating of the NW parts of the British Isles. Convection in vertically propagated dykes is likely to occur throughout the full height of the intrusion, but is confined to the wider regions of laterally propagating dykes, with little or no convection in their narrower upper regions. There are generally no marginal reversals in the variation of plagioclase shape in dykes, indicative of relatively rapid emplacement of vertical intrusions compared to sills of comparable thickness. Comparison of plagioclase grain shape in dykes with invariant grain shape with that in bodies for which solidification is inferred to have occurred in marginal solidification fronts may be used to constrain the average width of the convective system. The Birdsboro dyke is anomalously fine grained compared to other dykes with invariant plagioclase grain shape, indicating that a coarse grain size is not a universal characteristic of convecting dykes: the relatively fine grain size is suggestive of a high crystal load, perhaps due to it forming part of an extensive sill complex.
The OPEN STOMATA1–SPIRAL1 module regulates microtubule stability during abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Pan , Qi Sijia , Wang Xiaohong , Dou Liru , Jia Meng-ao , Mao Tonglin , Guo Yushuang , Wang Xiangfeng
Published: October 2022

Drought stress triggers abscisic acid (ABA) signaling in guard cells and induces stomatal closure to prevent water loss in land plants. Stomatal movement is accompanied by reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Cortical microtubules disassemble in response to ABA, which is required for stomatal closure. However, how ABA signaling regulates microtubule disassembly is unclear, and the microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) involved in this process remain to be identified. In this study, we show that OPEN STOMATA 1 (OST1), a central component in ABA signaling, mediates microtubule disassembly during ABA-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana. We identified the MAP SPIRAL1 (SPR1) as the substrate of OST1. OST1 interacts with and phosphorylates SPR1 at Ser6, which promotes the disassociation of SPR1 from microtubules and facilitates microtubule disassembly. Compared with the wild type, the spr1 mutant exhibited significantly greater water loss and reduced ABA responses, including stomatal closure and microtubule disassembly in guard cells. These phenotypes were restored by introducing the phosphorylated active form of SPR1. Our findings demonstrate that SPR1 positively regulates microtubule disassembly during ABA-induced stomatal closure, which depends on OST1-mediated phosphorylation. These findings reveal a specific connection between a core component of ABA signaling and MAPs.
An Argument from Proof Theory against Implicit Conventionalism
Authors: Golan Rea
Published: October 2022

Conventionalism about logic is the view that logical principles hold in virtue of some linguistic conventions. According to explicit conventionalism, these conventions have to be stipulated explicitly. Explicit conventionalism is subject to a famous criticism by Quine, who accused it of leading to an infinite regress. In response to the criticism, several authors have suggested reconstructing conventionalism as implicit in our linguistic behaviour. In this paper, drawing on a distinction from proof theory between derivable and admissible rules, I argue that implicit conventionalism has not been stated in a sufficiently precise way, as it leaves open what one needs to say about admissible yet underivable rules. Moreover, it turns out that this challenge cannot be easily met, and that any attempt to meet the challenge makes conventionalism much less attractive a thesis.
Do Cash Windfalls Affect Wages? Evidence from R&D Grants to Small Firms
Authors: Howell Sabrina T , Brown J David
Published: October 2022

This paper examines how employee earnings respond to a one-time cash flow shock in the form of a government R&D grant. In a regression discontinuity design, we find that the grant immediately increases average annual employee-level earnings by 2.9$\%$. This benefit accrues only to incumbent employees and rises with job tenure. The grant also affects firm growth, but the initial wage patterns do not appear to reflect growth or productivity. Instead, the evidence supports implicit equity financing within the firm, where employees initially accept lower wages from financially constrained firms and earn more when the firm has ability to pay.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Factors That Impact Caseload and Case Acuity in Outpatient Mental Health and Family Maltreatment
Authors: Nichols Sara R , Hart Ronald , Dills Ashley , Heyman Richard , Slep Amy , Collins Pamela
Published: October 2022

