bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives and Tools in Liver Graft Assessment: A Transformative Era in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Safi Kawthar , Pawlicka Angelika Joanna , Pradhan Bhaskar , Sobieraj Jan , Zhylko Andriy , Struga Marta , Grąt Michał , Chrzanowska Alicja
Published: February 2025

Liver transplantation is a critical and evolving field in modern medicine, offering life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and other hepatic conditions. Despite its transformative potential, transplantation faces persistent challenges, including a global organ shortage, increasing liver disease prevalence, and significant waitlist mortality rates. Current donor evaluation practices often discard potentially viable livers, underscoring the need for refined graft assessment tools. This review explores advancements in graft evaluation and utilization aimed at expanding the donor pool and optimizing outcomes. Emerging technologies, such as imaging techniques, dynamic functional tests, and biomarkers, are increasingly critical for donor assessment, especially for marginal grafts. Machine learning and artificial intelligence, exemplified by tools like LiverColor, promise to revolutionize donor-recipient matching and liver viability predictions, while bioengineered liver grafts offer a future solution to the organ shortage. Advances in perfusion techniques are improving graft preservation and function, particularly for donation after circulatory death (DCD) grafts. While challenges remain—such as graft rejection, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and recurrence of liver disease—technological and procedural advancements are driving significant improvements in graft allocation, preservation, and post-transplant outcomes. This review highlights the transformative potential of integrating modern technologies and multidisciplinary approaches to expand the donor pool and improve equity and survival rates in liver transplantation.
The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Executive Function: A Comparative Study Among Active, Passive, and Non-Procrastinating College Students
Authors: Liu Chentao , Zhang Juanjuan
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention on the executive functions of active, passive, and non-procrastinating college students. Methods: A total of 190 college students (36 male, 154 female, 19.56 ± 1.11 years old) with different types of procrastination were recruited from the first and second years of a university using the General Procrastination Scale and the Active Procrastination Scale. A 3 (procrastination type: active procrastination, passive procrastination, non-procrastination) × 2 (group: exercise group, control group) × 2 (measurement time: pre-test, post-test) mixed experimental design was employed. All participants attended regular physical education classes as usual, while the exercise group participated in an 8 week aerobic exercise program. Before and after the intervention, the inhibition, updating, and switching sub-functions of executive function were assessed. Results: (1) Active procrastinators and passive procrastinators showed significant differences in their inhibition scores, inhibition accuracy, updating scores, and updating accuracy (p < 0.05). Non-procrastinators exhibited a significantly higher inhibition accuracy than passive procrastinators (p < 0.05), while active procrastinators had a significantly higher updating accuracy than non-procrastinators (p < 0.05). As can be seen, there were significant differences in inhibition and updating functions between active procrastinators and passive procrastinators, with passive procrastinators showing obvious deficiencies in their inhibition accuracy. (2) After the intervention, the aerobic exercise group of non-procrastinators showed a significant reduction in their inhibition reaction time and updating reaction time (p < 0.05). The passive procrastination in the exercise group showed significant improvements in switching accuracy and inhibition accuracy (p < 0.05). The active procrastination in the exercise group showed a significant reduction in updating reaction time (p < 0.05). From the above findings, it is clear that the eight-week aerobic exercise intervention has shown improvement effects on the executive function of college students with different procrastination types, and the extent of the improvement in each sub-function of executive function varies depending on the type of procrastination. Conclusion: This study reveals the relationship between exercise and the development of the sub-functions of executive function in college students with procrastination, further validating the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing exercise interventions in real-world school settings.
Jumping to Conclusions: Mechanisms of Cognitive Control in Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
Authors: Shih Pei-Chun , Pérez-Santiago África , Peña Daniel , Wazne Daniel , Román Santiago
Published: February 2025

Cognitive control encompasses mental processes that regulate thoughts and actions to achieve specific goals. It is essential in decision-making, facilitating attention management, impulse inhibition, and adaptation to new information—skills critical for rational choices, particularly under uncertainty. In jumping to conclusions (JTC), where individuals make premature decisions based on limited evidence, cognitive control deficits are often implicated. Cognitive stability helps maintain focus and resist distractions but may lead to premature conclusions if excessive. In contrast, cognitive flexibility supports adaptive decision-making by incorporating new information but may foster hasty decisions if insufficient. This study examined JTC and cognitive control mechanisms in 200 university students. Participants completed the Box Task under varied uncertainty conditions, tasks assessing stability (Flanker–Simon Task) and flexibility (Letter–Number Task), and the BIS/BAS questionnaire. Cluster analysis identified three evidence-gathering profiles: minimal, moderate, and extensive. Significant differences were found between clusters in both flexibility and stability, with individuals in the extensive evidence-gathering cluster showing superior cognitive control. However, higher uncertainty amplified the reliance on flexibility, highlighting its role in adapting to challenging conditions, while stability remained unaffected. No significant association emerged between BIS/BAS indices and Box Task performance. These findings emphasize the interplay between uncertainty, cognitive control, and decision-making, underscoring the need for further research to refine interventions targeting decision-making biases.
Study on Application of Transparent Soil in Migration of Heavy Metal Pollutants in Porous Media
Authors: Zhao Congcong , Yu Hemiao , Qi Zhenxiao , Li Min
Published: February 2025

