bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function, pubertal development, and fertility outcomes in male and female medulloblastoma survivors: a single-center experience
Authors: Stern Eve , Ben-Ami Michal , Gruber Noah  , Toren Amos , Caspi Shani , Abebe-Campino Gadi , Lurye Michal , Yalon Michal , Modan-Moses Dalit
Published: January 2023

Background

Endocrine deficiencies, including hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) impairment, are common in survivors of childhood and adolescent medulloblastoma. Still, data regarding pubertal development and fecundity are limited, and few studies assessed HPGA function in males. We aimed to describe HPGA function in a large cohort of patients with medulloblastoma.

Methods

A retrospective study comprising all 62 medulloblastoma patients treated in our center between 1987 and 2021, who were at least 2 years from completion of therapy. HPGA function was assessed based on clinical data, biochemical markers, and questionnaires.

Results

Overall, 76% of female patients had clinical or biochemical evidence of HPGA dysfunction. Biochemical evidence of diminished ovarian reserve was seen in all prepubertal girls (n = 4). Among the males, 34% had clinical or biochemical evidence of gonadal dysfunction, 34% had normal function, and 29% were age-appropriately clinically and biochemically prepubertal. The difference between males and females was significant (P = .003). Cyclophosphamide-equivalent dose was significantly associated with HPGA function in females, but not in males. There was no association between HPGA dysfunction and other endocrine deficiencies, length of follow-up, weight status, and radiation treatment protocol. Two female and 2 male patients achieved successful pregnancies, resulting in 6 live births.

Conclusions

HPGA dysfunction is common after treatment for childhood medulloblastoma. This is seen more in females, likely due to damage to the ovaries from spinal radiotherapy. Our findings may assist in counseling patients and their families regarding risk to future fertility and need for fertility preservation.
Collagen deposition within brain metastases is associated with leptomeningeal failure after  cavity-directed radiosurgery
Authors: Abdulhaleem Mohammed , Ruiz Jimmy , O’Neill Stacey , Hughes Ryan T , Qasem Shadi , Strowd Roy E , Furdui Cristina , Watabe Konousuke , Miller Lance D , Debinski Waldemar , Tatter Stephen , Metheny-Barlow Linda , White Jaclyn J , Lee Jingyun , McTyre Emory R , Laxton Adrian , Chan Michael D , Su Jing , Soike Michael H
Published: January 2023

Background

Leptomeningeal failure (LMF) represents a devastating progression of disease following resection of brain metastases (BrM). We sought to identify a biomarker at time of BrM resection that predicts for LMF using mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of resected BrM and to translate this finding with histochemical assays.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 39 patients with proteomic data available from resected BrM. We performed an unsupervised analysis with false discovery rate adjustment (FDR) to compare proteomic signature of BrM from patients that developed LMF versus those that did not. Based on proteomic analysis, we applied trichrome stain to a total of 55 patients who specifically underwent resection and adjuvant radiosurgery. We used competing risks regression to assess predictors of LMF.

Results

Of 39 patients with proteomic data, FDR revealed type I collagen-alpha-1 (COL1A1, P = .045) was associated with LMF. The degree of trichrome stain in each block correlated with COL1A1 expression (β = 1.849, P = .001). In a cohort of 55 patients, a higher degree of trichrome staining was associated with an increased hazard of LMF in resected BrM (Hazard Ratio 1.58, 95% CI 1.11–2.26, P = .01).

Conclusion

The degree of trichrome staining correlated with COL1A1 and portended a higher risk of LMF in patients with resected brain metastases treated with adjuvant radiosurgery. Collagen deposition and degree of fibrosis may be able to serve as a biomarker for LMF.
Architecture of the Eastern Roman Empire
Authors: Raja Rubina
Published: January 2023

The topic of architecture of the eastern parts in the Roman Empire is wide-ranging geographically and broad-ranging chronologically, including architecture that ranges from Greece across Asia Minor and the Levant and partly even into Persia/Parthia. Furthermore, the term also covers the architecture of Roman Egypt as well as the various regions of North Africa well into its hinterland, despite the fact that North Africa is not east of Rome geographically speaking. Chronologically the period covered can be defined as from the time when Pompey the Great annexed parts of the East in 63 bce until Constantinople became the new capital of the Roman Empire in 330 ce under Constantine the Great. However, in this article some literature covers as late as mid-7th-century ce, since architectural traditions can be traced beyond the end of Roman domination in the East. Therefore, in many ways the term “architecture of the Eastern Roman Empire” is an artificial label created on the basis of the Roman Empire’s extent into the East and other regions around the Mediterranean, incorporating various provinces (sometimes with changing provincial borders) at various points in time, and thus it can also be considered as a somewhat fluid category, since some monuments, which are considered Roman in their architectural expressions, would have been located outside of the Roman Empire. However, despite the fact this is an artificially created label, it does exactly, within the context of the study of architectural traditions and developments in the Roman Empire, make sense to at least be able to approach various aspects of the architectural heritage and traditions found in the eastern parts of the empire and beyond under such a heading. Aspects of architecture of the Roman Empire, and particularly the Eastern Roman Empire, due to its rich architectural heritage, are some of the most studied areas of the archaeology of the Roman Empire. Therefore, the reader will also naturally find numerous other useful contributions in Oxford Bibliographies that concern architectural themes, some slightly overlapping in time or in geographical scope, along with this contribution, but these also introduce other aspects, and the reader is therefore encouraged to explore these for further and related literature. The current contribution is structured partly according to overview and reference works, partly according to types of monuments and topics. Literature in a number of languages is included (English, French, German and Italian). However, it should be acknowledged that Arabic, Greek, and Turkish are languages in which relevant research also is published—a fact which often unfortunately is not acknowledged in broader scholarship, but deserves to be acknowledged to a much greater extent. In several of the bibliographies in the works cited the reader will find references to works in these languages. This contribution is not intended to be exhaustive but provide the reader with a solid basis upon which they can continue research and explore further topics.
Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Older Adults With HIV
Authors: Manuzak Jennifer A , Granche Janeway , Tassiopoulos Katherine , Rower Joseph E , Knox Justin R , Williams Dionna W , Ellis Ronald J , Goodkin Karl , Sharma Anjali , Erlandson Kristine M ,   for the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 Study Team
Published: January 2023

