bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Populus deltoides is suitable for moist and short-term flooded soil conditions on the basis of its relative growth rate and stoichiometry
Authors: Xu Cheng , Liu Xiaopeng , Qian Zhuangzhuang , Zhao Xiaojun , Wang Bo , Yang Tao , Ge Xiaomin , Tang Luozhong
Published: February 2025

To understand the effects of water stress on plant growth, nutrients distribution and their stoichiometry in different organs of poplar seedlings, and further explore the validation of growth rate hypothesis (GRH) under water stress treatments. Poplar seedlings (Populus deltoides 'Nanlin 3804') were grown under drought (D), normal water management (CK), low-level flooding (LF), high-level flooding (HF) and high-level flooding followed by flood recovery (FR) treatments in 60 days. Poplar seedling growth, nutrients contents and stoichiometry among different treatments were analyzed. The seedlings had greater relative growth rate of biomass, height and stem-basal diameter (BRGR, HRGR, and SRGR, respectively) under flooding treatments, especially in FR treatment (P < 0.05). Among different organs, stem had the highest BRGR. The N, P and K concentrations were highest in D treatment (P < 0.05). Leaves and stems had greater nutrient concentrations and stoichiometries than roots under different treatments (P < 0.05). The plant stoichiometry were positively correlated with BRGR and HRGR but negatively correlated with SRGR from whole-plant perspective. In organ level, BRGR were negatively correlated with root stoichiometry, but were positively correlated with stem and leaf stoichiometry. Poplar seedlings are suitable for cultivation in relatively moist soil or under short-term periodic flooding conditions. This study provides a scientific basis for the cultivation of high-quality seedlings and the selection of suitable afforestation sites for existing poplar clones.
Helping land trusts prepare for a new climate: experiences of challenges and facilitators for translating knowledge about climate change adaptation in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Drescher Michael , Koscinski Daria , Quinn Jenna , Roblin Morgan
Published: February 2025

The environment is changing under the impact of climate change, but many Ontario land trusts still operate with the goal of maintaining historic patterns of biodiversity. This misalignment of conditions and goals may render the important work of these land trusts less effective. To help improve this situation, we conducted several knowledge translation activities to inform Ontario land trusts about possible climate change adaptation options. Throughout the knowledge translation activities, we collected participants’ comments and examined them with hypothesis and descriptive coding to reveal data about challenges and facilitators, which we grouped into themes with pattern coding. The results helped us identify challenges and facilitators that land trusts experience when participating in climate change knowledge translation and attempting to adapt to climate change. The challenges include a lack of resources, limited technical skills and species knowledge, and competing priorities and perspectives. Facilitators include a general interest in climate change, use of tools for adaptation planning, and resource sharing. To increase climate change adaptability in the Ontario land trust sector, we recommend greater collaboration between land trusts, modest modifications to existing conservation actions, shifting from passive to active conservation, and moving from species-level to community and ecosystem function conservation goals.
Solving arbitrary one-loop reduction via generating function
Authors: Li Tingfei , Song Yuekai , Zhang Liang
Published: February 2025

Recently, the concept of generating function has been employed in one-loop reduction. For one-loop integrals encompassing arbitrary tensor ranks and higher-pole contributions, the generating function can be decomposed into a tensor part and a higher-pole part. While the tensor component has been thoroughly addressed in recent studies, there remains a lack of satisfactory investigations regarding the higher-pole part. In this work, we completely solve the problem. We first establish the partial differential equations governing the higher-pole generating function. Based on these equations, we derive an integration recursion relation and solve it iteratively. This approach enables us to explore the analytical structure of higher-pole reduction and provides a valuable tool for generating reduction coefficients efficiently.
LyDRL: Lyapunov-guided Deep Reinforcement Learning for Stable Task offloading in Connected Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Chen Yanming , Huang Ziyang , Zhang Yiwen , Fang Weiwei , Xiong Naixue N.
Published: February 2025

Task offloading is recognized as a promising approach to enhance the computational performance of Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs). Some applications of CAVs, such as metaverse applications, require substantial resources, posing significant challenges to CAVs with limited computing and storage capacities. CAVs can offload resource-intensive applications to the vehicular edge computing (VEC) server, which has strong computing capabilities. To fully utilize the resources in the CAV system, partial offloading is employed. However, the local computing resources are limited for continuously generated partial offloading tasks. This results in many partially locally executed tasks experiencing long processing times or being discarded, which is detrimental to delay-sensitive tasks on CAVs. This paper proposes Lyapunov function guided reinforcement learning for the CAVs task offloading computational framework, LyDRL. Specifically, LyDRL first uses the Lyapunov function to transform the long-term objective optimization problem into subproblems determined at each time slot. In each time slot, deep reinforcement learning is used to obtain the optimal task offloading decision while satisfying the constraints. Simulation results show that compared with existing algorithms, the proposed strategy can ensure the stability of the CAVs system and achieve the lowest system overhead.
Towards Reliable Evaluation of Neural Program Repair with Natural Robustness Testing
Authors: Le-Cong Thanh , Nguyen Thanh-Dat , Le Bach , Murray Toby
Published: February 2025

