bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Vortex-Pumped KTiOAsO4 Narrow-Linewidth Picosecond-Pulsed Parametric Oscillator
Authors: Jiao Xiazhuo , Ye Jianqiang , Aihemaiti Mailikeguli , Zhou Yuxia , Niu Sujian , Yang Xining
Published: January 2025

Herein, we present a picosecond-pulsed optical vortex parametric oscillator capable of generating high-power, narrow-linewidth near- and mid-infrared optical vortex outputs. The optical parametric oscillator (OPO), consisting of a KTiOAsO4 (KTA) crystal and a Z-shaped standing wave cavity formed by five mirrors, transferred the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the pump field to the signal and idler fields. The transmission mechanism of the OAM within the signal singly resonantsingly-resonant KTA-OPO was investigated, and the OAM was controlled and selectively transferred among the pump, signal, and idler fields by adjusting the focus position of the pump beam on the KTA crystal. With an incident pump power of 17 W, the maximum average output power was 2.14 W at 1535 nm (signal vortex field) and 0.95 W at 3468 nm (idler vortex field), respectively, corresponding to optical conversion efficiencies of 20.8% and 9.2%. The spectral linewidths of the signal and idler vortex fields were 0.502 nm and 1.216 nm, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance of a picosecond-pulsed optical vortex parametric oscillator with a KTA crystal.
A Strategy for the Production of Single-Cell Proteins by the Efficient and Continuous Fermentation of Hydroxide Bacteria Under Gas Fermentation
Authors: Fu Shuai , Gou Longyu , Long Ke , Chen Lanchai , Cai Dingrong , Lu Yue
Published: January 2025

Cupriavidus necator can produce single-cell proteins (SCPs) using electrons produced by hydrogen as energy, oxygen as electron acceptors, and CO2 as carbon sources. Gas fermentation is a process of microbial fermentation that uses gas substrates (such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.) which faces several challenges, mainly including the low solubility of gas substrates, the danger of hydrogen and oxygen mixing, and the optimization of fermentation conditions. To overcome these challenges, this article explores a variety of strategies—including the design of a self-developed bioreactor—to reduce the risk of static electricity. Without the addition of filler material, the results showed that the maximum cell dry weight (CDW) of 30% secondary seed inoculation was 20.41% higher than that of 10% secondary seed inoculum, and 5.99% higher than that of 20% secondary seed inoculum. Combined with the filler material and with the use of high-efficiency continuous fermentation technology, the average yield of continuous fermentation was 23.31 g/day, while the average yield of batch fermentation was 14.33 g/day. The daily yield of continuous fermentation is 1.63 times that of batch fermentation. These efforts are aimed at improving the efficiency and safety of gas fermentation.
Periodontal Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Shared Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Future Research Directions
Authors: Incerti Parenti Serena , Cesari Claudio , Della Godenza Veronica , Zanarini Matteo , Zangari Francesca , Alessandri Bonetti Giulio
Published: January 2025

This review explores the emerging relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and periodontal disease (PD), emphasizing shared inflammatory pathways, overlapping risk factors, and potential systemic health implications. Both conditions are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which independently contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other systemic disorders. Evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship, with OSA-related hypoxia exacerbating periodontal tissue breakdown and PD-induced inflammation potentially influencing OSA severity. However, the causative nature of the relationship between OSA and PD remains uncertain, largely due to inconsistencies in diagnostic criteria, methodological variability, and study heterogeneity. This review highlights the essential role of systematic reviews (SRs) in synthesizing current evidence, identifying research gaps, and guiding future studies. To maximize their impact, SRs should adhere to rigorous methodological quality standards, improve transparency in data reporting, and address the heterogeneity of included studies. Future research should focus on longitudinal and interventional designs, standardize diagnostic protocols, and investigate biomarkers, oral microbiome profiles, and inflammatory mediators to elucidate the mechanisms linking OSA and PD. Multidisciplinary collaboration between dental and sleep specialists is crucial to advancing evidence-based strategies that improve patient outcomes and address the broader health implications of these often coexisting conditions.
Research on Co-Interactive Model Based on Knowledge Graph for Intent Detection and Slot Filling
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Gao Yanfang , Xu Zifan , Wang Lin , Ji Shengxu , Zhang Xiaohui , Yuan Guanyu
Published: January 2025

Intent detection and slot filling tasks share common semantic features and are interdependent. The abundance of professional terminology in specific domains, which poses difficulties for entity recognition, subsequently impacts the performance of intent detection. To address this issue, this paper proposes a co-interactive model based on a knowledge graph (CIMKG) for intent detection and slot filling. The CIMKG model comprises three key components: (1) a knowledge graph-based shared encoder module that injects domain-specific expertise to enhance its semantic representation and solve the problem of entity recognition difficulties caused by professional terminology and then encodes short utterances; (2) a co-interactive module that explicitly establishes the relationship between intent detection and slot filling to address the inter-dependency of these processes; (3) two decoders that decode the intent detection and slot filling. The proposed CIMKG model has been validated using question–answer corpora from both the medical and architectural safety fields. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CIMKG model outperforms benchmark models.
Utilization of a Lightweight 3D U-Net Model for Reducing Execution Time of Numerical Weather Prediction Models
Authors: Park Hyesung , Chung Sungwook
Published: January 2025