Background

Conflicting evidence exists on the impact of cannabis use on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). We leveraged data collected among older PWH to characterize longitudinal associations between cannabis use and ART adherence.

Methods

AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 study participants were categorized as <100% (≥1 missed dose in past 7 days) or 100% (no missed doses) ART adherent. Participants self-reported current (past month), intermittent (past year but not past month), and no cannabis (in past year) use at each study visit. Generalized linear models using generalized estimating equations were fit and inverse probability weighting was used to adjust for time-varying confounders and loss to follow-up.

Results

Among 1011 participants (median age, 51 years), 18% reported current, 6% intermittent, and 76% no cannabis use at baseline; 88% reported 100% ART adherence. Current cannabis users were more likely to be <100% adherent than nonusers (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.53 [95% CI, 1.11–2.10]). There was no association between ART adherence and current versus intermittent (aRR, 1.39 [95% CI, .85–2.28]) or intermittent versus no cannabis use (aRR, 1.04 [95% CI, .62–1.73]).

Conclusions

Among a cohort of older PWH, current cannabis users had a higher risk of <100% ART adherence compared to nonusers. These findings have important clinical implications as suboptimal ART adherence is associated with ART drug resistance, virologic failure, and elevated risk for mortality. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which cannabis use decreases ART adherence in older PWH and to advance the development of more efficacious methods to mitigate nonadherence in this vulnerable population.
Laboratory Evaluation Links Some False-Positive COVID-19 Antigen Test Results Observed in a Field Study to a Specific Lot of Test Strips
Authors: Carter Alyssa M , Viloria Winnett Alexander , Romano Anna E , Akana Reid , Shelby Natasha , Ismagilov Rustem F
Published: January 2023

During a household-transmission field study using COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT), a common test strip lot was identified among 3 participants with false-positive results. In blinded laboratory evaluation, this lot exhibited a significantly higher false-positive rate than other lots. Because a positive Ag-RDT result often prompts action, reducing lot-specific false positives can maintain confidence and actionability of true-positive Ag-RDT results.
High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among People With HIV in Rural and Periurban Communities in Botswana
Authors: Phinius Bonolo B , Anderson Motswedi , Gobe Irene , Mokomane Margaret , Choga Wonderful T , Mutenga Sharon R , Mpebe Gorata , Pretorius-Holme Molly , Musonda Rosemary , Gaolathe Tendani , Mmalane Mompati , Shapiro Roger , Makhema Joseph , Lockman Shahin , Novitsky Vlad , Essex Max , Moyo Sikhulile , Gaseitsiwe Simani
Published: January 2023

Background

We aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) in rural and periurban communities in Botswana.

Methods

PWH from a previous population-based study, the Botswana Prevention Combination Project, which enrolled adults in 30 communities across Botswana (2013–2018), were screened for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV core antibody (anti-HBc). HBsAg-positive (HBsAg+) samples were further screened for HBV core immunoglobulin M antibodies (anti-HBc immunoglobulin M [IgM]) and HBV e antigen (HBeAg). We quantified HBV viral load on participants who tested positive (n = 148) and negative for HBsAg (n = 381).

Results

Of 3304 participants tested, 271 (8% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 7%–9%]) were HBsAg+ while 1788 (56% [95% CI, 54%–57%]) of 3218 PWH whom we tested had positive anti-HBc. Approximately 88% of HBsAg+ participants were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 40% and 56% of whom were receiving lamivudine- and tenofovir-containing ART, respectively. Male sex (relative risk ratio [RRR], 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2–2.7]) and the northern geographic region (RRR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.4–4.7]) were independent predictors of HBV infection (HBsAg+). Of 381 persons with negative HBsAg who were tested for occult HBV, 126 (33% [95% CI, 29%–38%]) had positive HBV DNA. Eleven participants were highly viremic with high HBV viral load while on a lamivudine- or tenofovir-containing regimen. Ten (91%) of these participants also had positive HBeAg serology, while 4 (36%) had positive anti-HBc IgM serology.