Automated program repair (APR) has recently gained ground, with numerous research efforts being conducted in the area that have been adopted in the industry. One notable class of APR is neural program repair (NPR), which typically employs deep learning techniques that are trained on vast amounts of historical data to fix bugs that have not been seen in the past. To study the true effectiveness of NPR on existing limited datasets, recent work augments the evaluation data by employing semantics-preserving transformations to convert original buggy programs to semantically equivalent ones. Experiments show that NPR techniques are not robust; e.g., NPR cannot repair semantically equivalent counterparts of 20%-35% of bugs that they can repair in the original dataset. However, we found that many of these transformations are unnatural, that are unlikely to occur in real-world scenarios, leading to misleading conclusions about NPR effectiveness and misguide the improvement on unrobust behaviors, which have minimal real-world impact.

In this paper, we propose shifting the focus of robustness evaluation for NPR techniques towards naturally occurring data transformations. To accomplish this, we first examine the naturalness of semantic-preserving transformations through a two-stage human study. This study includes: (i) interviews with senior software developers to establish concrete criteria for evaluating the naturalness of these transformations, and (ii) a survey involving 10 developers to assess the naturalness of 1,178 transformations, i.e., pairs of original and transformed programs, applied to 225 real-world bugs. Our findings show that only 60% of these transformations are considered natural, while 20% are considered unnatural, with strong agreement among the annotators. Moreover, the unnaturalness of these transformations significantly impacts both their applicability to benchmarks and the conclusions drawn from robustness testing.

Next, we conduct natural robustness tests on NPR techniques to assess their true effectiveness against real-world data variations. Our experimental results reveal a substantial number of prediction changes in NPR techniques, leading to significant reductions in both plausible and correct patch rates when comparing performance on the original and transformed datasets. Furthermore, we observe notable differences in performance improvements between NPR techniques, suggesting potential biases in the evaluation of NPR introduced by limited datasets. Finally, we explore automating the assessment of transformation naturalness by developing a new naturalness metric, namely RNC, using Large Language Models. This metric effectively evaluates naturalness with an AUC of 0.7, offering a promising direction for automating the naturalness assessment of code transformations.
Gradual Drift Detection in Process Models Using Conformance Metrics
Authors: Gallego-Fontenla Víctor , Gamallo-Fernandez Pedro , Vidal Juan C. , Lama Manuel
Published: February 2025

Changes, planned or unexpected, are common during the execution of real-life processes. Detecting these changes is a must for optimizing the performance of organizations running such processes. Most of the algorithms present in the
state-of-the-art
focus on the detection of sudden changes, leaving aside other types of changes. In this paper, we will focus on the automatic detection of gradual drifts, a special type of change, in which the cases of two models overlap during a period of time. The proposed algorithm relies on conformance checking metrics to carry out the automatic detection of the changes, performing also a fully automatic classification of these changes into sudden or gradual. The approach has been validated with a synthetic dataset consisting of 120 logs with different distributions of changes, getting better results in terms of detection and classification accuracy, delay and change region overlapping than the main
state-of-the-art
algorithms.
Assessment of the Usage of Innovative Integrated Photogrammetry Method in Structural Behaviour Analysis: The Case of Mardin Melik Mahmut Mosque
Authors: Kutlu İzzettin , Soyluk Asena
Published: February 2025

The integration of photogrammetric modeling with the finite element method has emerged as a valuable approach in the practical analysis and determination of structural behavior. Photogrammetry, a technique that utilizes the analysis and processing of photographs to create three-dimensional models of real-world objects, offers a powerful tool for capturing accurate geometric data. On the other hand, the finite element method provides a numerical framework for the mathematical modeling and analysis of complex structural systems. This article presents a methodology that integrates these two modeling techniques by comparing their performance with integrated and classical models. Classical modelling is a technique performed in a finite element software and has been applied for many years. Accordingly, this study aims to reveal the limitations of photogrammetry, develop solutions to these limitations, and provide integrated model generation. The material definitions and load assignments were kept consistent across both modeling techniques for observing the differences in analysis. The study used SAP2000 and modal analysis was conducted to analyse the behaviour and to compare the geometrical properties of the models independent of region and time. The obtained results reveal a high level of similarity, with the natural vibration periods of the models demonstrating 98%, the stress values exhibiting 90%, and deformation values 90% similarity a result of the dynamic loads applied in the X-Y direction. Consequently, this study highlights the potential for further improvement in the integrated model generation process by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each modeling technique.
High Performance Solution of Tridiagonal Systems on the GPU
Authors: Tolmachev Dmitrii , Marti Philippe , Castiglioni Giacomo , Jackson Andrew
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present PfSolve — a new, performant, cross-platform, and open-source implementation of tridiagonal and bidiagonal matrix solvers for the GPU architecture. Released as a stand-alone library, PfSolve can solve systems of arbitrary size that fit into the memory of a single GPU with a potential extension to multi-GPU support in the future. The code works in single, double, and double-double emulation of quad precision using only

