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Ongoing
Academic Video Service Update: Pricing Changes, Vouchers, and New Scholar Profile
Dear Valued Customers, We are writing to inform you of upcoming changes to our video services that will take effect on February 3, 2026, at 00:00 (Swiss time). 1. Price Adjustment We will be discontinuing the discounts previously offered for our video services, and prices will revert to their original rates. Video Abstract: 600 CHF Short Take: 500 CHF Scholar Interview: 400 CHF 2. Introduction of Vouchers We are excited to announce that we will now support the use of MDPI Reviewer Vouchers and Video Production Vouchers. The relevant usage rules are as follows: Each video may be redeemed using one Reviewer Voucher or one Video Production Voucher. MDPI Reviewer Vouchers can only be used by the voucher owner, while Video Production Vouchers have no user restriction. 3. New Scholar Profile We are introducing a new type of video product: the Scholar Profile. This creates a personalized showcase for scholars by documenting their academic journeys and highlighting their achievements. The price for this service is 500 CHF. We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this transition. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team. Thank you for choosing our services. Sincerely, MDPI Author Services
Announcement 02 Feb 2026
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Dextran–Inulin Hydrogels for Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery
Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although chemotherapy is widely used to treat this disease, conventional anticancer drugs often lack specificity and may affect both malignant and healthy tissues, leading to significant side effects. For this reason, developing drug delivery systems that can transport therapeutic agents directly to the target site has become an important research focus. In this context, a recent study published in MDPI Gels, “The Influence of Synthesis Parameters on the Properties of Dextran-Based Hydrogels for Colon-Targeted Antitumor Drug Delivery Part I: Room Temperature Synthesis of Dextran/Inulin Hydrogels for Colon-Targeted Antitumor Drug Delivery”, explores a new strategy for colon-targeted therapy. The researchers developed biopolymer-based hydrogels composed of methacrylated dextran and inulin, two naturally derived polysaccharides that can be selectively degraded by microbial enzymes in the large intestine, enabling enzyme-triggered drug release in the colon. 1. Hydrogels as Drug Carriers Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic polymers that can absorb large amounts of water while maintaining their structural integrity. Their porous structure allows them to encapsulate therapeutic molecules and release them in a controlled manner, making them attractive candidates for drug delivery applications. One particularly important feature of hydrogel systems is their ability to respond to environmental stimuli. Drug release can be triggered by changes in pH, the presence of specific enzymes, or other biological signals. These properties make hydrogels highly adaptable platforms for designing targeted delivery systems. Biopolymer-based hydrogels are especially promising because they combine biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Natural polysaccharides contain functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups that facilitate the formation of hydrogel networks through chemical or physical crosslinking. Owing to these characteristics, polysaccharide hydrogels have been widely investigated as carriers for anticancer drugs. However, many existing hydrogel systems rely primarily on pH-sensitive drug release, which can be unreliable in the gastrointestinal tract. The pH varies significantly between different digestive organs and can also fluctuate due to diet, disease, or other physiological factors. This variability may cause drugs to be released before the carrier reaches the intended site. 2. Exploiting the Microbial Environment of the Colon An alternative strategy is to exploit the unique enzymatic environment of the colon. The large intestine hosts a diverse microbial community capable of producing enzymes that selectively degrade certain polysaccharides. By designing carriers that respond specifically to these enzymes, it becomes possible to trigger drug release precisely in the colon. Two polysaccharides particularly suited for this approach are dextran and inulin. Dextran can be degraded by the enzyme dextranase, while inulin can be broken down by inulinase. Both enzymes are produced by bacteria within the intestinal microbiota. Dextran has already been widely investigated as a potential carrier for colon-targeted drug delivery because of its excellent biocompatibility and susceptibility to enzymatic degradation by intestinal bacteria. However, dextran has a limitation: its glycosidic bonds can undergo hydrolysis under the acidic conditions present in the stomach. This may lead to premature degradation of the carrier and unwanted drug release before it reaches the colon. To overcome this issue, the researchers incorporated inulin into the hydrogel network. Inulin contains β-(2→1) fructan bonds that are highly resistant to acid hydrolysis. As a result, it helps protect the hydrogel structure from degradation in the stomach. In addition, inulin is widely recognized as a prebiotic, meaning that it can promote the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria that may contribute to the enzymatic degradation process in the colon. 