Conclusions

The prevalence of HBV was high among PWH in Botswana while on ART regimens with activity against HBV.
Challenges in Harnessing Shared Within-Host Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variation for Transmission Inference
Authors: Walter Katharine S , Kim Eugene , Verma Renu , Altamirano Jonathan , Leary Sean , Carrington Yuan J , Jagannathan Prasanna , Singh Upinder , Holubar Marisa , Subramanian Aruna , Khosla Chaitan , Maldonado Yvonne , Andrews Jason R
Published: January 2023

Background

The limited variation observed among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) consensus sequences makes it difficult to reconstruct transmission linkages in outbreak settings. Previous studies have recovered variation within individual SARS-CoV-2 infections but have not yet measured the informativeness of within-host variation for transmission inference.

Methods

We performed tiled amplicon sequencing on 307 SARS-CoV-2 samples, including 130 samples from 32 individuals in 14 households and 47 longitudinally sampled individuals, from 4 prospective studies with household membership data, a proxy for transmission linkage.

Results

Consensus sequences from households had limited diversity (mean pairwise distance, 3.06 single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]; range, 0–40). Most (83.1%, 255 of 307) samples harbored at least 1 intrahost single-nucleotide variant ([iSNV] median, 117; interquartile range [IQR], 17–208), above a minor allele frequency threshold of 0.2%. Pairs in the same household shared significantly more iSNVs (mean, 1.20 iSNVs; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.39) than did pairs in different households infected with the same viral clade (mean, 0.31 iSNVs; 95% CI, .28–.34), a signal that decreases with increasingly stringent minor allele frequency thresholds. The number of shared iSNVs was significantly associated with an increased odds of household membership (adjusted odds ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.23–1.49). However, the poor concordance of iSNVs detected across sequencing replicates (24.8% and 35.0% above a 0.2% and 1% threshold) confirms technical concerns that current sequencing and bioinformatic workflows do not consistently recover low-frequency within-host variants.

Conclusions

Shared within-host variation may augment the information in consensus sequences for predicting transmission linkages. Improving sensitivity and specificity of within-host variant identification will improve the informativeness of within-host variation.
Partial-Oral Antibiotic Therapy for Bone and Joint Infections in People With Recent Injection Drug Use
Authors: Yang Wei-Teng , Dombrowski Julia C , Glick Sara N , Kim H Nina , Beieler Alison M , Lan Kristine F , Dhanireddy Shireesha
Published: January 2023

Background

Limited outcome data exist regarding partial-oral antibiotic therapy, defined as oral antibiotics as part of a patient's treatment, for bone and joint infections (BJIs) in people who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of all PWID reporting drug use within 3 months and BJIs requiring ≥6 weeks of antibiotics in an urban safety-net hospital between February 1, 2019, and February 1, 2021. Treatment outcomes were assessed by chart review. Rates of failure, defined as death, symptoms, or signs concerning for worsening or recurrent infections, were assessed 90 and 180 days after completion of antibiotics. Univariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between covariates and failure.

Results

Of 705 patients with BJI, 88 (13%) were PWID. Eighty-six patients were included in the final cohort. Forty-four (51%) were homeless, 50 (58%) had spine infection, 68 (79%) had surgery, and 32 of 68 (47%) had postoperatively retained hardware. Twelve (14%) of 86 patients received exclusively intravenous (IV) antibiotics, and 74 (86%) received partial-oral antibiotics. Twelve (14%) of 86 patients had patient-directed discharge. In those who received partial-oral antibiotics, the failure rate was 20% at 90 days and 21% at 180 days after completion of intended treatment. Discharge to a medical respite and follow-up with infectious diseases (ID) or surgery were negatively associated with odds of failure.

Conclusions

Partial-oral treatment of BJI in PWID was a common practice and often successful when paired with medical respite and follow-up with ID or surgery.
Monkeypox Vaccination Strategy and Missed Opportunities in STI and HIV Prevention: An Urban Sexual Health Clinic's Experience During a Public Health Emergency
Authors: Stewart Jessica , Bartkus Mary , Sperring Heather , Ruiz-Mercado Glorimar , Johnson Samantha , Pierre Cassandra
Published: January 2023

Among individuals presenting for monkeypox vaccination, transition from an opt-out protocol for sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV risk assessment and testing to an opt-in protocol was associated with a substantial increase in missed opportunities for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and STI testing at an ambulatory sexual health clinic.
Using an online community of practice to explore the informal use of mobile phones by health workers
Authors: Glenton Claire , Nabukenya Josephine , Agarwal Smisha , Meltzer Michele , Mukendi Elisabeth , Lwanga Immaculate Nakityo , Namitala Josephine , Reddy Sunanda , Royston Geoff , Tamrat Tigest , Pakenham-Walsh Neil
Published: January 2023