\(0.1\% \)

of the original system size as additional memory. PfSolve is based on the in-house implementation of the Parallel Thomas algorithm optimized for GPU execution by using warp-level instructions and occupancy optimizations, which are discussed in detail in the paper. This work also presents an accuracy analysis of the Parallel Thomas algorithm for tridiagonal matrices with various dominance factors (approximately, the ratio of the off-diagonal to diagonal terms) and demonstrates that PfSolve achieves a considerable speedup over vendor solutions on modern HPC GPUs like Nvidia H100 and AMD MI210. The source code for PfSolve is available on GitHub.
Table S6 from Multiomics Analysis Reveals Molecular Changes during Early Progression of Precancerous Lesions to Lung Adenocarcinoma in Never-Smokers
Authors: Chen Yun-Ching , Hsu Chia-Lang , Wang Hui-Min , Wu Shang-Gin , Chang Yih-Leong , Chen Jin-Shing , Wu Yu-Ching , Lin Yen-Ting , Yang Ching-Yao , Lin Mong-Wei , Lee Jang-Ming , Kuo Shuenn-Wen , Chen Ke-Cheng , Hsu Hsao-Hsun , Huang Pei-Ming , Huang Yen-Lin , Yu Chong-Jen , Pirooznia Mehdi , Huang Bevan E. , Yang Rob , Shih Jin-Yuan , Yang Pan-Chyr
Published: February 2025

Table S6. The complete list of somatic mutations.
Table S5 from Multiomics Analysis Reveals Molecular Changes during Early Progression of Precancerous Lesions to Lung Adenocarcinoma in Never-Smokers
Authors: Chen Yun-Ching , Hsu Chia-Lang , Wang Hui-Min , Wu Shang-Gin , Chang Yih-Leong , Chen Jin-Shing , Wu Yu-Ching , Lin Yen-Ting , Yang Ching-Yao , Lin Mong-Wei , Lee Jang-Ming , Kuo Shuenn-Wen , Chen Ke-Cheng , Hsu Hsao-Hsun , Huang Pei-Ming , Huang Yen-Lin , Yu Chong-Jen , Pirooznia Mehdi , Huang Bevan E. , Yang Rob , Shih Jin-Yuan , Yang Pan-Chyr
Published: February 2025

Table S5. Mutational profiles of 159 patients.
Ribosomal RNA Biosynthesis Functionally Programs Tumor-Associated Macrophages to Support Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Metge Brandon J. , Williams Li'an , Swain Courtney A. , Hinshaw Dominique C. , Elhamamsy Amr R. , Chen Dongquan , Samant Rajeev S. , Shevde Lalita A.
Published: February 2025

Macrophages are important cellular components of the innate immune system, serving as the first line of immune defense. They are also among the first immune cells to be reprogrammed by the evolving tumor milieu into tumor-supportive macrophages that facilitate tumor progression and promote therapeutic evasion. Here, we uncovered that macrophages from preneoplastic breast lesions were enriched for ribosome biosynthesis genes, indicating that this is an early event that is maintained in the tumor tissue. Furthermore, following treatment with irradiation or chemotherapy, breast tumors featured an abundance of tumor-supporting macrophages that displayed an enrichment of signatures of ribosomal RNA expression and ribosome biosynthesis. Consistently, rRNA synthesis was increased in tumor-supportive macrophages. In preclinical models of mammary cancer, a low dose of the RNA biogenesis inhibitor BMH-21 converted pro-tumor macrophages to tumor-suppressive macrophages and supported an inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Inhibition of rRNA transcription stimulated a nucleolar stress response that activated the p53 and NF-κB pathways, which orchestrated impaired ribosome biogenesis checkpoint signaling that induced an inflammatory program in macrophages. Finally, inhibiting ribosome biogenesis augmented the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy. Together, these findings provide evidence that ribosome biogenesis is a targetable dependency to reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment.
Supplemental Table S3 from Ternary Complex Components Responsible for Rapid LDL Internalization as Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Associated with Proliferation and Early Recurrence
Authors: McDonald Elizabeth S. , Pan Tien-Chi , Pant Dhruv K. , Troester Melissa A. , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Mankoff David A. , Mach Robert H. , Chodosh Lewis A.
Published: February 2025

The shows the number of samples with RNA-sequencing data available from the TCGA database.
Supplemental Table S2 from Ternary Complex Components Responsible for Rapid LDL Internalization as Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Associated with Proliferation and Early Recurrence
Authors: McDonald Elizabeth S. , Pan Tien-Chi , Pant Dhruv K. , Troester Melissa A. , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Mankoff David A. , Mach Robert H. , Chodosh Lewis A.
Published: February 2025

This shows the number of samples with available data for analysis.
Supplemental Table S1 from Ternary Complex Components Responsible for Rapid LDL Internalization as Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Associated with Proliferation and Early Recurrence
Authors: McDonald Elizabeth S. , Pan Tien-Chi , Pant Dhruv K. , Troester Melissa A. , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Mankoff David A. , Mach Robert H. , Chodosh Lewis A.
Published: February 2025

