bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavior Changes for Smokers and Betel Quid Chewers Participating in the Organized Oral Mucosal Screening Between 2010 and 2021 in Taiwan
Authors: Munpolsri Pattaranan , Su Chiu-Wen , Chen Sam Li-Sheng , Yen Amy Ming-Fang
Published: January 2025

Objective: To investigate the likelihood of smoking and betel quid chewing behavior changes, as well as the associated factors, among subjects in a nationwide oral cancer screening program in Taiwan, where oral cancer is the fourth leading malignancy in men. Methods: The Taiwanese Oral Cancer Screening Program targets smokers and betel quid chewers over the age of 30. Between 2010 and 2021, 2,578,245 individuals participated in the program at least twice. During each visit, the central data monitoring center collected information on gender, age, education level, smoking and betel quid chewing habits, the quantities consumed, and diagnoses of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer. A three-state Markov chain exponential regression model was employed to assess the probabilities of behavior change—deterioration, maintenance, or improvement—and the factors influencing these changes. Results: The largest proportion of both smokers and betel quid chewers remained unchanged in the repeated attendees. The smoking cessation transition result was less than 10%, whereas the reduction in dosage exceeded 20%. However, the discontinuation of betel quid chewing was observed in more than 20% of individuals in the low-dose group, and there was also a reduction in dosage of more than 20%. The positive OPMDs caused the progression of the Net Force Progression (NFP) from an initial stage of none, as well as the NFP between low and high doses of both smoking and betel quid chewing. Higher levels of education, residing in urban areas, and receiving screenings in large hospitals help to avoid the progressive NFP between low and high doses of smoking. Additionally, these factors also help to prevent the development of the NFP from an initial stage of none, as well as the progressive NFP between low and high doses of betel quid chewing. Conclusions: Participation in an oral cancer screening program can effectively enhance hazardous oral behaviors, including smoking and betel quid chewing. Although it may not have a substantial effect on smoking cessation, it can decrease the daily consumption of cigarettes. This approach demonstrates encouraging outcomes in encouraging individuals to quit betel quid chewing and decrease their daily consumption. Higher levels of education, urban residency, and receiving screenings at large hospitals all have a good impact on reducing dangerous oral cancer behaviors.
Transcriptome-Based Survival Analysis Identifies MAP4K4 as a Prognostic Marker in Gastric Cancer with Microsatellite Instability
Authors: Huamani Ortiz Alvaro De Jesus , Campos Segura Anthony Vladimir , Magaño Bocanegra Kevin Jorge , Velásquez Sotomayor Mariana Belén , Barrón Pastor Heli Jaime , Llimpe Mitma de Barrón Yesica , Chacón Villanueva Ruy Diego , Murillo Carrasco Alexis Germán , Ortiz Rojas César Alexander
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with diverse molecular subtypes. While microsatellite instability (MSI) GC generally carries a favorable prognosis, a subset of patients experiences poor outcomes, highlighting the need for refined prognostic markers. Methods: This study utilized transcriptomic and clinical data from two independent cohorts, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG), to identify novel prognostic genes in MSI-GC. Results: Through rigorous survival analysis, we identified high MAP4K4 expression (MAP4K4high) as an independent and robust predictor of poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) specifically within the MSI-GC subtype. MAP4K4high was associated with increased hazard ratios for both OS and DFS in both cohorts, even after adjusting for clinicopathological factors. Further analysis revealed that MAP4K4high MSI-GC tumors exhibit a distinct molecular profile characterized by increased extracellular matrix remodeling, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and a microenvironment enriched in monocytes and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Notably, a subgroup of MSI-GC patients with a CIN-like phenotype and high MAP4K4 expression exhibited particularly dismal outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings establish MAP4K4 as a promising prognostic biomarker for risk stratification in MSI-GC and suggest its potential role in driving aggressive tumor behavior through modulation of the tumor microenvironment.
Engineering of Cyclodextrin Glucosyltransferase from Paenibacillus macerans for Improved Regioselectivity and Product Specificity Toward Hydroxyflavone Glycosylation
Authors: Wang Jin , Wang Binhao , Zhou Jieyu , Dong Jinjun , Ni Ye , Han Ruizhi
Published: January 2025

