bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Durability of Functional SARS‐CoV‐2‐Specific Immunological Memory and T Cell Response up to 8–9 Months Postrecovery From COVID‐19
Authors: Trimbake Diptee , Singh Dharmendra , K. Yogesh Gurav , Babar Prasad , S. Varsha Dange , Tripathy Anuradha S.
Published: February 2025

Research on long‐term follow‐up in individuals who have recovered from coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) would yield insights regarding their immunity status and identify those who need booster vaccinations. This study evaluated the longevity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐specific cellular and humoral memory responses, as well as T cell effector functionalities, at 1–2 months (n = 40), 8–9 months (n = 40), and 12 months/1 year (n = 27) following recovery from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. CTL response by enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT); levels of cytokine by Bio‐Plex, natural killer (NK), CD4+ helper, and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell functionalities using flow cytometry; anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG by ELISA; and levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) by surrogate virus NAb assay were assessed. The levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and NAb at 1–2 and 8−9 months postrecovery were hand in hand and appeared declining. SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific B, memory B and plasma cells, and T cells sustained up to 8–9 months. Increased expression of CD107a/IFN‐γ by NK cells and cytotoxic T cells at 8–9 months could be indicative of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific effector functions. Recovered individuals with positive and negative IgG antibody status displayed T cell response up to 1 year and 8–9 months, respectively, emphasizing the durabilty of effector immunity up to 8–9 months regardless of IgG antibody status. Overall, the recovered individuals exhibited robust immunological memory, sustained T cell response with effector functionality against SARS‐CoV‐2 that persists for at least 8–9 months.
Evaluation of Antiallergic Conjunctivitis Effects of Extract of Nelumbo nucifera Rhizome and Its Isolated Constituents Against Chemical‐Induced Allergic Conjunctivitis in Experimental Rats
Authors: Chandra Phool , Patel Arvind Kumar , Sachan Neetu , Kabra Atul , Singh Neha , Alshammari Abdulrahman , Albekairi Norah A. , Murthy H. C. Ananda
Published: February 2025

Allergic conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva, is commonly treated with conventional drugs such as mast cell stabilizers, corticosteroids, antihistamines, NSAIDs, and others; these drugs associated lots of side effects including dryness, redness, and blurred vision. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., known as Indian lotus, is traditionally used for various ailments. This study aimed at assessing the antiallergic conjunctivitis effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the rhizome of N. nucifera (HNN) and their isolated constituents (phytosphingosine and betulinic acid) in rats. Acute oral toxicity tests followed OECD Guideline No. 423, revealing no mortality up to 2000 mg/kg for HNN and 300 mg/kg for isolated constituents, indicating their safety. Rats were induced with allergic conjunctivitis and treated with varying doses of HNN extract and isolated constituents. The results showed a significant reduction in allergic signs, eye‐scratching behavior, and eosinophil count in conjunctival tissues in a dose‐dependent manner. This demonstrates the potential of HNN and its constituents in combating allergic conjunctivitis safely and effectively. Further research is warranted to explore their clinical applications.
Why New Nurses of Gen Z in China Are Leaving the Hospitals Within the First Year: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Wu Waner , Zhao Xinyu , Liang Xing , Zhai Huimin
Published: February 2025

Background: Understanding why new nurses quit is vital for hospitals to retain talent. New nurses of Gen Z in China, who have grown up in an era of rapid development, may face unique challenges that lead to their departure, differing from their predecessors. However, research on the turnover causes of new nurses of Gen Z in the context of China’s new era is limited.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the reasons why new nurses of Gen Z in China leave from hospitals.

Design: A descriptive phenomenological study.

Methods: From October 2023 to October 2024, semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 new nurses of Gen Z in China. All participants voluntarily resigned from their hospitals in less than a year of employment. The data were analyzed using the Nvivo 11.0 software, employing the Colaizzi method to extract themes.

Results: Four themes were identified: unalleviated physical and mental stress (conflict between high expectations and slow adaptation, heavy workload, lack of team support, sense of disparity and role transition, and blow from negative events/nursing errors), development planning and personal pursuit (temporary choice for hospital employment, low professional identity, and “for myself”), the power of social support (influence of parents and the role of peer), and new opportunities.

Conclusion: The turnover of China’s new nurses of Gen Z is the result of a combination of multiple factors, which collectively prompts them to leave their hospitals and even the nursing profession. Among these factors, the fundamental reason for their resignation is the lack of fulfillment of their needs.

Implications for Nursing Management: It is crucial to create a positive work environment conducive to the growth of new nurses, while paying attention to their needs and formulating retention strategies tailored to the characteristics of Gen Z.
A Cross‐Sectional Analysis of the Incidence of Hydatidiform Mole in Colombia
Authors: González Mariño Mario Arturo
Published: February 2025

Objective: To describe the incidence of hydatidiform mole in Colombia.

Design: Cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Colombia.

Population or Sample: The total population at risk of hydatidiform mole (15–49 years old) from 2015 to 2023 was 117.890.729 women.

