bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coffee as a Source of Antioxidants and an Elixir of Youth
Authors: Kobylińska Zofia , Biesiadecki Marek , Kuna Ewelina , Galiniak Sabina , Mołoń Mateusz
Published: February 2025

Coffee is more than a universally loved beverage; it is a complex matrix of bioactive compounds that contribute to its multifaceted health benefits. From its role as a potent source of antioxidants to its potential anti-aging effects, coffee has proven to be a valuable component of a balanced diet. This paper highlights the extensive scientific evidence supporting coffee’s ability to combat oxidative stress, enhance cognitive function, and improve metabolic and cardiovascular health. Additionally, its role in modulating key cellular pathways underscores its potential to positively influence aging and longevity. This manuscript emphasizes coffee’s broader cultural, economic, and historical significance, illustrating its enduring relevance in contemporary society. Despite minor discrepancies in research findings, the preponderance of evidence underscores coffee’s potential as a functional food with profound implications for healthspan and aging. While promising, translating findings to humans requires further clinical research.
Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Seeds and Mucilage of Non-Traditional Cocoas
Authors: Coyago-Cruz Elena , Salazar Iván , Guachamin Aida , Alomoto Melany , Cerna Marco , Mendez Gabriela , Heredia-Moya Jorge , Vera Edwin
Published: February 2025

The biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest includes little-known cocoa species, which are essential resources for local communities. This study evaluated the bioactive compounds and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of seeds and mucilage of four non-traditional cocoa species (Theobroma subincanum, T. speciosum, T. bicolor and Herrania nitida). Physico-chemical properties, minerals, vitamin C, organic acids, phenolics, and carotenoids were analysed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques. The antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS and DPPH, along with the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus mutans, as well as Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. T. subincanum seeds scored high in titratable acidity, magnesium, sodium, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, and quercetin. In contrast, the mucilage scored high in calcium, m-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, quercetin glycoside, and antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans. T. speciosum mucilage excelled in malic acid, tartaric acid, naringenin, and antioxidant capacity. T. bicolor seeds excelled in lutein and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and mucilage in iron, potassium, vitamin C, citric acid, gallic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and antioxidant capacity by ABTS. The mucilage of H. nitida has a high soluble solids content. These results highlight the potential of these species as sustainable sources of functional compounds and nutraceuticals.
Mass Generation of Programming Learning Problems from Public Code Repositories
Authors: Sychev Oleg , Shashkov Dmitry
Published: February 2025

We present an automatic approach for generating learning problems for teaching introductory programming in different programming languages. The current implementation allows input and output in the three most popular programming languages for teaching introductory programming courses: C++, Java, and Python. The generator stores learning problems using the “meaning tree”, a language-independent representation of a syntax tree. During this study, we generated a bank of 1,428,899 learning problems focused on the order of expression evaluation. They were generated in about 16 h. The learning problems were classified for further use with the used concepts, possible domain-rule violations, and required skills; they covered a wide range of difficulties and topics. The problems were validated by automatically solving them in an intelligent tutoring system that recorded the actual skills used and violations made. The generated problems were favorably assessed by 10 experts: teachers and teaching assistants in introductory programming courses. They noted that the problems are ready for use without further manual improvement and that the classification system is flexible enough to receive problems with desirable properties. The proposed approach combines the advantages of different state-of-the-art methods. It combines the diversity of learning problems generated by restricted randomization and large language models with full correctness and a natural look of template-based problems, which makes it a good fit for large-scale learning problem generation.
Next-Generation Biomaterials for Vital Pulp Therapy: Exploring Biological Properties and Dentin Regeneration Mechanisms
Authors: Rajasekar Vidhyashree , Abdalla Mohamed Mahmoud , Huang Mengyu , Neelakantan Prasanna , Yiu Cynthia Kar Yung
Published: February 2025

The advancement of Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT) in dentistry has shown remarkable progress, with a focus on innovative materials and scaffolds to facilitate reparative dentin formation and tissue regeneration. A comprehensive search strategy was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using keywords such as “vital pulp therapy”, “biomaterials”, “dentin regeneration”, and “growth factors”, with filters for English language studies published in the last 10 years. The inclusion criteria focused on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies evaluating traditional and next-generation biomaterials for pulp capping and tissue regeneration. Due to the limitations of calcium-based cements in tissue regeneration, next-generation biomaterials like gelatin, chitosan, alginate, platelet-rich fibrins (PRF), demineralized dentin matrix (DDM), self-assembling peptides, and DNA-based nanomaterials were explored for their enhanced biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, and regenerative potential. These biomaterials hold great potential in enhancing VPT outcomes, but further research is required to understand their efficacy and impact on dentin reparative properties. This review explores the mechanisms and properties of biomaterials in dentin tissue regeneration, emphasizing key features that enhance tissue regeneration. These features include biomaterial sources, physicochemical properties, and biological characteristics that support cells and functions. The discussion also covers the biomaterials’ capability to encapsulate growth factors for dentin repair. The development of innovative biomaterials and next-generation scaffold materials presents exciting opportunities for advancing VPT in dentistry, with the potential to improve clinical outcomes and promote tissue regeneration in a safe and effective manner.
Decoding the Tumor-Associated Microbiota: From Origins to Nanomedicine Applications in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wang Ruiqi , Li Weizheng , Cao Hongqian , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2025