The regioselective glycosylation and product specificity of hydroxyflavonoid compounds profoundly influences their biological activity and stability, offering significant therapeutic potential. However, most cyclodextrin glucosyltransferases (CGTases) inherently lack regioselectivity and product specificity for flavone glycosylation. Herein, a CGTase from Paenibacillus macerans was engineered for enhanced glycosylation regioselectivity and product specificity by combining molecular docking analysis and saturation mutagenesis strategies. K232L (favoring 4′-and 6-hydroxyflavones) and K232V (favoring 7-hydroxyflavone) were identified with distinct preferences. In addition, H233Y (preferring for 4′-hydroxyflavones), H233T (preferring for 6′-hydroxyflavones), and H233K (preferring for 7′-hydroxyflavones) also demonstrated distinct regioselectivity. These variants further exhibited enhanced hydrolytic activity, enabling the efficient production of short sugar-chain glycosides. Molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations revealed that the variants adopted optimized catalytic conformations with increased loop region flexibility near the binding pocket, enhancing substrate accessibility. These findings underscore the pivotal roles of K232 and H233 in broadening the substrate scope of CGTase and offer valuable guidance for enzyme engineering targeting regioselective glycosylation.
Alumina Coated with Titanium Dioxide Supported Iron for Hydrogen Production and Carbon Nanotubes via Methane Decomposition
Authors: Ahmed Hamid , Fakeeha Anis H. , Al-Alweet Fayez M. , Adil Syed Farooq , Abasaeed Ahmed E. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Osman Ahmed I. , Alreshaidan Salwa B. , Al-Fatesh Ahmed S.
Published: January 2025

Research on converting methane to hydrogen has gained more attention due to the availability of methane reserves and the global focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources. The decomposition of methane through catalysis (CDM) has excellent potential to produce clean hydrogen and valuable carbon products. However, developing catalysts that are both active and stable is a highly challenging area of research. Using titanium isopropoxide as a precursor and different loadings of TiO2 (10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.%), alumina has been coated with TiO2 in a single-step hydrothermal synthesis procedure. These synthesized materials are examined as possible support materials for CDM; different wt.% of iron is loaded onto the synthesized support material using a co-precipitation method to enhance the methane conversion via a decomposition reaction. The result shows that the 20 wt.% Fe/20 wt.% Ti-Al (20Fe/20Ti-Al) catalyst demonstrates remarkable stability and exhibits superior performance, reaching a conversion rate of methane of 94% with hydrogen production of 84% after 4 h. The outstanding performance is primarily due to the moderate interaction between the support and the active metal, as well as the presence of the rutile phase. The 20Fe/30Ti-Al catalyst exhibited lower activity than the other catalysts, achieving a methane conversion of 85% and hydrogen production of 79% during the reaction. Raman and XRD analysis revealed that all the catalysts generated graphitic carbon, with the 20Fe/20Ti-Al catalyst specifically producing single-walled carbon nanotubes.
p27Kip1 and Tumors: Characterization of CDKN1B Variants Identified in MEN4 and Breast Cancer
Authors: Bencivenga Debora , Stampone Emanuela , Azhar Jahanzaib , Parente Daniela , Ali Waqar , Del Vecchio Vitale , Della Ragione Fulvio , Borriello Adriana
Published: January 2025

p27Kip1 is a key cell cycle gatekeeper governing the timing of Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activation/inactivation and, consequently, cell proliferation. Structurally, the protein is largely unfolded, a feature that strongly increases its plasticity and interactors and enhances the number of regulated cellular processes. p27Kip1, like other intrinsically unstructured proteins, is post-translationally modified on several residues. These modifications affect its cellular localization and address p27Kip1 for specific interactions/functions. Several germline or somatic CDKN1B (the p27Kip1 encoding gene) mutations have been demonstrated to be associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4), hairy cell leukemia, small-intestine neuroendocrine tumors, and breast and prostate cancers. Here, we analyzed the effect of four CDKN1B missense and nonsense mutations found in patients affected by MEN4 or cancers, namely, c.349C>T, p.P117S; c.397C>A, p.P133T; c.487C>T, p.Q163*; and c.511G>T, p.E171*. By transfecting breast cancer cell lines, we observed increased growth and cell motility for all the investigated mutants compared to wild-type p27Kip1 transfected cells. Furthermore, we discovered that the mutant forms exhibited altered phosphorylation on key residues and different localization or degradation mechanisms in comparison to the wild-type protein and suggested a possible region as crucial for the lysosome-dependent degradation of the protein. Finally, the loss of p27Kip1 ability in blocking cell proliferation was in part explained through the different binding efficiency that mutant p27Kip1 forms exhibited with Cyclin/Cyclin-dependent Kinase complexes (or proteins involved indirectly in that binding) with respect to the WT.
Loss of γ-aminobutyric acid D-Type Motor Neurons in Young Adult Caenorhabditis elegans Following Exposition with Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Le Dang Tri , Pauls Stella , Poschmann Gereon , Stühler Kai , von Mikecz Anna
Published: January 2025