Providing high-quality and cost-effective services in family and mental health treatment programs is difficult. There is an elusive balance between (a) maximizing patients served and positive patient outcomes and (b) minimizing provider burnout and turnover. Agencies often implicitly assume that all cases require equivalent provider time and effort and thus assign cases solely to balance each provider’s caseload numbers. However, this assumption ignores factors that can lead to substandard treatment and provider burnout. This study identifies factors that contribute to case complexity and difficulty as part of a program of research to develop a weighted case-demandingness model in outpatient mental health and family maltreatment services in the U.S. Air Force. Focus groups with providers revealed distinct themes related to caseload and effective time management. The generalizability of the findings was tested quantitatively among a larger sample of providers. Results indicate the need to consider environmental, structural, and individual patient factors when determining patient acuity and caseload.
Identification and Fungicide Sensitivity of Colletotrichum spp. from Apple Flowers and Fruitlets in Brazil
Authors: Gelain Jhulia , Lykins Sydney , Rosa Pâmela Franciella , Soares Alex Teixeira , Dowling Madeline , Schnabel Guido , May De Mio Louise Larissa
Published: October 2022

Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) and bitter rot (BR), caused by Colletotrichum spp., are major diseases on apple in southern Brazil. Among integrated pest management tools for disease management in commercial orchards, fungicides remain an important component. This study aimed to identify Colletotrichum spp. from cultivar Eva in Paraná state orchards; evaluate their in vitro sensitivity to cyprodinil, tebuconazole, iprodione, and fluazinam; and determine the baseline in vitro sensitivity of these isolates to benzovindiflupyr and natamycin. Most isolates belonged to Colletotrichum melonis and C. nymphaeae of the C. acutatum species complex. The two species varied in sensitivity to fluazinam and tebuconazole, but no variability was found for any other fungicide. The lowest 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of Colletotrichum spp. were observed for cyprodinil (mean EC50 < 0.02) and benzovindiflupyr (mean EC50 < 0.05); EC50 values were intermediate for fluazinam (mean EC50 < 0.33) and tebuconazole (mean EC50 < 0.14), and they were highest for natamycin (mean EC50 < 5.56) and iprodione (mean EC50 > 12). Cyprodinil and fluazinam are registered for use in Brazil for apple disease management but not specifically for GLS and BR. Tebuconazole is one of the few products registered for Colletotrichum spp. control in apples. In conclusion, flowers and fruitlets can serve as sources of inoculum for GLS and BR disease; C. acutatum was the predominant species complex in these tissues; cyprodinil and fluazinam applications may suppress GLS and BR; and benzovindiflupyr and natamycin warrant further investigation for GLS and BR disease control of apple due to comparably high in vitro sensitivity.
Studying Wild Plant Pathosystems to Understand Crop Plant Pathosystems: Status, Gaps, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Lebeda Aleš , Burdon Jeremy J.
Published: October 2022

Phytopathology is a highly complex scientific discipline. Initially, its focus was on the study of plant–pathogen interactions in agricultural and forestry production systems. Host–pathogen interactions in natural plant communities were generally overlooked until the 1970s when plant pathologists and evolutionary biologists started to take an interest in these interactions, and their dynamics in natural plant populations, communities, and ecosystems. This article introduces the general principles of plant pathosystems, provides a basic critical overview of current knowledge of host–pathogen interactions in natural plant pathosystems, and shows how this knowledge is important for future developments in plant pathology especially as it applies in cropping systems, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Plant pathosystems can be further divided according to the structure and origin of control, as autonomous (wild plant pathosystems, WPPs) or deterministic (crop plant pathosystems, CPPs). WPPs are characterized by the disease triangle and closed-loop (feedback) controls, and CPPs are characterized by the disease tetrahedron and open-loop (non-feedback) controls. Basic general, ecological, genetic, and population structural and functional differences between WPPs and CPPs are described. It is evident that we lack a focus on long-term observations and research of diseases and their dynamics in natural plant populations, metapopulations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes, as well as their direct or indirect relationships to CPPs. Differences and connections between WPPs and CPPs, and why, and how, these are important for agriculture varies. WPP and CPP may be linked by strong biological interactions, especially where the pathogen is in common. This is demonstrated through a case study of lettuce ( Lactuca spp., L. serriola and L. sativa) and lettuce downy mildew ( Bremia lactucae). In other cases where there is no such direct biological linkage, the study of WPPs can provide a deeper understanding of how ecology and genetics interacts to drive disease through time. These studies provide insights into ways in which farming practices may be changed to limit disease development. Research on interactions between pathosystems, the “cross-talk” of WPPs and CPPs, is still very limited and, as shown in interactions between wild and cultivated Lactuca spp.– B. lactucae associations, can be highly complex. The implications and applications of this knowledge in plant breeding, crop management, and disease control measures are considered. This review concludes with a discussion of theoretical, general and specific aspects, challenges and limits of future WPP research, and application of their results in agriculture.
Delayed Lexical Access and Cascading Effects on Spreading Semantic Activation During Spoken Word Recognition in Children With Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants: Evidence From Eye-Tracking
Authors: Klein Kelsey E. , Walker Elizabeth A. , McMurray Bob
Published: October 2022