Conventional weather forecasting relies on numerical weather prediction (NWP), which solves atmospheric equations using numerical methods. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) adopted the Met Office Global Seasonal Forecasting System version 6 (GloSea6) NWP model from the UK and runs it on a supercomputer. However, due to high task demands, the limited resources of the supercomputer have caused job queue delays. To address this, the KMA developed a low-resolution version, Low GloSea6, for smaller-scale servers at universities and research institutions. Despite its ability to run on less powerful servers, Low GloSea6 still requires significant computational resources like those of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters. We integrated deep learning with Low GloSea6 to reduce execution time and improve meteorological research efficiency. Through profiling, we confirmed that deep learning models can be integrated without altering the original configuration of Low GloSea6 or complicating physical interpretation. The profiling identified “tri_sor.F90” as the main CPU time hotspot. By combining the biconjugate gradient stabilized (BiCGStab) method, used for solving the Helmholtz problem, with a deep learning model, we reduced unnecessary hotspot calls, shortening execution time. We also propose a convolutional block attention module-based Half-UNet (CH-UNet), a lightweight 3D-based U-Net architecture, for faster deep-learning computations. In experiments, CH-UNet showed 10.24% lower RMSE than Half-UNet, which has fewer FLOPs. Integrating CH-UNet into Low GloSea6 reduced execution time by up to 71 s per timestep, averaging a 2.6% reduction compared to the original Low GloSea6, and 6.8% compared to using Half-UNet. This demonstrates that CH-UNet, with balanced FLOPs and high predictive accuracy, offers more significant execution time reductions than models with fewer FLOPs.
Automatic Threshold Selection for Generalized Pareto and Pareto–Poisson Distributions in Rainfall Analysis: A Case Study Using the NOAA NCDC Daily Rainfall Database
Authors: Mínguez Roberto
Published: January 2025

Both extreme-excess modeling and extreme-value analysis of precipitation events frequently utilize the Generalized Pareto (GP) distribution to model peaks above a selected threshold. However, selecting an appropriate threshold remains a complex and challenging task, which has discouraged many practitioners from employing Pareto or Pareto–Poisson distributions for extreme-value analysis. Recent analyses of threshold selection methods proposed in the technical literature, particularly when applied to rainfall records with high quantization levels, have shown that nonparametric methods are often unreliable. Additionally, methods relying on the asymptotic properties of the GP distribution tend to produce unrealistically high threshold estimates. In contrast, graphical methods and goodness-of-fit (GoF) metrics that account for the pre-asymptotic behavior of the GP distribution have demonstrated better performance. Despite these improvements, there remains no automatic and statistically robust methodology for threshold selection. This study develops an automatic, statistically sound procedure for optimal threshold selection, leveraging weighted mean square errors and internally studentized residuals. The proposed method outperforms existing approaches in terms of accuracy, as demonstrated through numerical experiments and its application to real-world data from the NOAA NCDC Daily Rainfall Database. Results indicate that the method not only improves threshold estimation precision but also enhances the reliability of extreme-value analysis for precipitation records, making it a valuable tool for hydrological applications. The findings emphasize the practical implications of the method for analyzing extreme rainfall events and its potential for broader climatological studies.
Genome Mining and Characterization of Two Novel Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Probiotic Candidates with Bile Salt Hydrolase Activity
Authors: Agolino Gianluigi , Cristofolini Marianna , Vaccalluzzo Amanda , Tagliazucchi Davide , Cattivelli Alice , Pino Alessandra , Caggia Cinzia , Solieri Lisa , Randazzo Cinzia Lucia
Published: January 2025

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH; EC 3.5.1.24) is the microbial enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of primary bile acids (BAs) into secondary ones, promoting microbial adaptation and modulating several host’s biological functions. Probiotics with BSH activity are supposed to survive harsh intestinal conditions and exert a cholesterol-lowering effect. Here, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains (VB4 and VB1), isolated from the vaginal ecosystem, were submitted to a genomic survey, in vitro BSH activity, and BAs tolerance assay to unravel their probiotic potential as BAs modulators. The draft genomes of Lcb. rhamnosus VB4 and VB1 strains comprised 2769 and 2704 CDSs, respectively. Gene annotation revealed numerous strain-specific genes involved in metabolism and transport, as well as in DNA recombination. Each strain harbors a single bsh gene, encoding a C-N amide hydrolase, which conserved the essential residues required in the BSH core site. According to the results, compared to VB1, the VB4 strain tolerated better BAs stress and was more active in deconjugating BAs. However, BAs stress increased the bsh gene transcription in the VB1 strain but not in the VB4 strain, suggesting a partially nonlinear relationship between BSH activity and gene expression. In conclusion, despite the complexity of the BSH transcriptional system, the results support the VB4 strain as a promising BAs-deconjugating probiotic candidate.
TrkB Receptor Antagonism Enhances Insulin Secretion and Increases Pancreatic Islet Size in Rats Fed a Cafeteria-Style Diet
Authors: Velasco-Gutierrez Jorge Agustín , de Alvarez-Buylla Elena Roces , Montero Sergio , Rodríguez-Hernández Alejandrina , Miranda Saraí Limón , Martínez-Santillan Karmina , Álvarez-Valadez María del Rosario , Lemus Mónica , Flores-Silva Alejandra , Virgen-Ortiz Adolfo
Published: January 2025