Although Caenorhabditis elegans is commonly used to assess the neurotoxicity of environmental pollutants, studies that explore the intricate biology of its nervous system, particularly those addressing long-term effects and aging in adult worms, are rare. These models offer significant advantages for understanding the full spectrum of neurobiological impacts. Here, we investigated the effects of silica nanomaterials on the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neural system in young to middle-aged nematodes and found a unique degeneration pattern characterized by loss of anterior- and posteriormost GABAergic D-type motor neurons. Four-day-old nematodes were identified as a vulnerable age group, where the pollutant-accelerated neurodegeneration that is typically seen in old C. elegans. Proteomics of 4-day-old C. elegans revealed significant alterations of protein abundance, including the downregulation of proteins such as glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh-1) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (got-1.2), which are essentially involved in GABA metabolic pathways. Consistent with these findings, we demonstrated locomotion deficits in C. elegans exposed to nanoscale silica by establishing a semi-automated behavioral arena. Our setup not only visualizes but also automatically quantifies vulnerabilities at the individual worm level. This novel neurodegeneration model now enables the simulation of real-world pollutant mixtures and environmental conditions, capturing the complexity of the exposome.
The Epigenetic Role of Nutrition Among Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Gkiouleka Maria , Karalexi Maria , Sergentanis Theodoros N. , Nouvakis Dimitrios , Proikaki Stella , Kornarou Eleni , Vassilakou Tonia
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Recent research has focused on the study of the epigenetic role of nutrition as a tool which is expected to introduce new perspectives in the field of disease prevention and management. Although maternal nutrition is one of the best-studied mechanisms of epigenetic modifications of the fetus/newborn, less is known on the impact of childhood/adolescent nutrition on the regulation of epigenetic mecha-nisms after the first year of life. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the epigenetic role of nutrition in the health and development of children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines in five databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar) up to 31 October 2024, which yielded 17 eligible studies. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Collabora-tion Risk of Bias-2 tool were used for the evaluation of risk of bias in observational studies and randomized trials, respectively. Results: Three studies investigated the epi-genetic modifications due to lifestyle interventions combining changes both in diet and physical activity; the remaining 14 studies examined the role of dietary nutrients in the regulation of epigenetic mechanisms in various health conditions, such as Angelman’s syndrome, parenteral nutrition in Intensive Care Units, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, risk of cardiovascular diseases, asthma or food sensitization, obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes or evaluated epigenetic markers as new tools for the comprehension and prediction of the participants’ response to nutritional interven-tions. Conclusions: The important impact of diet on the regulation of epigenetic mech-anisms and the expression of various genes and gene pathways could be utilized for personalized nutritional interventions in various pediatric health conditions.
Open-Source FPGA Implementation of an I3C Controller
Authors: Gastmaier Marques Jorge André , Arpadi Sergiu , Luppe Maximiliam
Published: January 2025

Multiple serial interfaces have emerged to meet system requirements across devices, ranging from slower-speed buses, such as I2C, to high throughput serial interfaces, like JESD204. To address the need for a medium-speed protocol and to resolve I2C shortcomings, the MIPI Alliance developed the I3C specification, which is a royalty-free next-generation version of I2C with new features and backward compatibility. Since the MIPI Alliance’s I3C work only includes the specifications, it depends on third-party vendors to develop their own cores according to the specifications. Only a few processing systems contain I3C Controllers, each with its own partial implementation of the specification, and there are no open-source controller cores. Thus, this work presents an open-source I3C Controller HDL framework that operates at the maximum specified SDR frequency and is compatible with the Linux kernel. Both the core and Linux kernel drivers are available under permissive open-source licenses. The solution is mostly aimed at development boards with Xilinx Zynq and Intel Cyclone SoC; nevertheless, the structure of the project allows it to be ported to other vendors and carriers.
A New Type of CuNi/TiB2 Thin-Film Thermocouple Fabricated by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Luo Junlong , Pan Zichang , Wu Zhengtao , Li Haiqing , Wang Qimin , Lin Yisong , Lin Liangliang , Zheng Aiqin , Liu Chao
Published: January 2025

A new CuNi/TiB2 thin-film thermocouple was fabricated using magnetron sputtering. A 400 nm thick CuNi interior layer was deposited on a dielectric substrate initiatory, and then covered by an 800 nm thick TiB2 layer. The tests revealed that the TiB2 layer had a dense and columnar cross-section. The measured hardness and elastic modulus of the TiB2 layer were ~20.5 and 315.9 GPa, respectively. No cracking or delamination occurred at the CuNi/TiB2 interface. The work functions of the TiB2 and the CuNi layers were calculated to be 4.406 and 4.726 eV, respectively. The difference in work functions between the TiB2 and the CuNi was ~0.3 eV. The CuNi/TiB2 thin-film sensor exhibited a high Seebeck coefficient of 38.07 μV/°C with excellent linearity. The maximum service temperature of the thin-film sensor was evaluated to be ~400 °C. A further increase in temperature degraded the Seebeck coefficient due to oxidation of the TiB2 layer.
Identification of Greek Orthodox Church Chants Using Fuzzy Entropy
Authors: Moysis Lazaros , Karasavvidis Konstantinos , Kampelopoulos Dimitris , Boursianis Achilles D. , Sotiroudis Sotirios , Nikolaidis Spiridon , Volos Christos , Sarigiannidis Panagiotis , Matin Mohammad Abdul , Goudos Sotirios K.
Published: January 2025