Health workers are increasingly harnessing mobile phones to develop their own solutions to work challenges. The mHEALTH-INNOVATE project aims to explore this topic further. In 2022, Healthcare Information for All organized an online discussion among health workers and other stakeholders to inform the project. Twenty-five people joined the discussion. Contributors’ descriptions of the varieties of mobile phone use tallied with previous research, including for communication with patients and colleagues. In addition, they described increased mobile phone use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for communication, monitoring and reporting, including during lockdowns. Some solutions were health worker-initiated, including the establishment of WhatsApp groups. The discussion has helped develop a definition of informal mobile phone use.
Determining influences of different stirring methods for encapsulating stearic acid with SiO2 shell for thermal energy storage applications
Authors: Şahan Nurten , Nigon Daniel , Mantell Susan C , Davidson Jane H , Paksoy Halime
Published: January 2023

Stearic acid was encapsulated successfully with SiO2 shell in nanoscale by in situ emulsion interfacial hydrolysis and poly-condensation techniques. The influence of using different mixing techniques on these techniques was investigated. Morphologic, thermal and crystal structure analysis results show that the ultrasonic mixing technique is suggested for synthesis of SiO2 nanocapsules. Ultrasonic vibrations lead to more homogeneous covering of the oil droplets without residuals by effectively orienting SiO2 molecules during polymerization.
Female and male plumage brightness is positively correlated among populations of the dichromatic Variable Seedeater
Authors: Ocampo Diego , Barrantes Gilbert , Uy J Albert C
Published: January 2023

Because studies of plumage coloration often focus on highly elaborate and conspicuous males, little is known about the factors driving theevolution of drab plumage in females of dichromatic species. We explored variation in the color properties of drab female plumage across subspecies of the Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina) and found a correlation between plumage brightness of male and female plumage patches. This correlation is consistent with the hypothesis that differences in plumage brightness among females result, at least partially, from a genetic correlation or shared developmental pathway with the more conspicuous male plumage traits that are shaped by sexual selection. Furthermore, we modeled the perception of female plumage using the avian visual system and found that most of the variation in color among females is undetectable by birds; therefore, it is unlikely for such variation to have evolved via direct sexual selection as a signal for recognition or assortative mating. Together, these results suggest that variation in S. corvina female color result from non-adaptive processes. However, we found a reduced variation on color of dorsal patches compared with that of ventral patches among females, which could be explained by natural selection on crypsis, reducing the variation on dorsal patches. Finally, we found little differences in plumage color between adult females and juveniles, which suggest selection for juveniles to resemble adult females possibly to reduce aggression from adult males. Additional within-population studies and behavioral experiments are needed to discern the evolutionary factors driving variation on S. corvina female color and its function.
Pseudo-observation of spiral galaxies in the radio band to verify depolarization models
Authors: Tashima Yuta , Ohmura Takumi , Machida Mami
Published: January 2023

Studies of the three-dimensional structures of galactic magnetic fields are now entering a new era, with broad-band, highly sensitive radio observations and new analysis methods. To reveal the magnetic field configuration from the observed intensities integrated along the line of sight, it is necessary to derive an appropriate model involving various combinations of parameters that can reproduce the same observational characteristics. We aim to clarify the relationship between the radiation field and the spatial distribution of physical quantities through pseudo-observations using global three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation results. In particular, we focus here on using the depolarization effect, which is important in the meter-wave band, to verify the polarization model and to identify the emission region. First, we show that wavelength-independent depolarization, which takes into account anisotropic turbulence, does not work efficiently because the polarized emission is stronger in regions of ordered spiral fields than in regions dominated by isotropic turbulent fields. Beam depolarization, specifically internal depolarization, becomes more effective below 1 GHz. Although in and close to the equatorial plane there will be strong depolarization that increases with observing wavelength, this effect is less in the halo, making halo magnetic fields detectable through their polarized emission at meter-wavelength bands. Although polarized emission from the halo is below the detection limit of current facilities, it will be detectable within the Square Kilometer Array era. In addition, we find that the spiral polarization projected on a screen is produced by overlapping magnetic flux tubes extending to different heights from the equatorial plane. This suggests that the traditional classification of global magnetic fields has difficulty reproducing the global structure of the magnetic fields. Finally, we demonstrate the method to separate magnetic flux tubes at different heights by using peak frequencies that cause the decrease of polarized flux.
The transcription factor PbrbZIP52 positively affects pear pollen tube longevity by promoting callose synthesis
Authors: Xia Zhongheng , Wen Binxu , Shao Jing , Zhang Tianci , Hu Mengmeng , Lin Lin , Zheng Yiping , Shi Zhixin , Dong Xinlin , Song Juanjuan , Li Yuanshan , Wu Yongjie , Yuan Yafang , Wu Juyou , Chen Qingxi , Chen Jianqing
Published: January 2023

In pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), pollen tube growth is critical for the double fertilization associated with seed setting, which in turn affects fruit yield. The normal deposition of callose mediates the polar growth of pollen tubes. However, the mechanism regulating callose synthesis in pollen tubes remains relatively uncharacterized. In this study, we revealed that the typical pear pollen tube lifecycle has a semi-growth duration (GD50) of 16.16 h under in vitro culture conditions. Moreover, callose plugs were deposited throughout the pollen tube lifecycle. The formation of callose plugs was inhibited by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, which also accelerated the senescence of pear pollen tubes. Additionally, PbrCalS1B.1, which encodes a plasma membrane-localized callose synthase, was expressed specifically in pollen tubes and restored the fertility of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cals5 mutant, in which callose synthesis is inhibited. However, this restoration of fertility was impaired by the transient silencing of PbrCalS1B.1, which restricts callose plug formation and shortens the pear pollen tube lifecycle. More specifically, PbrbZIP52 regulated PbrCalS1B.1 transcription by binding to promoter A-box elements to maintain the periodic formation of callose plugs and normal pollen tube growth, ultimately leading to double fertilization. This study confirmed that PbrbZIP52 positively affects pear pollen tube longevity by promoting callose synthesis. This finding may be useful for breeding high-yielding pear cultivars and stabilizing fruit setting in commercial orchards.
Transcription factorsNtHD9andNtHD12control long glandular trichome formation via jasmonate signaling
Authors: Zhang Hongying , Xu Hanchi , Xu Mengxiao , Yan Xiaoxiao , Wang Zhaojun , Yu Jing , Lei Bo , Cui Hong
Published: January 2023

Glandular trichomes are universal epidermal structures that produce abundant specialized metabolites. However, knowledge of the initiation of glandular heads in glandular trichomes is limited. Herein, we found an intrinsic link of morphogenesis between glandular trichomes and non-glandular trichomes. Two novel homeodomain leucine zipper II members in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), NtHD9 and NtHD12, played important roles in long glandular trichome formation: NtHD9 was responsible for glandular head formation, while NtHD12 simultaneously controlled the formation of stalks and glandular heads. DAP-seq analysis suggested that NtHD9 can bind to the KKGCATTWAWTR motif of the cytochromes P450 94C1 (NtCYP94C1) promoter, which is involved in jasmonoyl-isoleucine oxidation. RNA-seq analysis of non-transformed tobacco and nthd9 plants revealed that NtHD9 modulates the expression of jasmonate (JA) signaling- and six trichome development-related genes. Notably, MeJA treatment restored the morphogenesis of long glandular trichomes in nthd9 and nthd12 plants, and the size of glandular heads increased with increasing MeJA concentration. However, the phenotype of long glandular trichome absence in double mutants of NtHD9 and NtHD12 could not be restored by MeJA. Our data demonstrate that NtHD9 and NtHD12 have distinct major functions yet overlapping roles in long glandular trichome formation via JA signaling.
BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1 internalization can occur independent of ligand binding
Authors: Neubus Claus Lucas Alves , Liu Derui , Hohmann Ulrich , Vukašinović Nemanja , Pleskot Roman , Liu Jing , Schiffner Alexei , Jaillais Yvon , Wu Guang , Wolf Sebastian , Van Damme Daniël , Hothorn Michael , Russinova Eugenia
Published: January 2023

The brassinosteroid (BR) hormone and its plasma membrane (PM) receptor BR INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) are one of the best-studied receptor–ligand pairs for understanding the interplay between receptor endocytosis and signaling in plants. BR signaling is mainly determined by the PM pool of BRI1, whereas BRI1 endocytosis ensures signal attenuation. As BRs are ubiquitously distributed in the plant, the tools available to study the BRI1 function without interference from endogenous BRs are limited. Here, we designed a BR binding-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant based on protein sequence-structure analysis and homology modeling of members of the BRI1 family. This tool allowed us to re-examine the BRI1 endocytosis and signal attenuation model. We showed that despite impaired phosphorylation and ubiquitination, BR binding-deficient BRI1 internalizes similarly to the wild type form. Our data indicate that BRI1 internalization relies on different endocytic machineries. In addition, the BR binding-deficient mutant provides opportunities to study non-canonical ligand-independent BRI1 functions.
Roles of very long-chain fatty acids in compound leaf patterning inMedicago truncatula
Authors: Wang Hongfeng , Lu Zhichao , Xu Yiteng , Zhang Jing , Han Lu , Chai Maofeng , Wang Zeng-Yu , Yang Xianpeng , Lu Shiyou , Tong Jianhua , Xiao Langtao , Wen Jiangqi , Mysore Kirankumar S , Zhou Chuanen
Published: January 2023

Plant cuticles are composed of hydrophobic cuticular waxes and cutin. Very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are components of epidermal waxes and the plasma membrane and are involved in organ morphogenesis. By screening a barrelclover (Medicago truncatula) mutant population tagged by the transposable element of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cell type1 (Tnt1), we identified two types of mutants with unopened flower phenotypes, named unopened flower1 (uof1) and uof2. Both UOF1 and UOF2 encode enzymes that are involved in the biosynthesis of VLCFAs and cuticular wax. Comparative analysis of the mutants indicated that the mutation in UOF1, but not UOF2, leads to the increased number of leaflets in M. truncatula. UOF1 was specifically expressed in the outermost cell layer (L1) of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and leaf primordia. The uof1 mutants displayed defects in VLCFA-mediated plasma membrane integrity, resulting in the disordered localization of the PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1) ortholog SMOOTH LEAF MARGIN1 (SLM1) in M. truncatula. Our work demonstrates that the UOF1-mediated biosynthesis of VLCFAs in L1 is critical for compound leaf patterning, which is associated with the polarization of the auxin efflux carrier in M. truncatula.
Topological symmetries of simply connected 4-manifolds and actions of automorphism groups of free groups
Authors: Ye Shengkui
Published: January 2023