These are the publicly available microarray datasets combined for this analysis.
Supplemental Figure S5 from Ternary Complex Components Responsible for Rapid LDL Internalization as Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Associated with Proliferation and Early Recurrence
Authors: McDonald Elizabeth S. , Pan Tien-Chi , Pant Dhruv K. , Troester Melissa A. , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Mankoff David A. , Mach Robert H. , Chodosh Lewis A.
Published: February 2025

Supplemental Figure S5
Figure 2 from Ternary Complex Components Responsible for Rapid LDL Internalization as Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Associated with Proliferation and Early Recurrence
Authors: McDonald Elizabeth S. , Pan Tien-Chi , Pant Dhruv K. , Troester Melissa A. , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Mankoff David A. , Mach Robert H. , Chodosh Lewis A.
Published: February 2025

PGRMC1 is associated with early breast cancer relapse in a proliferation-dependent manner. Effect size estimates were aggregated across datasets by meta-analysis to determine the risk of relapse within 5 years from all cancers. A, Association of PGRMC1 with early breast cancer relapse. B, Association of PGRMC1 with early breast cancer relapse within the basal subtype. C, Association of PGRMC1 with early relapse adjusted for estimated proliferation. JRH, John Radcliffe Hospital.
Successful Pregnancy in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease and Short Bowel Syndrome: Off Total Parenteral Nutrition and On Teduglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Analog – A Case Report
Authors: Dahar Maria M. , Both MacKenzie , Lord Linda M. , Densmore Carly , Saubermann Lawrence  J.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) on conventional oral diets often face nutritional deficiencies and dehydration, a challenge further compounded during pregnancy. This case report describes the use of a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog in the nutritional management of an SBS patient dependent on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Case Presentation: A 29-year-old woman with a significant medical history of Crohn’s disease leading to SBS was traditionally dependent on TPN for sustenance. During her pregnancy, she was successfully managed with a GLP-2 analog, which enabled her to wean off TPN. This successful management underscores the therapeutic potential of GLP-2 analogs in effectively altering the nutritional landscape for SBS patients, including during the physiologically demanding period of pregnancy. Conclusion: GLP-2 analogs helped with the nutritional management of patients with SBS during pregnancy and helped them wean off TPN. There is a need for further research and exploration into GLP-2 analogs as viable alternatives to conventional treatments such as TPN in the care and management of SBS patients during pregnancy.
Treatment and reasons for choosing treatment in breast cancer patients who underwent next-generation sequencing test
Authors: Nishimura Rumi , Sudo Kazuki , Kitadai Rui , Kawachi Asuka , Ito Munehiro , Hoshino Mai , Kita Shosuke , Saito Ayumi , Kojima Yuki , Maejima Aiko , Noguchi Emi , Okuma Hitomi S. , Koyama Takafumi , Shimoi Tatsunori , Yonemori Kan
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is commonly used in clinical practice to decide treatment based on genomic information. This study was performed to optimize the proportion of actionable gene profiling and treatment based on genetic alterations in breast cancer at one of cancer centers in Japan. Methods: Patients with breast cancer who reported NGS results at one of cancer centers in Japan from August 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively investigated by reviewing their electronic medical records. Patients were examined using the OncoGuideTM NCC Oncopanel System, FoundationOne® CDx, or FoundationOne® Liquid CDx. The evidence levels for drug recommendation were added for each gene alteration according to the guidelines from three Japanese oncology-related societies. ‘’Actionable alterations’’ were those at evidence levels A–D, including high microsatellite instability and high tumor mutation burden status. “Patients with recommended drug” (approved, investigational, and off‐label drugs) were defined as those who were selected by the Molecular Tumor Board. Results: Of the 106 patients, 54 were tested using the NCC Oncopanel System and 50 using FoundationOne CDx. The most frequent alterations were TP53 mutations (52.8%) and PIK3CA mutations (31.1%). Of the 56 patients (52.8%) with recommended drugs, 11 (10.4%) received genome-matched therapy and only three (2.8%) participated in clinical trials. The most common reason for not receiving genome-matched therapy was patient refusal for personal reasons, although clinical trials were available (18 patients). Conclusion: The top reasons for patients not receiving the recommended genome-matched therapy were factors related to the patient, including a number of prior treatments higher than what was allowed by the eligibility criteria of the clinical trials, and poor physical condition. Most patients received four or more regimens of cytotoxic chemotherapy before NGS. NGS is only available at the late phase of treatment in Japan, which would constitute a problem for the treatment of breast cancer.
Secular trends of the incidence of encephalitis and outcomes of postencephalitic epilepsy in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Wang Yi-Shan , Fan Chi , Hou Ju-Yin , Cheng Yi-Ting , Liu Yi-Hsuan , Kuo Cheng-Yen , Lin Jainn-Jim , Kuo Chang-Fu , Lin Kuang-Lin , Chou I-Jun
Published: February 2025