Objective:

The objective of this study was to characterize the dynamics of real-time lexical access, including lexical competition among phonologically similar words, and spreading semantic activation in school-age children with hearing aids (HAs) and children with cochlear implants (CIs). We hypothesized that developing spoken language via degraded auditory input would lead children with HAs or CIs to adapt their approach to spoken word recognition, especially by slowing down lexical access.

Design:

Participants were children ages 9- to 12-years old with normal hearing (NH), HAs, or CIs. Participants completed a Visual World Paradigm task in which they heard a spoken word and selected the matching picture from four options. Competitor items were either phonologically similar, semantically similar, or unrelated to the target word. As the target word unfolded, children’s fixations to the target word, cohort competitor, rhyme competitor, semantically related item, and unrelated item were recorded as indices of ongoing lexical access and spreading semantic activation.

Results:

Children with HAs and children with CIs showed slower fixations to the target, reduced fixations to the cohort competitor, and increased fixations to the rhyme competitor, relative to children with NH. This wait-and-see profile was more pronounced in the children with CIs than the children with HAs. Children with HAs and children with CIs also showed delayed fixations to the semantically related item, although this delay was attributable to their delay in activating words in general, not to a distinct semantic source.

Conclusions:

Children with HAs and children with CIs showed qualitatively similar patterns of real-time spoken word recognition. Findings suggest that developing spoken language via degraded auditory input causes long-term cognitive adaptations to how listeners recognize spoken words, regardless of the type of hearing device used. Delayed lexical access directly led to delays in spreading semantic activation in children with HAs and CIs. This delay in semantic processing may impact these children’s ability to understand connected speech in everyday life.
Uveitis in Behçet disease - an update
Authors: Tugal-Tutkun Ilknur
Published: October 2022

Purpose of review

Uveitis is a major manifestation of Behçet disease (BD) and potentially has a high morbidity. This article reviews recently published data on BD uveitis.

Recent findings

A set of classification criteria and a diagnostic algorithm have been developed for BD uveitis. Recent reports have confirmed male predominance and posterior segment inflammation in the majority of BD uveitis patients. A high uveitis attack severity score, fluorescein angiographic leakage at the posterior pole, and disruption of outer retinal layers on optical coherence tomography (OCT) predict poor visual outcome. OCT-angiography studies have suggested subclinical changes of retinal capillaries in patients with or without ocular involvement. In a randomized controlled trial, interferon-α was superior to cyclosporine. Favorable outcomes were reported with earlier initiation, optimization, and withdrawal of infliximab after remission. Adalimumab as first-line was superior to conventional therapy.