Clarifying the migration law of heavy metal pollutants in soil is the key prerequisite for its treatment. Because most heavy metal pollutants possess color-rendering properties, it is theoretically feasible to use synthesized transparent soil to simulate the migration and diffusion of heavy pollutants in soil. In order to assess the feasibility of employing transparent soil for investigating heavy metal migration (singly and multiply) in porous media, the fluctuation rates and concentration distribution of pollutants were measured from both vertical and horizontal perspectives. Simultaneously, the effects of temperature, dry density, and initial concentration on heavy metal migration were investigated simultaneously, while analyzing changes in heavy metal occurrence forms during the migration process. The study shows that transparent soil accurately simulated heavy metal migration with a deviation of less than 10% compared to sandy soil. The migration of Cu(II) in a single heavy metal migration test was greatly affected by three factors. Among them, both Cu(II) and Cr(VI) are similarly affected by the initial concentration, and favorable migration occurs at an initial concentration of 1000 mg/kg. The heat source temperature and initial concentration significantly impact the migration of single Cr(VI) and composite heavy metals. Under the influence of heat source temperature, the increase in heavy metal migration rate is associated with an increase in the proportion of exchangeable (EXC) and carbonate-bound (Carb). Studying the interaction mechanism between these factors is crucial for accurately predicting the transport behavior of heavy metal pollutants in porous media and providing a scientific basis for environmental protection and treatment.
Experimental Study on Evaluation of Organization Collaboration in Prefabricated Building Construction
Authors: Bao Dingjing , Chen Yuan , Wan Shuai , Lian Jinlai , Lei Ying , Chen Kaizhe
Published: February 2025

Prefabricated buildings have become important in the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry due to their advantages, including high efficiency, energy conservation, low cost, and environmental friendliness. To further promote the wide application of prefabricated construction, the improvement of construction organization design has become an urgent problem to be solved. Therefore, this study developed a new evaluation method for prefabricated construction collaboration. The proposed evaluation system was built based on the combination of knowledge- and data-driven approaches, i.e., a dual-driven evaluation method. The knowledge-driven part of this evaluation system used an evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), while the data-driven part used a prediction model based on the BO-XGBoost algorithm to verify the validity of the AHP-based model. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed dual-driven evaluation system, we conducted a case analysis using the data of 204 construction cases obtained from digital simulation platform experiments. The results of the AHP-based evaluation model showed that there was a significant disparity in construction collaboration levels in this case study, with a large proportion of low-level collaboration cases. This indicated that there was a lack of proper collaboration in project management, component production, and on-site assembly, reflecting the urgent need for improvement in collaboration efficiency. Regarding the data-driven analysis, the BO-XGBoost prediction model was built based on the AHP-based evaluation results. It was found that the prediction accuracy of the BO-XGBoost model was as high as 98.1%, indicating that the proposed AHP-based model was scientific and effective. Moreover, the BO-XGBoost model was compared with the random forest, support vector machine, and logistic regression prediction models. The BO-XGBoost model outperformed the other three prediction models in terms of accuracy, precision, recall rate, and F1 score. The proposed dual-driven evaluation system provided a new perspective for the scientific evaluation of prefabricated construction collaboration. The findings of this study contributed to enhancing the project management optimization capability of smart construction sites.
Catalytic Hydrothermal Production of Platform Chemicals from Coffee Biomass Using Organic Acids as Catalysts
Authors: Lozano Pérez Alejandra Sophia , Romero Mahecha Valentina , Guerrero Fajardo Carlos Alberto
Published: February 2025