Let M be a simply connected closed 4-manifold. It is proved that any (possibly finite) compact Lie group acting effectively and homologically trivially on M by homeomorphisms is an abelian group of rank at most two, when $b_{2}(M)\gt2$. As applications, let $\mathrm{Aut}(F_{n})$ be the automorphism group of the free group of rank $n.$ We prove that any group action of $\mathrm{Aut}(F_{n})$ and $\mathrm{GL}_{n}\mathbb{Z}$, n > = 4, on $M\neq S^{4}$ factors through $\mathbb{Z}/2$, if the group action is by homologically trivial homeomorphisms.
Human Capital Investment after the Storm
Authors: Gallagher Emily A , Billings Stephen B , Ricketts Lowell R
Published: January 2023

How does household exposure to a natural disaster affect higher education investments? Using variation in flooding from Hurricane Harvey (2017), we find that college-aged adults from flooded blocks in Houston are 7% less likely than counterparts to have student loans after Harvey, with larger effects in areas with more potential first-generation students. We find a similar relative decline in enrollment at more exposed Texas universities and colleges and a shift toward majors with higher expected earnings. Our results highlight a decrease in the quantity but an increase in the intensity of investments in human capital after the storm.

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.
Neglected Peers in Merger Valuations
Authors: Guo Feng , Liu Tingting , Tu Danni
Published: January 2023

Using novel merger valuation data, we show that firms selected by investment banks as “comparable peers” are more than twice as likely to later become takeover targets themselves compared to matched control firms. Peer firms not subsequently acquired attract more institutional ownership and analyst coverage, deliver strong operating performance, reduce investments, and increase payouts. Investors are inattentive, though, to peer identification at the time of merger filings’ public disclosure. A portfolio that longs peers and shorts controls earns up to 15.6$\%$ alpha annually, which mainly comes from the long leg and is difficult to explain by short-sale constraints.

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.
Varieties of the rat race: working hours in the age of abundance
Authors: Behringer Jan , Gonzalez-Granda Martin , van Treeck Till
Published: January 2023

We ask why working hours in the rich world have not declined more sharply or even risen at times since the early 1980s, despite a steady increase in productivity, and why they vary so much across rich countries. We use an internationally comparable database on working hours (Bick et al., 2019) and conduct panel data estimations for a sample of 17 European countries and the USA over the period 1983–2019. We find that high or increasing top-end income inequality, decentralized labor relations, and limited government provision of education and other in-kind services contribute to long working hours. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that upward-looking status comparisons in positional consumption (‘Veblen effects’) contribute to a ‘rat race’ of long working hours that is more or less pronounced in different varieties of capitalism.
Labor market dualism and the heterogeneous wage gap for temporary employment: a multilevel study across 30 countries
Authors: Fauser Sophia , Gebel Michael
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the hourly wage gap between 25- and 55-year-old temporary and permanent employees across 30 countries worldwide based on Luxembourg Income Study data from 2000 to 2019 supplemented by other survey data. Two-stage multilevel regressions reveal wage disadvantages for temporary workers, particularly for prime-age workers and those working in medium-/high-level occupations. There is no evidence that a stronger institutional dualization in terms of stronger employment protection for permanent contracts increases the wage gap. Instead partial deregulation matters: In countries where permanent workers are strongly protected, the wage gap is larger if the use of temporary contracts is deregulated. Moreover, results suggest that the larger the size of the temporary employment segment the larger the wage gap. Thus, our findings indicate that stronger institutional and structural labor market dualism amplifies labor market inequality in terms of wage gaps between temporary and permanent workers.
‘For Men Only:’ Sexual Health Education, Neurasthenia and the Modern YMCA in the Gilded Age
Authors: Szymanski Mallory
Published: January 2023

In the late-nineteenth century, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) presented medical lectures designated ‘For Men Only’. This article argues that YMCA lectures about sexual health relied on the discourse of neurasthenia to address sexual health and morality in medical terms. By demonstrating that sexual licentiousness could be both a cause and consequence of this common nervous disease, lecturers at the YMCA invited young men to understand themselves as victims of circumstance, corrupted by modern society. While this period in YMCA history is often considered part of the social hygiene movement of the early twentieth century, this article shows that the efforts of health reform in the 1880s and 1890s mobilised an approach unique to Gilded-Age America, one which served the to bolster the legitimacy of physicians and to attract men into YMCA Halls.
The Effect of Community Organizing on Landlords’ Use of Eviction Filing: Evidence from U.S. Cities
Authors: Messamore Andrew
Published: January 2023

