American Origin Research Articles

Abstract A043: Trusted sources of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine information in Mexican American parents: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with many types of cancers that disproportionately impact Hispanics. Mortality is 20% higher in Hispanic women than non-Hispanic white women who have cervical cancer. Hispanic men are 4x times more likely to have HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer than women (9,100 cases vs. 2,000 cases, respectively) and Hispanic males have higher rates of HPV-associated penile cancer than non-Hispanics. An HPV vaccine exists that can prevent 90% of HPV-associated cancers; however, HPV vaccination rates have declined by approximately 75% in adolescents during the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to identify trusted sources of HPV vaccine information in Hispanics of Mexican American origin. A cross-sectional study design with an online survey was used to collect data from Mexican American parents of children 11-17 years of age. Two hundred and twenty-five parents (M age = 38.30, SD = 7.30) who identified predominately as female (83.1%) were included in the study. Over a third (39.1%, n = 88) of the participants reported to have three or more children and most of the sample (68%; n =153) reported to have vaccinated at least one of their children with the HPV vaccine. When participants were asked who they trust to provide information about the HPV vaccine, the top five trusted sources of HPV vaccine information were medical doctors (94.7%), registered nurses (52%), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (47.1%), the World Health Organization (43.1%), and pharmacists (25.3%). The least trusted sources of HPV vaccine information were the president of the U.S. (7.6%) and religious leaders (2.7%). Linear regression models revealed that HPV vaccine acceptance was associated with trusting registered nurses (p < .001) and the Centers for Disease and Control (p = .014) for recommending the HPV vaccine. Lastly, we examined the association between family-held beliefs about vaccines and personal beliefs about vaccines. Correlations ranged from -.28 to .72. The strongest correlation was between having a family with negative feelings about vaccines while growing up and believing that vaccines can cause serious illness (r = 0.72; p < .001). Importantly, the family-held belief that vaccines cause autism was strongly correlated with personal beliefs that vaccines cause autism (r = 0.56; p < .001). Several important findings emerged in the current study highlighting the importance of having trusted sources of HPV vaccine information to promote the HPV vaccine. Our findings have implications for designing health communications and interventions that incorporate trusted sources of HPV vaccine information to promote the HPV vaccine in Mexican American families. Citation Format: Gabriel A. Frietze, Alyssa A. Martinez, Surendranath S. Shastri. Trusted sources of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine information in Mexican American parents: A cross-sectional study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A043.

Abstract B112: Disparities in cervical cancer survival among Hispanic subpopulations living in the United States

Abstract Purpose: The Hispanic population bears a high burden of cervical cancer; however, disaggregated data, which is vital in equitable resource allocation, lacks in this group. Our study evaluated disparities in cervical cancer survival among Hispanic subpopulations receiving guideline-concordant care and identified factors affecting survival. Methods: Data from the National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with cervical cancer from 2004-2019. The Hispanic cohort was analyzed in its entirety, and by region of origin. Nine quality metrics were established to assess guideline-concordant care for eligible patients across various cancer stages. Demographic data, treatment modalities, and survival were described. Demographic and clinical variables were stratified by Hispanic subpopulation and compared using chi-squared tests. Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to examine cervical cancer survival among the Hispanic subpopulation for each quality metric. Marginal Poisson log-linear models were utilized to evaluate the association Hispanic subpopulation and the receipt of eligible quality metrics, and obtain adjusted relative risks (aRR), while controlling for potential confounders. Results: A total of 77,567 patients were included, 4363 (5.6%) of which identified as Hispanic. Compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) populations, larger proportion of the Hispanic population was uninsured (19.16%, p < 0.001) and more likely to live in neighborhoods with lowest rates of high school diploma attainment (61.43%, p <0.001). Significant differences in neighborhood income, education level, insurance status, and stage at presentation among Hispanic subpopulations were identified (p<0.001). Survival among patients with stage IA2-IIA2 patients undergoing radical hysterectomy was lowest among NHB and Cuban patients when compared to NHW and other Hispanic patients (p<0.001). Survival among stage IB2-IVA patients undergoing primary radiation and concurrent chemotherapy was also lowest among Cuban, NHW and NHB patients when compared to other populations, and highest among Mexican populations (p<0.001). Among patients with stage IVB disease receiving chemotherapy, Dominican populations had the highest survival rates p<0.001). Compared to Mexican patients, Cuban patients were 1.18 times as likely to receive timely initiation of treatment in early stage (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.34, p=0.01). Patients of South or Central American origin (RR 1.18, 95%CI 1.09-1.28, p< 0.001), Cuban (RR 12.5, 95%CI 1.1-1.43, p<0.001), and Dominican (RR1.19, OR 1.01-1.4, p=0.03) were more likely to undergo timely initiation of treatment in locally advanced disease when compared to Mexican patients. Conclusion: Significant differences in survival outcomes for patients with cervical cancer were identified among our cohort, as well as within the Hispanic population. Variation in initial of treatment, treatment type received, and social factors may contribute to these disparities. Citation Format: Andreea Dinicu, Shayan Dioun, Yongzhe Wang, Yongmei Huang, Jason Wright, Ana Tergas. Disparities in cervical cancer survival among Hispanic subpopulations living in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B112.