Coffee cherry waste, a byproduct of coffee production, presents significant environmental challenges due to its large volume—approximately 20 million tons annually. The disposal of this waste, which includes pulp and mucilage, often leads to pollution of land and water systems, contributing to environmental degradation. Additionally, the high acidity and organic content of coffee cherry waste complicate its management, making it crucial to find sustainable solutions for its valorization and reuse in order to mitigate these ecological impacts. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency and selectivity of various organic acid catalysts in the hydrothermal valorization of coffee cherry waste. The procedures were conducted using the liquid hot water (LHW) treatment for one hour with a 1:20 biomass/catalyst ratio and a 1 mm biomass particle size at 180 °C in 500 mL batch reactors modifying 10 different organic acids at 0.02 M. Concentrations of the valorized products (HMF, furfural, levulinic acid, formic acid, and sugars) were measured using HPLC-IR. Among the catalysts tested, adipic acid demonstrated the highest efficiency, with a total yield of 53.667%, showing significant selectivity towards formic acid (19.663%) and levulinic acid (11.291%). In contrast, butyric acid was the least efficient catalyst, yielding a total of 17.395% and showing minimal selectivity towards other compounds. Chloroacetic acid and benzoic acid were notable for their high selectivity towards sugars. Other catalysts, such as anthranilic acid, propanoic acid, and succinic acid, displayed moderate efficiency and selectivity, with balanced yields across various compounds. These findings highlight the importance of catalyst selection in optimizing the hydrothermal process for desired product outcomes.
Continuous Gastric pH Monitoring in Children Facilitates Better Understanding of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Sharma Shiva , Mehta Devendra I. , Patel Nishant , Ajmera Arun , Bornstein Jeffrey , George Florence
Published: February 2025

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly encountered in adults and children. A subset of patients with GERD are refractory to acid suppressants, implicating other factors in the refluxate. Duodenogastric reflux (DGR) produces similar symptoms through reflux of non-acidic duodenal content and the cytotoxic effect of bile in the esophageal mucosa. Various methods have been utilized to detect DGR using a Bilitec device or Hepatobiliary scintigraphy, amongst the most common, each with their own limitations. We aimed to use combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) monitoring with an additional gastric pH sensor to collect information about acidic and non-acidic gastroesophageal refluxes and to assess whether continuous gastric pH measurement in children provides indirect evidence of DGR for better understanding of the symptoms. Methods: From 2022 through 2023, clinically symptomatic pediatric patients scheduled for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and MII-pH at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in the United States were included (n = 26). Exclusions included patients taking acid suppressants prior to the start of this study. The data were analyzed for subjects completing at least 18 h of the study protocol. Results: Subjects with a normal pH impedance (n = 5) showed a median non-meal gastric pH of 1.8. Subjects with an abnormal pH impedance (n = 21) showed a median non-meal gastric pH of 2.2. Of the 26 subjects enrolled, the duration of non-meal gastric pH 4.0–7.0 was positively correlated with non-acidic gastroesophageal refluxes. Although all acidic reflux events occurred at gastric pH < 4.0, there was no correlation between the duration of non-meal gastric pH < 4.0 and impedance changes or reflux index. Conclusions: The results showed daily variability in the non-meal gastric pH of pediatric patients and a statistically significant correlation between its duration at pH 4.0 to 7.0 and non-acidic refluxes suggestive of the implication of DGR. Further research is required to assess this association with gastroesophageal reflux and dyspeptic symptoms to investigate the diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions, including the role of prokinetics and surface protective agents for DGR.
MiR-451 in Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Applications—A Comprehensive Review Beyond Oncology
Authors: Wang Fei-Xiang , Mu Guo , Yu Zi-Hang , Qin Zhen-Shan , Zhao Xing , Shi Zu-An , Fan Xin , Liu Li , Chen Ye , Zhou Jun
Published: February 2025

MicroRNAs play crucial roles in regulating inflammatory responses and disease progression. Since its identification on chromosome 17q11.2 in 2005, miR-451 has emerged as a key regulator of multiple physiological and pathological processes. While its role in cancer has been extensively documented, accumulating evidence reveals miR-451’s broader significance in inflammatory conditions through the regulation of NF-κB, AMPK, and PI3K signaling pathways. This comprehensive review systematically analyzes miR-451’s multifaceted functions in inflammatory diseases, with particular focus on ischemia–reperfusion injury, arthritis, and acute organ injuries. We present compelling evidence for miR-451’s potential as a diagnostic biomarker, demonstrating its distinctive expression patterns across various biological specimens and disease states. Furthermore, we elucidate how miR-451 modulates inflammatory responses through the regulation of immune cell populations, including microglia activation, macrophage polarization, and neutrophil chemotaxis. By integrating current evidence and bioinformatic analyses, we establish a theoretical framework linking miR-451’s molecular mechanisms to its therapeutic applications. This review not only synthesizes the current understanding of miR-451 in inflammatory diseases but also provides critical insights for developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.
Sleep Alterations in the Population of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico and Their Association with Lifestyle Changes During COVID-19 Confinement
Authors: Ayala-Moreno María del Rosario , Martínez-Serrano Paola Andrea , Melgarejo-Gutiérrez Montserrat Alheli , Hernández-Mondragón Alma Rosa , Martínez-Basila Azucena , Martínez-Coronado Araceli , Losana-Valencia María José , Vargas-Medina Esther , Colín-Ramírez Eloisa , Benítez-Rico Adriana
Published: February 2025