Methods: A search of the national database of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia using ICD‐10 for hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy was conducted from 2015 to 2023. Incidences were calculated using data from the National Department of Statistics of Colombia.

Main Outcome Measures: The incidence of hydatidiform mole was calculated by ratios compared with the live births, the proportion of pregnancies, and the incidence rate in the at‐risk population.

Results: In the reviewed period, 2247 cases of hydatidiform mole were reported. The proportion of unspecified hydatidiform moles during the evaluation period was 78.59% of the reports, the incidence ratio was one hydatidiform mole for every 2486 live births, the proportion was 37.7 × 105 pregnancies and the cumulative incidence was 1.90 × 105 women of 15–49 years. The age range with the highest number of cases was 20–29 years with 1039 cases.

Conclusions: The high proportion of unspecified hydatidiform mole far exceeds the diagnoses of complete and partial hydatidiform mole. The descriptive design of the study does not allow us to determine the causes of these results. Future studies with more complex methodological designs are required to explain these findings.
A Comparative Analytical Study of Functional and Esthetic Outcomes of Infraorbital and Subciliary Incisions to Assess the Redundancy of the Infraorbital Approach
Authors: Prince Jefferson , Shetty Premalatha , Ramanathan Arvind , N. Srikant
Published: February 2025

Objectives: Multiple surgical approaches exist to access the infraorbital region to treat fractures. As with facial approaches, the onus is on good esthetics at the end of the procedure. Access is either through transcutaneous or transconjunctival approaches. In this study, we compared two transcutaneous approaches, the infraorbital and subciliary approaches, to assess functional and esthetic outcomes.

Materials and Methods: This was a comparative analytical study of 22 patients over 18 months with zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures, indicated for open reduction and fixation of infraorbital margin. Patients were randomized into subciliary and infraorbital groups, assessed for intraoperative parameters of time, accessibility, and technique sensitivity and evaluated for postoperative esthetic outcomes of edema, scarring, and any complications such as denting ectropion or scleral show at the end of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.

Results: The intraoperative time was three times greater in the subciliary incision group. The accessibility to the fracture site is excellent in the infraorbital approach, although it was also adequate in the subciliary approach. Regarding the esthetic outcomes, denting, scleral show, and ectropion parameters were observed more in the initial postoperative period in the subciliary group and more scar visibility for the same period in the infraorbital group. However, no significant esthetic differences were present between the two approaches at the end of 6 months.

Conclusions: The infraorbital approach has low esthetic and functional complications of scleral show and ectropion with relatively good esthetics and ease of performing for infraorbital and orbital floor fractures.
Evaluating the Radiation Sensitivity Index and 12-chemokine gene expression signature for clinical use in a CLIA laboratory
Authors: Berglund Anders E. , Puskas John , Yoder Sean J. , Smith Andrew T. , Marchion Douglas C. , Qin Dahui , Mulé James J. , Torres-Roca Javier F. , Eschrich Steven A.
Published: February 2025

The radiation sensitivity index (RSI) and 12-chemokine gene expression signature (12CK GES) are two gene expression signatures (GES) that were previously developed to predict tumor radiation sensitivity or identify the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures in tumors, respectively. To advance the use of these GES into clinical trial evaluation, their assays must be assessed within the context of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) process. Using HG-U133Plus 2.0 arrays, we first established CLIA laboratory proficiency. Then the accuracy (limit of detection and macrodissection impact), precision (variability by time and operator), sample type (surgery vs. biopsy), and concordance with reference laboratory were evaluated. RSI and 12CK GES were reproducible (RSI: 0.01 mean difference, 12CK GES 0.17 mean difference) and precise with respect to time and operator. Taken together, the reproducibility analysis of the scores indicated a median RSI difference of 0.06 (6.47% of range) across samples and a median 12CK GES difference of 0.92 (12.29% of range). Experiments indicated that the lower limit of input RNA is 5 ng. Reproducibility with a second CLIA laboratory demonstrated reliability with the median RSI score difference of 0.065 (6% of full range) and 12CK GES difference of 0.93 (12 % of observed range). Overall, under CLIA, RSI and 12CK GES were demonstrated by the Moffitt Cancer Center Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory to be reproducible GES for clinical usage.
Intraocular myxo-papillary ependymoma vs retinal gliosis mimicking uveal melanoma: report of two adult patients with clinical, imaging and histopathologic features
Authors: Borella Ysé , Tauziede-Espariat Arnault , Gauthier Arnaud , Masliah-Planchon Julien , Brisse Hervé J. , Matet Alexandre , Cassoux Nathalie , Lumbroso-Le Rouic Livia
Published: February 2025