Abstract A074: Cancer fatalism among Asian American adults by origin group, 2014-2022

Abstract Background: Cancer fatalism encompasses beliefs about external causes of cancer and the perceived inability of humans to prevent it. Existing research suggests that individuals with higher levels of cancer fatalism are less likely to engage in cancer prevention behaviors or adhere to cancer screening practices. However, limited information exists regarding the prevalence of cancer fatalism within various Asian origin groups. Understanding whether this prevalence varies by origin group can offer valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance beliefs and knowledge about cancer among these populations, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes. To fill this gap in the literature, we conduct a disaggregated analysis of cancer fatalism among Asian origin groups (Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, and other Asian respondents), using nationally representative samples. Methods: We performed a pooled cross-sectional study utilizing the Health Information National Trend Survey data (HINTS-4 cycle 4 [2014], HINTS-5 cycles 1-3 [2017-2019], and HINTS-6 [2022]), a nationally representative survey administered by the National Cancer Institute. We analyzed respondents’ agreement to two items: “It seems like everything causes cancer”; and “There’s not much you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer.” We used a survey-design adjusted Wald chi-square test for bivariate analyses. Results: The sample included 234 Chinese respondents, 173 Filipino respondents, 185 Indian respondents, 97 Vietnamese respondents, and 222 other Asian respondents (e.g., Korean, Japanese). Significantly lower proportions of Indian respondents (38.9%; 95% CI 26.1 – 51.8%) endorsed the statement “It seems like everything causes cancer,” when compared with Vietnamese respondents (70.4%; 95% CI 54.9% – 86.0%) and Filipino respondents (76.2%; 95% CI 65.1% – 87.4%). Additionally, lower proportions of Indian and Chinese respondents endorsed the statement “There’s not much you can do to lower your chances of getting cancer” when compared with Vietnamese and Filipino respondents, though these differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Our study represents one of the first efforts to use nationally representative data to explore disaggregated prevalence of cancer fatalism beliefs among Asian American origin groups. Filipino adults exhibit nearly double the prevalence of one of the cancer fatalism beliefs compared to Indian adults. Vietnamese adults also have a high level of cancer fatalism beliefs. These findings highlight the heterogeneity among Asian American origin groups and emphasize the importance of culturally tailored interventions, specifically targeting those groups with higher levels of fatalism beliefs. Data collection that is disaggregated by Asian origin group should be prioritized to gain a comprehensive understanding of these beliefs and design effective interventions. Citation Format: Milkie Vu, Yenan Zhu, Ryan Suk. Cancer fatalism among Asian American adults by origin group, 2014-2022 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A074.

Identification of a HIV-1 circulating BF1 recombinant form (CRF75_BF1) of Brazilian origin that also circulates in Southwestern Europe.