Home confinement due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to lifestyle changes that increased sleep disturbances, particularly in areas with higher infection and mortality rates. This study is a retrospective study based on data collected through an online survey conducted during the COVID-19 confinement. It aims to analyze changes in sleep quantity and quality and their association with lifestyle changes in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. A total of 899 adults from this area completed an online questionnaire between June 2020 and February 2021. This study assessed sleep quantity, sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, and lifestyle changes during the confinement period. Results showed that sleep quantity increased (7.10 ± 1.37 vs. 7.43 ± 1.42 h, p < 0.0001), with more participants, especially young adults and women, reporting later bed and wake-up times. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased by 1.4 units, with poor sleep quality associated with lifestyle during confinement. Insomnia symptoms, sleep latency, and poor sleep quality also increased, particularly in women. Males and those without chronic comorbidities were less likely to experience poor sleep quality, while tobacco use and later bedtimes increased this risk. This study concludes that, while sleep quantity increased, sleep quality declined, particularly among young adults, women, and those with unhealthy lifestyles. These findings could guide sleep health initiatives tailored to specific lifestyle changes in different population groups.
Chrome Doped Hydroxyapatite Enriched with Amoxicillin Layers for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Ciobanu Carmen Steluta , Predoi Daniela , Iconaru Simona Liliana , Rokosz Krzysztof , Raaen Steinar , Negrila Catalin Constantin , Ghegoiu Liliana , Bleotu Coralia , Predoi Mihai Valentin
Published: February 2025

In the last decade, it has been observed that the field of biomaterials has gained the attention of the researchers. This study presents the physicochemical and biological properties of coatings based on chromium-doped hydroxyapatite (CrHAp) and chromium-doped hydroxyapatite enriched with amoxicillin (CrHApAx). The coatings were obtained for the first time using the dip coating technique, beginning from dense suspensions of CrHAp and CrHApAx. The obtained layers were then analyzed by various methods in order to have a comprehensive overview of their physicochemical properties. Stability studies performed using ultrasound measurements showed that the CrHAp suspension has very good stability (S = 6.86·10−6 s−1) compared to double-distilled water. The CrHApAx suspension (S = 0.00025 s−1) shows good but weaker stability compared to that of the CrHAp suspension. Following XRD studies, a single hydroxyapatite-specific phase was observed in the CrHAp sample, while in the case of the CrHApAx sample, an amoxicillin-specific peak was also observed. The AFM results showed that the CrHAp coatings had a surface topography of a homogenous and uniform layer, with no significant cracks and fissures, while the CrHApAx coatings exhibited a surface morphology of homogenous layers formed of particles conglomerates. The biocompatibility of CrHAp and CrHApAx coatings was assessed using the MG63 cell line. The cytotoxicity of the coatings was evaluated by measuring cell viability with the aid of an MTT assay after 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation with the CrHAp and CrHApAx coatings. The results demonstrated that both CrHAp and CrHApAx coatings exhibited good biocompatibility for all the tested time intervals. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the coatings was also assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853 ATCC (P. aeruginosa) bacterial cells. The potential of P. aeruginosa bacterial cells to adhere and develop on the surfaces of CrHAp and CrHApAx coatings was also investigated using AFM analysis. The findings of the biological assays suggest that CrHAp and CrHApAx coatings could be considered as promising candidates for biomedical applications, including the development of novel antimicrobial materials.
Estimation, Classification, and Prediction of Construction and Demolition Waste Using Machine Learning for Sustainable Waste Management: A Critical Review
Authors: Samal Choudhury Gyanaranjan , Biswal Dipti Ranjan , Udgata Gaurav , Pradhan Sujit Kumar
Published: February 2025

The management of construction and demolition waste is a critical concern for sustainable urban development and environmental conservation. In this review, the authors provides an overview of the involvement of machine learning techniques like the support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural networks (ANNs), Random Forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), etc. in the estimation, classification, and prediction of construction and demolition waste, contributing to the advancement of sustainable waste management practices. The authors observed that the DCNN achieved an outstanding accuracy of 94% in the estimation and classification of construction waste. Based on the authors’ observations, the machine learning models are well suited for the prediction or classification of construction waste and are good for sustainable waste management in the future. This paper provides insights into the promising future of machine learning in revolutionizing waste management practices and future research.
Single-Particle Radiation Sensitivity of Ultrawide-Bandgap Semiconductors to Terrestrial Atmospheric Neutrons
Authors: Munteanu Daniela , Autran Jean-Luc
Published: February 2025