Introduction: To report two cases of primary retinal ependymoma occurring in adults, both enucleated following initial suspicion of uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma is the most frequent primary tumor of the eye in adults but other rare benign intraocular tumors such as leiomyoma, adenoma or ependymomas may also occur. To diagnose them properly is critical to adapt the patient’s management, prognosis and follow-up. Ependymomas are exquisitely rare glial tumors arising from the retina, with only three cases reported yet. Primary clinical diagnosis and distinction between benign or malignant tumor is usually not possible without enucleation and histopathologic analysis. Ependymomas are glial tumors, usually occurring during childhood and arising within the central nervous system (CNS, brain or spinal cord). However, they may also occur outside the CNS, either as a primary or a secondary location.
Case presentations: Case series from two adults aged 41 and 42 years with blindness and painful eye due to neovascular glaucoma who were enucleated for intraocular tumors. Imaging demonstrated in both cases non-specific vascularized solid tumors consistent with uveal melanoma. Histopathologic findings showed radial arrangement of cuboidal to elongated tumor cells around hyalinized fibrovascular cores, presence of myxoid material and diffuse expression of GFAP but not Olig2, orienting the diagnosis to myxopapillary retinal ependymomas. No primary of distant CNS location was identified and follow-up at one and three years was favorable.
Conclusions: Intraocular ependymoma is a rare intraocular primary retinal tumor which can mimic uveal melanoma at ocular fundus examination and imaging. The diagnosis requires histopathology after enucleation, and can mimic reactive retinal gliosis. Whether ependymomas can arise from retina or if retinal gliosis can have ependymoma characteristics is still to be determined. Survival and metastatic prognosis after surgery is favorable according to our experience and previously published cases, confirming the presumed benign nature of the lesions.
HepatoCardioRenal Syndrome: Integrating Pathophysiology with Clinical Decision-Making via POCUS
Authors: Koratala Abhilash , Ronco Claudio , Kazory Amir
Published: February 2025

Background:
Accumulating evidence has challenged the traditional model of the liver-kidney connection in hepatorenal syndrome. Cirrhosis can significantly impact cardiac function, leading to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Recent understanding reveals how cardiac dysfunction plays a pivotal role in the development of renal dysfunction in this setting, suggesting that disturbances traditionally categorized under hepatorenal syndrome may actually represent a hepatic form of cardiorenal syndrome—hepatocardiorenal syndrome—where the liver affects the kidney through cardiorenal pathways.
Summary:
Effective management of hepatocardiorenal syndrome and acute kidney injury in cirrhosis relies on accurately assessing a patient’s hemodynamic and volume status. Point-of-care ultrasound, including lung and focused cardiac ultrasound, is a valuable diagnostic tool that provides crucial data on fluid tolerance, subclinical pulmonary congestion, and left ventricular filling pressures. This objective, bedside approach offers a comprehensive assessment that directly influences patient management and therapeutic decisions.
Key Messages:
Point-of-care ultrasound plays an essential role in evaluating and managing hepatocardiorenal syndrome, providing insights into the underlying pathophysiology. By assessing hemodynamic parameters, it helps guide therapy and monitor patient responses, ensuring more accurate and effective treatment of patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury.
Parental perceptions of preschool children’s weight status in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Jingyun , Zhou Ludan , Chen Lingjiao , Wu Yixin , Wang Yun , Fan Hailing , Tung Tao-Hsin , Wang Lizhen , Zhang Meixian
Published: February 2025

Objectives: Currently, overweight/obesity rates among children are increasing. Moreover, parents generally misunderstand their children’s weight status. The correct perception of overweight/obesity in early childhood is very important for children’s growth and development. The purpose of this study was to investigate parental perceptions of children’s weight status.
Methods: We analyzed data from a questionnaire study conducted among 1971 preschool children in local kindergartens from December 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and classified the participants as having non-overweight and overweight/obesity according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Parents were asked whether they perceived their children to have non-overweight or overweight/obesity. We analyzed the related factors that parents underestimated or overestimated their children's weight status.
Results: The rate of overweight/obesity in preschool children was 17.9%. Parental perceptions of children’s weight status were inconsistent with children’s real weight (kappa=0.351,p<0.001). The correctness of mother’s perceptions of chilren’s weight was higher than that of father’s. Among children who were affected by overweight/obesity, 68.5% of parents underestimated their children’s weights. Mothers with overweight/obesity had a 1.56 times greater risk of underestimating the children’s weight than mothers who were affected by non-overweight (P=0.010, OR: 1.56, 95%CI: 1.11-2.18). Children’s sex and families with siblings were independent risk factors for parents to overestimate children's weight.
Conclusion: Parents were highly likely to misinterpret the weight status of their children who were affected by overweight/obesity. Mothers with overweight/obesity were more likely to underestimate their children’s weight.
Comparative evaluation of the aphicidal activity from Ziziphus spina-christi leaf and stem bark extracts against Aphis fabae Scopoli
Authors: Guezzoun Nassima , Khezzani Bachir , Selmane Mehdi , Zemmouli Naoual
Published: February 2025