Growing evidence reveals that the tumor microbiome—comprising distinct microbial communities within neoplastic tissues—exerts a profound influence on cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. These microbes actively reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME) through metabolite secretion, the modulation of immune pathways, and direct interactions with host cells, thereby affecting tumor biology and therapeutic outcomes. Despite substantial heterogeneity among cancer types, recent insights underscore the tumor microbiome’s potential as both a diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and a targetable component for innovative treatments. In this review, we synthesize emerging knowledge on the mechanistic roles of tumor-associated microbiota in shaping the TME, with a focus on how these discoveries can guide novel therapeutic strategies. We further explore interdisciplinary advances, including the convergence of microbiomics and nanotechnology, to enhance drug delivery, circumvent resistance, and foster TME remodeling. By highlighting these cutting-edge developments, our review underscores the transformative potential of integrating tumor microbiome research into precision oncology and advancing more personalized cancer therapies.
Predatory Behavior of Coccinella septempunctata on Two Different Aphid Species via Functional Response at Two Different Temperatures
Authors: Altaf Muhammad Usama , Mukhtar Adeel , Batool Muazzama , Zaka Syed Muhammad , Azad Rashid , Hameed Yasir , Tajdar Alia , Ali Asad , Jaleel Waqar
Published: February 2025

Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) is a voracious predator all over the world where aphids have found a niche. Behavioral studies of C. septempunctata are very important to make them effective bio-controllers. Therefore, this study explains the functional response of C. septempunctata praying on two distinct aphid species, examined in this work at two different temperatures. Six different prey densities (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 aphids) and two different temperatures (15 and 25 °C) were used in the experiment. All of the development stages of the predator were used to perform the experiment. Every experiment was replicated five times. The type and parameters of functional response were ascertained by the application of Roger’s random predator models and logistic regression. Results showed that C. septempunctata adults and larvae both had a type II functional reaction against the tested aphids in both temperatures. When comparing the fourth instar to other predatory stages, the attack rate against both aphids was shown to be greater. As the temperature rose, so did the attack rate. Fourth instar larvae exhibited attack rates of 1.314 h−1 on Aphis nerii Fonscolombe, 1758 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and 1.959 h−1 on Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach, 1843 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at 15 °C, while at 25 °C, the rates were 1.747 h−1 and 1.321 h−1, respectively. Handling time was influenced by both temperature and predator stage. As the temperature increased, the handling time of the later predatory stages decreased. This study suggests that later predatory stages of C. septempunctatas actively hunt aphids at higher temperatures.
Cytokine Signaling in Diabetic Neuropathy: A Key Player in Peripheral Nerve Damage
Authors: Nashtahosseini Zahra , Eslami Majid , Paraandavaji Elham , Haraj Alireza , Dowlat Bahram Fadaee , Hosseinzadeh Ehsan , Oksenych Valentyn , Naderian Ramtin
Published: February 2025

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by progressive nerve damage driven by chronic hyperglycemia and systemic inflammation. The pathophysiology of DPN is significantly influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These cytokines promote oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, and neuronal degeneration by activating important signaling pathways including NF-κB and MAPK. While IL-6 promotes a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, increasing neuronal damage and neuropathic pain, TNF-α and IL-1β worsen Schwann cell failure by compromising axonal support and causing demyelination. Immune cell infiltration and TLR activation increase the inflammatory cascade in DPN, resulting in a persistent neuroinflammatory state that sustains peripheral nerve injury. The main characteristics of DPN are axonal degeneration, decreased neurotrophic support, and Schwann cell dysfunction, which weaken nerve transmission and increase susceptibility to damage. Advanced glycation end-products, TNF-α, and CXCL10 are examples of biomarkers that may be used for early diagnosis and disease progression monitoring. Additionally, crucial molecular targets have been found using proteomic and transcriptome techniques, enabling precision medicine for the treatment of DPN. This review emphasizes the importance of cytokine signaling in the pathogenesis of DPN and how cytokine-targeted treatments might reduce inflammation, restore nerve function, and improve clinical outcomes for diabetic patients.
Current Landscape and Future Directions in Cancer Immunotherapy: Therapies, Trials, and Challenges
Authors: Bandara Shehani , Raveendran Sreejith
Published: February 2025

Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, placing immense burdens on individuals and healthcare systems. Despite advancements in traditional treatments, significant limitations persist, including treatment resistance, severe side effects, and disease recurrence. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising alternative, leveraging the immune system to target and eliminate tumour cells. However, challenges such as immunotherapy resistance, patient response variability, and the need for improved biomarkers limit its widespread success. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of cancer immunotherapy, highlighting both FDA-approved therapies and novel approaches in clinical development. It explores immune checkpoint inhibitors, cell and gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and nanotechnology-driven strategies, offering insights into their mechanisms, efficacy, and limitations. By integrating emerging research and clinical advancements, this review underscores the need for continued innovation to optimise cancer immunotherapy and overcome existing treatment barriers.
Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Features Associated with Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency (Central Diabetes Insipidus) in Erdheim–Chester Disease (ECD)
Authors: Vaid Sonal , Estrada-Veras Juvianee , Gahl William A. , Patronas Nicholas , Dave Rahul H. , Hannah-Shmouni Fady , O’Brien Kevin , Shekhar Skand
Published: February 2025

Purpose: Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD) is an L Group Langerhans histiocytosis associated with pathogenic variants within the MAPK pathways, most commonly the BRAF gene. We analyzed prevalence, genetic, biochemical, and pituitary imaging features associated with arginine vasopressin deficiency (AVP-D), one of the most common endocrinopathies in ECD. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 61 subjects with ECD was conducted at a clinical research center from January 2011 to December 2018, with molecular genetics, baseline biochemical and pituitary endocrine function studies, and dedicated pituitary MRI (or CT) studies. AVP-D and anterior pituitary endocrinopathies (hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency and panhypopituitarism) were assessed. Students’ t-tests, nonparametric tests, Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regression were employed for analysis. Results: In total, 22 out of 61 subjects (36%; 19 males and 3 females) had AVP-D; 18 subjects with AVP-D were in active treatment with desmopressin. Those with versus without AVP-D were younger [mean (±SD): 50.00 (±10.45) vs. 56.72 (±10.45) years], had higher prevalence of BRAF V600E pathogenic variants [68% vs. 43%], lower IGF-1 [mean (±SD): 137.05 (±67.97) vs. 175.92 (±61.89) ng/mL], lower urine osmolality [416.00 (250.00–690.00) vs. 644.50 (538.75–757.75)) mOsm/kg], and a higher burden of central hypogonadism [81.82% vs. 36.00%], central hypothyroidism [23% vs. 2.5%], panhypopituitarism [41% vs. 0%], anterior pituitary endocrine deficits, absent posterior pituitary bright spots [63.64% vs. 20.51%], and abnormal pituitary imaging. In adjusted models, [OR (95%CI)] BRAF V600E mutation [7.38 (1.84–39.01)], central hypogonadism [6.193 (1.44–34.80)], primary hypothyroidism [13.89 (1.401–406.5)], absent posterior pituitary bright spot [12.84 (3.275–65.04)], and abnormal pituitary imaging [10.60 (2.844–48.29)] were associated with higher odds of having AVP-D. Conclusions: AVP-D is common in ECD and accompanied by a higher burden of pituitary endocrinopathies, BRAF V600E pathogenic variants, abnormal pituitary imaging, and absent posterior pituitary bright spots.
Line-Field Confocal Optical Coherence Tomography: Is One Hour of Training Sufficient for Diagnosing Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Authors: Cinotti Elisa , D’Onghia Martina , Cartocci Alessandra , Lo Conte Sofia , Barbarossa Lorenzo , Tavernier Clara , Rubegni Giovanni , Tognetti Linda , Suppa Mariano , Rubegni Pietro
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy, characterised by local invasiveness and the potential for tissue destruction. Diagnosing BCC can be challenging, particularly for less experienced dermatologists. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT), a new noninvasive optical technique, has become increasingly useful in clinical practice, allowing in vivo imaging at cellular resolution. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 1 h structured training session on the ability of dermatology residents to diagnose BCC using LC-OCT. Methods: Eight dermatology residents with different levels of LC-OCT experience (no experienced and low experience in LC-OCT) participated alongside an expert dermatologist as a benchmark. Overall, participants evaluated 40 histopathologically confirmed lesions (20 BCC, 20 non-BCC) before and after training, with and without the inclusion of dermoscopic images. Results: We observed a significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy post-training, especially among inexperienced users, with a 20% reduction in false negatives and a 35% reduction in false positives. When the dermoscopic images were included, further improvements were noted, with the accuracy increasing by an additional 5%. The overall diagnostic rate for inexperienced readers increased from 48% to 76% after training and to 81% with the addition of dermoscopic images in the course. Conclusions: Our study highlights the effectiveness of short, targeted training in enhancing the diagnostic utility of LC-OCT, emphasising its potential for broader clinical adoption to improve BCC detection.
Paradoxical Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy in Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma: Increased Tumor Size on MRI Associated with Favorable Pathology
Authors: Goreish Mariam H. , Gennaro Nicolò , Perronne Laetitia , Durak Gorkem , Borhani Amir A. , Savas Hatice , Kelahan Linda , Avery Ryan , Subedi Kamal , Agirlar Trabzonlu Tugce , Bagci Ulas , Turkbey Baris , Bakas Spyridon , Sachdev Sean , Sumagin Ronen , Alexiev Borislav A. , Hermida de Viveiros Pedro , Pollack Seth M. , Velichko Yuri S.
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: To correlate size changes in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) with pathological response, risk of local recurrence, and therapeutic regimens. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed clinical, pathological, and imaging data from 39 biopsy-proven UPS subjects. Four readers measured the tumor dimensions before and after nCRT, including two perpendicular axial diameters and the longest coronal/sagittal diameter. Three cross-sectional areas and bounding volume were also calculated. Responders (pR) were defined as having ≤10% viable cells and non-responders (pNR) as having more. Inter-reader agreement was evaluated using Kendall’s concordance coefficient. Changes in tumor size were compared between pR and pNR using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test for multiple comparisons of means. Results: pR showed a greater increase in size across all measurements compared to pNR. For the longest axial diameter, the mean increase was 30% ± 35% for pR and 14% ± 31% for pNR, with a mean difference (pR-pNR) of 16% (95% CI: 6–27%, p = 0.003). In tumors treated with radiotherapy alone, pR exhibited larger size increases in all dimensions compared to pNR. In contrast, in the chemoradiation group, pR showed a slight increase, while pNR generally shrank, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Notably, pNR with local recurrence exhibited a reduction in all tumor dimensions compared to pNR without local recurrence. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that tumor size changes may predict pathological response and local recurrence after nCRT in UPS; however, the small sample size limits the generalizability of these findings.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Cancer Resistance Against Therapeutics
Authors: Easwaran Vignesh Balaji , Pai K Maya S , Pai K. Sreedhara Ranganath
Published: February 2025