Eviction filing rates have declined in many large cities in the United States. Existing scholarship on eviction, which focuses on discrete tenant-landlord relationships, has few explanations for this decline. I consider whether community organizing by nonprofit organizations shapes the social organization of communities and causes landlords to file fewer eviction filings. In cities where tenant and anti-poverty organizing has become common, community-oriented nonprofit organizations advocate for disadvantaged communities and help residents avoid poverty. Community organizing has rarely been studied as a predictor of housing security among low-income tenants, despite studies of how community organizing shapes the use of property in wealthy neighborhoods. I estimate the causal effect of community organizations on eviction filing rates between 2000 and 2016 using longitudinal data and a strategy to account for the endogeneity of nonprofits and eviction. Evidence from year-to-year models in 75 large cities spanning sixteen years estimate that an addition of ten community nonprofits in a city of 100,000 residents is associated with a ten percent reduction in eviction filing. This effect is comparable to the effect of community organizations on murder and is roughly a third of the association between eviction and concentrated disadvantage.
Prevalence and Correlates of Police Contact Anxiety among Male and Female Black Emerging Adults in St. Louis, Missouri
Authors: Motley Robert O , Chen Yu-Chih , Masood Yasir , Finner Alyssa , Joe Sean
Published: January 2023

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent disorders for Black emerging adults ages 18 to 29 in America. Moreover, some Black emerging adults with a history of exposure to police use of force may experience police contact anxiety (PCA) symptoms during (e.g., unable to relax) or in anticipation of future police contacts (e.g., urge to avoid police), which may develop into an anxiety disorder. To explore this phenomenon, the current study assessed the prevalence and correlates of PCA symptoms for Black emerging adults. Data were collected from a sample of Black emerging adults (N = 300). Univariate, bivariate, and ordinary least square regression analyses were done to estimate prevalence rates and correlates of PCA symptoms. PCA symptoms were moderately high for the sample, and participants who worked full-time were significantly less likely to have higher PCA symptoms because of seeing a video of police use of force in the media than those who were unemployed. Findings from the current study provide direction for future analyses focusing prospectively on prevalence, severity, and correlates of PCA symptoms. In addition, results suggest the importance of social work clinicians/practitioners assessing for PCA symptoms among their patients with a history of exposure to police use of force.
Cryptocurrencies and trustees: what are the risks?
Authors: Brown Lloyd
Published: January 2023

This article is interested in the risk exposure to trustees from cryptocurrency investment. Recent case law has established that cryptoassets are to be deemed as legal property, and, in consequence, can form the subject matter of a trust. This is interesting because it creates a real risk for trustees, who may purchase cryptocurrency as an investment opportunity pursuant to their statutory investment duty. The article suggests that there are three main risks for trustees: (i) regulatory risk; (ii) market risk; and (iii) reputational risk. In truth, a trustee that invests in cryptocurrency runs the risk of direct, personal liability.
Effect of dietary Conocarpus erectus leaves and branches on milk yield, quality, antioxidant activity and fatty acid profile, and blood parameters of Najdi dairy goats
Authors: Mohammadabadi Tahereh , Noruzi Hosein Nouri , Hoseini Somayeh , Direkvandi Ehsan
Published: January 2023