Recently, using plants as a renewable source of bioactive mole-cules has aroused worldwide interest in the search for environ-mentally friendly alternatives that are less toxic and less costly than chemical pesticides. The black aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli (Homoptera: Aphididae) is a major insect pest that considerably compromises the quality and productivity of bean crops. This study aimed to compare the aphicidal activity of extracts derived from the medicinal plant Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) (Rhamnaceae) against Aphis fabae to determine and select the most potent ex-tracts in terms of toxicity. We treated aphid larvae and adults with various extracts (of hexane, dichloromethane, methane and water) from the leaves and stem bark of the plant using laborato-ry contact toxicity methods. The toxicity of the extracts was as-sessed based on the percentage of residual population (PR%) in aphid larvae and adults. Our results indicate that the methanolic extracts of Z. spina-christi leaves and bark had the lowest residual population percentages (RP less than 30%) compared with those recorded for the other extracts. The methanol extracts were more toxic to Aphis fabae larvae than adults. We conclude that methanol extracts of Z. spina-christi, particularly the stem bark methanol extract, can be considered an effective botanical aphi-cide harmless to the health and environment and therefore can be used to combat aphids as an alternative to chemical insecti-cides.
Transformative Constitutionalism and the Right to Health in Latin America
Authors: Gutiérrez Silva Rodolfo
Published: February 2025

The most important objective of transformative constitutionalism is to transform society by fostering  democracy, protecting human rights, and seeking to  eliminate poverty and reduce inequality. From this  perspective, courts always guarantee this  transformation through judicial activism. In order to  achieve this objective, courts in the Latin American  region are expanding their involvement in the health  sector in particular. The objective of this article was to  analyse the consequences of transformative  constitutionalism in the health sector in Brazil,  Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. The methodology  applied was descriptive. Comparative, qualitative and  literature review and 37 semi-structured interviews with  judges, academics and public servants were  carried out. Despite the progress made, the  transformation achieved by the intervention of courts in  the protection of the right to health has been only  moderate. Transformative constitutionalism is  generating internal and external transformations in the  health sector of Latin America including direct material,  symbolic and indirect transformations; however, there are still concerns about the negative consequences of  transformative constitutionalism. Therefore, the  promises of transformative constitutionalism remain  very far to reach. In conclusion, courts should consider  more the structural causes that are affecting health  systems and strive more towards equilibrium.
Importance of N2BA Titin in Maintaining Cardiac Homeostasis and Its Role in Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: van der Pijl Robbert , Nusayr Eyad , Strom Joshua , Slater Rebecca , Gohlke Jochen , Hourani Zaynab , Saripalli Chandra , Kolb Justin , Hermanson Kyra , Brynnel Odhin , Smith III John E. , Labeit Siegfried , Methawasin Mei , Granzier Henk
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND:

TTN (titin) is the third myofilament type of the cardiac sarcomere and performs important functions that include generating passive tension. Changes in TTN expression are associated with cardiac dysfunction, and TTN is one of the main genes linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is frequently associated with changes in the expression of N2BA (compliant cardiac TTN isoform), 1 of the 2 major TTN isoforms found in the heart (the other isoform being the N2B [stiff cardiac TTN isoform]). Whether altered expression of N2BA TTN causes DCM or is a secondary change remains unclear.

METHODS:

Here, we present a mouse model, the Ttn
Δ112-158
model, which specifically shortens the proline, glutamate, valine, lysine region of the N2BA isoform.

RESULTS:

Echocardiography and pressure-volume analysis revealed a DCM phenotype characterized by systolic dysfunction and dilation. RNA sequencing studies showed the absence of proline, glutamate, valine, lysine exons, as expected, but also reduced expressions of exons specific to the N2BA isoform of TTN. Protein studies revealed a reduction in the overall expression level of the N2BA isoform with a concomitant increase in N2B TTN, with preserved TT (total TTN) levels. Passive tension was modestly increased in the Ttn
Δ112-158
model. Western blotting revealed that the N2BA TTN-associated protein MARP1 (muscle ankyrin repeat protein 1) is downregulated during both the pre-DCM and DCM phase. Downregulation of MARP1 coincided with the downregulation of the transcription factor Gata-4 (GATA binding protein 4), an MARP1-regulating and interacting protein, which is associated with DCM development.

CONCLUSIONS:

Thus, N2BA TTN is essential for maintaining cardiac health, and perturbed N2BA-MARP1 signaling contributes to DCM development.
Torenia goalparensis (Linderniaceae), a new species from Assam, India.
Authors: ROY SHILPA , BASUMATARY KSHIPRATIV , NATH MADHUSHMITA , NATH NAMITA
Published: February 2025

A new species of Torenia (Linderniaceae), T. goalparensis, is proposed based on material collected from Goalpara district of Assam, India. The new species is closely related to T. godefroyi but can be clearly distinguished by its smaller size, erect habit, ovate basal lamina that gradually becomes linear lanceolate, inflorescence with four flowers, all equal winged calyx lobes, slightly reddish towards the apex, presence of ciliate hairs towards the apices of the calyx, corolla pale pink, lips fully opened, upper lip with dark purple tinge on outer surface, and absence of horn-like appendages of the anterior filaments but having remnant staminal appendages like protuberances. Detailed taxonomic descriptions and photographs of different plant parts with diagnostic importance, along with comparisons with related species, are provided.
Phylogeny and systematics of the New World Selaginellaceae in a global context
Authors: ZHOU XIN-MAO , ROTHFELS CARL J. , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: February 2025