The high recombinogenic potential of HIV-1 has resulted in the generation of countless unique recombinant forms (URFs) and around 120 reported circulating recombinant forms (CRFs). Here we identify through analyses of near full-length genomes (NFLG) a new HIV-1 CRF derived from subtypes B and F1. HIV-1 protease-reverse transcriptase (Pr-RT) sequences were obtained by RT-PCR amplification from plasma RNA. Near full-length genome sequences were obtained after amplification by RT-PCR in 5 overlapping fragments. Phylogenetic sequence analyses were performed via maximum likelihood. Mosaic structures were analyzed by bootscanning and phylogenetic analyses of genome segments. Temporal and geographical estimations of clade emergence were performed with a Bayesian coalescent method. Through phylogenetic analyses of HIV-1 Pr-RT sequences obtained by us from samples collected in Spain and downloaded from databases, we identified a BF1 recombinant cluster segregating from previously reported CRFs comprising 52 viruses, most from Brazil (n = 26), Spain (n = 11), and Italy (n = 9). The analyses of NFLG genomes of 4 viruses of the cluster, 2 from Spain and 2 from Italy, allowed to identify a new CRF, designated CRF75_BF1, which exhibits a complex mosaic structure with 20 breakpoints. All 4 patients harboring CRF75_BF1 viruses studied by us had CD4+ T-cell lymphocyte counts below 220/mm3 less than one year after diagnosis, a proportion significantly higher (p = 0.0074) than the 29% found in other patients studied in Spain by us during the same period. The origin of the clade comprising CRF75_BF1 and related viruses was estimated around 1984 in Brazil, with subsequent introduction of CRF75_BF1 in Italy around 1992, and migration from Italy to Spain around 1999. A new HIV-1 CRF, designated CRF75_BF1, has been identified. CRF75_BF1 is the 6th CRF of South American origin initially identified in Western Europe, reflecting the increasing relationship of South American and European HIV-1 epidemics. The finding of low CD4+ T-cell lymphocyte counts early after diagnosis in patients harboring CRF75_BF1 viruses warrants further investigation on the virulence of this variant.

Ethnic Incidence of Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma in a Veteran Affairs Medical Center’s (VAMC) And Early Surveillance Guided by Sites of Metastases

Abstract Introduction/Objective Ethnic difference in incidence, mortality, and prognosis for prostate adenocarcinoma is well known with disparities between African American (AA), Caucasian and Asian origin population reported by tumor heterogeneity and increased number of gene mutations in genomic profiling. Early metastasis of prostate cancer with younger age at the presentation in AA ethnicity has been noted. Earlier screening, biopsy and tumor molecular profiling may lead to a decrease in morbidity and mortality related to metastatic prostate cancer. While there are known differences in the incidence of prostate cancer between different ethnic groups and differences in ethnic access to care and diagnosis varies widely between distinct medical practices, the ethnic incidence of diagnoses of metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma and distribution of sites particularly in a Veteran population has not been well studied. Methods/Case Report A retrospective search was performed from December 2019 to October 2022 for metastatic prostatic carcinoma specimens at regional Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Both H & E and immunohistochemical antibodies for prostate were reviewed and used in the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma of prostate origin. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) A total of 21 cases with metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma were found from which 9 were metastases to bone, 5 were metastases to lymph node and 7 were metastatic to other organ sites. Majority of the cases were of ethnic African American veterans (12/21, 57%), followed by Caucasian Americans (7/21, 33%), and 2 of unknown ethnicity (2/21, 10%). On examination, most frequent site of metastases by ethnic African Americans was lymph node in 4 out of the 5 (80%) total cases metastatic to lymph node, and 5 out of 6 total cases (83%) with metastases to different organ sites together. On the other hand, ethnic Caucasian Americans the most common metastatic site was bone with 6 out of 10 total cases (60%) metastatic to bone. Conclusion African American Veteran patients have a higher incidence of metastatic prostate carcinoma and a higher incidence of earlier metastases. A similar trend was seen in the study population with African Americans making up most of the study population and also suggestively having more cases of lymph node and other organ metastases. The increased proportion of African Americans in the study population with lymph node metastases suggests targeting lymph nodes for biopsy for early detection of the metastatic prostatic carcinoma.