In this work, a comparison of Greek Orthodox religious chants is performed using fuzzy entropy. Using a dataset of chant performances, each recitation is segmented into overlapping time windows, and the fuzzy entropy of each window in the frequency domain is computed. We introduce a novel audio fingerprinting framework by comparing the variations in the resulting fuzzy entropy vector for the dataset. For this purpose, we use the correlation coefficient as a measure and dynamic time warping. Thus, it is possible to match the performances of the same chant with high probability. The proposed methodology provides a foundation for building an audio fingerprinting method based on fuzzy entropy.
Model Transformations Used in IT Project Initial Phases: Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Nikiforova Oksana , Babris Kristaps , Karlovs-Karlovskis Uldis , Narigina Marta , Romanovs Andrejs , Jansone Anita , Grabis Janis , Pastor Oscar
Published: January 2025

The paper emphasizes the critical importance of the initial phase in IT project development to avoid implementation errors. It argues that minimizing these errors can be achieved by developing project artifacts at the early stage using a model-driven engineering-based approach. Model transformation plays a basic role in that context. The goal of this paper is to survey publications in which the authors propose generating initial project elements through model-driven engineering and to analyze the level of model transformations offered in their solutions. As a result, the authors would highlight the necessity of understanding which elements of a project can be obtained through automatic transformations and which still require manual manipulation. This distinction is crucial, as it can significantly influence the efficiency and accuracy of the project’s early phases. In general, identifying the project components that can be reliably generated through model transformations helps streamline the project inception and elaboration process performed before IT product implementation.
Study on the Mechanism of Diffusion Stress Inducing Anode’s Failure for Automotive Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Hu Xing , Yang Kuo , Cheng Jinrun
Published: January 2025

Diffusion stress in the anode of an automotive lithium-ion battery could cause volume changes, particle rupture, and detachment of the electrode, which may lead to the failure of anode materials. In order to investigate the mechanism of diffusion stress in the anode of the battery, this paper proposes an electrochemical–mechanical coupling model to simulate the stress and strain changes in the anode. And, SEM and X-ray diffraction are also carried out to examine the mechanism between diffusion stress and the damage to the anode microstructure. The results show that as the discharge C-rate increases, the intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions in the anode become more active, leading to greater diffusion stress. This results in noticeable cracking in the anode material, with significant particle fragmentation, ultimately causing an increase in internal resistance.
Performance of Pico-Second Laser-Designed Silicon/Gold Composite Nanoparticles Affected by Precision of Focus Position
Authors: Ryabchikov Yury V. , Kana Antonin , Mirza Inam
Published: January 2025

Pulsed laser ablation in liquids is one of the most versatile and widespread techniques for the easy synthesis of different types of nanoparticles with controllable properties. A huge amount of energy compressed into one pulse that is directed onto a solid target leads to the ejection of materials into surrounding liquid. However, the precision of the focus of laser irradiation can play a crucial role in the synthesis of nanomaterials and, hence, significantly affect their physico-chemical properties. In this paper, we investigated the influence of the focus position of the laser spot on the optical properties of single- and double-element composite silicon/gold nanoparticles, as well as on their structure and chemical composition. Deepening of the focus to 0.5 mm inside the bulk material led to better chemical stability of the colloidal solutions and increased the particle and mass concentrations of the generated nanoparticles. This larger amount of materials led to a stronger absorbance, and resulted in slightly better photoluminescence excitation efficiencies for all nanostructures. Silicon-based nanoparticles had a remarkable photoluminescence peak at ~430 nm upon xenon lamp excitation, which was the most pronounced for pure silicon nanoparticles synthesized at the F+0.5 focus position. This position also led to the best laser-induced heating (~0.85 °C/min) of the colloidal solutions. All nanocomposites revealed amorphous silicon structures with some Si(111) and Au(111), suggesting the formation of gold silicide with different stoichiometries. The observed findings can help in choosing appropriate experimental conditions to achieve the best performance of laser-synthesized colloidal solutions of composite silicon/gold nanostructures.
Defect Pinning and Critical Current of Magnetic Vortex Cluster in Mesoscopic Type-1.5 Superconductors
Authors: Wang Guo , Han Tianyi , Li Jie , Zhang Jiangning , Huang Hai
Published: January 2025