Semiconductors characterized by ultrawide bandgaps (UWBGs), exceeding the SiC bandgap of 3.2 eV and the GaN bandgap of 3.4 eV, are currently under focus for applications in high-power and radio-frequency (RF) electronics, as well as in deep-ultraviolet optoelectronics and extreme environmental conditions. These semiconductors offer numerous advantages, such as a high breakdown field, exceptional thermal stability, and minimized power losses. This study used numerical simulation to investigate, at the material level, the single-particle radiation response of various UWBG semiconductors, such as aluminum gallium nitride alloys (AlxGa1−xN), diamond, and β-phase gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3), when exposed to ground-level neutrons. Through comprehensive Geant4 simulations covering the entire spectrum of atmospheric neutrons at sea level, this study provides an accurate comparison of the neutron radiation responses of these UWBG semiconductors focusing on the interaction processes, the number and nature of secondary ionizing products, their energy distributions, and the production of electron–hole pairs at the origin of single-event effects (SEEs) in microelectronics devices.
Immunotherapy Combined with Chemotherapy in the First-Line Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer: Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis Based on Specific PD-L1 CPS
Authors: Zhang Wenwei , Guo Kaibo , Zheng Song
Published: February 2025

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. Data Sources: Phase III randomised controlled trials were searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials databases, and several international conference databases, from inception to 15 November 2024. Results: A total of eight eligible trials involved 7898 patients and eight treatments. The network meta-analysis showed that cadonilimab plus chemotherapy was the most superior treatment in improving overall survival (versus conventional chemotherapy, hazard ratio 0.62, 95% credible interval 0.50 to 0.78) and progression-free survival (0.53, 0.43 to 0.65), and consistency of results were observed in specific PD-L1 combined positive score groups. All immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy improved patient prognosis, but nivolumab plus chemotherapy may lead to an increase in grade 3 or higher adverse events (odds ratio 1.68, 95% credible interval 1.04 to 2.54), and the toxicity of cadonilimab plus chemotherapy was more likely to force patients to discontinue treatment. Conclusions: These results showed that cadonilimab plus chemotherapy had the best overall survival and progression-free survival benefits for advanced gastric cancer patients with HER-2 negative, and was preferentially recommended to patients with positive PD-L1 CPS.
Nuclear Phylogenomics of Angiosperms and Evolutionary Implications
Authors: Zhang Lin , Huang Chien-Hsun , Zhang Guojin , Zhang Caifei , Zhao Yiyong , Huang Jie , Guo Jing , Cheng Lin , Zhang Taikui , Ma Hong
Published: February 2025

Angiosperms are the largest group of land plants with ~375,000 species, which are classified into ~416 families and ~13,000 genera; they exhibit tremendous morphological and physiological diversities and are important members of diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Angiosperms have attracted continuous efforts to describe and understand these diversities in a framework of interrelationships—the phylogeny, which provides strong support for angiosperm classifications and relies on morphological, anatomical, and increasing molecular markers. Today, great advances in sequencing technology have led to the generation of tens of thousands of gene sequences for individual species, facilitating angiosperm phylogenetic reconstruction with high resolution at both deep and shallow levels. In this review, we present recent insights into angiosperm phylogeny based on relatively large numbers of nuclear genes, encompassing the ordinal scale of early-divergent and backbone branches, eudicots and their major subclades, asterids and rosids, as well as monocots. We further delve into intra-order cases such as Caryophyllales (Eudicots) and Alismatales (Monocots), along with intra-family relationships for some of the largest families (e.g., Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae) and those with economic importance (such as Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Rosaceae). Furthermore, we briefly highlight the importance of nuclear phylogeny in addressing key evolutionary questions, including the origin and divergence of angiosperms, the evolution of morphological and other characters, gene duplication and other aspects of gene family evolution. Finally, we discuss possible future trends of angiosperm phylogenomics.
Therapeutic Potential of ACMSD Inhibitors in NAD+ Deficient Diseases
Authors: Chen Min , Zhang Hua , Ji Pengfei
Published: February 2025

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is one of the most essential coenzymes that is widely distributed in human tissues. However, with the progress of aging, the NAD+ level gradually decreases, thus impacting the metabolic dynamics and heightening susceptibility to various pathologies. Increasing NAD+ levels are expected to delay aging and improve age-related degenerative diseases. Amino–carboxylic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ACMSD) is a key enzyme involved in the de novo synthesis of NAD+. It reduces the intermediate products of the de novo synthesis pathway by catalyzing the degradation of α-amino-β-carboxyethylglutamic acid-ε-semialdehyde (ACMS), thus reducing the production of NAD+. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ACMSD has been demonstrated to increase NAD+ levels in vitro and in vivo, thus making it a potential target for the treatment of NAD+-deficient diseases. In this mini-review, we detail the molecular mechanisms regulated by ACMSD. We also discuss the potential efficacy and progress of ACMSD inhibitors in treating aging and age-related diseases.
Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region
Authors: Alshrari Ahmed Subeh , Hudu Shuaibu Abdullahi , Shinkafi Sa‘adatu Haruna , Tahir Albashir , Raji Halima Yunusa , Jimoh Abdulgafar Olayiwola
Published: February 2025