Classification criteria will be used to select a homogeneous group of patients for research and the diagnostic algorithm may help ophthalmologists predict the probability of BD uveitis based on ocular findings. Fluorescein angiography and OCT are the routine imaging modalities. Clinical relevance of OCT-angiography is unclear. Interferon-α, infliximab, and adalimumab have proven superior efficacy compared to conventional therapy.
The Lateral Femoral Cutaneous and Over the Hip (LOH) Block for the Surgical Management of Hip Fractures: A Safe and Effective Anesthetic Strategy
Authors: Deemer Alexa R. , Furgiuele David L. , Ganta Abhishek , Leucht Philipp , Konda Sanjit , Tejwani Nirmal C. , Egol Kenneth A.
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

To examine the efficacy of regional anesthesia with sedation only for a variety of hip fractures using the newly described lateral femoral cutaneous with over the hip (LOH) block.

Design:

Retrospective

Setting:

Orthopedic specialty hospital

Patients/Participants:

40 patients who presented between November 2021 and February 2022 for fixation of OTA/AO 31.A1-3 and 31.B1-3 fractures. Matched cohorts of 40 patients who received general anesthesia and 40 patients who received spinal anesthesia for hip fracture fixation were also used.

Intervention:

Operative fixation under LOH block and sedation only. The LOH block is a regional hip analgesic that targets the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, articular branches of femoral nerve, and accessory obturator nerve.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Demographics, intraoperative characteristics, anesthesia-related complications, hospital quality metrics, and short-term mortality and reoperation rates.

Results:

A total of 120 patients (40 each: general, spinal, and LOH block) were compared. The cohorts were similar in age, race, body mass index, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, trauma risk score, ambulatory status at baseline, fracture type, and surgical fixation technique performed. Physiologic parameters during surgery were more stable in the LOH block cohort (P < 0.05). Total OR time and anesthesia time were the shortest for the LOH block cohort (P < 0.05). Patients in the LOH block cohort also had lower postoperative pain scores (P < 0.05). Length of hospital stay was the shortest for patients in the LOH block cohort (P < 0.05), and during discharge, patients in the LOH block cohort ambulated the furthest (P < 0.05). No differences were found for anesthesia-related complications, palliative care consults, major and minor hospital complications, discharge disposition, reoperation and readmission rates, and mortality rates.

Conclusions:

The LOH block is safe and effective anesthesia for the treatment of all types of hip fractures in the elderly patients requiring surgery. In addition, this block may decrease postoperative pain and length of hospital stay, and allow for greater ambulation in the early postoperative period for patients with hip fracture.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Impact of Peripheral Nerve Block on the Quality of Care After Ankle Fracture Surgery: A Quality Improvement Study
Authors: Entezari Bahar , Gleicher Yehoshua , Matelski John , Isaac Wolfstadt Jesse
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

To increase peripheral nerve block (PNB) administration for ankle fracture surgeries (AFSs) at our institution to above 50% by January 1st, 2021.

Design:

Longitudinal, single-center quality improvement study conducted at a high-volume tertiary care center.

Patients:

All patients undergoing isolated AFS for unimalleolar, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar ankle fracture from July 2017 to April 2021 were included in this study.

Intervention:

Interventions implemented to minimize barriers for PNB administration included recruitment and training of expert anesthesiologists in regional anesthesia, procurement of ultrasound machines, implementation of a dedicated block room, and creation of a pamphlet for patients describing multimodal analgesia.

Main Outcome Measurement:

The primary outcome was the percentage of patients receiving PNB for AFS. Secondary outcomes included hospital length-of-stay, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption (mean oral morphine equivalent [OME]), proportion of patients not requiring opioid analgesic in PACU, and PACU and 24-hour postoperative nausea/vomiting requiring antiemetic.

Results:

The PNB and non-PNB groups included 78 and 157 patients, respectively. PNB administration increased from <5% to 53% after implementation of the improvement bundle. Mean PACU and 24-hour opioid analgesic consumption was lower in the PNB group (PACU OME 38.96 mg vs. 55.42 mg, P = 0.001; 24-hour OME 50.83 mg vs. 65.69 mg, P = 0.008). A greater proportion of patients in the PNB group did not require PACU opioids (62.8% vs. 27.4%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

By performing a root cause analysis and implementing a multidisciplinary, patient-centered improvement bundle, we increased PNB administration for AFSs, resulting in reduced postoperative opioid analgesia consumption.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.