Background: Encephalitis can lead to significant disability among survivors. Up-to-date estimates of encephalitis incidence and the risk of postencephalitic epilepsy (PE) are crucial for informing health policy.
Methods: We used the National Taiwan Insurance Research Database to estimate the standardized incidence of encephalitis for each year from 2003 to 2017. We analyzed PE among these cases.
Results: From 2003 to 2017, the age- and sex-standardized incidence of encephalitis increased from 5.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.61–6.28) to 10.46 (95% CI: 10.04–10.87) per 100,000 person-years, with an annual percentage change of 1.6% (1.1–2.2, p < 0.05). However, yearly variation was observed. The incidence was consistently higher in patients under 18 years than in those aged ≥ 18 years throughout the study period. In 2017, the highest annual incidence was seen in adults aged ≥ 70 years and in children aged 1–4 years. Approximately 20% of the survivors developed PE within 5 years, with the highest risk observed in infants under 1 year of age.
Conclusions: The overall incidence of encephalitis in Taiwan increased from 2003 to 2017. Pediatric patients, particularly those under 1 year of age, are more vulnerable to encephalitis and its long-term complications, including PE, compared to adults, except for those aged ≥ 70 years.
Deep-ELA: Deep Exploratory Landscape Analysis with Self-Supervised Pretrained Transformers for Single- and Multi-Objective Continuous Optimization Problems
Authors: Seiler Moritz Vinzent , Kerschke Pascal , Trautmann Heike
Published: February 2025

In many recent works,the potential of Exploratory Landscape Analysis (ELA) features to numerically characterize single-objective continuous optimization problems has been demonstrated. These numerical features provide the input for all kinds of machine learning tasks in the domain of continuous optimization problems, ranging, i.a., from High-level Property Prediction to Automated Algorithm Selection and Automated Algorithm Configuration. Without ELA features, analyzing and understanding the characteristics of single-objective continuous optimization problems is — to the best of our knowledge — very limited.

Yet, despite their usefulness, as demonstrated in several past works, ELA features suffer from several drawbacks. These include, in particular, (1.) a strong correlation between multiple features, as well as (2.) its very limited applicability to multiobjective continuous optimization problems. As a remedy, recent works proposed deep learning-based approaches as alternatives to ELA. In these works, among others point-cloud transformers were used to characterize an optimization problem's fitness landscape. However, these approaches require a large amount of labeled training data.

Within this work, we propose a hybrid approach, Deep-ELA, which combines (the benefits of) deep learning and ELA features. We pre-trained four transformers on millions of randomly generated optimization problems to learn deep representations of the landscapes of continuous single- and multi-objective optimization problems. Our proposed framework can either be used out-of-the-box for analyzing single- and multiobjective continuous optimization problems, or subsequently fine-tuned to various tasks focusing on algorithm behavior and problem understanding.
Fictional Properties
Authors: Kroon Frederick , Oppenheimer Paul E.
Published: February 2025

The topic of fictional objects and their nature is a familiar one, the topic of fictional properties less so. This article focuses on the way artefactualism – now arguably the most popular form of realism about fictional objects – might be extended to give an account of fictional properties. After describing what seems the most developed such extension, the article articulates a serious problem it faces, before showing how artefactualism about fictional properties would benefit from certain insights contained in an alternative abstract-object version of fictional realism.
Fictional Characters and Their Individuating Properties
Authors: Voltolini Alberto
Published: February 2025

In this article, I want to defend two claims. First, as regards fictional characters (ficta), one must appeal to constitutive properties, i.e., properties that are not only necessary but also essential for a fictum involved by a certain narration; namely, the internal discourse about a fictum. Such properties are indeed the properties that are truly predicated of ficta, either explicitly or implicitly, in that narration. For the appeal to such properties may explain not only i) the truth of important bits of external discourse, i.e., the discourse concerning a fictum outside that narration, but also ii) a fictum’s individuation, i.e., what makes that fictum the object it is. Second, ficta are truly internally predicated such properties, i.e., they possess such properties in a specific, constitutive, mode. For those properties are members of the property sets with which ficta are somehow correlated; indeed, possession of truly internally predicated properties precisely amounts to set-membership.
Unravelling the Mexican Magnolia dealbata (Magnoliaceae) species complex
Authors: NÚÑEZ FABIÁN AUGUSTO ALDABA , GUZMÁN-DÍAZ SALVADOR , PARK SUHYEON , KIM SANGTAE , SALAS ESTEBAN MANUEL MARTÍNEZ , SAMAIN MARIE-STÉPHANIE
Published: February 2025