3. A Room-Temperature Method for Hydrogel Synthesis A key innovation of the study lies in the room-temperature synthesis method used to prepare the hydrogels. Dextran and inulin were first chemically modified with glycidyl methacrylate under mild conditions. The modified polymers were then crosslinked through free radical polymerization in an aqueous solution using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as the crosslinking agent. This synthesis approach offers several advantages. Because the reaction occurs at room temperature, it is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The mild conditions also make the method suitable for encapsulating thermolabile molecules, which might otherwise degrade during high-temperature processing. Furthermore, the hydrogels can form within only a few minutes, demonstrating the potential for rapid and scalable production. Another important aspect of the study is the preparation of the hydrogels in granulated form, allowing them to be incorporated into capsules for oral administration. Encapsulation helps protect the hydrogel during its passage through the stomach and ensures that it reaches the colon before significant degradation occurs. 4. Tuning Hydrogel Properties Through Composition To understand how the composition of the hydrogel influences its properties, the researchers systematically varied the proportion of inulin in the polymer network. The inulin content ranged from 0 to 20 wt%, allowing the team to evaluate how this parameter affects swelling behavior, structural characteristics, and mechanical properties. Swelling experiments were conducted at pH 3 and pH 6, conditions relevant to different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The results showed that hydrogels containing 20 wt% inulin exhibited the highest swelling capacity at both pH values. Increased swelling was associated with a lower crosslink density, resulting in a more flexible and less rigid polymer network. Mechanical analysis confirmed this relationship. Hydrogels with higher inulin content displayed lower elastic modulus values, indicating reduced mechanical stiffness. To better characterize these materials, the researchers also introduced a new methodology for evaluating the mechanical properties of granulated hydrogels, providing valuable insight into how these materials might perform in practical pharmaceutical formulations. 5. Evaluating Drug Release Behavior To test the hydrogels as drug carriers, the researchers incorporated uracil as a model compound. Uracil was selected because of its structural similarity to 5-fluorouracil, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer treatment. The in vitro digestion experiments demonstrated that dextran-based hydrogels exhibited the most pronounced enzyme-triggered drug release in the simulated colorectal environment. This finding indicates that dextran plays the primary role in enabling targeted drug delivery through enzymatic degradation. Interestingly, increasing the proportion of inulin did not significantly enhance biodegradation-driven drug release when combined with dextran. Instead, inulin mainly functioned as a protective component, helping prevent premature hydrolysis of the hydrogel in the acidic gastric medium. These findings highlight the complementary roles of the two polysaccharides. Dextran governs the enzyme-triggered release mechanism in the colon, while inulin improves stability during the carrier’s transit through the upper digestive tract. 6. Implications for Future Drug Delivery Systems Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of dextran-based hydrogels synthesized under mild conditions as carriers for colon-targeted drug delivery. The combination of dextran and inulin leverages the unique properties of both polymers: dextran enables enzymatic degradation by colonic bacteria, while inulin provides protection against premature degradation in acidic environments. The room-temperature synthesis method offers a practical and energy-efficient approach to hydrogel production. At the same time, the ability to tune hydrogel composition allows researchers to optimize swelling behavior, mechanical properties, and degradation profiles. Taken together, these findings suggest that dextran-based hydrogel systems—particularly those with carefully controlled compositions—represent promising platforms for enzyme-responsive drug delivery strategies aimed at colorectal cancer therapy. For more information about topic, you can view the online video entitled "Room-Temperature-Synthesized Hydrogels for Colon-Targeted Antitumor Drug Delivery".