Based on two-band time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau theory, we study the electromagnetic properties of mesoscopic type-1.5 superconductors with different defect configurations. We perform numerical simulations with the finite element method, and give direct evidence for the existence of a vortex cluster phase in the presence of nonmagnetic impurity. In addition, we also investigate the depinning critical current of the magnetic vortex cluster induced by the isotropic or anisotropic defect structure under the external current. Our theoretical results thus indicate that the diversity of impurity deposition has a significant influence on the semi-Meissner state in type-1.5 superconductors.
Dependence of GaN Exciton Energy on Temperature
Authors: Liu Xiancheng , Chen Peng , Xie Zili , Xiu Xiangqian , Chen Dunjun , Zhao Hong , Shi Yi , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between GaN exciton energy and temperature by using high-quality, strain-free GaN epilayers. Traditional models, such as Varshni’s model and the Bose–Einstein model, are primarily based on empirical fitting and give little or no consideration to electron–phonon interactions, which prevents them from accurately calculating GaN exciton energy over a wide temperature range. Considering the interaction of electrons and phonons, we use singular functions, linear functions and power functions to express the phonon density of GaN, and then 2BE, singular-linear, power-law-delta, and power-law-v models are proposed. All of them provide results that are more consistent with actual measurements compared to traditional models. Among them, the singular-linear model summarizes the contributions of acoustic and optical phonons. The error associated with the singular-linear model is smaller than that of the 1BE and Varshni models across nearly the entire temperature range. Therefore, the singular-linear model is a better choice.
Symptoms, Symptom Profiles, and Healthcare Utilization in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study and Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Booker Reanne , Sawatzky Richard , Sinnarajah Aynharan , Qi Siwei , Link Claire , Watson Linda , Stajduhar Kelli
Published: January 2025

Symptom burden is known to be high in patients with hematologic malignancies and can adversely impact patients’ quality of life. The aims of this retrospective observational cohort study were to explore symptoms in patients with hematologic malignancies, including during the last year of life, to explore symptom profiles in patients with hematologic malignancies, and to explore associations among symptoms/symptom profiles and demographic, clinical, and treatment-related variables. Symptom prevalence and severity and symptom profiles were explored in patients with hematologic malignancies who completed patient-reported outcome measures (n = 6136) between October 2019 and April 2020. Emergency department visits and hospital admissions during the study period were reviewed. Chart audits were undertaken for patients who died within a year of completing patient-reported outcome measures (n = 432) to explore symptoms and healthcare utilization in the last year of life. Patients with hematologic malignancies in this study reported multiple symptoms co-occurring, with more than 50% of patients reporting four or more symptoms. Classes of co-occurring symptoms (symptom profiles) were associated with demographic and clinical factors as well as with healthcare utilization, particularly emergency department visits. The most reported symptoms were tiredness, impaired well-being, and drowsiness. The findings emphasize the need for more supports for patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly for symptom management.
Primary Carcinomas of the Episiotomy Scar Site: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Palicelli Andrea , Torricelli Federica , Tonni Gabriele , Bisagni Alessandra , Zanetti Eleonora , Zanelli Magda , Medina-Illueca Venus Damaris , Melli Beatrice , Zizzo Maurizio , Morini Andrea , Bonasoni Maria Paola , Santandrea Giacomo , Broggi Giuseppe , Caltabiano Rosario , Sanguedolce Francesca , Koufopoulos Nektarios I. , Boutas Ioannis , Asaturova Aleksandra , Aguzzoli Lorenzo , Mandato Vincenzo Dario
Published: January 2025

Episiotomy is a perineal incision enlarging the vaginal opening during labor, preventing severe perineal/vaginal/ano-rectal lacerations. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines; Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases) of primary malignant tumors arising from the episiotomy site. Thirteen primary carcinomas were reported, mainly endometriosis-related histotypes (77%) (nine clear cell, CCC; one endometrioid, EC) with only two vulvar invasive squamous cell carcinomas and one adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin’s gland. No sarcomas, melanomas or malignant trophoblastic tumors were described. Endometriosis was associated with tumors or reported in history (62%). Malignant transformation occurred 3 to 27 (mean 16) years after diagnosis of endometriosis. Patients were usually post-/peri-menopausal (eight cases, 61%) (age range: 31–70 years, mean 50). Imaging should exclude distant (0% in our series) or lymph node metastases (three cases, 23%), looking for potential invasion of vagina (five cases, 39%), anus (including sphincter) (four cases, 31%) and/or other deep pelvic soft tissues (five cases, 39%). All patients underwent surgery, except for a CCC-patient (only chemoradiation) subsequently progressing and dying of disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were administered to five (39%) cases, neoadjuvant therapy to four cases (31%). Globally, three (23%) cases recurred or progressed, and two-thirds (15%) died of disease (1 CCC, 1 EC). Radical surgery with lymph node status evaluation and eventual excision should be performed when possible. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can be considered in an adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant setting (or as only treatment in inoperable patients). However, the role of different treatments should be studied in further larger multicenter series.
Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Non-Invasive Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on Gastrointestinal Health
Authors: Krynicka Patrycja , Koulaouzidis George , Skonieczna-Żydecka Karolina , Marlicz Wojciech , Koulaouzidis Anastasios
Published: January 2025