In the last two decades, approximately 80 new Magnolia species have been described from the Neotropics; thus this region now hosts almost half of the world’s known Magnolia diversity. Many of these likely are not segregate taxa but rather separate populations or groups of populations of the previously broadly circumscribed, widespread species. Such is possibly the case of the Magnolia dealbata species complex (belonging to Magnolia sect. Macrophylla), distributed throughout the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range in Eastern Mexico. This species complex has been divided into six morphospecies based on morphological criteria only. However, recent microsatellite markers have suggested that these may be a single entity. Considering geographical data and the isolation of populations, we hypothesised that the different morphospecies could form two entities, corresponding to the north and centre of the Sierra Madre Oriental. This hypothesis was tested by morphological observations, chloroplast comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of plastomes, angiosperm DNA plastid barcodes and Magnolia-specific plastid DNA barcodes from hypervariable regions. Phylogenetic results from plastomes and angiosperm DNA plastid barcodes refute the multispecies hypothesis and show that the six morphospecies of this complex inhabiting the Sierra Madre Oriental form a single entity. Evidence is also provided that the morphological characters used to delimit the morphospecies of the complex, mainly numbers of carpels and the absence-presence and colour of a spot in the petals, are, in fact, phenotypic variation and have no taxonomic significance. Therefore, the taxa M. alejandrae, M. nuevoleonensis, M. rzedowskiana, M. vovidesii and M. zotictla are synonymised here under M. dealbata. However, the possibility remains of including the latter as a variety of M. macrophylla, based on the results of the Magnolia-specific plastid DNA barcodes. Furthermore, this study proposes an updated conservation status for M. dealbata, highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation measures. The taxonomic clarification presented here is essential to properly target such efforts, especially in the face of threats such as indiscriminate collection and vulnerability to environmental disturbance.
Subspecies delineation of Ziziphora clinopodioides complex (Lamiaceae) based on morphological, sequence-related amplified polymorphism and essential oils analyses
Authors: JANDAGHI MARYAM , VAEZI JAMIL , SHAKERI ABOLFAZL
Published: February 2025

Ziziphora clinopodioides (Lamiaceae) is recognized as a native Iranian herb used for the treatment of diarrhea, intestinal gas, nausea, and vomiting. There is lack of consensus among some authors on its taxonomic boundaries at the subspecific level. To resolve this issue, the present study aimed to employ a combination of morphological, molecular, and phytochemical analyses. Firstly, 90 vegetative and floral characteristics were measured from 90 specimens of this species followed by conducting multivariate analyses on the 46 significantly discriminating morphological traits. Additionally, molecular markers (SRAP) were utilized generating 601 total loci of which 593 (98.31%) were polymorphic. The SRAP markers proved to be efficient, as demonstrated by the principal component analysis plot, which grouped all individuals according to their morphotypes, regardless of geographical location. According to the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), 10.69% of the total variations were associated with within-populations, while 89.31% were observed among populations. Furthermore, chemical analysis of essential oils (EOs) revealed the presence of Pulegone, 1,8-Cineole, and P-Mentha-3-n-8-ol as the major (>10%) EOs constituents in Z. clinopodioides. Notably, eight EOs compounds (Menthone, B-Pinene, Terpinen-4-ol, Minth-furanone, a-Thujene, Tricyclene, Caryophyllene-oxide, and Germacrene-d) identified in this study, show reliable yields with chemotaxonomic significance within the complex. A high correlation between the genetic markers and EOs content (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.6) suggests that genetic markers may be linked to the EOs constituents. Overall, our results obtained from a combination of morphological, molecular, and chemical analyses indicate that nine subspecies of the Z. clinopodioides complex could be decreased to four subspecies.
Exobasidium setsutaiense sp. nov. (Exobasidiaceae) causing leaf blister on Rhododendron semibarbatum in Japan
Authors: NAGAO HIDEYUKI , ORIHARA TAKAMICHI , KASUYA TAIGA
Published: February 2025

Exobasidium setsutaiense sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate the causal agent of leaf blister on Rhododendron semibarbatum. After the examination of the herbarium materials (IUM) and newly collected fresh materials, the symptom on R. semibarbatum was clearly different from those on Rhododendron arboreum, the host of Exobasidium butleri. Morphology of basidiospores was slightly curved towards a hilum with 3–4 septa, whereas the number of septa in basidiospores of E. butleri was 0–1. The mode of germination of basidiospores was by a germ tube or by budding. The leaf blister was characterized by chlorotic leaf spot where the lesion was slightly thickened by the hyperplasia of spongy mesophyll cells. Molecular analyses of the concatenated ITS + LSU sequences supported the independence of E. setsutaiense.
The genus Hyalomma Koch, 1844. VIII. Redescription of three Hyalommina Schulze, 1919 species (Acari: Ixodidae) from South Asia with notes on their biology
Authors: APANASKEVICH DMITRY A. , HORAK IVAN G. , GEEVARGHESE GEEVARGHESE
Published: February 2025

The South Asian ticks Hyalomma (Hyalommina) brevipunctata Sharif, 1928, Hyalomma (Hyalommina) hussaini Sharif, 1928 and Hyalomma (Hyalommina) kumari Sharif, 1928, are morphologically fairly similar. The males can be distinguished from each other by size, color and their punctation patterns. The females are easily distinguished by the shape of the genital aperture and its preatrial fold, and they also differ in size, color and punctation patterns. The immature stages can be distinguished by the measurements of various characteristics and the ratios of these, the shape of the scutum, gnathosoma and hypostome, number of denticles on the hypostome and size of the spurs on coxae. All parasitic stages of the three species are illustrated and redescribed here. Their distributions are restricted to South Asia, although there are some records from Central Asia. Large and medium-sized ungulates are the principal hosts of the adults, whereas the immature stages infest various species of small mammals. All are three-host species. Data on their disease relationships are also provided.
Vertical structure of baroclinic instability in a three-layer quasi-geostrophic model over a sloping bottom
Authors: Lobo Matthew , Griffies Stephen M. , Zhang Wenda
Published: February 2025