From South America to the United States: Guayakí and the Transformation of Yerba Mate

In the early 2000s, California-based Guayakí popularized the caffeinated drink, yerba mate, among young people and creative types. With revenues of $100 million, Guayakí dominates the U.S. market where it is synonymous with yerba mate. This essay explores how Guayakí transformed a foreign product with deep local meaning, widespread popularity, and a long history in southern South America from a shared beverage and social practice into a healthy energy drink. Typically, localization entails multinational companies and local consumers adapting and giving new meanings to an exotic foreign product or brand. In contrast, local entrepreneurs radically changed yerba mate while preserving part of its narrative. Guayakí promotes product authenticity based on a narrative of South American Indigenous origins, stimulating qualities, and health benefits that fits with superfoods, while a narrative of green capitalism promotes brand authenticity. But that was not enough to popularize yerba mate. The product had to be adapted to consumer taste preferences and values that challenge the foundational ideas of superfoods and green capitalism. As a result of consumer input acquired through grassroots marketing, Guayakí transformed a shared infusion into something closer to a soft drink—a pre-prepared, individual-sized beverage served in a single-use bottle or can with flavoring and sugar levels tailored to U.S. consumers. The essay exposes the role of local entrepreneurs and consumers in shaping product development and localization. It complicates our understanding of product authenticity and brand authenticity while exposing the limitations of green capitalism, ethical consumerism, and activist entrepreneurship.

Undue Burden the Medical School Application Process Places on Low-Income Latinos

Undue Burden the Medical School Application Process Places on Low-Income Latinos

32 Pediatric traumatic brain injury and the interruption of premorbid hallucinations: a case study

Objective:Research has shown that a small, yet significant minority of individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience psychotic symptoms post-TBI. TBI has also been associated with earlier onset schizophrenia in individuals with a genetic risk for psychosis.The current case presents a 15-year-old female with pre-existing psychotic symptoms (auditory and visual hallucinations [AVH] and delusions) who stopped experiencing AVH a few weeks post-injury. The, at least temporary, cessation of her hallucinations raises several important questions about the neuroanatomy of pediatric psychosis and the impact of TBI on a potentially divergently developing brain.Participants and Methods:Patient is a 15-year-old female who identifies as Hispanic (adopted, of Central American origin). Prior to her injury her developmental history was notable probable neglect prior to adoption, and her psychiatric history was notable for major depressive disorder, anxiety, chronic insomnia, and AVH. AVH were religious in nature and involved command hallucinations. AVH had been attributed to her chronic insomnia, per medical records. Participant was in a motorcycle accident with her caregiver and sustained a severe traumatic brain injury (GCS=3-8). Medical workup, including MRI, indicated a right basal ganglia hemorrhage, right thalamic hemorrhage, as well as injury of the brain stem at the pons, resulting in left-sided hemiparesis. She was ultimately diagnosed with traumatic right-sided intracerebral hemorrhage, traumatic subdural hematoma, traumatic hemorrhage of basal ganglia, traumatic encephalopathy, and a left homonymous hemianopia (left visual field cut) from her right temporal parietal injury. She received a neuropsychological evaluation 10 months post-TBI. Testing included: subtests of the WISC-V, measures of sustained attention and executive functioning, tasks of orientation and memory, and questionnaire measures assessing social-emotional, executive, and adaptive functioning. Parent and adolescent clinical interviews were conducted.Results:Results indicated appropriate orientation, broadly intact intelligence presumed consistent with premorbid functioning, average sustained attention, and deficits in aspects executive functioning, visual-motor processing speed, and fine motor skills. Although she performed well on objective measures of memory, she reported significant long term social memory loss (e.g., difficulties remembering friends and memories of emotional connectedness) during the clinical interview. Interview and questionnaire measures also indicated continued challenges with depression and anxiety, as well as post-traumatic personality changes, tics, and symptoms of trauma. Patient reported that her hallucinations, both visual and auditory, stopped early in her recovery post-TBI; patient’s premorbid delusions were still present post-TBI.Conclusions:This case raises questions related to the impact of structural or axonal injury to regions or networks in the brain that may be associated with psychosis. It also adds to a minimal literature examining AVH in pediatric TBI. Using the current literature as a framework we will explore 1) the injury to this patient’s thalamus as it relates to both her emotional memory deficits as well as the interruption of her AVH hallucinations, and 2) the relationship between her visual field cut and the interruption of her visual hallucinations. Overall, this case study highlights the unique nature of the developing brain both in terms of the TBI and psychosis.