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are specialized cells that can differentiate into various types of cells. MSCs can be utilized to treat cancer. However, a MSC is considered a double-edged sword, because it can promote tumor progression and support cancer cell growth. Likewise, MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) carry various intracellular materials and transfer them to other cells. MSC-Exos could also cause tumor progression, including brain cancer, breast cancer, hepatic cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, and develop resistance against therapies, mainly chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. An MSC-Exo promotes tumor development and causes drug resistance in various cancer types. The mechanisms involved in cancer drug resistance vary depending on the cancer cell heterogeneity and complexity. In this article, we have explained the various biomarkers and mechanisms involved in the tumor and resistance development through MSC-Exos in different cancer types.
Review of the Imaging Modalities in the Gynecological Neoplasms During Pregnancy
Authors: Masselli Gabriele , Bourgioti Charis
Published: February 2025

The aim of this review is to provide an update on the imaging triage, safety considerations, and cancer-imaging features of common and uncommon gynecological tumors during pregnancy. Clinical examination can be inconclusive, especially for the evaluation of intra-abdominal diseases since symptoms related to cancer such as fatigue, vomiting, or nausea overlap with common pregnancy-associated symptoms. Delayed pregnancy, advanced maternal age, and improvements in diagnostic imaging in developed countries have increased the incidence of cancer diagnosis in gravid populations. Non-invasive diagnostic imaging has a central role in the initial diagnosis and management of pregnancy tumors. Sonography is the first modality for the abdominal evaluation of gravid patients because it is widely available, low cost, and lacks adverse effects on the mother and fetus. MR imaging is considered the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and staging of gynecologic cancer during pregnancy due to its larger imaging field of view, better reproducibility, and excellent soft tissue contrast. Moreover, whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been proposed for the oncologic staging of pregnant patients; however, large prospective studies are needed to support its clinical implementation. Gynecological cancer diagnosed during pregnancy requires accurate diagnosis and staging to determine optimal treatment based on gestational age, and therefore multidisciplinary team collaboration is pivotal.
Comparison of Remimazolam-Based Monitored Anesthesia Care and Inhalation-Based General Anesthesia in Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: A Randomized-Controlled Trial
Authors: Cho Jin Sun , Ham Won Sik , Lee Bahn , Kim Hyun Il , Park Jin Ha
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is commonly performed in elderly patients and often requires repeated procedures. A high proportion of non-procedural time in TURBT affects operating room utilization, highlighting the need for a safe and efficient anesthesia method. This study aimed to compare remimazolam-based monitored anesthesia care (MAC) guided by analgesia nociception index (ANI) monitoring to inhalation-based general anesthesia (GA) for TURBT, focusing on induction and emergence time (IAET). Methods: Forty-six patients who underwent TURBT were randomly assigned into either the MAC group or GA group. The primary outcome was the IAET. The secondary outcomes included hospital and anesthesia charges, safety (intraoperative hypotension and desaturation), and feasibility (surgeon and patient satisfaction) of both anesthetic methods. Results: The MAC group demonstrated a significantly shorter IAET (14 vs. 25 min, p < 0.001) and lower anesthesia cost (USD 152 vs. USD 195, p < 0.001). The MAC group showed better hemodynamic stability with a lower incidence of hypotension (29% vs. 73%, p = 0.004). Seven patients (33%) in the MAC group experienced intraoperative desaturation; all patients recovered without complications through the jaw-thrust maneuver. Patient satisfaction was equally high in both groups, and surgeon satisfaction, though slightly lower with MAC (71% vs. 100% rating “excellent”, p = 0.009), remained acceptable. Conclusions: Remimazolam-based MAC, guided by ANI monitoring, offers significant advantages including shorter IAET, reduced costs, and improved safety for TURBT, particularly in patients with small tumors. These findings support MAC as a promising alternative to GA for TURBT, as it enhances perioperative outcomes and operating room efficiency.
Boosting PMS Activation Through Fe3S4/WO3: The Essential Impact of WX and SX on Catalyst Activity and Regeneration Fe Active Sites for Efficient Pollutant Removal
Authors: Wang Zhao , Ali Jawad , Shahzad Ajmal , Chen Yanan , Ma Haiqing , Huang Qiao , Xie Lei , Xing Futang
Published: February 2025