The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms, plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal (GI) health, influencing digestion, metabolism, immune function, and the gut–brain axis. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in microbiota composition, is associated with GI disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Conventional microbiota analysis methods, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), provide valuable insights but are often expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly sensitive alternative. This analytical technique relies on inelastic light scattering to generate molecular “fingerprints”, enabling real-time, marker-free analysis of microbiota composition and metabolic activity. This review explores the principles, sample preparation techniques, and advancements in RS, including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), for microbiota research. RS facilitates identifying microbial species, analysing key metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and monitoring microbiota responses to dietary and therapeutic interventions. The comparative analysis highlights RS’s advantages over conventional techniques, such as the minimal sample preparation, real-time capabilities, and non-destructive nature. The integration of RS with machine learning enhances its diagnostic potential, enabling biomarker discovery and personalised treatment strategies for GI disorders. Challenges, including weak Raman signals and spectral complexity, are discussed alongside emerging solutions. As RS technology advances, mainly through portable spectrometers and AI integration, its clinical application in microbiota diagnostics and personalised medicine is poised to transform GI healthcare, bridging microbiota research with practical therapeutic strategies.
Shear Wave Elastography for Carotid Artery Stiffness: Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: Kavvadas Dimitrios , Rafailidis Vasileios , Partovi Sasan , Tegos Thomas , Kallia Zoi , Savvoulidis Panagiotis , Papamitsou Theodora , Prassopoulos Panos
Published: January 2025

Carotid artery stiffness is associated with aging and atherosclerotic disease, leading to cerebrovascular events. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) is a novel ultrasound technique offering a direct, quantitative assessment of the arterial wall elasticity. The aim of this study is to validate the technical feasibility of SWE in measuring carotid stiffness (CS). A literature search was performed across the PubMed and Scopus databases, with keywords including “carotid stiffness”, “Shear Wave Elastography”, “atherosclerosis”, and “vascular elasticity”. The findings reveal the potential of SWE in quantifying carotid Intima–Media Complex (IMC) stiffness, with implications for the early diagnosis of vascular disease, aiding in clinical decision making and prognostic assessment. Based on the findings of the literature search, a small pilot study was conducted involving 10 participants, using the Philips EPIQ Elite system for the SWE measurements. The technical analysis revealed optimizing the region of interest (ROI) size, probe positioning, and cine-loop analysis as crucial factors for obtaining accurate results. The results of the literature review and small pilot study demonstrate the potential of SWE as a non-invasive method for assessing carotid stiffness. Certain technical adjustments, such as smaller ROIs and careful probe placement, improved the accuracy and repeatability of carotid SWE measurements. Further studies are needed to assess and standardize carotid SWE across larger patient populations.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Corticotomy and Piezocision on Canine Retraction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lipani Erica , Pisani Elisa , Verrone Mariagrazia , Bitonto Federica , Verdecchia Alessio , Spinas Enrico
Published: January 2025

Background: In order to reduce the prolonged duration of orthodontic treatment, several surgical techniques have been proposed over the years. Corticotomy and piezocision are the two most widely used techniques, and, given the lack of consensus in the literature, along with the renewed interest in these approaches in recent years, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate their effectiveness in accelerating canine retraction in patients requiring extraction of the upper first premolar and, as a secondary objective, to assess if there is a worsening of periodontal health and how the surgical approach is perceived by the patient. Methods: An electronic search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to 30 November 2024. The PRISMA statement was adopted for the realization of the review, and the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias assessment tool (RoB 2) was used to assess the studies’ quality. Results: After full text assessment, fifteen randomized clinical trials (14 split mouth design, 1 single-blind, single-center design) covering 326 patients (mean age 20, 19 years) were included. The data collected reveal that corticotomy accelerates canine retraction by 1.5 to 4 times, while piezocision achieves retraction 1.5 to 2 times faster, making corticotomy the most effective technique. No statistically significant adverse effects on periodontal ligament, molar anchorage loss, or root resorption were observed following the two surgical techniques. In addition, patients reported experiencing mild to moderate pain. Conclusions: Corticotomy and piezocision are effective techniques for accelerating upper canine retraction in extraction cases, significantly reducing the overall duration of orthodontic treatment.
Algorithmic Approaches for Assessing Multiscale Irreversibility in Time Series: Review and Comparison
Authors: Zanin Massimiliano , Papo David
Published: January 2025

Many physical and biological phenomena are characterized by time asymmetry, and are referred to as irreversible. Time-reversal symmetry breaking is in fact the hallmark of systems operating away from equilibrium and reflects the power dissipated by driving the system away from it. Time asymmetry may manifest in a wide range of time scales; quantifying irreversibility in such systems thus requires methods capable of detecting time asymmetry in a multiscale fashion. In this contribution we review the main algorithmic solutions that have been proposed to detect time irreversibility, and evaluate their performance and limitations when used in a multiscale context using several well-known synthetic dynamical systems. While a few of them have a general applicability, most tests yield conflicting results on the same data, stressing that a “one size fits all” solution is still to be achieved. We conclude presenting some guidelines for the interested practitioner, as well as general considerations on the meaning of multiscale time irreversibility.
SPIRIT: Structural Entropy Guided Prefix Tuning for Hierarchical Text Classification
Authors: Zhu He , Xia Jinxiang , Liu Ruomei , Deng Bowen
Published: January 2025