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where endemicity is high. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) presents a unique challenge to transfusion safety, as HBV DNA may persist in HBsAg-negative individuals. This study examines the prevalence of HBcAb positivity among blood donors at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, and assesses the risk of HBV transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 blood donors. Samples were screened for HBsAg and HBV serological markers using a rapid assay and ELISA. HBcAb-positive samples were analyzed for HBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Viral loads were quantified, and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Results: HBcAb was detected in 57 (28.5%) of the 200 donors. The most common serological pattern among donors was HBsAg-negative and HBcAb-negative (69%). Among these HBcAb-positive donors, HBV DNA was detected in three cases (1.5%), with viral loads of 753.1, 2.193 × 104, and 4.538 × 104 IU/mL. The presence of HBV DNA in these donors confirms the risk of OBI transmission through transfusion. Socio-demographic analysis revealed that 48.5% of donors were aged 26–35 years, 23.5% were aged 18–25 years, 23% were aged 36–42 years, and 2.5% were either 43–50 or above 50 years of age, of which 99.5% were male. These findings highlight a significant prevalence of HBcAb positivity and OBI, aligning with studies in similar high-endemic settings. Conclusions: HBcAb positivity and OBI represent significant transfusion risks in endemic regions. The presence of HBV DNA in 1.5% of HBcAb-positive donors in the study population highlights the limitations of HBsAg-based screening. Incorporating nucleic acid testing (NAT) into routine blood donor screening protocols is critical to enhancing transfusion safety. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such interventions in resource-limited settings.
Role of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter on Mortality Prediction in Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit from the Emergency Department
Authors: Altınsoy Kazım Ersin , Bayhan Bahar Uslu
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Cerebrovascular events (CVEs) are a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions from the emergency department, often associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Identifying reliable, non-invasive predictors of mortality in these patients is critical for improving prognostic accuracy and guiding therapeutic strategies. This retrospective cohort study evaluates the predictive value of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in determining mortality among ICU patients with CVEs. Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study included 102 patients diagnosed with CVEs and admitted to the ICU at Gaziantep City Hospital between October 2023 and March 2024. This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethics approval was obtained from Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University (Decision No. 394.36.08), and the requirement for informed consent was waived due to the retrospective design. The sample size was determined using G-Power 3.1.9.4. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the ONSD and mortality (p = 0.002). Patients with higher ONSD values demonstrated an increased mortality risk, underscoring the potential prognostic value of ONSD measurements in this population. Conclusions: MRI-based ONSD measurement offers a non-invasive method for predicting mortality in ICU patients with CVEs. Its integration into routine diagnostic protocols could enhance clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Further multicenter studies are warranted to validate these findings and standardize ONSD measurement techniques.
TREM2 Alleviates Neuroinflammation by Maintaining Cellular Metabolic Homeostasis and Mitophagy Activity During Early Inflammation
Authors: Hu Lingfeng , Liu Jie , Peng Jie , Li Xiao , Huang Zhangqiong , Zhang Caixing , Fan Shengtao
Published: February 2025

