bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient RNAi knockdown at 20 °C in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Heilig Mara , Armbruster Peter A 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved cellular pathway found in nearly all eukaryotes that leads to the silencing of target mRNAs. Using RNAi as a mechanism to knockdown specific genes has enabled functional and reverse genetics studies in a wide range of eukaryotes. Previous work suggests that RNAi is inhibited at lower temperatures, potentially limiting the possibility to perform knockdown studies on ecologically relevant phenotypes that are only expressed at low temperatures. To determine whether RNAi is inhibited at low temperatures in Aedes albopictus (Skuse), we injected mosquitoes reared at 20 ± 1 °C, with dsRNA targeting yellow-g2 and compared knockdown efficacy to mosquitoes injected at 26.5 ± 1 °C. Our results demonstrate efficient knockdown at both temperatures, thereby establishing the feasibility of RNAi for functional genetic studies in A. albopictus at low temperatures.
The Borders of Migrant and Refugee Activism in South Africa
Authors: Vanyoro Kudakwashe 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This article examines the relationship between the activities of civil society organizations (CSOs) on migration and refugee issues with state-making processes and discourses in South Africa, based upon key informant interviews, discourse analysis, and ethnographic research. It argues that this relationship brings attention to the defining and reinforcement of national borders set against the backdrop of the ‘corporate pact’ between the South African government and CSOs that has necessitated public participation in social movements and voluntary associations involved in a range of different xenophobic activities that are legitimized by political parties seeking popularity, and the state. Financial resources operate as ‘material disciplines’ by influencing the kind of problems that are visible, and, in turn, categories that non-state actors like philanthropies, charities, and donors consider worthy of protection. Those affected by shifting categories and their influence on NGO support like Zimbabweans have taken matters into their own hands to counter this novel border from below.
Masturbation, sexual function, and genital self-image of undergraduate women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Soares Renata Fernandes , Leites Gabriela Tomedi , de Araujo Tatiane Gomes , Pedreti Gabriela Paludo , Cerentini Taís Marques , da Rosa Patricia Viana 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
The relationship between factors related to masturbation, sexual function, and genital self-image among women has not been fully explored in the literature.

Aim
The study sought to investigate the association between masturbation frequency, feelings, and behaviors with sexual function and genital self-image in young women.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey among 110 undergraduate female students was conducted. Online self-administered questionnaires to assess sociodemographic characteristics, masturbatory frequency, feelings, and behavior were completed. Participants also answered the Brazilian version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS).

Outcomes
The outcome includes masturbation frequency and behaviors associated, as well as scores on the FSFI and FGSIS.

Results
Women showed higher scores in FSFI subdomains when masturbation was considered important for them, along with reported feelings of empowerment and satisfaction during this activity. However, those who experienced negative emotions during masturbation, such as shame or guilt, demonstrated a significant association with lower scores in both FSFI and FGSIS. Masturbation frequency was found to correlate with better sexual function specifically in the desire domain among women who engaged in daily masturbation. Additionally, an association was observed between higher scores in the FGSIS and increased scores in the domains of satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm within the FSFI. There was an association in the domain’s satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm of the FSFI with greater scores in FGSIS.

Clinical Implications
The clinical implications encompass the augmentation of understanding pertaining to female sexual function.

Strengths and Limitations
The study provides valuable insights into the sexual behavior of undergraduate female students, and its methodology improves openness in responses, as it provides anonymity given the sensitive nature of the topic studied. Study limitations include the unsuitability of the FSFI questionnaire for sexually inactive women in the past 4 weeks; the participation bias and reporting bias in sexuality searches; and the unknown validity of the investigator-derived questionnaire about masturbation, as it has not been previously validated.

Conclusion
Masturbation frequency has minimal to no impact on female sexual function, whereas harboring positive feelings toward it and maintaining a positive genital self-image may exert a positive influence on sexual function.