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in Selaginellaceae including treatments in regional floras and the description of new species, but a comprehensive review of the phylogeny and taxonomy of the New World taxa is still lacking. Here we assembled a dataset of one plastid and five nuclear markers of 610 accessions representing ca. 338 species to reconstruct a global phylogeny with a focus on the New World taxa (291 accessions representing ca. 160 species). Our major results include: (1) Sinoselaginelloideae are resolved as sister to Pulviniella + (Lycopodioidoideae + Selaginelloideae), different from previous results, illustrating the difficulty in resolving the affinities of Sinoselaginelloideae, (2) Selaginella schaffneri, included in a large-scale phylogeny for the first time, is resolved as the third earliest-diverging lineage in the family and a new genus, Mexiselaginella, and a new subfamily, Mexiselaginelloideae, are proposed, (3) there are ~319 (excluding four introduced/naturalized) species in 10 genera and six subfamilies in the New World and the New World is lacking 10 out of the 20 major clades (genera and/or subfamilies) in Selaginellaceae, (4) ca. 98% of the species diversity in the New World is found in Selaginelloideae and Gymnogynoideae, 69% of the species diversity is found in Selaginella s.s. alone, and ca. 96% of the species diversity is found in three genera, Selaginella s.s., Bryodesma, and Gymnogynum, (5) Selaginella rzedowskii is confirmed to have dorsal rhizophores and transferred to Lepidoselaginella, and (6) a list of species, genera, and subfamilies in Selaginellaceae from the New World is compiled and provided and a key to genera and subfamilies in the New World is given.
Two new species of Pluteus (Pluteaceae, Agaricales) from Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: LIU MU , BAU TOLGOR
Published: February 2025

Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, two new species of Pluteus were discovered in Inner Mongolia, China: Pluteus daqinggouensis and P. liaoheensis. P. daqinggouensis is characterized by a pileus with a rugose center and striate margin, broadly clavate or ellipsoid cheilocystidia, fusiform or nearly cylindrical pleurocystidia, sometimes slightly constricted in the center. The characteristics of P. liaoheensis include a brown or dark brown pileus with radical dark brown hairs, pleurocystidia rare or absent, and a trichodermal to intricate trichodermal pileipellis, composed of clavate, cylindrical, fusiform elements. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS datasets, conducted using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods, placed both new species within Pluteus sect. Celluloderma. Morphological descriptions and line illustrations of new species are provided.
Cymbella ectorii sp. nov. (Cymbellales, Gomphonemataceae) from a Miño River (NW, Spain)
Authors: CID-RODRÍGUEZ MARÍA , BLANCO SAÚL , TASCÓN-PEÑA OSVALDO , DELGADO CRISTINA
Published: February 2025

Cymbella ectorii sp. nov. is a new freshwater diatom described from phytobenthos samples of Miño River (Galicia, NW of Iberian Peninsula). This new diatom is illustrated and discussed based on different samples collected in July-August 2015 in Miño River as it passes through the city of Ourense and was found four years later (2019) at the same sites. Cymbella ectorii sp. nov. is placed in the genus Cymbella due to shared features such as asymmetry about the apical axis, deflection of the external terminal raphe fissures towards the dorsal margin, and the presence of apical pore fields and stigmata. This taxon was compared with other Cymbella taxa, and its morphological features are documented through light and scanning electron micrographs. Cymbella ectorii sp. nov. is characterized by solitary cells, moderately dorsiventral and broadly lanceolate valves, a distinctly convex dorsal margin and a moderately convex ventral margin. Ends are not protracted but are slightly subrostrate and bluntly rounded. This taxon may be confused with other taxa such as Cymbella tumidula var. tumidula, C. tumidula var. procera, C. tropica, C. affinis, C. turgidula and Cymbopleura heilprinensis in terms of length, stria density and outline. Cymbella ectorii sp. nov. was found in freshwater environments with high dissolved oxygen concentrations, low conductivity, neutral to slightly alkaline pH and low nitrate concentrations.
Ophiopogon ximengensis, a new species from Yunnan, Southern China
Authors: HAO JIA-CHEN , FENG HUI-ZHE , TAN KUN , LIU LI-AN , LIN QIN-WEN
Published: February 2025