Fe-based heterogeneous catalytic advanced oxidation processes show great potential for treating wastewater. However, catalyst instability often hinders their practical use, mainly due to the slow regeneration of Fe2+ sites. Herein, we developed a Fe3S4/WO3 catalyst, where the electron-rich Wx and Sx sites promoted efficient electron transfer, enabling continuous regeneration of Fe2+ active sites on the catalyst surface. The Fe3S4/WO3 catalyst exhibited outstanding degradation efficiency for tetracycline (TC) in the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system, achieving a 92.5% removal efficiency, significantly higher than its individual components of Fe3S4 (52.8%), WO3 (43.1%), and WS2 (53.2%). Moreover, the Fe3S4/WO3/PMS system demonstrated a broad operational pH range (3.0–9.0), excellent degradation efficiency for various emerging pollutants, minimal interference from background electrolytes and organic matter, and strong stability in real water treatment. Chemical scavenger tests and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis confirmed that the oxidative degradation of TC was driven by multiple reactive species, including SO4•−, •OH, •O2−, and 1O2. This study provides a novel strategy for regulating active sites in Fe-based catalysts to ensure sustained performance, offering a pathway for the rational design of next-generation Fenton-like catalysts for efficient and sustainable micropollutant removal from wastewater.
Impact of Interrupting Oral Prevention on Dental Health of 7- to 8-Year-Old Children Due to COVID-19
Authors: Winter Julia , Hartmann Thea , Schul Constanze , Hörschgen Esther , Thöne-Mühling Miriam , Wollenberg Birgit , Amend Stefanie , Frankenberger Roland
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: In Marburg (Hesse, Germany), the selective intensive preventive program (SIP) with fluoride varnish applications had to be interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this retrospective anonymized evaluation was to investigate possible effects of SIP interruption on oral health in socially vulnerable 7- and 8-year-olds. Methods: The caries increment in 7- and 8-year-olds for the test group (N = 180) between last dental check-up before the interruption of SIP (02/2019–02/2020) and the first check-up after restart (01/2022–07/2022) were calculated from dental public health service data. The test group was compared to a control group of children (N = 215; same age and schools, with SIP, data collected between the school year 2017/18 and 2019/20). One dentist conducted the dental examinations. The University of Marburg ethics committee approved the study. The Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson’s chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in the caries increment in the first dentition between the test and the control group for both age groups. In the different groups, a maximum of 61% of the children with caries experience were completely treated. There was no significant difference between the test and control groups in either the percentage of sealed first permanent molars or the degree of restoration. Conclusions: The interruption of SIP had no negative impact on caries increment. It is possible that the children examined went through the pandemic without a significant increase in tooth decay because the children were well-trained in tooth brushing since kindergarten.
Predicting Student Performance and Enhancing Learning Outcomes: A Data-Driven Approach Using Educational Data Mining Techniques
Authors: Angeioplastis Athanasios , Aliprantis John , Konstantakis Markos , Tsimpiris Alkiviadis
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the use of educational data mining (EDM) techniques to predict student performance and enhance learning outcomes in higher education. Leveraging data from Moodle, a widely used learning management system (LMS), we analyzed 450 students’ academic records spanning nine semesters. Five machine learning algorithms—k-nearest neighbors, random forest, logistic regression, decision trees, and neural networks—were applied to identify correlations between courses and predict grades. The results indicated that courses with strong correlations (+0.3 and above) significantly enhanced predictive accuracy, particularly in binary classification tasks. kNN and neural networks emerged as the most robust models, achieving F1 scores exceeding 0.8. These findings underscore the potential of EDM to optimize instructional strategies and support personalized learning pathways. This study offers insights into the effective application of data-driven approaches to improve educational outcomes and foster student success.
FungiLT: A Deep Learning Approach for Species-Level Taxonomic Classification of Fungal ITS Sequences
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhao Hongyuan , Ren Dongliang , Ma Dongna , Liu Shuangping , Mao Jian
Published: February 2025