Background: In recent years, the role of neurotrophins and their receptors in peripheral tissues has been of great interest. At a metabolic level, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor trkB have been reported to participate in insulin secretion from the pancreas in response to increases in circulating blood glucose. Objetive: To determines the role of the BDNF-trkB pathway in insulin secretion and pancreatic morphology in rats fed a cafeteria-style diet for 16 weeks. Methods: For the study, male rats of the Wistar strain were divided into three groups as follows: (1) control group (standard diet), (2) CAF group (cafeteria-style diet) and (3) CAF group treated with ANA-12 (TrkB receptor antagonist). After 4 months of intervention, the glucose and insulin tolerance curves, serum insulin levels, body fat and hematoxylin-eosin staining pancreas were evaluated. Results: The results showed that the cafeteria-style diet induced an increase in the amount of body fat, alterations in the glucose tolerance curve, increased insulin circulation levels, increased HOMA indices and increased pancreatic islet size. The antagonism of the trkB receptor in the rats fed a cafeteria-style diet enhanced some effects such as the accumulation of body fat and insulin secretion and induced a greater increase in the pancreas islet size. Conclusions: Under conditions of cafeteria-style diet-induced obesity, the antagonism of the BDNF-trkB pathway had no enhanced effect on the increase in insulin secretion or pancreatic islet size.
Nerve Enlargement in Patients with INF2 Variants Causing Peripheral Neuropathy and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Huong Quynh Tran Thuy , Truc Linh Tran Nguyen , Ueda Hiroko , Fukui Kenji , Higasa Koichiro , Sato Yoshinori , Takeda Shinichi , Hattori Motoshi , Tsukaguchi Hiroyasu
Published: January 2025

Background: Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease is an inherited peripheral neuropathy primarily involving motor and sensory neurons. Mutations in INF2, an actin assembly factor, cause two diseases: peripheral neuropathy CMT-DIE (MIM614455) and/or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). These two phenotypes arise from the progressive degeneration affecting podocytes and Schwann cells. In general, nerve enlargement has been reported in 25% of the demyelinating CMT subtype (CMT1), while little is known about the CMT-DIE caused by INF2 variants. Methods: To characterize the peripheral nerve phenotype of INF2-related CMT, we studied the clinical course, imaging, histology, and germline genetic variants in two unrelated CMT-DIE patients. Results: Patient 1 (INF2 p.Gly73Asp) and patient 2 (p.Val108Asp) first noticed walking difficulties at 10 to 12 years old. Both of them were electrophysiologically diagnosed with demyelinating neuropathy. In patient 2, the sural nerve biopsy revealed an onion bulb formation. Both patients developed nephrotic syndrome almost simultaneously with CMT and progressed into renal failure at the age of 16 to 17 years. Around the age of 30 years, both patients manifested multiple hypertrophy of the trunk, plexus, and root in the cervical, brachial, lumbosacral nerves, and cauda equina. The histology of the cervical mass in patient 2 revealed Schwannoma. Exome analysis showed that patient 2 harbors a germline LZTR1 p.Arg68Gly variant, while patient 1 has no schwannomatosis-related mutations. Conclusions: Peripheral neuropathy caused by INF2 variants may lead to the development of multifocal hypertrophy with age, likely due to the initial demyelination and subsequent Schwann cell proliferation. Schwannoma could co-occur when the tissues attain additional hits in schwannomatosis-related genes (e.g., LZTR1).
Editorial for Special Issue “Antibiotic Combination Therapy: A Strategy to Overcome Bacterial Resistance”
Authors: Hetta Helal F. , Ramadan Yasmin N. , Al-Kadmy Israa M. S.
Published: January 2025