Aims: Inflammation is a pivotal characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. The triggering receptor expressed on the myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) gene has previously been shown to suppress inflammation by directly inhibiting inflammation-related pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction has recently emerged as another critical pathological manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases. Although TREM2 is involved in the regulation of cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial autophagy, its role in the relationship between inflammation and mitochondrial autophagy remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we generated TREM2-overexpressing BV-2 cells and established a neuroinflammatory model with LPS. We compared these cells with wild-type cells in terms of inflammation, metabolism, autophagy, and mitochondria using methods such as RT–qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Results: Microglia overexpressing TREM2 exhibited increased resistance to inflammation. Additionally, these cells inhibited the metabolic reprogramming that occurs early in LPS-induced inflammation, reduced ROS release, mitigated mitochondrial damage, maintained a certain level of autophagic activity, and cleared damaged mitochondria. Consequently, they alleviated the inflammation caused by the mitochondrial barrier. Conclusions: ur results suggest that TREM2 can alleviate inflammation by maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis and mitochondrial autophagy activity.
Prognosis of Vital Teeth Involved in Large Cystic Lesions After a Surgical Intervention: A Longitudinal Ambidirectional Cohort Study
Authors: Merdad Khalid A. , Shawky Maha , Aljohani Khalid A. , Alghamdi Rawia , Alzahrani Saja , Alkhattab Omar R. , Bakhsh Abdulaziz
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Large cystic lesions in the maxillofacial region present a challenge for clinicians due to their impact on the health and functionality of the involved teeth. This longitudinal, ambidirectional cohort study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of vital teeth affected by large cystic lesions following surgical intervention. Methods: Data were gathered from patients at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital and King Fahad General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between July 2021 and August 2022. Seventeen individuals with large jawbone cysts were included in the study. Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed including sensibility testing and the function of teeth. The results indicated a linear relationship between the size of postoperative bony defects and the sensibility testing of teeth. Results: Of the 63 examined teeth, 54% did not receive endodontic treatment, 33% had pre-surgical treatment, and 12.7% had post-surgical treatment. The study revealed a high prevalence of inflammatory cysts, particularly in the maxilla. Surgical enucleation was the primary treatment modality, with few postoperative complications. Conclusions: This study highlights the necessity for standardized follow-up protocols and more extensive research to develop universal guidelines for managing large cystic lesions affecting vital teeth. Understanding the prognosis of cystic lesions is crucial for effective treatment planning and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
Ultrasound Screening of Temporomandibular Joint Pathology in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Morozova Natalia Sergeevna , Elovskaya Alina Alekseevna , Maslikova Ekaterina Andreevna , Admakin Oleg Ivanovich , Allahverdiyev Arif Fuad , Velichko Ellina Valerievna , Maltseva Larisa Dmitrievna , Tregub Pavel Pavlovich , Morozova Olga Leonidovna
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) influences different organs including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This study aims to identify structural and functional TMJ changes in children with CKD using ultrasound as the least invasive and most accessible method. Methods: TMJ changes were examined using ultrasound screening in 40 children. The first group (control, n = 10) included children with normal occlusion without TMJ complaints. The second group (n = 10) included children with CKD stage 1 and 2. The third group (n = 10) included patients on hemodialysis after renal transplantation. The forth group (n = 10) included patients at least 6 months after renal transplantation. Results: The size of the anterior section of the right TMJ gap in the third group was the largest among all the groups studied (1.085 mm) and statistically significantly different from the first group (0.570 mm; p = 0.001) and the second one (0.665 mm, p = 0.001). The width of the middle section was also greatest in the third group and statistically significantly different when compared to the first and second groups (0.390 mm; p = 0.023 and 0.340 mm; p < 0.001, respectively). A posterior articular gap width differences between the individual patient groups under study were not statistically significant in a posteriori comparison with Bonferroni correction. Statistical significance of differences between all groups when comparing the gap width was found in all sections of the left TMJ. The frequency of anterior disc displacement between groups ranged from 50 to 100% in all groups studied and was not statistically different when comparing right and left TMJs between groups (p = 0.084 and p = 0.662, respectively). Conclusions: CKD children have different TMJ changes, so TMJ ultrasound could screen joint pathology at early stages, and dental specialists can start timely rehabilitation.
The Impact of Multilevel Coaching on Pre-Service Teachers’ Fidelity of Implementation of an Evidence-Based Reading Intervention
Authors: Kingsbery Corinne R. , Beach Kristen D. , Gesel Samantha A. , Wood Charles L. , Washburn Erin K. , Connors Thomas
Published: February 2025

Teacher preparation programs (TPPs) can equip pre-service teachers (PSTs) with skills to implement evidence-based reading interventions with fidelity by engaging PSTs in carefully designed clinical experiences with feedback via coaching. To individualize support and facilitate a responsive approach to feedback centered on PSTs’ levels of fidelity, first, this study examined the impact of a multilevel coaching intervention on PSTs’ fidelity of implementation of an evidence-based reading intervention during a tutoring clinical experience. Second, this study examined PSTs’ perceptions of the feasibility, effectiveness, and future impact of the multilevel coaching intervention. Results of a single-case, multiple baseline across participants design indicated a functional relation between the multilevel coaching intervention and PSTs’ fidelity, inclusive of both structural and process dimensions. Furthermore, PSTs found the multilevel coaching intervention to be socially valid, indicating the intervention was feasible, effective, and impactful on their future teaching experiences. Major implications for teacher preparation and coaching support include (a) providing PSTs with authentic clinical experiences, inclusive of coaching support, when implementing EBPs; (b) viewing fidelity as a multidimensional construct that can inform coaching support and teacher practices; and (c) enhancing TPPs with experiences that impact PSTs’ perceptions about their own ability to teach reading.
Teacher Candidates’ Use of Inclusive Children’s Literature in Interactive Read-Alouds: Successes, Challenges and Implications
Authors: Pomerantz Francesca
Published: February 2025