Quality, field germination of seeds and phenolic profiles of modern sugar sorghum hybrids

Purpose. To establish and analyze the biological features of seed quality indicators, field germination of seeds, and phytochemical composition of modern sugar sorghum hybrids 'Sugargraze ARG' (Argentina), 'Sioux', 'Mohawk' (USA) and 'Ananas' (Ukraine). Methods. Physiological-biochemical, agrochemical and statistical methods were used in the study. The content of phytochemicals in the seeds of the studied sugar sorghum hybrids was determined by the extraction method. Results. In the studied sorghum hybrids, a high concentration of the main phenolic profiles of the seeds was established. The quantitative component depended on the color of the pericarp of the grain, which affected the quality indicators of germination and field germination of the seeds. In hybrid 'Sioux', which has a dark brown color of the pericarp and the highest content of polyphenolic profiles (50.4%), germination energy, laboratory and field seed germination were low and amounted to 84, 90 and 80%, respectively. The high level of these indicators was formed by the hybrid 'Ananas' with the lowest content of phenolic profiles (38.1%) and with non-pigmented pericarp, which had germination energy, laboratory and field similarity of 96, 98 and 89%, respectively. Hybrids 'Sugargraze ARG' (light brown grain color) and 'Mohawk' (pink grain color) had indicators of germination energy of 90 and 95%, laboratory germination 93 and 96%, field germination 82 and 81%, respectively, and were characterized by an average content of phenolics profiles of 45.7 and 42.5%, respectively. Conclusions. The hybrid of American origin 'Sioux' that has a high content of phenolic compounds in the seeds, ensured the preservation of plants in the phase of full germination at the level of 87%, while Ukrainian hybrid 'Ananas' with the lowest content of phytochemical compounds also had the lowest preservation rate (80%) among the studied hybrids. In 'Sugargraze ARG' and 'Mohawk' that have medium phenol content, the rate of plants preserved in the full germination stage was 84–85%.

Multicultural Diversity in the Spanish Public University: An Ethnographic Case Study of Latin American, Latino, and Afro-Latin American Students

This article presents the preliminary findings of an ethnographic study about the presence and experiences of students of Latin American origin in Spanish universities. Our aim is to better understand the self-identification and ethnoracial formation processes observed in university-level students. We first reviewed the statistics on students with non-Spanish nationalities enrolled in public Spanish universities. We then analyze how the self-identification processes of Latin American, Latino, and Afro-Latin American students take place in public Spanish universities. We use an ethnographic approach that includes in-depth interviews and participant observation over a period of 9 months. We identified relevant identity markers such as accents and linguistic expressions, cultural practices, and color, as well as the coping and resistance strategies that these students developed to navigate these spaces when facing discrimination, racism, and othering.

Mass deportation and the intensity of policing in the United States' 100‐mile border zone: Complicating the “border”/“interior” enforcement binary

AbstractThis paper draws on an expansive archive of internal government records obtained using the US Freedom of Information Act to examine federal, state and local police practice within the United States' 100‐mile border zone. Analysis of this archive reveals a large number of “border” enforcement events that involve the arrest of US citizens, lawful permanent residents and others with deep roots in US communities. It further shows how, regardless of where US Border Patrol agents operate, those whom they target overwhelmingly tend to be persons of Latin American origin. Reflecting on these enforcement patterns, the paper argues for the troubling of categorical distinctions between “border” and “interior” enforcement that permeates scholarly, popular and journalistic accounts of the contemporary geography of mass deportation in the United States. As an alternative, the paper calls for greater attention to the “intensity” of immigration policing, as a way to account for multiple overlapping pathways of enforcement and to diagnose how the networked interconnectivity of agencies, personnel, resources and infrastructures involved in these activities amplifies the risks of racial profiling, arrest, and a host of related downstream consequences (family separation, financial hardship, diminished educational performance, and adverse health outcomes) for US citizens and noncitizens alike.