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a critical global health threat, challenging the efficacy of existing antibiotics and undermining advances in modern medicine [...]
Imaging the Brainstem Raphe in Medication-Overuse Headache: Pathophysiological Insights and Implications for Personalized Care
Authors: Mall Annika , Klötzer Christine , Bartsch Luise , Ruhnau Johanna , Strauß Sebastian , Fleischmann Robert
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a disabling condition affecting patients with chronic migraine resulting from excessive use of acute headache medication. It is characterized by both pain modulation and addiction-like mechanisms involving the brainstem raphe, a region critical to serotonergic signaling. This study investigates whether alterations in the brainstem raphe, assessed via transcranial sonography (TCS), are associated with MOH and independent of depressive symptoms, aiming to explore their utility as a biomarker. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 60 migraine patients (15 with MOH) and 7 healthy controls. Comprehensive clinical and psychometric assessments were performed to evaluate headache burden, medication use, and depressive symptoms. TCS was used to assess brainstem raphe echogenicity, with findings analyzed using generalized linear models adjusted for depression. Results: Non-visibility of the brainstem raphe was significantly associated with MOH, with an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 6.88 (95% CI: 1.32–36.01, p = 0.02). After adjusting for depressive symptoms, this association remained significant, with an adjusted OR of 1.85 (95% CI: 1.02–3.34, p = 0.041). TCS demonstrated good intraclass correlation, highlighting its reproducibility and ability to detect changes relevant to MOH pathophysiology. Conclusions: Brainstem raphe alterations are associated with MOH and may serve as a potential biomarker for its diagnosis and management. TCS offers a non-invasive, cost-effective tool for identifying MOH-specific mechanisms, which could improve clinical decision-making and support personalized care in chronic headache disorders. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and refine the clinical applications of brainstem-focused diagnostics.
Role of Advanced Glycation End Products in Mediating Glycated Haemoglobin and Pulse Wave Velocity in Healthy Adults
Authors: Martínez-García Irene , Saz-Lara Alicia , Pascual-Morena Carlos , Díez-Fernández Ana , Valladolid-Ayllón Sara , Bizzozero-Peroni Bruno , Martínez-Cifuentes Óscar , Rodríguez-Gutiérrez Eva , Cavero-Redondo Iván
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Poor metabolic control is associated with increased levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which in turn may lead to increased arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and aortic pulse wave velocity (a-PWV) in healthy subjects and to analyse the mediating effect of AGEs measured by skin autofluorescence (SAF) on this association. Methods: HbA1c, a-PWV and SAF were analysed in 390 healthy Spanish subjects from the EVasCu study (42.02 ± 13.14 years, 63.08% females). A directed acyclic graph (DAG) was generated to define the covariates to be included, and the model was confirmed via multiple linear regression analysis. Descriptive and exploratory analyses were performed to investigate the associations between variables. Finally, adjusted and unadjusted mediation analyses were performed to verify the influence of SAF on the main association between HbA1c and a-PWV. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses for a-PWV supported the validity of the structure in the DAG. Descriptive and exploratory analyses revealed that when the models were adjusted to include all covariates, the statistical significance of the main association disappeared. Mediation analysis revealed that SAF mediated 35.77% of the effect of HbA1c on a-PWV in the unadjusted model and 42.18% after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: Our study suggests that increases in HbA1c levels are associated with increases in a-PWV and that this relationship is mediated by the SAF score in healthy adults.
Double Attention: An Optimization Method for the Self-Attention Mechanism Based on Human Attention
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Li Bin , Yan Chenyang , Furuichi Kengo , Todo Yuki
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence, with its remarkable adaptability, has gradually integrated into daily life. The emergence of the self-attention mechanism has propelled the Transformer architecture into diverse fields, including a role as an efficient and precise diagnostic and predictive tool in medicine. To enhance accuracy, we propose the Double-Attention (DA) method, which improves the neural network’s biomimetic performance of human attention. By incorporating matrices generated from shifted images into the self-attention mechanism, the network gains the ability to preemptively acquire information from surrounding regions. Experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our approaches across various benchmark datasets, validating their effectiveness. Furthermore, the method was applied to patient kidney datasets collected from hospitals for diabetes diagnosis, where they achieved high accuracy with significantly reduced computational demands. This advancement showcases the potential of our methods in the field of biomimetics, aligning well with the goals of developing innovative bioinspired diagnostic tools.
Management of Patients with Vulvar Cancers: A Systematic Comparison of International Guidelines (NCCN–ASCO–ESGO–BGCS–IGCS–FIGO–French Guidelines–RCOG)
Authors: Restaino Stefano , Pellecchia Giulia , Arcieri Martina , Bogani Giorgio , Taliento Cristina , Greco Pantaleo , Driul Lorenza , Chiantera Vito , De Vincenzo Rosa Pasqualina , Garganese Giorgia , Sopracordevole Francesco , Di Donato Violante , Ciavattini Andrea , Scollo Paolo , Scambia Giovanni , Vizzielli Giuseppe ,   Gynecologic Oncology Group
Published: January 2025