We use a three-layer quasi-geostrophic model to study the effects of sloping bottom topography on baroclinic instability in an ocean-like setting. Three layers allow for an interior potential vorticity gradient, a feature that is precluded by the use of a two-layer model. Material conservation of quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity (QG PV) is expressed in terms of sloping background density interfaces, perturbations to the sloping interfaces, and the bottom slope. Linear stability analysis and numerical simulations of initial linear growth are used to demonstrate the dependence of topographic modifications to baroclinically unstable modes on background shear and stratification. Instabilities are classified according to their vertical structure, and the nature of topographic modification to baroclinically unstable modes is shown to correspond to instability type. Surface-intensified vertical shear of the background flow supports surface-intensified baroclinic instability that is less sensitive to bottom topography, compared to uniformly sheared background flow. When background shear is constant or close-to-constant, topography has a leading order effect on the vertical structure of the most baroclinically unstable mode. Upper-ocean stratification changes the lateral and vertical scales of the most unstable mode, with weaker upper-ocean stratification supporting high-wavenumber surface-intensified baroclinically unstable modes that are less sensitive to topography. We also present and assess a novel criterion that predicts the degree of surface-intensification of the fastest-growing baroclinically unstable mode using only prescribed background properties, highlighting the role of interior potential vorticity in setting the most unstable mode’s vertical structure.
Genetic determinants of insufficiency of the collateral circulation
Authors: Faber James E
Published: February 2025

It has been estimated that approximately two million neurons, sixteen billion synapses and twelve kilometers of axons are lost each minute following anterior large-vessel stroke. The level of collateral blood flow has become recognized as a primary determinant of the pace of this loss and an important factor in clinical decision-making. Many of the topics in this review cover recent developments that have not been reviewed elsewhere. These include that: the number and diameter of collaterals and collateral blood flow vary greatly in the brain and other tissues of healthy individuals; a large percentage of individuals are deficient in collaterals; the underlying mechanism arises primarily from naturally occurring polymorphisms in genes/genetic loci within the pathway that drives collateral formation during development; evidence indicates collateral abundance does not exhibit sexual dimorphism; and that collaterals—besides their function as endogenous bypass vessels—may have a physiological role in optimizing oxygen delivery. Animal and human studies in brain and other tissues, where available, are reviewed. Details of many of the studies are provided so that the strength of the findings and conclusions can be assessed without consulting the original literature. Key questions that remain unanswered and strategies to address them are also discussed.
Reaching New Heights
Authors: Kobes John-Michael
Published: February 2025

Looking to make a splash in downtown Detroit, Compuware used a palette of color to light its entrance façade and atrium
Ld+A on the Sixes
Authors: Tarricone Paul
Published: February 2025

Take a ride in the time machine and see what LD+A was covering in July ‘76, ‘86 and ‘96
Wave Hello to Tampa
Authors: Tarricone Paul
Published: February 2025

Reversible colors and street lighting with a local flavor have led to an attitude adjustment for drivers on the Meridian Gateway
Le Cirque's Next Course
Authors: Lowe Roslyn
Published: February 2025

Having set the gold standard for restaurant excellence both gastronomically and socially, a new Le Cirque adds a glow to the Bloomberg Tower
Going Custom? Don'T Crash + Burn
Authors: Rodstein David D.
Published: February 2025

Custom fixture designers need to plan meticulously before presenting their concepts to the manufacturer
Pollution risk assessment in sub-basins of an open dump using drones and geographic information systems
Authors: Gallardo García Freire Patricio , Matías Emiliano , Malizia Agustina , Monmany-Garzia Ana Carolina , Galindo-Cardona Alberto
Published: February 2025

The sustainable management of municipal solid waste (MSW) presents a pressing global challenge. This study introduces an innovative methodology for analysing open dumps in Tucumán, Argentina, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and DroneDeploy software for data collection, coupled with QGIS for estimating contamination risk at the sub-basin level. By integrating satellite imagery, ground surveys, high-resolution UAV imagery and a multi-criteria decision analysis within geographic information system, we provide a comprehensive overview of dumpsite conditions at one open dump. Commercial drone flights facilitate the rapid and cost-effective creation of digital elevation models and digital terrain models, along with orthomosaic imagery, from which waste footprints are delineated using artificial intelligence to enhance the understanding of geospatial issues. Approaching data layers, such as leachate pools, riverbanks and solar radiation, supports informed decision-making in MSW management through a replicable methodology. Field validation and the inclusion of subsurface and groundwater processes are recommended for future research to improve accuracy and maximize socio-ecological benefits.
Who I Am and What I Want to Do: Linking Self-Construals and Career Interests
Authors: Gulliford Maya , Gore Jonathan S. , Incera Sara
Published: February 2025