Uncommon causes of hemoglobin E flags identified during measurement of hemoglobin A1c by ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Herb Thomas , Taylor Alexander S , Li Shih-Hon , Manthei David M , Gherasim Carmen 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We present 3 cases of discordant results from screening hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measured by ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) all due to various forms of interference and flagged by the instrument as “suspected hemoglobin E (HbE).” The first case was due to a rare hemoglobin variant, later confirmed to be hemoglobin Hoshida, the second due to “true” heterozygous HbE, and the third a result of analytical artifact causing splitting of the HbA1c peak without an underlying variant hemoglobin. We examine the similarities in these cases along with the laboratory work-up to classify each cause of interference to demonstrate the wide array of potential causes for the suspected HbE flag and why it warrants proper work-up. Because there is no standardized method of reporting out hemoglobin variant interference in HbA1c measurement, we discuss our laboratory’s process of investigating discordant HbA1c measurements and reporting results in cases with variant interference as 1 possible model to follow, along with discussing the associated laboratory, ethical, and clinical considerations. We also examine the structure of hemoglobin Hoshida, HbE, and conduct a brief literature review of previous reports.
Multiple populations and a CH star found in the 300S globular cluster stellar stream
Authors: Usman Sam A , Ji Alexander P , Li Ting S , Pace Andrew B , Cullinane Lara R , Da Costa Gary S , Koposov Sergey E , Lewis Geraint F , Zucker Daniel B , Belokurov Vasily , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Ferguson Peter S , Hansen Terese T , Limberg Guilherme , Martell Sarah L , McKenzie Madeleine , Simon Joshua D ,   (S5 Collaboration)
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Milky Way globular clusters (GCs) display chemical enrichment in a phenomenon called multiple stellar populations (MSPs). While the enrichment mechanism is not fully understood, there is a correlation between a cluster’s mass and the fraction of enriched stars found therein. However, present-day GC masses are often smaller than their masses at the time of formation due to dynamical mass-loss. In this work, we explore the relationship between mass and MSPs using the stellar stream 300S. We present the chemical abundances of eight red giant branch member stars in 300S with high-resolution spectroscopy from Magellan/MIKE. We identify one enriched star characteristic of MSPs and no detectable metallicity dispersion, confirming that the progenitor of 300S was a GC. The fraction of enriched stars (12.5 per cent) observed in our 300S stars is less than the 50 per cent of stars found enriched in Milky Way GCs of comparable present-day mass (∼104.5 $\mathrm{\, {\rm M}_{\odot }}$). We calculate the mass of 300S’s progenitor and compare it to the initial masses of intact GCs, finding that 300S aligns well with the trend between the system mass at formation and enrichment. 300S’s progenitor may straddle the critical mass threshold for the formation of MSPs and can therefore serve as a benchmark for the stellar enrichment process. Additionally, we identify a CH star, with high abundances of s-process elements, probably accreted from a binary companion. The rarity of such binaries in intact GCs may imply stellar streams permit the survival of binaries that would otherwise be disrupted.
Analytical solutions for the evolution of MHD wind-driven accretion discs
Authors: Shadmehri Mohsen , Khajenabi Fazeleh 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
We present new analytical solutions for the evolution of protoplanetary discs (PPDs) where magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wind-driven processes dominate. Our study uses a 1D model which incorporates equations detailing angular momentum extraction by MHD winds and mass-loss rates. Our solutions demonstrate that the disc retains its initial state during the early phases; however, it rapidly evolves towards a self-similar state in the later stages of disc evolution. The total disc mass undergoes a continuous decline over time, with a particularly rapid reduction occurring beyond a certain critical time threshold. This gradual decrease in mass is influenced by the wind parameters and the initial surface density of the disc. In the MHD wind-dominated regime, we show that the disc’s lifespan correlates positively with the magnetic lever arm up to a certain threshold, irrespective of the initial disc size. PPDs with a larger magnetic lever arm are found to maintain significantly higher total disc mass over extended periods compared to their counterparts. The mass ejection-to-accretion ratio increases in efficient wind scenarios and is further amplified by a steeper initial surface density profile. Our analysis also reveals varied evolutionary trajectories in the plane of accretion rate and total disc mass, influenced by magnetic parameters and initial disc size. In scenarios with efficient MHD winds, discs with bigger sizes have extended operation time for mechanisms governing planet formation.