Background: Vulvar carcinoma is an uncommon gynecological tumor primarily affecting older women. Its treatment significantly impacts the quality of life and, not least, aesthetics because of the mutilating surgery it requires. Objectives: The management requires a multidisciplinary team of specialists who know how to care for the patient in her entirety, not neglecting psychological aspects and reconstructive surgery. How do the guidelines address multidisciplinarity, team surgical management, passing through preoperative diagnosis, and follow-up in such a challenging rare tumor to treat? Methods: To answer these questions, we compared the main scientific recommendations to identify similarities and differences in diagnostic and therapeutic management to provide an overview of the gaps that there are currently in European and American international recommendations in providing management guidance in a cancer that is both among the rarest and most difficult to manage. In this way, we aim to encourage an update in practices based on the latest scientific evidence. Results: A review of various international guidelines, some dating back to 2014, shows significant variation in approaches, ranging from initial diagnostic procedures to managing relapses. The most recent guidelines also lacked references to the latest literature, indicating that more robust scientific evidence is needed before new treatments, such as electrochemotherapy for palliation and reconstructive surgery post exenteration, can be widely adopted. Conclusions: From the systematic comparison of the main international guidelines, a strong heterogeneity emerged in the diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations as well as for the multidisciplinary approach that today is essential. Our work certainly stimulated an update of the main guidelines.
Impacts of Postoperative Adjuvant Therapies on the Survival of Women with High-Risk Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: A Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Hee Joong , Lee Banghyun
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The survival outcomes according to postoperative adjuvant therapeutic strategy in women with high-risk early-stage endometrial cancer (EEC) have not been clearly compared. This study examined the impacts of various postoperative adjuvant therapies on the survival of women with high-risk EEC. Methods: Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data related to Korean cancer registration data were used. The data of 1341 women who met the eligibility criteria for high-risk EEC were selected. The overall survival (OS) after the women had received various postoperative adjuvant therapies was analyzed. Results: The mean age of the women was 58.2 ± 10.3 years, and they were followed up for 5.9 ± 4.0 years. When compared with primary surgery alone, the OS was similar in the women who had received adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) ± vaginal brachytherapy (VB), adjuvant VB alone, adjuvant chemotherapy, or adjuvant hormone therapy in combination with primary surgery, but the OS was significantly lower in the women who had received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with primary surgery (HR 3.083; 95% CI 1.311–7.247; p = 0.010). In addition, compared to adjuvant EBRT ± VB, the OS was significantly lower in the group given adjuvant radiotherapy after chemotherapy (HR 11.87; 95% CI 4.595–30.664; p < 0.001), but the OS was similar in the women who had received adjuvant VB alone, adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy, or adjuvant chemotherapy after radiotherapy. Conclusions: Except for adjuvant radiotherapy after chemotherapy, postoperative adjuvant therapies have similar impacts on the survival of women with high-risk EEC.
Reproducibility and Consistency of Isolation Protocols for Fibroblasts, Smooth Muscle Cells, and Epithelial Cells from the Human Vagina
Authors: Sueters Jayson , Schipperheijn Rogier , Huirne Judith , Smit Theo , Guler Zeliha
Published: January 2025

(1) Background: For the reconstruction of a human vagina, various surgical procedures are available that are often associated with complications due to their failure to mimic the physiology of the human vagina. We recently developed a vascularized, organ-specific matrix from healthy human vaginal wall tissue with suitable biomechanical properties. A superior graft would require further extensive colonization with autologous vaginal cells to reduce complications upon implantation. However, reports on isolation of vaginal cells from biopsies are scarce, and published protocols rarely contain sufficient details. In this study, we aimed to examine protocols for inconsistencies and identify (where possible) the optimal protocol in terms of reproducibility and efficiency for isolation of human vaginal fibroblasts (FBs), epithelial cells (VECs), and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Overall, this study aims to guide other researchers and aid future tissue engineering solutions that rely on autologous cells. (2) Methods: A total of 41 isolation protocols were tested: four protocols specific to FBs, 13 protocols for VECs, and 24 protocols for SMCs. Protocols were derived from published reports on cell isolation by enzymes, with exclusion criteria including the need for specialized equipment, surgical separation of tissue layers, or missing protocol details. Enzymatic digestion with collagenase-I, collagenase-IV, and dispase-II was used for isolation of VECs, collagenase-IV for isolation of SMCs, and collagenase-IA for isolation of FBs. Fluorescent immunostaining was applied to identify VECs with cytokeratin, SMCs with desmin, endothelial cells with UEA-1, and FBs with vimentin. Protocols were assessed based on (>95%) homogeneity, duplicate consistency, cell viability, and time to first passage. (3) Results: A total of 9 out of the 41 protocols resulted in isolation and expansion of vaginal FBs. This involved 1 out of 13 VEC protocols, 6 out of 24 SMC protocols, and 2 out of 2 FB protocols. Isolation of vaginal SMCs or VECs was not achieved. The best results were obtained after digestion with 0.1% collagenase-IV, where pure FB colonies formed with high cell viability. (4) Conclusions: Today, vaginoplasty is considered the gold standard for surgically creating a neovagina, despite its considerable drawbacks and limitations. Tissue-engineered solutions carry great potential as an alternative, but cell seeding is desired to prevent complications upon implantation of grafts. In this study, we examined isolation of human vaginal FBs, SMCs, and VECs, and identified the most efficient and reliable protocol for FBs. We further identified inconsistencies and irreproducible methods for isolation of VECs and SMCs. These findings aid the clinical translation of cell-based tissue engineering for the reconstruction and support of vaginas, fulfilling unmet medic needs.
Multi-Template Molecularly Imprinted Polymeric Electrochemical Biosensors
Authors: Agar Meltem , Laabei Maisem , Leese Hannah S. , Estrela Pedro
Published: January 2025