With the explosive growth of sequencing data, rapidly and accurately classifying and identifying species has become a critical challenge in amplicon analysis research. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region is widely used for fungal species classification and identification. However, most existing ITS databases cover limited fungal species diversity, and current classification methods struggle to efficiently handle such large-scale data. This study integrates multiple publicly available databases to construct an ITS sequence database encompassing 93,975 fungal species, making it a resource with broader species diversity for fungal taxonomy. In this study, a fungal classification model named FungiLT is proposed, integrating Transformer and BiLSTM architectures while incorporating a dual-channel feature fusion mechanism. On a dataset where each fungal species is represented by 100 ITS sequences, it achieves a species-level classification accuracy of 98.77%. Compared to BLAST, QIIME2, and the deep learning model CNN_FunBar, FungiLT demonstrates significant advantages in ITS species classification. This study provides a more efficient and accurate solution for large-scale fungal classification tasks and offers new technical support and insights for species annotation in amplicon analysis research.
Study on the Influence of Laser Welding Residual Stress on the Fatigue Strength of a TC4 Thin Sheet Butt Joint
Authors: Liang Yingxuan , Liu Yu , Yu Yang , Zhou Jun , Huang Chongli
Published: February 2025

In order to further study the effect of welding residual stress on the fatigue strength of a TC4 titanium alloy sheet during laser welding, a laser welding butt joint model for TC4 titanium alloy sheets was established using ABAQUS (2022) software. The temperature and residual stress fields generated during the welding process were comprehensively simulated, and the melt pool shape and residual stress magnitudes were experimentally verified. The experimental parameters included a laser power range of 900–1200 W, welding speeds of 12.5 and 25 mm/s, and a double-sided welding approach with a cooling interval of 20 s between passes. The findings indicate that welding residual stress is primarily concentrated around the weld and the heat-affected zone, predominantly as tensile stress, with the maximum value observed at the weld’s initiation point, reaching 920 MPa—close to the material’s tensile strength limit. Under ideal conditions (without considering welding residual stress), the fatigue life at the weld area is estimated to reach 188,799 cycles, while the fatigue life of the base material without welding is calculated to be 167,109 cycles. However, when accounting for welding residual stress, the fatigue strength of the sheet decreases significantly, with the minimum fatigue life occurring at the weld toe, measured at 10,471 cycles. This study demonstrates that welding residual stress has a substantial impact on the fatigue life of TC4 titanium alloy sheets, particularly in the heat-affected zone, where the fatigue life is reduced by nearly 94% compared to the ideal condition. These results provide critical insights for improving the fatigue performance of laser-welded TC4 titanium alloy components in engineering applications.
First-Principles Calculations of the Optical Properties of Bi4Si3O12: RE (RE = Ho3+, Tb3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Sm3+, Tm3+) Crystals
Authors: Huang Yan , Xiao Xuefeng , Zhang Yunlong , Han Xu , Li Jiahao , Zhang Yan , Si Jiashun , Liang Shuaijie , Xu Qingyan , Zhang Huan , Ma Lingling , Yang Cui , Zhang Xuefeng , Xu Jiayue , Tian Tian , Shen Hui
Published: February 2025

This study employs the first-principles calculation method based on density functional theory to investigate and analyze the effects of doping various rare earthions on the optical properties of bismuth silicate (Bi4Si3O12, BSO) crystals. The results indicate that the electronic structure variations of rare earth ions significantly influence the electronic structure and transition characteristics of BSO crystals, thereby altering their optical properties. Specifically, Tm3+ doping notably enhances the polarization capability and infrared responsiveness of BSO crystals, Ho3+ doping improves their absorption and scattering abilities in the visible light range, while Eu3+ doping enhances their ultraviolet absorption. Overall, Tm3+ doping and Ho3+ doping exhibit the most prominent effects on the optical performance of BSO crystals, providing theoretical guidance for designing and optimizing BSO crystals with specific optical properties.
Dissipation of Energy in a Compressible Nematic Microvolume Under Effect of a Temperature Gradient
Authors: Śliwa Izabela , Maslennikov Pavel V. , Zakharov Alex V.
Published: February 2025