Hierarchical text classification (HTC) is a challenging task that requires classifiers to solve a series of multi-label subtasks considering hierarchical dependencies among labels. Recent studies have introduced prompt tuning to create closer connections between the language model (LM) and the complex label hierarchy. However, we find that the model’s attention to the prompt gradually decreases as the prompt moves from the input to the output layer, revealing the limitations of previous prompt tuning methods for HTC. Given the success of prefix tuning-based studies in natural language understanding tasks, we introduce Structural entroPy guIded pRefIx Tuning (SPIRIT). Specifically, we extract the essential structure of the label hierarchy via structural entropy minimization and decode the abstractive structural information as the prefix to prompt all intermediate layers in the LM. Additionally, a depth-wise reparameterization strategy is developed to enhance optimization and propagate the prefix throughout the LM layers. Extensive evaluation on four popular datasets demonstrates that SPIRIT achieves a state-of-the-art performance.
Ray–Wave Correspondence in Anisotropic Mesoscopic Billiards
Authors: Hentschel Martina , Schlötzer Samuel , Seemann Lukas
Published: January 2025

Mesoscopic billiard systems for electrons and light, realized as quantum dots or optical microcavities, have enriched the fields of quantum chaos and nonlinear dynamics not only by enlarging the class of model systems, but also by providing access to their experimental realization. Here, we add yet another system class, two-dimensional billiards with anisotropies. One example is the anisotropic dispersion relation relevant in bilayer graphene known as trigonal warping, and another is the birefringent closed optical disk cavity. We demonstrate that the established concept of ray–wave correspondence also provides useful insight for anisotropic billiard systems. First, we approach the dynamics of the anisotropic disk from the ray-tracing side that takes the anisotropy in momentum space into account, based on the non-spherical index ellipsoid. Second, we use transformation optics to solve the wave problem and find the resonances to be those of the isotropic elliptical cavity. We illustrate ray–wave correspondence and mark differences in the description of optical and electronic anisotropic systems.
Chinese Named Entity Recognition for Automobile Fault Texts Based on External Context Retrieving and Adversarial Training
Authors: Wang Shuhai , Sun Linfu
Published: January 2025

Identifying key concepts in automobile fault texts is crucial for understanding fault causes and enabling diagnosis. However, effective mining tools are lacking, leaving much latent information unexplored. To solve the problem, this paper proposes Chinese named entity recognition for automobile fault texts based on external context retrieval and adversarial training. First, we retrieve external contexts by using a search engine. Then, the input sentence and its external contexts are respectively fed into Lexicon Enhanced BERT to improve the text embedding representation. Furthermore, the input sentence and its external contexts embedding representation are fused through the attention mechanism. Then, adversarial samples are generated by adding perturbations to the fusion vector representation. Finally, the fusion vector representation and adversarial samples are input into the BiLSTM-CRF layer as training data for entity labeling. Our model is evaluated on the automotive fault datasets, Weibo and Resume datasets, and achieves state-of-the-art results.
Class-Hidden Client-Side Watermarking in Federated Learning
Authors: Chen Weitong , Zhang Chi , Zhang Wei , Cai Jie
Published: January 2025

Federated learning consists of a central aggregator and multiple clients, forming a distributed structure that effectively protects data privacy. However, since all participants can access the global model, the risk of model leakage increases, especially when unreliable participants are involved. To safeguard model copyright while enhancing the robustness and secrecy of the watermark, this paper proposes a client-side watermarking scheme. Specifically, the proposed method introduces an additional watermark class, expanding the output layer of the client model into an N+1-class classifier. The client’s local model is then trained using both the watermark dataset and the local dataset. Notably, before uploading to the server, the parameters of the watermark class are removed from the output layer and stored locally. Additionally, the client uploads amplified parameters to address the potential weakening of the watermark during the aggregation. After aggregation, the global model is distributed to the clients for local training. Through multiple rounds of iteration, the saved watermark parameters are continuously updated until the global model converges. On the MNIST, CIFAR-100, and CIFAR-10 datasets, the watermark detection rates on VGG-16 and ResNet-18 reached 100%. Furthermore, extensive experiments demonstrate that this method has minimal impact on model performance and exhibits strong robustness against pruning and fine-tuning attacks.
Image Similarity Quantum Algorithm and Its Application in Image Retrieval Systems
Authors: Yang Qingchuan , Feng Xianing , Wei Lianfu
Published: January 2025