Dual- or multi-template molecularly imprinted polymers have been an attractive research field for many years as they allow simultaneous detection of more than one target with high selectivity and sensitivity by creating template-specific recognition sites for multiple targets on the same functional monomer. Dual/multi-template molecular imprinting techniques have been applied to identify, extract, and detect many targets, from heavy metal ions to viruses, by different methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and piezoelectric, optical, and electrochemical methods. This article focuses on electrochemical sensors based on dual/multi-template molecularly imprinted polymers detecting a wide range of targets by electrochemical methods. Furthermore, this work highlights the use of these sensors for point-of-care applications, their commercialization and their integration with microfluidic systems.
Childhood-Onset Takayasu Arteritis: Clinical Features of Disease and Relapse Risk Factors
Authors: Podzolkova Vera , Lyskina Galina , Shpitonkova Olga , Polyanskaya Angelina , Chebysheva Svetlana , Shakhnazarova Marina , Zhao Jinbo , Suvorov Aleksandr , Khudoroshkova Vera , Geppe Natalia
Published: January 2025

Background: Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a systemic vasculitis that primarily affects the aorta and major arteries. Despite aggressive treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) and non-biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (nbDMARDs), about 30% of patients experience resistance to therapy or relapse. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with refractory and relapse TA in pediatric patients. Methods: A retrospective, open-label, case–control study was conducted with 56 pediatric patients with TA diagnosed between February 2011 and October 2022. Fourteen patients were excluded due to insufficient data in their medical records, leaving 42 for further analysis. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (18 patients) with no evidence of relapse and Group 2 (24 patients) with relapse despite first-line treatment at the end of the follow-up period. Clinical, laboratory, and instrumental data were collected and analyzed using R v4.2 and Python v3.10. Results: The median time to relapse was 18 [IQR: 13; -] months according to the Kaplan–Meier curve. Patients with ITAS.A with a diagnosis of TA ≥ 12 had a higher probability of relapse, according to the log-rank criterion (p = 0.006). Symptoms of critical ischemia, such as limb claudication, were more common in Group 2 at diagnosis (p = 0.047), and a trend toward a longer diagnostic delay was observed (p = 0.067). Conclusions: Pediatric patients with an initial ITAS.A score above 12 have a higher risk of relapse when treated with a combination of GCs and nbDMARDs as first-line treatment. Further research is needed to identify high-risk patients more accurately and optimize therapeutic strategies.
Bilateral Tuberculum Sextum of Maxillary Permanent First Molar
Authors: Deshkar Mrunali Prashant , Naik Yash , Yeluri Ramakrishna , Thosar Nilima , Khubchandani Monika , Pande Meenal
Published: January 2025

The human tooth’s morphology, which includes variations in cusp numbers and patterns, is of tremendous interest to anthropologists, morphologists, and dentists. Cusp 6 is an additional cusp that is very seldom encountered in primary or permanent mandibular molars, especially first molars. A supernumerary cusp located lingual to the distobuccal cusp at the crown’s distal border is cusp 6. According to the literature, cusp 6 is also known by other anthropologic designations, such as “Tuberculum Sextum” or “Entoconulid”. This case offers a unique instance of a bilateral tuberculum sextum in the maxillary permanent first molars, characterized by an additional cusp on the lingual surface. The patient, an adolescent, exhibited no associated symptoms. Early detection of such dental anomalies is essential for treatment planning, particularly in maintaining occlusal balance and preventing future complications. Regular monitoring is necessary to manage a bilateral tuberculum sextum in order to avoid enamel fractures and occlusal interference. To preserve functional occlusion and avoid problems, prophylactic sealants or selective grinding may be taken into consideration. This report highlights the importance of recognizing a tuberculum sextum for proper clinical management.
Coexistence Demonstration and Wavelength Dependency Analysis of S-Band CV-QKD Signal with Fully Loaded C+L-Band DWDM Signals
Authors: Kawakami Tetsuo , Kawahara Hiroki , Okamura Toshihiko , Maeda Wakako
Published: January 2025

We demonstrated the coexistence of an S-band CV-QKD signal with fully loaded C+L-band classical signals for the first time. The secret key rate of the S-band QKD system was 986 kbps with the C+L-band WDM signals transmitted through a 20 km G.654.E fiber link. We also revealed that the S-band CV-QKD performance limiting factor under the C+L-band WDM condition is the spontaneous Raman scattering light similar to the C-band CV-QKD performance limiting factor, confirming the validity of estimating the wavelength dependency of the secret key rate under the WDM condition from the fiber loss and the spontaneous Raman scattering light power. These results show that the CV-QKD performance under the C+L band WDM conditions becomes comparable to that under the C-band WDM conditions by wavelength design in the S-band.
The Role of Livelihood Assets in Affecting Community Adaptive Capacity in Facing Shocks in Karangrejo Village, Indonesia
Authors: Prayitno Gunawan , Auliah Aidha , Efendi Achmad , Hayat Ainul , Subagiyo Aris , Salsabila Aulia Putri
Published: January 2025