Ophiopogon ximengensis, a newly described species from Yunnan Province, SW China, is illustrated herein. Characterized by its strongly recurved tepals O. ximengensis resembles O. griffithii originally described from the same region. However, it is distinctly identifiable by its shorter and broader, more distinctly inequilateral leaf blades, denser inflorescences usually with a tuft of 2 or 3 clustered flowers in axils of bracts and shorter internodes, and more strongly recurved, internally unspotted white perianth lobes. Additionally, we provide notes on its habitat, conservation status, phenology, and taxonomic relationships with related species.
An annotated checklist of the endemic flowering plants of Paraná, southern Brazil
Authors: FERRAZ JOSÉ ROBERTO , MOLINA JOSÉ MARCELO P. , HASSEMER GUSTAVO , RIBEIRO JOSÉ EDUARDO LAHOZ DA SILVA
Published: February 2025

This study presents an annotated checklist of angiosperm species endemic to the State of Paraná, southern Brazil, including information on distribution, habitat, life form, record history in the wild, and a preliminary conservation status for each species. This list was based on biodiversity databases, taxonomic literature, herbarium specimens and fields surveys conducted between 2016 and 2022. The checklist includes 197 species from 107 genera and 41 families. The richest plant families were found to be Orchidaceae (36 species), Fabaceae (22), Asteraceae (17), and Amaryllidaceae (16). Furthermore, the majority of endemic species were distributed in Subtropical Highland Grasslands, Atlantic Rainforest, and Araucaria Forest, respectively. Based on criterion B of the IUCN, 90% of the endemic flora was classified as threatened (Critically Endangered or Endangered). The present study is a starting point to reduce the gaps in knowledge of the endemic flora of Paraná.
A Taxonomic Revision of Artemisia Subgenus Seriphidium (Asteraceae—Anthemideae) in China
Authors: JIN GUANG-ZHAO , SHELUDYAKOVA MARIYA , ABDURAIMOV OZODBEK , FENG YING , GE XUE-JUN
Published: February 2025

Based on field observation and extensive herbarium studies, a comprehensive taxonomic revision of Artemisia subg. Seriphidium in China was conducted. Twenty-nine species are recognized, four of them are endemic to China. A new species, A. neolehmanniana, is described and illustrated. Two new combinations, A. minchunensis and A. sawanensis, are proposed. Thirty names are lectotypified and two names are reduced to synonymy. Three species are listed as dubious and nine species are excluded. In addition, detailed species descriptions, distribution and habitat, phenology, nomenclatural, taxonomic notes and distribution maps of each species as well as a key to Chinese subg. Seriphidium taxa are provided.
A morphological and cytogenetic study of two Fulakora Mann, 1919 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with the description of a new species
Authors: JACINTHO GABRIELA DE FIGUEIREDO , CHAUL JÚLIO CEZAR MÁRIO , TEIXEIRA GISELE AMARO , BARROS LUÍSA ANTÔNIA CAMPOS , LOPES DENILCE MENESES , SERRÃO JOSÉ EDUARDO
Published: February 2025

The Amblyoponinae genus Fulakora comprises 25 Neotropical, Nearctic and Australasian species. To date, only one species of Fulakora, F. cleae, has been cytogenetically studied, with 2n=18 chromosomes, and no information is available on the immature stages of the genus. In this study, we describe two additional karyotypes for Fulakora (F. elongata and a new species), both with 2n=24 chromosomes (16 metacentrics + 8 submetacentrics), which differ from the previously reported karyotype for the genus. We describe the new species, Fulakora estevae sp. nov., and compared it to the most similar species of the genus. The larval stages of F. estevae sp. nov. and of F. elongata are described and compared. Finally, we provide a key to all Neotropical Fulakora species.
A new species of Rhochmopterum Speiser (Diptera: Tephritidae: Tephritinae: Schistopterini) from India
Authors: HATWAR NIKHIL KHEMRAJJI , DAVID KARAMANKODU JACOB , HANCOCK DAVID LAWRENCE , RAGHURAMAN MAHADEVAN , GRACY RAMASAMY GANDHI , SRINIVASA NARAYANA
Published: February 2025

A new species of Rhochmopterum Speiser is described and illustrated from India, namely Rhochmopterum malaviyai Nikhil, David & Hancock, sp. nov. from northeastern and northern plains of India. A key to all species of Rhochmopterum from Oriental region is included. mt-COI and 28s sequences of Rhochmopterum malaviyai Nikhil, David & Hancock, sp. nov. were obtained and reported.
Solving Inequality by Acculturating the Poor? Mexican Elites’ (Un)Faltering Adherence to Education Under Changing Social and Political Conditions
Authors: Krozer Alice , Pi Alonso
Published: February 2025

In this article, we analyze the representations of education that Mexican economic elites uphold. Our objective is to know if such representations have changed after the impact of two shocks: on the one hand, the discursive change of the federal government in matters of social policy after the arrival of Andrés Manuel López Obrador to the presidency of Mexico; on the other hand, the effects of the transition to a virtual learning modality during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we are interested in investigating how elites understand the role of education within a national context marked by high poverty, little social mobility, and deep social inequality. Given that existing literature has understood educational institutions as both an enabler of overall social mobility and a tool for elite reproduction, we analyze elites’ consideration of education and their own role in it as a solution to pressing social problems and as a reproductive factor. We find their narratives to hold in essence but change in tone with the shocks unfolding.
Agent-Oriented Impression Management: Who Wins When Firms Publicize Their New CEOs?
Authors: Yoon Hyunjung (Elle) , Gamache Daniel L. , Pfarrer Michael D. , Kiley Jason
Published: February 2025