A purebred South American breed showing high effective population size and independent breed ancestry: The Chilean Terrier.

The Chilean Terrier is a known breed in Chile that has not been genetically assessed despite its distinctive color patterns, agility, and hardiness across the diversity of climates encountered within the Chilean landscape. The population structure and its relatedness with other breeds, as well as the actual origin of the breed, remain unknown. We estimated several population parameters using samples from individuals representing the distribution of the Chilean Terrier across the country. By utilizing the Illumina HD canine genotyping array, we computed the effective population size (Ne ), individual inbreeding, and relatedness to evaluate the genetic diversity of the breed. The results show that linkage disequilibrium was relatively low and decayed rapidly; in fact, Ne was very high when compared to other breeds, and similar to other American indigenous breeds (such as the Chihuahua with values of Ne near 500). These results are in line with the low estimates of genomic inbreeding and relatedness and the relatively large number of effective chromosome segments (Me = 2467) obtained using the properties of the genomic relationship matrix. Between population analysis (cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity, di ) with other breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier, the Peruvian-Inca Orchid, and the Chihuahua suggested that candidate regions harboring FGF5, PAX3, and ASIP, probably explained some morphological traits, such as the distinctive color pattern characteristic of the breed. When considering Admixture estimates and phylogenetic analysis, together with other breeds of American and European origin, the Chilean Terrier does not have a recent European ancestry. Overall, the results suggest that the breed has evolved independently in Chile from other terrier breeds, from an unknown European terrier ancestor.

Activist Scholarship and Borderland Feminism: Resisting Coloniality in Liminal Internationalization

Using an international research center initiative, the purpose of this article is to illustrate how activist research can be fertile ground for academic theorization and provide a framework for those interested in activist scholarship, especially for women faculty of Latin American origins in U.S. institutions. I elaborate on how activist scholarship can resist coloniality through an example of critical internationalization work in higher education using borderland feminism as a lens. In doing so, I show the interconnections between borderland feminism, coloniality, and liminal internationalization. Finally, based on this theoretical development, I applied Davis et al.´s interpretive criteria (2019) to my activist scholarship in liminal internationalization.

Commonalities and Differences in the Experiences of Visible Minority Transnational Carer-Employees: A Qualitative Study.

This qualitative study explored the commonalities and differences among the experiences of visible minority Transnational Carer-Employees (TCEs) before and after COVID-19. TCEs are immigrants who live and work in the country of settlement while providing caregiving across international borders. Purposive and snowball sampling resulted in the participation of 29 TCEs of Pakistani, Syrian, African, and South American origin living in London, Ontario. Thematic analysis of the dataset using the ATLAS.ti software, Version 23.2.1., generated three themes: (1) feelings associated with transnational care; (2) employment experiences of TCEs; and (3) coping strategies for well-being. The results of the secondary analysis conducted herein suggested that there are more similarities than differences across the four cohorts. Many participants felt a sense of satisfaction at being able to fulfill their care obligations; however, a different outlook was observed among some Syrian and African origin respondents, who disclosed that managing care and work is overwhelming. Most TCEs also reported facing limited job options because of language barriers. While various interviewees experienced a lack of paid work and reduced income after COVID-19, a distinct perspective was noted from African descent TCEs as they expressed facing increased work demands after the pandemic. Participants additionally revealed four common coping strategies such as keeping busy, praying, family support, and staying active. Study implications include the promotion of Carer-Friendly Workplace Policies (CFWPs) that can facilitate the welfare of unpaid caregivers. This research is important as it may inform policymakers to create opportunities that may not only foster economic stability of TCEs and the Canadian economy, but also contribute towards a more equitable society.

Spreading of the High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus of Clade 2.3.4.4b into Uruguay.