Sub-kpc scale gas density histogram of the galactic molecular gas: a new statistical method to characterize galactic-scale gas structures
Authors: Matsusaka Ren , Handa Toshihiro , Fujimoto Yusuke , Murase Takeru , Hirata Yushi , Nishi Junya , Ito Takumi , Sasaki Megumi , Mizoguchi Tomoki 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
To understand physical properties of the interstellar medium (ISM) on various scales, we investigate it at parsec resolution on the kiloparsec scale. Here, we report on the sub-kpc scale gas density histogram (GDH) of the Milky Way. The GDH is a density probability distribution function (PDF) of the gas volume density. Using this method, we are free from an identification of individual molecular clouds and their spatial structures. We use survey data of 12CO and 13CO (J = 1–0) emission in the Galactic plane (l = 10○–50○) obtained as a part of the FOREST Unbiased Galactic plane Imaging survey with the Nobeyama 45m telescope (FUGIN). We make a GDH for every channel map of 2○ × 2○ area including the blank sky component, and without setting cloud boundaries. This is a different approach from previous works for molecular clouds. The GDH fits well to a single or double lognormal distribution, which we name the low-density lognormal (L-LN) and high-density lognormal (H-LN) components, respectively. The multi-lognormal components suggest that the L-LN and H-LN components originate from two different stages of structure formation in the ISM. Moreover, we find that both the volume ratios of H-LN components to total (fH) and the width of the L-LN along the gas density axis (σL) show coherent structure in the Galactic-plane longitude-velocity diagram. It is possible that these GDH parameters are related to strong galactic shocks and other weak shocks in the Milky Way.
Long-term monitoring of the Oe star VES 735: Ope! not so quiet after all
Authors: Marshall Brandon , Kerton C R 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Only 3–4 per cent of Galactic O stars are observed to display the emission features representative of the OBe phenomenon, compared to Galactic B stars, which display these characteristics in 25–35 per cent of B0 and B1 stars. We present new observations of the high-mass O star, VES 735, which confirms its classification as one of these rare emission-line stars. These are its first recorded observations that display strong spectroscopic variations in nearly 30 yr of monitoring, with the H α profile exhibiting a 10-fold increase in emission compared to observations taken between 1996 and 2014 and having variations which show episodes of inflowing and outflowing material. These observations, coupled with photometric variations in the visible and infrared, show behaviour that is consistent with the mass reservoir effect for viscous decretion discs. We propose that in 2015 VES 735 began an approximately 3 yr event in which mass was being injected into the circumstellar environment followed by re-accretion towards the star. We also find evidence that the re-accretion may have been interrupted with another, smaller, mass-injection event based on observations in 2022 and 2023. Observational cadences ranging from hours to months show no evidence that VES 735 is part of a binary system, making it an ideal candidate for future observations to further investigate the evolution of high-mass stars and the OBe phenomenon as it pertains to their circumstellar environment.
Viscous dissipation and dynamics in simulations of rotating, stratified plane-layer convection
Authors: Lance Simon R W , Currie Laura K , Browning Matthew K 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Convection in stars and planets must be maintained against viscous and Ohmic dissipation. Here, we present the first systematic investigation of viscous dissipation in simulations of rotating, density-stratified plane layers of convection. Our simulations consider an anelastic ideal gas, and employ the open-source code Dedalus. We demonstrate that when the convection is sufficiently vigorous, the integrated dissipative heating tends towards a value that is independent of viscosity or thermal diffusivity, but depends on the imposed luminosity and the stratification. We show that knowledge of the dissipation provides a bound on the magnitude of the kinetic energy flux in the convection zone. In our non-rotating cases with simple flow fields, much of the dissipation occurs near the highest possible temperatures, and the kinetic energy flux approaches this bound. In the rotating cases, although the total integrated dissipation is similar, it is much more uniformly distributed (and locally balanced by work against the stratification), with a consequently smaller kinetic energy flux. The heat transport in our rotating simulations is in good agreement with results previously obtained for 3D Boussinesq convection, and approaches the predictions of diffusion-free theory.