We have carried out a numerical study of hydrodynamic processes in the hybrid-aligned channel of a compressible liquid crystal (HACLC) under the effect of a temperature gradient ∇T applied across a liquid crystal film. Calculations based on the classical Leslie–Ericksen theory showed that under the effect of ∇T, the HACLC sample settles down to a stationary flow regime with both horizontal u and vertical w components of velocity v, and the direction and magnitude of v are strongly effected by the direction of ∇T. Calculations also showed that the relaxation of the stress tensor components σij(z,t)(i,j=x,z) in the hybrid-aligned compressible nematic microvolume is determined by the direction and magnitude of the thermomechanical force.
Patient Shielding in Ultra-High-Resolution Cone-Beam CT of the Upper Extremity with a Twin Robotic X-Ray System
Authors: Kunz Andreas Steven , Weick Stefan , Grunz Jan-Peter , Toussaint Andre , Razinskas Gary , Richter Anne , Wegener Sonja , Wittig-Sauerwein Andrea , Bley Thorsten Alexander , Huflage Henner
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Gantry-free cone-beam CT (CBCT) allows for ultra-high-resolution (UHR) upper extremity imaging in a comfortable tableside position. The aim of this study was to assess the organ-specific radiation burden and the effect of dedicated lead shielding in the UHR-CBCT of the wrist and elbow. Methods: A modified Alderson-Rando phantom was scanned with the tableside UHR-CBCT mode of a twin robotic X-ray system employing identical scan parameters for wrist and elbow imaging. An ion chamber was used in conjunction with an electrometer to obtain representative organ dose measurements for the eye lens, thyroid gland, breast tissue, and abdomen. All measurements were performed with and without lead shielding. Results: Irrespective of the examined upper extremity joint, the highest absorbed dose among the assessed organs was determined for the eye lens (wrist imaging: 0.10 ± 0.01 mGy, elbow imaging: 0.12 ± 0.01 mGy). The most effective organ dose reduction by means of shielding in wrist CBCT was achieved for the thyroid gland (−17%). In elbow CBCT, the abdomen (−48%) and the ipsilateral breast (−39%) benefited particularly from shield protection. Conclusions: Although shielding was more effective in elbow than wrist scans, the overall impact in terms of absolute dose reduction was marginal.
Improved Ionization Potential Depression Model Incorporating Dynamical Structure Factors and Electron Degeneracy for Non-Ideal Plasma Composition
Authors: Seitkozhanov Yeldos , Dzhumagulova Karlygash , Shalenov Erik
Published: February 2025

In this work, we present an improved model for ionization potential depression (IPD) in dense plasmas that builds upon the approach introduced by Lin et al., which utilizes a dynamical structure factor (SF) to account for ionic microfield fluctuations. The main refinements include the following: (1) replacing the Wigner–Seitz radius with an ion-sphere radius, thereby treating individual ionization events as dynamically independent; (2) incorporating electron degeneracy through a tailored interpolation between Debye–Hückel and Thomas–Fermi screening lengths. Additionally, we solve the Saha equation iteratively, ensuring self-consistent determination of the ionization balance and IPD corrections. These modifications yield significantly improved agreement with recent high-density and high-temperature experimental data on warm dense aluminum, especially in regimes where strong coupling and partial degeneracy are crucial. The model remains robust over a broad parameter space, spanning temperatures from 1 eV up to 1 keV and pressures beyond the Mbar range, thus making it suitable for applications in high-energy-density physics, inertial confinement fusion, and astrophysical plasma research. Our findings underscore the importance of accurately capturing ion microfield fluctuations and electron quantum effects to properly describe ionization processes in extreme environments.
Optimized Nitrogen Foam Flooding System for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Development and Field Test in Mu146 Block Medium-High Permeability Reservoir, China
Authors: Luo Jia-Yang , Wang Zhen-Jun , Zou Xin-Yuan , Xu Quan , Dong Bo , Li Song-Kai , Wang Zhu-Feng , Liu Jie-Rui , Wang Xian-Feng , Xue Xiao-Hu
Published: February 2025

This study presents a tailored nitrogen foam flooding system developed for the Mu146 block’s medium-high permeability reservoir conditions. Through systematic optimization, we establish an optimal formulation comprising 0.40% FP2398 foaming agent and 0.13% WP2366 stabilizer. The formulated foam demonstrates superior performance characteristics with a generated volume of 850 mL and extended stability duration of 1390 s, exhibiting exceptional structural integrity under oil-bearing conditions. Core flooding experiments conducted on berea cores reveal a 33.20% incremental oil recovery factor following waterflooding that achieves 53.60% primary recovery. The non-steady-state nitrogen foam huff-and-puff (NSSNFHF) field test at Well Mu146-61 shows significant reservoir response, with post-treatment analyses indicating an average chloride ion concentration increase of 540.20 mg/L and total salinity elevation of 1194.20 mg/L across five monitoring wells. These chemical signatures confirm effective volumetric sweep enhancement through the NSSNFHF field test, demonstrating a flooding-like mechanism that mobilizes bypassed oil in previously unswept zones. The field test encompassing Well Mu146-61 and four offset producers yield substantial production improvements, including a 74.55% increase in fluid production rates and a sustained oil yield of 1.80 tons per day. The validity period of the NSSNFHF field test is more than 12 months. The technology demonstrates dual functionality in conformance control and enhanced recovery, effectively improving both oil productivity and ultimate recovery factors.
Analysis of State-of-Charge Estimation Methods for Li-Ion Batteries Considering Wide Temperature Range
Authors: Miao Yu , Gao Yang , Liu Xinyue , Liang Yuan , Liu Lin
Published: February 2025