Book banning and laws against discussing so-called “divisive concepts” in the United States are limiting what is read to children in schools, even in places without specific legislation. Books by Black and LGBTQIA+ authors and/or about Black or LGBTQIA+ characters are specific targets of the book banning and censorship efforts. The research reported in this article used a case study approach to explore two teacher candidates’ responses to inclusive children’s picture books and their discussions of the books with students in their classrooms during their practicum. The results indicated that the teacher candidates strongly believed in the value of sharing inclusive children’s literature and effectively utilized open-ended questions to spark critical thinking. However, they found it challenging to follow their students’ leads and build on comments in ways that could have resulted in deeper thinking and understanding. More practice, feedback and reflective opportunities are needed during teacher preparation in actual classrooms to improve teacher candidates’ abilities to conduct interactive read-alouds about topics that feel risky. The findings also highlight the need for schools and mentor teachers to model discussions about inclusive children’s books.
SIW Directional Coupler with Improved Isolation for X-Band Applications
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Linh , Luong Duy-Manh , Van Mai Ta , Nguyen Huy Hoang , Nguyen Tuan Hung , Tran Thi Thu Huong , Kieu Khac Phuong
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the design of a high-isolation directional coupler for X-band applications, utilizing substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. The coupler features a simple structure, compact size, and ease of integration with other planar circuits. Typically, the S-parameters of a directional coupler are determined by the dimensions of the SIW and the aperture (or hole) of the coupler. In this study, we introduce additional via lines to modify the SIW and the coupler aperture, aiming to achieve high isolation. First, two via lines are embedded in the center, converging into two central vias that form the coupler’s aperture. The power ratio within the coupler is controlled by adjusting the width of the aperture and the overall width of the SIW. Specifically, the width of the SIW at the aperture position is affected by adding vias on the two outer sides of the SIW. By incorporating these vias, we can effectively manage the power distribution across the four ports while ensuring sufficient isolation among them. The proposed design achieves an insertion loss of 3.3 dB, a coupling factor of 6 dB, and an isolation factor of 28.6 dB at 10 GHz. The experimental results demonstrate that the coupler maintains S41 less than −20 dB over a 30% fractional bandwidth, ranging from 8.6 GHz to 11.6 GHz.
HYLR-FO: Hybrid Approach Using Language Models and Rule-Based Systems for On-Device Food Ordering
Authors: Yang Subhin , Kim Donghwan , Lee Sungju
Published: February 2025

Recent research has explored combining large language models (LLMs) with speech recognition for various services, but such applications require a strong network environment for quality service delivery. For on-device services, which do not rely on networks, resource limitations must be considered. This study proposes HYLR-FO, an efficient model that integrates a smaller language model (LM) and a rule-based system (RBS) to enable fast and reliable voice-based order processing in resource-constrained environments, approximating the performance of LLMs. By considering potential error scenarios and leveraging flexible natural language processing (NLP) and inference validation, this approach ensures both efficiency and robustness in order execution. Smaller LMs are used instead of LLMs to reduce resource usage. The LM transforms speech input, received via automatic speech recognition (ASR), into a consistent form that can be processed by the RBS. The RBS then extracts the order and validates the extracted information. The experimental results show that HYLR-FO, trained and tested on 5000 order data samples, achieves up to 86% accuracy, comparable to the 90% accuracy of LLMs. Additionally, HYLR-FO achieves a processing speed of up to 55 orders per second, significantly outperforming LLM-based approaches, which handle only 1.14 orders per second. This results in a 48.25-fold improvement in processing speed in resource-constrained environments. This study demonstrates that HYLR-FO provides faster processing and achieves accuracy similar to LLMs in resource-constrained on-device environments. This finding has theoretical implications for optimizing LM efficiency in constrained settings and practical implications for real-time low-resource AI applications. Specifically, the design of HYLR-FO suggests its potential for efficient deployment in various commercial environments, achieving fast response times and low resource consumption with smaller models.
3D Digital Human Generation from a Single Image Using Generative AI with Real-Time Motion Synchronization
Authors: Kim Myeongseop , Kim Taehyeon , Lee Kyung-Taek
Published: February 2025

The generation of 3D digital humans has traditionally relied on multi-view imaging systems and large-scale datasets, posing challenges in cost, accessibility, and real-time applicability. To overcome these limitations, this study presents an efficient pipeline that constructs high-fidelity 3D digital humans from a single frontal image. By leveraging generative AI, the system synthesizes additional views and generates UV maps compatible with the SMPL-X model, ensuring anatomically accurate and photorealistic reconstructions. The generated 3D models are imported into Unity 3D, where they are rigged for real-time motion synchronization using BlazePose-based lightweight pose estimation. To further enhance motion realism, custom algorithms—including ground detection and rotation smoothing—are applied, improving movement stability and fluidity. The system was rigorously evaluated through both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results show an average generation time of 211.1 s, segmentation accuracy of 92.1%, and real-time rendering at 64.4 FPS. In qualitative assessments, expert reviewers rated the system using the SUS usability framework and heuristic evaluation, confirming its usability and effectiveness. This method eliminates the need for multi-view cameras or depth sensors, significantly reducing the barrier to entry for real-time 3D avatar creation and interactive AI-driven applications. It has broad applications in virtual reality (VR), gaming, digital content creation, AI-driven simulation, digital twins, and telepresence systems. By introducing a scalable and accessible 3D modeling pipeline, this research lays the groundwork for future advancements in immersive and interactive environments.