Deleterious variants in X-linked RHOXF1 cause male infertility with oligo- and azoospermia
Authors: Yi Sibing , Wang Weili , Su Lilan , Meng Lanlan , Li Yong , Tan Chen , Liu Qiang , Zhang Huan , Fan Liqing , Lu Guangxiu , Hu Liang , Du Juan , Lin Ge , Tan Yue-Qiu , Tu Chaofeng , Zhang Qianjun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Oligozoospermia and azoospermia are two common phenotypes of male infertility characterized by massive sperm defects owing to failure of spermatogenesis. The deleterious impact of candidate variants with male infertility is to be explored. In our study, we identified three hemizygous missense variants (c.388G&gt;A: p.V130M, c.272C&gt;T: p.A91V, and c.467C&gt;T: p.A156V) and one hemizygous nonsense variant (c.478C&gt;T: p.R160X) in the Rhox homeobox family member 1 gene (RHOXF1) in four unrelated cases from a cohort of 1201 infertile Chinese men with oligo- and azoospermia using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. RHOXF1 was absent in the testicular biopsy of one patient (c.388G&gt;A: p.V130M) whose histological analysis showed a phenotype of Sertoli cell-only syndrome. In vitro experiments indicated that RHOXF1 mutations significantly reduced the content of RHOXF1 protein in HEK293T cells. Specifically, the p.V130M, p.A156V, and p.R160X mutants of RHOXF1 also led to increased RHOXF1 accumulation in cytoplasmic particles. Luciferase assays revealed that p.V130M and p.R160X mutants may disrupt downstream spermatogenesis by perturbing the regulation of doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) promoter activity. Furthermore, ICSI treatment could be beneficial in the context of oligozoospermia caused by RHOXF1 mutations. In conclusion, our findings collectively identified mutated RHOXF1 to be a disease-causing X-linked gene in human oligo- and azoospermia.
Reconstructing DNA methylation maps of ancient populations
Authors: Barouch Arielle , Mathov Yoav , Meshorer Eran , Yakir Benjamin , Carmel Liran 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Studying premortem DNA methylation from ancient DNA (aDNA) provides a proxy for ancient gene activity patterns, and hence valuable information on evolutionary changes in gene regulation. Due to statistical limitations, current methods to reconstruct aDNA methylation maps are constrained to high-coverage shotgun samples, which comprise a small minority of available ancient samples. Most samples are sequenced using in-situ hybridization capture sequencing which targets a predefined set of genomic positions. Here, we develop methods to reconstruct aDNA methylation maps of samples that were not sequenced using high-coverage shotgun sequencing, by way of pooling together individuals to obtain a DNA methylation map that is characteristic of a population. We show that the resulting DNA methylation maps capture meaningful biological information and allow for the detection of differential methylation across populations. We offer guidelines on how to carry out comparative studies involving ancient populations, and how to control the rate of falsely discovered differentially methylated regions. The ability to reconstruct DNA methylation maps of past populations allows for the development of a whole new frontier in paleoepigenetic research, tracing DNA methylation changes throughout human history, using data from thousands of ancient samples.