This study addresses a theoretical gap by examining how multiple livelihood assets collectively enhance rural communities’ adaptive capacity and contribute to rural resilience theory. Using structural equation modeling, data were collected from June to August 2024 from 372 randomly selected households in Karangrejo Village, Indonesia, to test whether livelihood assets significantly influence adaptive capacity in response to diverse economic, social, and environmental shocks. The findings reveal that human, natural, physical, and social capital show a strong, positive effect on adaptive capacity, whereas financial capital alone does not significantly enhance resilience. Despite the limited geographic scope, the results underscore that comprehensive asset combinations—rather than reliance on a single form of capital—strengthen a community’s capacity to withstand shocks. This integrated perspective suggests that balanced investments across multiple forms of capital foster sustainable and flexible adaptation strategies, enabling communities to navigate uncertainty and maintain stability. The study highlights the critical importance of diversifying livelihood assets to foster long-term rural resilience and improve quality of life, offering practical insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in developing holistic interventions that support adaptive capacity.
Reconceptualizing the Role of the University Language Teacher in Light of Generative AI
Authors: Tutton Mark , Cohen Doron
Published: January 2025

This paper reconceptualizes the role of the teacher in the university foreign language classroom in an age of generative AI chatbots and automatic translation tools. We call for a reconceptualization of this role based on two factors: the unique social interactivity of the university language classroom and the need for effective instruction on how to use Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) tools outside of the classroom. We argue that the teacher must master and integrate these two different modes of teaching and learning. Interpersonal exchanges in class respond to the need for real-time human interaction and relatedness in language learning and so cannot, and should not, be wholly replaced by chatbots. Rather, these sorts of exchanges must form a cornerstone of on-campus foreign language pedagogy. In contrast, teachers must also be able to leverage the benefits of learner-facing AI tools, especially for use outside of the classroom, given the learning gains associated with them. We provide detailed examples of how this dual approach can be realized and propose a five-step approach for incorporating AI into university language pedagogy.
Unlocking Patient Resistance to AI in Healthcare: A Psychological Exploration
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Chaibi Asma , Brini Riadh , Abdelghani Ibrahim Tamer Mohamed
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed healthcare, yet patients’ acceptance of AI-driven medical services remains constrained. Despite its significant potential, patients exhibit reluctance towards this technology. A notable lack of comprehensive research exists that examines the variables driving patients’ resistance to AI. This study explores the variables influencing patients’ resistance to adopt AI technology in healthcare by applying an extended Ram and Sheth Model. More specifically, this research examines the roles of the need for personal contact (NPC), perceived technological dependence (PTD), and general skepticism toward AI (GSAI) in shaping patient resistance to AI integration. For this reason, a sequential mixed-method approach was employed, beginning with semi-structured interviews to identify adaptable factors in healthcare. It then followed with a survey to validate the qualitative findings through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via AMOS (version 24). The findings confirm that NPC, PTD, and GSAI significantly contribute to patient resistance to AI in healthcare. Precisely, patients who prefer personal interaction, feel dependent on AI, or are skeptical of AI’s promises are more likely to resist its adoption. The findings highlight the psychological factors driving patient reluctance toward AI in healthcare, offering valuable insights for healthcare administrators. Strategies to balance AI’s efficiency with human interaction, mitigate technological dependence, and foster trust are recommended for successful implementation of AI. This research adds to the theoretical understanding of Innovation Resistance Theory, providing both conceptual insights and practical implications for the effective incorporation of AI in healthcare.
Optimum Design of Transformers for Offshore Wind Power Generators Considering Their Behavior
Authors: Oh Yeon-Ho , Hong Do-Kwan , Park Jun-Kyu , Ahn Hyun-Mo , Song Ki-Dong
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a structural optimization technique based on precise heat transfer analysis for transformers. Mechanical and thermal stresses during operation are particularly critical in confined environments, such as within wind turbine generators. To optimize the transformer’s structure, the temperature distribution is first calculated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on the finite volume method. Eddy current losses, necessary for thermal analysis, are determined through electromagnetic analysis. These CFD results are then used as input conditions for structural analysis. Finally, structural optimization is performed on critical areas, primarily the radiation fins and panels. All models are analyzed in 3D, and the simulation results are validated through comparison with experimental data. Consequently, the optimized design results were validated against simulations, exhibiting a maximum deviation of 4%. These findings confirm the success of the proposed transformer design optimization.
Noise-Robust Biometric Authentication Using Infrared Periocular Images Captured from a Head-Mounted Display
Authors: Baek Junho , Park Yeongje , Seok Chaelin , Lee Eui Chul
Published: January 2025