Lithium-ion batteries are the core energy storage technology for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Accurate state-of-charge (SOC) estimation is critical for optimizing battery performance, ensuring safety, and predicting battery lifetime. However, SOC estimation faces significant challenges under extreme temperatures and complex operating conditions. This review systematically examines the research progress on SOC estimation techniques over a wide temperature range, focusing on two mainstream approaches: model improvement and data-driven methods. The model improvement method enhances temperature adaptability through temperature compensation and dynamic parameter adjustment. Still, it has limitations in dealing with the nonlinear behavior of batteries and accuracy and real-time performance at extreme temperatures. In contrast, the data-driven method effectively copes with temperature fluctuations and complex operating conditions by extracting nonlinear relationships from historical data. However, it requires high-quality data and substantial computational resources. Future research should focus on developing high-precision, temperature-adaptive models and lightweight real-time algorithms. Additionally, exploring the deep coupling of physical models and data-driven methods with multi-source heterogeneous data fusion technology can further improve the accuracy and robustness of SOC estimation. These advancements will promote the safe and efficient application of lithium batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Silver Lime (Tilia tomentosa Moench) in Forest Vegetation at the Western Edge of the Natural Distribution
Authors: Šapić Irena , Vukelić Joso , Alegro Antun , Mikac Stjepan , Ugarković Damir , Poljak Igor , Baričević Dario
Published: February 2025

Silver lime is a thermophilic, calciphile species that thrives in xero-mesophilic forest communities. The westernmost edge of its natural distribution is Zrinska Gora Mountain in central Croatia, where it is found in almost all types of forest vegetation, albeit with varying frequencies. Its ecological optimum is in specific ravines and grooves, where it forms the mesophilic, relict broad-leaved ravine forest community Polysticho setiferi-Tilietum tomentosae. This research was conducted on two levels. Firstly, the communities of Zrinska Gora were analyzed as the westernmost edge of the natural distribution. Secondly, the ecology of the Tilia tomentosa communities in the western part of its distribution (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, and Serbia) was observed. Analysis of Ellenberg-type indicator values for 74 communities from the western Balkans revealed a slight trend of decreasing thermophilicity and increasing acidophilicity toward the western edge of the distribution area. Silver lime peripheral populations on Zrinska Gora develop under unique ecological conditions. The soil reaction of all communities falls below the lower limit of the optimal range for its development, and the relict association experiences lower temperature values compared to the other communities. All in all, the results of this study provide insights into the adaptability of silver lime to climate change.
Integration of Hyperspectral Imaging and Deep Learning for Discrimination of Fumigated Lilies and Prediction of Quality Indicator Contents
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Wang Youyou , Yan Binbin , Wang Xiufu , Zhang Zihua , Wang Sheng , Yang Jian
Published: February 2025

The lily, valued for its edibility and medicinal properties, is rich in essential nutrients. However, storage conditions and sulfur fumigation during processing can degrade key nutrients like polysaccharides, phenols, and sulfur dioxide. To address this, we applied a deep learning model combined with hyperspectral imaging for the rapid prediction of nutrient quality. The CLSTM (convolutional neural network–long short-term memory) model, utilizing variable combination population analysis (VCPA) for wavelength selection, effectively differentiated sulfur fumigation patterns in lilies. In terms of nutrient content prediction, the CLSTM model combined with full-wavelength data demonstrated superior performance, achieving an R2 value of 0.769 for polysaccharides and 0.699 for total phenols. Additionally, the CLSTM model combined with IRF-selected characteristic wavelengths exhibited remarkable performance in predicting sulfur dioxide content, with an R2 value of 0.755. These findings highlight the potential of hyperspectral imaging and the CLSTM model in enhancing the quality assessment and ensuring the nutritional integrity of lily products.
An Exploratory Study on the Development of a Pure Dairy Product Emotion Scale (PDPES): A Study of Milk Consumers in China
Authors: Zhong Kui , Wen Ting , Shi Bolin , Wang Houyin , An Zhicong , Zhao Lei , Li Hongliang
Published: February 2025

Emotions evoked by food are an important factor that strongly influences the predictive power of consumer acceptance and consumption behavior when choosing food. The emotion questionnaire is an efficient measurement tool that describes the emotions evoked by different foods on the market. However, there is rarely a list of emotion terms for specific foods, such as the pure dairy products on the market. The aim of this study was to develop an emotion scale to measure emotion responses for pure dairy products and to investigate its application in consumer testing. A total of 1340 Chinese subjects (67% female, 18~45 years old, consumers of pure milk) participated in the study. The study began with the screening and identifying of emotion terms for pure dairy products and developed a proposed pure dairy product Emotion Scale (P-PDPES) with 50 emotion terms. Subsequently, the structure and emotion terms of the P-PDPES were determined using EFA and a final pure dairy product Emotion Scale (PDPES) with 33 emotion terms was obtained. The results showed that the PDPES has good validity and reliability. Moreover, the PDPES was used in a consumer test to describe the emotions towards the commercial pure dairy products. This PDPES discriminated well the emotions evoked by different pure dairy products and also indicated a good relationship between the model factors and the liking scores of milk products. To summarize, PDPES is a suitable measurement tool for assessing the emotions to pure dairy products.