Avian influenza viruses (genus Alphainfluenzavirus, family Orthomyxoviridae) infect avian and mammal hosts. In 2022, the high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (H5N1) spread to South America, resulting in the loss of thousands of wild birds, including endangered species, and severely impacting the global poultry industry. We analyzed the complete genomes of influenza viruses obtained from wild birds and backyard poultry in Uruguay between February and May 2023. Twelve complete genomes were obtained in 2023 from cloacal swabs using Illumina sequencing. Genomes were phylogenetically analyzed with regional and global strains. The identified strains have multiple basic amino acids at the hemagglutinin cleavage sites, which is typical for highly pathogenic strains. The Uruguayan viruses belonged to hemagglutinin clade 2.3.4.4b of the H5N1 subtype. A reassortment in North America has resulted in some segments of South American strains being of Eurasian or North American origins. The Uruguayan viruses shared a common ancestor with South American strains from Argentina and Chile. The influenza viruses displayed a spatiotemporal divergence pattern rather than being host-specific. The arrival of the 2.3.4.4b clade in Uruguay may have been mediated by birds that acquired the virus from Argentine and Chilean waterfowl migrating in the Pacific Flyway.

What's in a Name? Archives and Special Collections at American Research Institutions in the Middle East: Repositories at the American University of Beirut, the American University in Cairo, the American Center of Research in Jordan, and New York University Abu Dhabi

ABSTRACT In today's Middle East, a number of institutions of research and higher education have American origins, and several maintain archives and special collections. This article offers case studies of repositories at four of these institutions: the American University of Beirut (AUB), the American University in Cairo (AUC), the American Center of Research (ACOR) in Jordan, and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). The article traces the origins of these archives and how those were shaped by the development of each one's parent organization as an American-inspired institution, as well as by the historical, social, and cultural framework of their host countries. The authors also consider the landscape of archives in the nations where these institutions are based: Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. The evolution of the collecting program of each repository is outlined, with strategies and key acquisitions and collections mentioned. Access and dissemination methods, including digitization initiatives, are also covered. In presenting such activities, the ways in which American traditions and standards of archival practice contrast with or complement those of local archival traditions are examined. A central theme is the way that the archives at AUB, AUC, ACOR, and NYUAD go about documenting not only institutional history but also the heritage of their host countries and the challenges and opportunities inherent in that work.

Recurring Trans-Atlantic Incursion of Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 Viruses by Long Distance Migratory Birds from Northern Europe to Canada in 2022/2023.

In December 2022 and January 2023, we isolated clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses from six American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) from Prince Edward Island and a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Newfoundland, Canada. Using full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, these viruses were found to fall into two distinct phylogenetic clusters: one group containing H5N1 viruses that had been circulating in North and South America since late 2021, and the other one containing European H5N1 viruses reported in late 2022. The transatlantic re-introduction for the second time by pelagic/Icelandic bird migration via the same route used during the 2021 incursion of Eurasian origin H5N1 viruses into North America demonstrates that migratory birds continue to be the driving force for transcontinental dissemination of the virus. This new detection further demonstrates the continual long-term threat of H5N1 viruses for poultry and mammals and the subsequent impact on various wild bird populations wherever these viruses emerge. The continual emergence of clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx viruses requires vigilant surveillance in wild birds, particularly in areas of the Americas, which lie within the migratory corridors for long-distance migratory birds originating from Europe and Asia. Although H5Nx viruses have been detected at higher rates in North America since 2021, a bidirectional flow of H5Nx genes of American origin viruses to Europe has never been reported. In the future, coordinated and systematic surveillance programs for HPAI viruses need to be launched between European and North American agencies.

Effects of extracts from various parts of invasive Solidago species on the germination and growth of native grassland plant species.