Trans-complementation by the RecB nuclease domain of RecBCD enzyme reveals new insight into RecA loading upon χ recognition
Authors: Pavankumar Theetha L , Wong C Jason , Wong Yun Ka , Spies Maria , Kowalczykowski Stephen C 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The loading of RecA onto ssDNA by RecBCD is an essential step of RecBCD-mediated homologous recombination. RecBCD facilitates RecA-loading onto ssDNA in a χ-dependent manner via its RecB nuclease domain (RecBn). Before recognition of χ, RecBn is sequestered through interactions with RecBCD. It was proposed that upon χ-recognition, RecBn undocks, allowing RecBn to swing out via a contiguous 70 amino acid linker to reveal the RecA-loading surface, and then recruit and load RecA onto ssDNA. We tested this hypothesis by examining the interactions between RecBn (RecB928–1180) and truncated RecBCD (RecB1–927CD) lacking the nuclease domain. The reconstituted complex of RecB1–927CD and RecBn is functional in vitro and in vivo. Our results indicate that despite being covalently severed from RecB1–927CD, RecBn can still load RecA onto ssDNA, establishing that RecBn does not function while only remaining tethered to the RecBCD complex via the linker. Instead, RecBCD undergoes a χ-induced intramolecular rearrangement to reveal the RecA-loading surface.
Checkpoint activation by Spd1: a competition-based system relying on tandem disordered PCNA binding motifs
Authors: Olsen Johan G , Prestel Andreas , Kassem Noah , Broendum Sebastian S , Shamim Hossain Mohammad , Simonsen Signe , Grysbæk Martin , Mortensen Josefine , Rytkjær Louise Lund , Haxholm Gitte W , Marabini Riccardo , Holmberg Christian , Carr Antony M , Crehuet Ramon , Nielsen Olaf , Kragelund Birthe B 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
DNA regulation, replication and repair are processes fundamental to all known organisms and the sliding clamp proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is central to all these processes. S-phase delaying protein 1 (Spd1) from S. pombe, an intrinsically disordered protein that causes checkpoint activation by inhibiting the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, has one of the most divergent PCNA binding motifs known. Using NMR spectroscopy, in vivo assays, X-ray crystallography, calorimetry, and Monte Carlo simulations, an additional PCNA binding motif in Spd1, a PIP-box, is revealed. The two tandemly positioned, low affinity sites exchange rapidly on PCNA exploiting the same binding sites. Increasing or decreasing the binding affinity between Spd1 and PCNA through mutations of either motif compromised the ability of Spd1 to cause checkpoint activation in yeast. These results pinpoint a role for PCNA in Spd1-mediated checkpoint activation and suggest that its tandemly positioned short linear motifs create a neatly balanced competition-based system, involving PCNA, Spd1 and the small ribonucleotide reductase subunit, Suc22R2. Similar mechanisms may be relevant in other PCNA binding ligands where divergent binding motifs so far have gone under the PIP-box radar.
Genomic overview of INA-induced NPR1 targeting and transcriptional cascades in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yun Se-Hun , Khan Irfan Ullah , Noh Bosl , Noh Yoo-Sun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) triggers transcriptional reprogramming that leads to SA-induced immunity in plants. NPR1 is an SA receptor and master transcriptional regulator in SA-triggered transcriptional reprogramming. Despite the indispensable role of NPR1, genome-wide direct targets of NPR1 specific to SA signaling have not been identified. Here, we report INA (functional SA analog)-specific genome-wide targets of Arabidopsis NPR1 in plants expressing GFP-fused NPR1 under its native promoter. Analyses of NPR1-dependently expressed direct NPR1 targets revealed that NPR1 primarily activates genes encoding transcription factors upon INA treatment, triggering transcriptional cascades required for INA-induced transcriptional reprogramming and immunity. We identified genome-wide targets of a histone acetyltransferase, HAC1, including hundreds of co-targets shared with NPR1, and showed that NPR1 and HAC1 regulate INA-induced histone acetylation and expression of a subset of the co-targets. Genomic NPR1 targeting was principally mediated by TGACG-motif binding protein (TGA) transcription factors. Furthermore, a group of NPR1 targets mostly encoding transcriptional regulators was already bound to NPR1 in the basal state and showed more rapid and robust induction than other NPR1 targets upon SA signaling. Thus, our study unveils genome-wide NPR1 targeting, its role in transcriptional reprogramming, and the cooperativity between NPR1, HAC1, and TGAs in INA-induced immunity.