Two studies examined how four self-construals (independent, interdependent, relational, and physical) predict career interests. We hypothesized that (1) independent self-construal would predict career interests in science, law, and art, (2) interdependent self-construal would predict career interests in business and human relations, (3) relational self-construal would predict career interests in family and social services, and (4) physical self-construal would predict career interests in manual labor, trade skills, and athletics. In Study 1 ( n = 240), participants completed online surveys of the four self-construals and the Basic Interest Markers (BIMs). The results showed that the four self-construals predicted corresponding career interests while controlling for sex. Physical self-construal predicted corresponding career interests the most consistently. Study 2 ( n = 149) included a Holland Code survey rather than the BIM. Results showed that independent, interdependent, and physical self-construals predicted corresponding Holland themes while controlling for sex. Implications for Super’s career development approach are discussed.
Tofacitinib in alopecia areata and HIV: A curious intersection of immunomodulation, hair regrowth, and hypertrichosis
Authors: Vaidya Tanvi , Madhumita Monisha
Published: February 2025

Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) inhibitor effective in treating alopecia areata (AA) by promoting hair regrowth. Its mechanism may involve upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and reduction of inflammation. However, the range of effects, particularly on hair growth in specific populations, remains under-investigated. We describe a patient with HIV, well-controlled on antiretroviral therapy, who developed hirsutism after starting tofacitinib for AA. This unexpected side effect of hypertrichosis was completely resolved after discontinuing the medication and undergoing a single session of laser hair removal (LHR). This case highlights the potential for unusual hair growth patterns associated with tofacitinib treatment in patients with immune dysregulation. Monitoring and management strategies for such side effects are discussed. This case highlights the potential for unusual hair growth patterns associated with tofacitinib treatment in patients with immune dysregulation. Monitoring and management strategies for such side effects are discussed. The case emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of hair growth and other potential side effects in patients on tofacitinib, especially those with underlying immune-modulating conditions. It also suggests that LHR can be an effective treatment for medication-induced hirsutism.
Suicidal Ideation and Resilience Among Orphan and Non-orphan Adolescents in the Indian City of Pune
Authors: Basu Tintisha , Dangwal Pragyan , Deokar Mahesh
Published: February 2025

Background

Fostering a healthy upbringing is of utmost importance to an individual and a supportive family system helps them grow holistically. Adolescence is an important stage for an individual to grow and form strong bonds with their peers.

Purpose

The objective of the current study was to ascertain the level of self-esteem, resilience and suicidal ideation among orphan and non-orphan adolescents. Gender differences in self-esteem, resilience and suicidal ideation were also studied.

Method

A sample of 160 adolescents (80 orphan and 80 non-orphan adolescents) comprising of equal number of male and female participants in the age group of 15–18 years were included in the study. Data was collected from adolescent orphans and non-orphans going to government schools in the urban sector in Pune, Maharashtra.

Results

Means, S. Ds, Pearson’s correlation and t-test were calculated: Mean resilience score was found to be significantly ( P = .048) higher among orphans (129.73 + 29.53) as compared to non-orphans (120.39 + 29.70). Mean self-esteem and suicidal ideation did not vary significantly among orphans and non-orphans. The mean self-esteem score was significantly higher ( P = .048) among females (27.61 + 4.09) as compared to males (26.43 + 3.41). There was no significant gender difference in resilience and suicidal ideation scores. The high resilience scores emphasise the need to study ways to enhance well-being among both orphans and non-orphan adolescents to foster a healthy fulfilling upbringing.

Conclusion

The study goes on to show that a similar upbringing would foster similar results in individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds. Since self-esteem and suicidal ideation are similar among orphans and non-orphans, further research would help identify the various factors that foster self-esteem and resilience among these adolescents and likewise plan interventions in the future.
Review on Exploring Role of Vitamin D on Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanistic Insights and Implications
Authors: Bandaru Nagaraju , Bonthu Mohan Gandhi , Gayatri Alluri Pavani , Metri Shashikala , Kumar Perli Kranti , Addanki Aneesha , Nallapaty Srilaksmi , Priya Karri Swathi , Nadhreddy Dodda Tulase , Gowravi P. N. S.
Published: February 2025

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurological disorder characterized by neuronal loss and progressive cognitive decline. The disease progression is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Recent research highlights the significant role of vitamin D in the pathological progression of AD.

Purpose

This review aims to comprehensively analyze the interplay between vitamin D and Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on its molecular mechanisms, epidemiological evidence, and therapeutic implications.

Methods

An extensive literature review was conducted to explore the molecular pathways by which vitamin D affects key pathological processes in AD, including amyloid-beta deposition, oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation, and tau phosphorylation. Epidemiological studies linking vitamin D status with AD prevalence and clinical outcomes were also analyzed, along with data from research trials investigating the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in AD prevention and management.

Results

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased cognitive decline and heightened risk of developing AD. The review highlights the therapeutic potential of vitamin D supplementation in mitigating AD progression through its effects on pathological processes. However, challenges and controversies remain regarding the efficacy, optimal dosing regimens, and therapeutic strategies of vitamin D intake.

Conclusion

This review underscores the role of vitamin D as a modifiable factor and therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is required to establish definitive dosing regimens and strategies to optimize the use of vitamin D in preventing and managing this debilitating neurological disorder.