In this study, we advance organizational impression management research by focusing on agent-oriented impression management—which reflects attempts to create value for the firm by publicizing individuals or groups who are agents of the firm. Although prevalent in practice, agent-oriented impression management remains unexplored in scholarly research. Specifically, we introduce the concept of new CEO prominence in firm communication (PFC), defined as the frequency and centrality of new CEO mentions in firm press releases and social media. We argue that new CEO PFC is distinct from traditional impression management tactics because CEOs are agents of the firm that will personally benefit from these impression management strategies. Thus, our research addresses the question: Who captures the value associated with new CEO PFC? We theorize that firms benefit from featuring new CEOs in firm communication through improved external stakeholder evaluations (i.e., analyst ratings). However, these efforts may also create value for the CEOs, as evidenced by increased compensation, more outside directorships, and decreased turnover rates. Our empirical study of efforts to publicize a new CEO following 557 succession events strongly supports our theory.
Cultivating child prosocial behavior in dynamic family systems: The distinct role of family conflict and parental monitoring
Authors: Li Rui , Meng Zong , Hu Yueqin
Published: February 2025

Childhood is a critical period for the development of prosocial behavior, and the family serves as a crucial microsystem for fostering prosocial behavior in children. Prior research has indicated that parental monitoring, a specific family factor directly targeting children, can predict children’s prosocial behavior. However, the influence of the overall family climate on children’s prosocial behavior remains unclear. This study focuses on different levels of family factors and examines the dynamic longitudinal effects of both parental monitoring and family conflict, simultaneously, on children’s prosocial behavior. Three-wave data from 4,691 children ( M baseline age = 9.480, SD = .507; 48.2% female) in the ABCD database were analyzed. The results of the cross-lagged panel model revealed significant longitudinal mutual predictive relations among family conflict, parental monitoring, and children’s prosocial behavior. After disentangling between-person associations, the findings from the random-intercept cross-lagged panel model showed that increasing parental monitoring consistently predicted future increases in child prosocial behavior from childhood to early adolescence, and reducing family conflict significantly predicted future increases in prosocial behavior during early adolescence. These findings underscore the importance of considering not only specific family factors that directly target the child, but also holistic family factors such as family conflict in shaping positive child development.
The peacemaking role of independent commissions: The role of institutional design
Authors: Neudorfer Natascha S , Walsh Dawn
Published: February 2025

After a peace agreement is signed, many key peacebuilding tasks remain. Issues of mistrust between former combatants and the difficult compromises which must be made as the agreement is implemented can lead to conflict recurrence. We examine whether commissions can help to overcome these problems. Commissions provide a forum for specific challenges to be addressed in a less adversarial way. We argue that the institutional design of a commission is crucial in allowing it to support conflict non-recurrence. Although previous research highlights the importance of power-sharing in commissions, we propose that broader inclusion is necessary. Using the Independent Commissions in Post-Conflict Societies dataset, we find that rules for international involvement, consensus decision-making and monitoring/verification significantly lower the likelihood of conflict recurrence, whereas, surprisingly, domestic inclusion rules have no effect. As commission design is malleable, our findings provide practioners with levers which they can engage to help support the non-recurrence of conflict.
Diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution melting curve analysis for discrimination of oncology-associated EGFR mutations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Shu , Cheng Yan , Tang Chen-Cheng , Liu Yue-Ping
Published: February 2025

Objective

To investigate the diagnostic value of high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for oncology-associated epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) gene mutations.

Methods

We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science for HRM and EGFR mutation detection studies published through September 2024. True and false positives and negatives were extracted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of HRM to detect EGFR mutations. The study was registered at INPLASY (INPLASY202490062).

Results

Twenty-six articles were obtained from 416 references. The overall diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were high at 0.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94–0.96] and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99–0.99), respectively. Other indicators, including the positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio, were 144.91 (95% CI: 69.07–304.04), 0.08 (95% CI: 0.04–0.13), and 2405.21 (95% CI: 1231.87–4696.13), respectively. The Q value of the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.979, and the area under the curve was 0.997.