The measurement of image similarity represents a fundamental task within the domain of image processing, enabling the application of sophisticated computational techniques to ascertain the degree of similarity between two images. To enhance the performance of these similarity measurement algorithms, the academic community has investigated a range of quantum algorithms. Notably, the swap test-based quantum inner product algorithm (ST-QIP) has emerged as a pivotal method for computing image similarity. However, the inherent destructive nature of the swap test necessitates multiple quantum state evolutions and measurements, which leads to consumption of quantum resources and prolonged computational time, ultimately constraining its practical applicability. To address these limitations, this study introduces an advanced quantum inner product algorithm based on amplitude estimation (AE-QIP) designed to compute image similarity. This innovative approach circumvents the repetitive measurement processes associated with the swap test, thereby optimizing the utilization of quantum resources and substantially enhancing the algorithm’s performance. We conducted experiments using a quantum simulator to implement the AE-QIP algorithm and evaluate its effectiveness in the image retrieval tasks. It is found that the AE-QIP algorithm achieves comparable precision to the ST-QIP algorithm while exhibiting significant reductions in qubit consumption and average processing time. Additionally, our findings suggest that increasing the number of ancillary qubits can further enhance the accuracy of the AE-QIP algorithm. Overall, within the acceptable error thresholds, the AE-QIP algorithm exhibits enhanced efficiency relative to the ST-QIP algorithm. However, significant further research is needed to address the challenges involved in optimizing the performance of quantum retrieval systems as a whole.
Healing Rates and Dressing Frequency of Silver Foam Dressings in Paediatric Burns: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yap Nathanael Qi En , Vankayalapati Dilip Kumar , Lee Sum-Yu Christina , Sulaiman Hafsa Omer , Sato Alma , Shami M Zaid , Antoniou Valeria , Burns James W. F. , Nakanishi Hayato , Than Christian Aloysius , Southwick Graeme
Published: January 2025

Silver foam dressings have been extensively used in the management of burn injuries; however, its application in children requires elucidation. A literature search was conducted from database inception to October 2023. Eligible studies reported paediatrics patients under 21 years of age receiving silver dressings for burns or scalds. This review was registered prospectively with PROSPERO (CRD42023470239). 18 studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 701 patients. The pooled mean time to re-epithelisation (TTRE) was 12.9 days (95% CI: 11.2, 14.6, I2 = 94%). The pooled mean duration of hospitalisation was 9.8 days (95% CI: 3.9, 15.7; I2 = 100%). Mean number of total dressing changes per patient was 3.6 (95% CI: 2.2, 4.9; I2 = 99%). There were a total of 98 complications, including 30 (30.6%) infections, 29 (29.6%) surgical requirements, 14 (14.3%) hypertrophic scarring, 17 (17.3%) escalations of care, 5 (5.1%) burn depth progression, and 3 (3.1%) others. Silver foam dressings appear as a safe and effective approach in terms of healing rate and dressing change frequency for selected paediatric patients with burn injuries. Despite the promising results, further comparative studies are required to evaluate the selection criteria and long-term effect of silver foam dressing.
Inclusive and Digital Science Education—A Theoretical Framework for Lesson Planning
Authors: Pannullo Laura , Böttinger Traugott , Winkelmann Jan
Published: January 2025

The design of learning environments aimed at all students in the learning group is a requirement of modern lesson planning. In science education research, especially in the German tradition of didactics, the model of educational reconstruction (MER) is widely established for the planning of research programs and lesson planning. This model offers linking points in the conception of inclusive learning environments that have not yet been sufficiently considered. From an educational science perspective, Universal Design for Learning diclusive (UDL diclusive) provides a theoretical basis in the context of inclusive and digital lesson planning. In this paper, both MER and UDL diclusive are briefly presented. We argue for the combination of both frameworks for contemporary lesson planning. At the center of our considerations, we present possible points of linkage between the two frameworks. Connection points are illustrated by planning an inclusive and digital experiment-based physics lesson.
Use of Instagram as an Educational Tool with Pre-Service Teachers and the Impact on Digital Competence in Communication and Collaboration
Authors: Martínez-Domingo José Antonio , Aznar-Díaz Inmaculada , Romero-Rodríguez José María , Victoria-Maldonado Juan José
Published: January 2025

The rise of social media is transforming education by replacing traditional materials and promoting digital competence, a key area of focus in current training. Platforms like Instagram facilitate collaboration, access to learning, and content creation, becoming essential tools for the development of students and future educators in digital environments. This study aimed to enhance the digital competence of pre-service teachers, particularly in communication and collaboration, through Instagram as an educational tool. A quasi-experimental study with pretest and post-test measures was conducted, involving 391 students from the University of Granada. The results indicated an intermediate level of digital competence with improvements in both groups, though no significant differences were found between them. However, significant effects were observed in the intragroup analysis. The experimental group, which used Instagram as an educational tool for 11 weeks, showed improvements in communication and collaboration, digital content creation, and security. The control group also demonstrated progress, mainly in information search and problem-solving. These improvements align with previous studies, though the progress in the control group may be attributed to factors such as content focused on educational technology, student motivation, and engagement. This study confirms that social media can enhance digital competence as a learning tool.