Blog 17 Mar 2026
encyclopedia>
Best Video Abstract Awards
The Encyclopedia platform, together with the journals Biology and Nutrients, launches the Best Video Abstract Awards to increase the visibility and reach of published research and to inspire researchers to explore the power of visual storytelling. Video abstracts have become an increasingly important medium for scientific communication. By integrating narration, visualizations, animations, and experimental footage, they make complex research more accessible, engaging, and memorable. This initiative recognizes video abstracts that are not only scientifically rigorous but also creatively compelling and educational, thereby promoting broader dissemination and deeper community engagement. To learn more about the awards or to participate directly, please visit the event page via the links provided below. https://encyclopedia.pub/best-video-abstract-award 1. Event Duration 9 February 2026 – 2 February 2027 2. Awards Biology Best Video Abstract AwardOpen to video abstracts based on papers published in Biology between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025. This award will be granted to two video abstracts based on the evaluation of the Award Evaluation Committee. Nutrients Best Video Abstract AwardOpen to video abstracts based on papers published in Nutrients between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025. This award will be granted to two video abstracts based on the evaluation of the Award Evaluation Committee. Prize For each journal award, the winner will receive: CHF 500 A voucher waiving the Article Processing Charges (APCs) for one journal submission (subject to peer review, valid for one year) A free Academic Video Service production (no matter where the paper is published), valid for one year. An electronic certificate Participant Incentive All participants will receive a CHF 100 discount voucher for the Encyclopedia Academic Video Service. 3. Participation The event will be conducted in three stages. Submission Stage 9 February 2026 – 31 August 2026 Independent Submission Authors may create and submit video abstracts independently using their own tools and creative approach. Professional Support Option Authors who do not currently have a video abstract but intend to apply for the award may opt for the Academic Video Service, which offers a one-stop, end-to-end solution covering script development, animation, voiceover recording, and editing. Please submit your video abstract here: https://encyclopedia.pub/user/video_add?activity=b57ab0910b456a5e4eebd960867ce205 Or place your video service order here: https://encyclopedia.pub/user/video_service_order All video abstracts will be assessed by the editorial team for editorial suitability and overall quality. Submissions that meet the guidelines will be assessed equally. Voting Stage 1 November 2026 – 31 December 2026 Public voting will be conducted during this period. Voting results and video performance metrics, including views, likes, shares, and collections, will contribute to the final evaluation. Winner Announcement 2 February 2027 Final winners will be determined based on a combined assessment of public voting results and a comprehensive evaluation by the Award Evaluation Committee, which carries the primary weight in the final decision. Winners will be announced on the Encyclopedia platform and journal websites. 4. Others If you have any other questions, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub
Announcement 09 Feb 2026
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Impact Report 2025: How MDPI Video Abstracts Enhance Research Visibility
Highlights Video Abstracts (VAs) have evolved from experimental novelties into essential tools for research dissemination, significantly enhancing scholarly communication in a digital-first era, offering a repeatable model for maximizing impact in a competitive digital landscape. The MDPI Video Service produced 118 professional VAs in collaboration with 68 journals across 11 disciplines, serving 1,149 researchers and fostering a vibrant academic community in 2025. Video abstracts produced by MDPI's Video Service significantly boost article visibility, downloads, and citations, with case studies showing marked increases across journals such as Remote Sensing, Animals, Nutrients, and Entropy. 1. Introduction In 2011, quantum physicist Barry Sanders and his team at the University of Calgary broke new ground by publishing a video abstract (VA) alongside their pioneering research on qubits [1]. This four-minute visual summary, shared on YouTube amid viral content of cats and pop music, demonstrated a transformative idea: complex science could be communicated dynamically, reaching audiences far beyond traditional academic circles. Over a decade later, video abstracts (VAs) have evolved from experimental novelties into essential tools for research dissemination. As digital platforms dominate how knowledge is consumed and shared, the question is no longer whether video abstracts will endure, but how they redefine scholarly impact. In 2025, MDPI launched its Academic Video Service, aiming to support scholars through the production of Video Abstracts, Short Takes, Scholar Interviews, and Profile Videos. MDPI’s Video Service has witnessed a remarkable surge in interest from researchers worldwide. A growing community of scholars has progressed from discovering video abstracts for the first time to actively embracing their production, recognizing their power to transform specialized research into accessible knowledge. This report compiles and analyzes most of the data from the MDPI video service, with a focus on evaluating the role of VAs in enhancing scholarly communication. 