Conclusion

As a pre-screening method, the high specificity, sensitivity, low cost, rapid turnaround, and simplicity of HRM make it a good alternative for clinical practice, but positive results must still be obtained for diagnostic confirmation. This study provides a transparent overview of relevant studies in design and conduct.
Gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor invading the esophagus and spleen: a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Zou LuoLan , Yan ZiLing , Deng HuaZhen , Liu HongPeng , Qin Ying
Published: February 2025

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare neoplasm with intermediate biological potential. The stomach is an uncommon site for IMTs, and gastric IMTs are typically confined to the submucosal layer. This report presents a rare case of a 29-year-old woman with a gastric IMT located in the gastric fundus, exhibiting local invasion into the esophagus and spleen.
Enhancing hydrophobicity and anti-corrosion properties of Al-6061Aluminum hybrid composites through trace additions of rare earth oxides
Authors: Patel Dinesh Kumar , Sharma Vipin Kumar , Kumar Vinod , Kumar Pardeep , Kumar Dinesh
Published: February 2025

Rare Earth elements (REEs) are known as the “vitamins of chemistry” have widely used in industries including aerospace, marine and electronics. Metals and ceramics are examples of existing durable materials that are typically hydrophilic and need to be modified with other materials to become hydrophobic. This research paper investigates the hydrophobic potential of the family of ceramics known as rare-earths, which belong to the lanthanide series. The distinct electronic structure of rare earths atoms hinders hydrogen bonding when water molecules come in contact with the composites. This results in a hydrophobic hydration structure, wherein the surface oxygen atoms serve as the only hydrogen bonding sites. Moisture can speed up the corrosion process, particularly when combined with oxygen and other impurities. Water has the ability to help electrolytes develop that accelerates aluminum corrosion. Aluminum corrodes more quickly at higher temperatures. Owing to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, rare earth metals have attracted a lot of attention to improve the performance of composites. When Rare Earth Oxides (REOs) are added to composite materials, their hydrophobicity is greatly increased. This is because passive films are formed and the microstructure is altered, which increases the materials’ resistance to corrosion. Apart from these fundamentals of hydrophobicity, corrosion behaviour and challenges are also discussed in this paper.
Causal survival embeddings: Non-parametric counterfactual inference under right-censoring
Authors: García Meixide Carlos , Matabuena Marcos
Published: February 2025

Counterfactual inference at the distributional level presents new challenges with censored targets, especially in modern healthcare problems. To mitigate selection bias in this context, we exploit the intrinsic structure of reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHS) harnessing the notion of kernel mean embedding. This enables the development of a non-parametric estimator of counterfactual survival functions. We provide rigorous theoretical guarantees regarding consistency and convergence rates of our new estimator under general hypotheses related to smoothness of the underlying RKHS. We illustrate the practical viability of our methodology through extensive simulations and a relevant case study: The SPRINT trial. Our estimatort presents a distinct perspective compared to existing methods within the literature, which often rely on semi-parametric approaches and confront limitations in causal interpretations of model parameters.
Embracing the Future by Unlocking the Door to Smart Living: A Systematic Review of Consumers Adoption and Acceptance of Smart Home Devices
Authors: Aggarwal Neha , Singh Seema
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

Smart home devices are a promising technology in the modern era, offering numerous advantages and ease to individuals’ daily lives. Due to its immense potential, the adoption of smart home devices is gaining more popularity. This study provides an in-depth review and evaluation of the present state of consumers’ adoption and acceptance of smart home devices to understand more deeply and identify which factors significantly influence consumers’ decisions.

Design/methodology/approach:

This study conducts an extensive descriptive analysis of 43 research articles retrieved from the Scopus database using a specified search string. It aims to describe the current level of understanding and synthesize previous research on the adoption of smart home devices employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol and the Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methods (TCCM) framework.

Findings:

The results of the previous literature indicate that publications in this field have significantly increased since 2019, suggesting that academics are becoming more interested in this area of research. The technology acceptance model was the most used theory in previous research. Most of the studies in this domain have used quantitative methods. Survey-based research became the primary approach for collecting data, and partial least squares–structure equation modeling was the most used analytical tool.

Originality/value:

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review focusing on the adoption of smart home devices using the TCCM framework and the PRISMA protocol.
The facilitating effect of occupational change on job crafting and innovation performance
Authors: Wu Di , Lin Haitianyu
Published: February 2025

Background

Although occupational change is becoming commonplace for contemporary employees, it remains understudied from the theoretical perspective. With employees bringing along previous job experiences into their new roles, occupational changes potentially create favorable conditions for employees’ job crafting and innovation performance.

Objective

Based on Career Construction Theory, this study aims to gain a better understanding of the increasingly prevalent phenomenon of occupational change. Specifically, this study explores the potential facilitating effect of occupational change on job crafting and subsequently on employee innovation performance.

Method

A questionnaire survey administered to 413 employees was conducted to examine the proposed hypotheses. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and a mediation analysis using bootstrapped sampling were employed in the data analyses.

Results

The results confirmed the hypothesis that occupational change experience is positively associated with employee job crafting. Moreover, job crafting was found to play a full mediating role in the relationship between occupational change experience and employee innovation performance.

Conclusion

This study serves as an exploratory attempt to better understand the new and under-researched topic of occupational change. By focusing on the new experience and capabilities that occupational changers can bring to their new jobs, this study proposes that occupational changes could potentially facilitate job crafting which further enhances innovation performance. In this vein, this study provides new theoretical insights and meaningful managerial suggestions on the topic of occupational change.