To investigate the effect of Conocarpus erectus tree leaves and branches as a partial replacement of forage on milk yield and components, blood and rumen parameters of goats, 16 Najdi goats were used in a completely randomized design with 2 treatments (CON, without C. erectus; CE, contains C. erectus). The basic ratio consisted of 60% concentrate and 40% forage. In treatment CE, 22.5% of the forage (alfalfa hay and wheat straw) was replaced with C. erectus leaves and branches. The lowest amount of dry matter intake and digestibility were observed in the treatment CE (P < 0.05). The amount of milk production significantly increased (P = 0.01) in the treatment CE. The total count did not differ between treatments, but the highest amount of Lactobacillus spp. (P = 0.01) and the lowest amount of mold (P = 0.01) were observed in the treatment CE. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity decreased on days 15 (P = 0.02) and 31 (P = 0.01) of the experiment in treatment CE. The highest amount of short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids and also conjugated fatty acids were observed in the treatment CE (P < 0.05). Also, the concentration of fatty acids C16:0 and C18:0 was lower in the treatment CE (P < 0.05). The lowest amount of triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoproteins, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were observed in the treatment CE (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH and ammonia-N concentration were not affected by experimental treatment (P > 0.05). According to the results, the use of C. erectus leads to improved milk production and fatty acid profile, antioxidant activity, and microbial load.
Influence of supplemental flavomycin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility in calf-fed Holstein steers
Authors: Carvalho Pedro H V , Latack Brooke C , Montano Martin F , Zinn Richard A
Published: January 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of supplemental flavomycin on cattle growth performance, carcass characteristics, diet digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics of calf-fed Holstein steers. One hundred Holstein steers (123 ± 7 kg) were balanced by weight and assigned to 20 pens. Dietary treatments consisted of a steam flaked corn-based diet supplemented with (dry matter basis): 1) control, no feed additive; 2) 6.6 mg/kg flavomycin; 3) 13.2 mg/kg flavomycin, and 4) 30 mg/kg monensin (MON). There were no treatment effects (P ≥ 0.17) on live weight, average daily gain (ADG), and gain efficiency. Flavomycin did not affect dry matter intake (DMI; P ≥ 0.24). Flavomycin supplementation did not affect (P ≥ 0.37) the ratio of observed vs. expected DMI. However, MON decreased (P = 0.02) observed vs. expected DMI by 3.7%. There were no treatment effects (P ≥ 0.44) on ruminal pH or temperature. Flavomycin did not affect (P ≥ 0.13) carcass characteristics and liver abscess among steers. Four Holstein steers (463 ± 20 kg) with ruminal cannulas were used in 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to study treatment effects on site and extent of digestion, ruminal pH, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) molar proportions. Dietary treatments were the same as experiment 1. Flavomycin tended to increase (linear effect, P = 0.07) ruminal organic matter (OM) digestion, associated with increased (linear effect, P < 0.01) ruminal starch digestion. Supplementing flavomycin at 13.2 mg/kg decreased net microbial N synthesis (quadratic effect, P = 0.03). Compared with control, MON tended to increase (P = 0.10) ruminal neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion and increased (P < 0.01) ruminal starch digestion. Monensin did not affect (P = 0.39) net microbial N synthesis, but decreased (P = 0.01) ruminal degradation of feed nitrogen (N). There were no treatment effects (P > 0.10) on total tract apparent digestion of DM, OM, NDF, and starch. Flavomycin decreased ruminal pH (quadratic effect, P < 0.01) measured 4 h postprandial. Compared with control, MON increased ruminal pH (P = 0.03). Flavomycin increased (linear effect, P = 0.03) ruminal propionate molar proportion and decreased (linear effect, P ≤ 0.04) ruminal molar proportions of acetate and butyrate, and decreased (linear effect, P = 0.02) acetate:propionate molar ratio and estimated methane production. We conclude that supplementing flavomycin at 6.6 or 13.2 mg/kg had no major effects on cattle growth performance, carcass characteristics, diet digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics.
Adaptation process of a culturally congruent parenting intervention for parents of Hispanic adolescents to an online synchronous format
Authors: Mercado Micaela , Vega-López Sonia , Gonzalvez Anaid , Vega-Luna Beatriz , Hoyt Sarah , Martinez Gabriela , Ayers Stephanie , Marsiglia Flavio F
Published: January 2023

Adaptations to interventions for specific settings or communities are critical for facilitating successful implementation. The Dynamic Adaptation Process model was applied to systematically assess the adaptation process made to an in-person parenting intervention (FPNG+) prior to its implementation online. This qualitative case study design included meeting notes and interviews completed with project team members. Meeting notes were analyzed using content analysis. Semi-structured interviews regarding project team members’ roles on FPNG+ and processes and activities they identified as critical for the adaptation of FPNG+ to an online intervention were analyzed using a deductive-inductive approach. In the formative phase, three primary processes were identified: information gathering to determine if the environment existed for the implementation of an online program; considerations to support the facilitation process of FPNG+ to an online environment, and decision-making to support modifications to FPNG+. The pre-implementation phase consisted of three processes: information shared by the instructional designer to facilitate the delivery of the FPNG+ content online; modifications made to the format of the intervention to meet the cultural needs of Hispanic families and address contextual issues; and iterative efforts to tailor the intervention by the project team. This study used implementation science to distinguish the dynamic processes that occurred across different systems and multiple levels in the project team’s effort to modify FPNG+ to an online intervention. The contribution of this study underscores the importance of identifying the processes that facilitate the modifications made to an intervention and the capacity to implement the modified intervention with Hispanic families.
Circ_0089282 inhibits carbon black nanoparticle-induced DNA damage by promoting DNA repair protein in the lung
Authors: Zhang Han , Zhou Hanyu , Zhang Nan , Jia Yangyang , Qiu Miaoyun , Yao Shuwei , Chen Xintong , Qiu Lan , Li Saifeng , Jiang Yiguo , Zhou Yun
Published: January 2023

Inhalation of carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) can impair lung tissue and cause DNA damage, but the epigenetic mechanism responsible for these effects is still unclear. We explored the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in DNA damage induced by CBNPs in the lung. Human bronchial epithelial cell lines (16HBE and BEAS-2B) were treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, or 80 μg/ml CBNPs for 24, 48, and 72 h, and BALB/c mice were exposed to 8 and 80 μg/d CBNPs for 14 days to establish in vitro and vivo models of CBNP exposure, respectively. We found that CBNPs caused DNA double-strand breaks in the lung. Using high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR to identify CBNP-related circRNAs, we identified a novel circRNA (circ_0089282) that was overexpressed in the CBNP-exposed group. We used gain-/loss-of-function approaches, RNA pulldown assays, and silver staining to explore the regulatory function of circ_0089282 and its interactions with targeted proteins. We found that circ_0089282 interference could increase CBNP-induced DNA damage, whereas overexpression resulted in the opposite. Circ_0089282 could directly bind to the fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein and positively regulate downstream DNA repair protein DNA ligase 4 (LIG4) through FUS. This regulatory effect of circRNA on DNA damage via promotion of LIG4 illustrated the interactions between genetics and epigenetics in toxicology.