2. Background and Market Context 2.1. The Visual Turn in Scholarly Communication The global video streaming market is projected to grow from USD 131.44 billion in 2024 to approximately USD 599.2 billion in 2033 [2], and many findings have indicated that this will be progressively accompanied by the use of social networking tools for informal scholarly communication [3], reflecting the increasing social reliance on video-based content. Within this context, scholarly communication is undergoing a “visual shift,” leading to the rise of VAs. The evolution of academic video publication—from early initiatives such as Screenworks (distributed alongside The Journal of Media Practice on DVD in 2006) to established platforms like JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments)—reflects the formal recognition of video as a legitimate form of scholarly output, now indexed in major academic databases [4]. This institutional acceptance aligns with a broader shift in research practices, as scholars increasingly utilize social media as a professional platform to amplify the reach and impact of their work [5]. 2.2. Core Value Proposition of VAs By combining dynamic visuals and narration, VAs distill and visualize the core concepts, methods, and contributions of academic papers. A growing body of research indicates that video content can contribute to an increase in various research metrics, such as citations and views [6]. They fulfill key roles in several communication scenarios: For broader research audiences (e.g., policymakers, industry R&D personnel, advanced students): VAs expand the reach and social visibility of academic work. For domain experts: VAs provide a more intuitive and information-dense overview than textual abstracts, improving literature screening efficiency. For interdisciplinary scholars: VAs reduce comprehension barriers and foster cross-disciplinary innovation. Within this expanding ecosystem, a growing number of academic service providers—including established players such as Springer Nature’s Video Abstract services, Wiley’s Research Video initiatives, and Taylor & Francis’s multimedia publishing programs—have entered the field, recognizing the potential of video to enhance research communication. 3. VA Production and Dissemination Data from MDPI's Academic Video Service, 2025 This section presents data sourced from MDPI’s Academic Video Service’s internal database and public analytics from third-party services, including YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn, reflecting the performance of the service throughout 2025. Where relevant, results are benchmarked against 2024 to illustrate year-over-year growth and trends. 3.1. Production Scale and Scholarly Coverage The inaugural year of MDPI's Academic Video Service has established a robust foundation for video abstract production and distribution. The service has successfully engaged a broad academic community while developing specialized content across multiple disciplines. The following data outlines the scope and reach achieved during the reporting period. Some of the partner journal series. The service produced 118 professional VAs and maintained 13 active VA-related video series. Collaborative partnerships with 68 leading academic journals spanned 10 major disciplines, including Medicine & Pharmacology, Biology & Life Sciences, Engineering, Environmental & Earth Sciences, Computer Science & Mathematics, Chemistry & Materials Science, Public Health & Healthcare, Social Sciences, Business & Economics, and Arts & Humanities. A total of 1,149 researchers have used the service, including 60 scholars who participated in customized VA production, with all content distributed through social media channels (Figure 1). Figure 1. Researchers who used MDPI’s Academic Video Service. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. 3.2. Multi-Platform Dissemination and Performance VAs demonstrated strong performance across multiple distribution channels, showing substantial growth in reach and engagement metrics during the reporting period. In total, the produced VAs achieved 782,478 views across the Encyclopedia platform, Facebook, and YouTube, with 48,295,814 impressions recorded on the Encyclopedia platform and YouTube. A. VA Performance on Encyclopedia Platform As one of MDPI's key academic initiatives, Encyclopedia serves as MDPI’s primary platform for delivering integrated academic services. All the VAs produced through MDPI’s Academic Video Service were published through this platform. The year-over-year data reveals a story of validated success. The video content generated a monumental 47,834,514 total impressions, 41,240 total views, and 9,988 unique viewers. The number of unique viewers grew from 5,235 to 9,988, an unprecedented 90.8% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the efficient capture of audience interest at scale. B. VA Performance on YouTube The VAs produced were simultaneously released on MDPI’s YouTube channel. MDPI’s YouTube channel serves as a critical engine for global discoverability, showing strong year-over-year growth