Allelopathy is an important factor influencing whether an invasive plant species can become successfully established in a new range through disrupting the germination and growth of native plant species. Goldenrods (Solidago species) are one of the most widespread invasive taxa in Central Europe of North American origin. Owing to their high environmental impact and wide distribution range, invasive Solidago species should be controlled in Europe, and the areas invaded by them should be restored. Numerous studies have reported the allelopathic effects of Solidago gigantea and Solidago canadensis, but the results are inconsistent regarding differences in the allelopathic effects of particular plant parts and in the sensitivity to Solidago allelopathic effects among native species as well as between the two invasive species themselves. In this study, we aimed to analyse the effect of water extracts from S. canadensis and S. gigantea parts (roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves, and inflorescences) on the germination and initial growth of seedlings of 13 grassland species that typically grow in Central Europe. The tested grassland species differed in susceptibility to Solidago allelopathy, with the most resistant species being Schedonorus pratensis, Lolium perenne, Trifolium pratense, Daucus carota and Leucanthemum vulgare. The inhibitory effect of 10% water extracts from leaves and flowers were stronger than those from rhizomes, roots, and stems without leaves, regardless of the Solidago species. Our study results imply that reducing the allelopathic effect of Solidago during habitat restoration requires removal of the aboveground parts, including fallen leaves. The allelopathic effects of roots and rhizomes seem to be of secondary importance.

A robust SNP-haplotype assay for Bct gene region conferring resistance to beet curly top virus in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Beet curly top virus (BCTV), which is synonymous with curly top virus (CTV), causes significant yield loss in common bean (snap and dry beans) cultivars and several other important crops. Common bean cultivars have been found to be resistant to CTV, but screening for resistance is challenging due to the cyclical nature of epidemics and spotty feeding by the leafhopper that vectors the virus. We used an SNP dataset for the Snap Bean Association Panel (SnAP) agro-inoculated with CTV-Logan (CA/Logan) strain to locate the Bct gene region to a 1.7-Mb interval on chromosome Pv07 using genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis. Recombinant lines from the SnAP were used to further narrow the Bct region to a 58.0-kb interval. A missense SNP (S07_2970381) in candidate gene Phvul.007G036300 Exonuclease V (EXO5) was identified as the most likely causal mutation, and it was the most significant SNP detected by GWAS in a dry bean population (DBP) naturally infected by the CTV-Worland (Wor) strain. Tm-shift assay markers developed for SNP S07_2970381 and two linked SNPs, S07_2970276 and S07_2966197, were useful for tracking different origins of the Bct EXO5 candidate gene resistance to CTV in common bean. The three SNPs identified four haplotypes, with haplotype 3-1 (Haplo3-1) of Middle American origin associated with the highest levels of CTV resistance. This SNP-haplotype assay will enable breeders to track resistance sources and to develop cultivars with better CTV resistance.

Spanish in the Southeast: What a Swarm of Variables Can Tell Us about a Newly Forming Bilingual Community

The southeastern United States has experienced rapid growth in the Hispanic population in recent decades, giving rise to a newly forming bilingual community. The present study builds on previous work by the authors via expansion of a “variable swarm”: the analysis of multiple linguistic variables simultaneously for the same set of speakers, with the goal of understanding patterns of accommodation and change within the community. The initial study included four linguistic variables (prosodic rhythm, bilingual discourse markers, the realization of /bdg/ and vowel space), and the present study adds an additional four variables (bilingual filled pauses, subject pronoun realization, code switching, and the labiodental realization of orthographic <v>) for 23 speakers of Mexican and Central American origin across two sociolinguistic generations (G1 vs. G2). Results for individual speakers show a pattern of adoption of some features by speakers of both generations (such as English-influenced prosodic rhythm and phonological filled pauses), while other, possibly more salient forms directly integrated from English (English discourse markers and code switching) exhibit later, highly variable rates of adoption, suggesting that speakers may consciously manipulate these variables as part of a process of active identity construction. Likewise, G1 speakers show fewer correlations among linguistic variables than G2 speakers, and patterns reveal that some bilingual forms are incorporated in tandem due to shared phonological traits or discourse functions. The innovative swarm analysis further contributes to the advancement of techniques employed in sociolinguistic research by serving as a bridge between traditional first- and second-wave studies that focus on a single variable, and third-wave studies that focus more on variation at the individual level.