This study proposes a biometric authentication method using infrared (IR)-based periocular images captured in virtual reality (VR) environments with head-mounted displays (HMDs). The widespread application of VR technology highlights the growing need for robust user authentication in immersive environments. To address this, the study introduces a novel periocular biometric authentication system optimized for HMD usage. Ensuring reliable authentication in VR environments necessitates overcoming significant challenges, including flicker noise and infrared reflection. Flicker noise, caused by alternating current (AC)-powered lighting, produces banding artifacts in images captured by rolling-shutter cameras, obstructing biometric feature extraction. Additionally, IR reflection generates strong light glare on the iris surface, degrading image quality and negatively impacting the model’s generalization performance and authentication accuracy. This study utilized the AffectiVR dataset, which includes noisy images, to address these challenges. In the preprocessing phase, iris reflections were removed, reducing the Equal Error Rate (EER) from 6.73% to 5.52%. Furthermore, incorporating a Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) block to mitigate flicker noise and enhance model robustness resulted in a final EER of 6.39%. Although the SE block slightly increased the EER, it significantly improved the model’s ability to suppress noise and focus on critical periocular features, ensuring enhanced robustness in challenging VR environments. Heatmap analysis revealed that the proposed model effectively utilized periocular features, such as the skin around the eyes and eye contours, compared to prior approaches. This study establishes a crucial groundwork for advancing robust biometric authentication systems capable of overcoming noise challenges in next-generation immersive platforms.
Optimal Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface Deployment for Secure Communication in Cell-Free Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Systems with Coverage Area
Authors: Zhao Jie , Zhang Qi , Ai Tianyu , Wei Xianhu , Peng Fengqiang
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the secure communication in the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (CF-mMIMO) system in the presence of an eavesdropper (Eve). Since the RIS can only reflect the incident signal from its front, we define the RIS coverage and non-coverage area based on whether the incident signals can be reflected. The RIS coverage area is affected by the deployment position and rotation angle, and thus, we take both of these two factors into account and a closed-form approximation for the ergodic secrecy rate of the legitimate user is derived. Based on it, the optimal RIS deployment position and phase shift are obtained through an alternating iteration method, and the optimal RIS angle is achieved through an exhaustive enumeration of angles with a certain interval. Simulations confirm that our optimal RIS deployment can achieve a superior secrecy rate. We find that to guarantee the best secrecy rate, the RIS should be placed near the target user, and its rotation angle should be adjusted to make as many access points (APs) as possible within the RIS coverage area.
A Double Resistive–Capacitive Approach for the Analysis of a Hybrid Battery–Ultracapacitor Integration Study
Authors: Chmielewski Adrian , Piórkowski Piotr , Bogdziński Krzysztof , Krawczyk Paweł , Lorencki Jakub , Kopczyński Artur , Możaryn Jakub , Costa-Castelló Ramon , Ozana Stepan
Published: January 2025

The development of energy storage systems is significant for solving problems related to climate change. A hybrid energy storage system (HESS), combining batteries with ultracapacitors, may be a feasible way to improve the efficiency of electric vehicles and renewable energy applications. However, most existing research requires comprehensive modelling of HESS components under different operating conditions, hindering optimisation and real-world application. This study proposes a novel approach to analysing the set of differential equations of a substitute model of HESS and validates a model-based approach to investigate the performance of an HESS composed of a Valve-Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery and a Maxwell ultracapacitor in a parallel configuration. Consequently, the set of differential equations describing the HESS dynamics is provided. The dynamics of this system are modelled with a double resistive–capacitive (2-RC) scheme using data from Hybrid Pulse Power Characterisation (HPPC) and pseudo-random cycles. Parameters are identified using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The model’s accuracy is analysed, estimated and verified using Mean Square Errors (MSEs) and Normalised Root Mean Square Errors (NRMSEs) in the range of a State of Charge (SoC) from 0.1 to 0.9. Limitations of the proposed models are also discussed. Finally, the main advantages of HESSs are highlighted in terms of energy and open-circuit voltage (OCV) characteristics.
New Frontiers of Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Authors: Schöpfel Joachim , Boock Michael , Rasuli Behrooz , van Wyk Brenda
Published: January 2025

(1) Background: Since the 1990s, theses and dissertations—a key part of scientific communication—have evolved significantly with advances in information and communication technologies. (2) Methods: This study reviews 99 publications examining these changes, drawing insights from international conferences and empirical studies in the field. (3) Results: Historically, a major challenge in managing PhD theses has been the shift to electronic formats, resulting in the creation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). This shift involves four main tasks: adopting new digital formats, updating institutional workflows between departments, graduate schools, and academic libraries, implementing updated bibliographic standards (such as metadata and identifiers), and utilizing new tools and channels for distribution. With open science becoming a widespread research policy across many countries and institutions, ensuring open access for ETDs is an added challenge—though a substantial portion of ETD content remains restricted to institutional or library networks. Today, ETD management is on the brink of a new era, with advancements in data-driven science and artificial intelligence. (4) Conclusions: The development of ETDs varies significantly across different countries, regions, and institutions due to technological, organizational, and legal differences. It is essential for academic libraries and other stakeholders to address the challenges identified while considering these variations.