across all key metrics (Table 1). The following are the browsing-related data for VAs hosted on the YouTube channel. Table 1. Year-over-Year (YoY) Performance—video abstract channel metrics. All data was obtained from YouTube. Given that the VAs that are produced and published are generally around 4 minutes long, a watch time of 2:57 is equivalent to viewing nearly 73.75% of a VA. 3.3. Disciplinary Distribution of VA Engagement By analyzing and structuring VA browsing data across disciplines and research fields, we identified pronounced variations in the level of interest in VAs among scholars. These variations are evident in both scholars’ propensity to create VAs and their degree of engagement in consuming VA content. As shown in Figure 1, life sciences demonstrate the strongest participation, with Biology & Life Sciences recording the highest views (10,203) and attracting the largest viewer base (2,285). Medicine & Pharmacology and Engineering offer solid mid-tier performance with 9,948 and 5,149 views, respectively. Environmental & Earth Sciences (3,940 views) and Computer Science & Mathematics (3,337 views) show established audience interest, and Chemistry & Materials Science (3,125 views) also demonstrates consistent engagement (Figure 2). The findings indicate that scholars in biological, medical, and engineering fields are most active in watching video abstracts. Figure 2. Distribution of page views by academic discipline. Medicine, Biology, and Engineering ranked among the top three. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. The following chart (Figure 3, 4) reveals clear patterns in audience distribution across academic disciplines, providing insights into which fields show the strongest engagement (comments, likes, favorites) with video abstracts. Figure 3. Distribution of viewers by academic discipline. While the top three fields were unchanged, Biology drew a larger audience despite having fewer videos. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. Figure 4. Distribution of video engagement by academic discipline. Biology and Medicine showed noticeably higher engagement compared to other disciplines. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. Biology & Life Sciences leads in audience reach with 2,285 viewers, closely followed by Medicine & Pharmacology with 2,222 viewers. These two disciplines together account for the largest share of VA viewership, reflecting strong scholarly interest in life science content. Based on the survey conducted by the MDPI Video Service regarding user satisfaction (Figure 5), approximately 50% of VA users hold professorial positions, including full professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. PHD students and Post-Doctoral researchers comprise 8.3% and 16.7% of the user base, respectively. Researchers from non-academic institutions account for 8.4%, while independent researchers represent 4.2%. The remaining users include consultants, visiting scientists, and retired researchers. Figure 5. Word cloud of user attributes. All data was obtained from the video service survey. Overall, the VA audience is predominantly composed of research professionals. The higher level of engagement observed among professors suggests that their interest in VA is likely driven by teaching and presentation requirements, stronger funding capacity, and sustained academic output. Furthermore, while the non-academic segment represents slightly more than 8% of users, it demonstrates tangible potential and should not be viewed as a market without opportunity. 3.4. Other Video Product Performance Throughout the reporting period, the MDPI Academic Video Service created 13 Scholar Interview videos, presenting conversations with prominent academics on their research and perspectives. This format holds particular appeal for audiences seeking direct insights from researchers. As shown in Table 2, this series garnered 2,034 views. It gained prominent exposure via 424,059 main page impressions and secured extensive reach through 5,658,196 recommending impressions. Table 2. Performance of Scholar Interview series. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. This finding indicates a broad acceptance among scholars of interview-based video formats as an effective medium for content delivery. The strong performance of this series across discovery channels suggests that the content aligns well with diverse audience preferences. 3.5. Academic Community Engagement Through VA Activities The MDPI video service launched a ScholarVision Creations event on the Encyclopedia platform in 2024. The event was designed to introduce users to VAs and engage them in the VA production process. The event concluded with a vote to select the most popular VA created during the event period. The event drew considerable participation from scholars, generating notable momentum and driving interest in video abstracts (Table 3). Its strong reception reflects a clear interest among researchers in VAs as a format for academic communication. Table 3. Performance metrics of ScholarVision Creations Event and platform engagement. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. The event yielded 40 videos and involved 204 participants. Four researchers garnered awards for outstanding contributions, while participants completed 2,669 engagements during the event (engagements include creating entries, submitting images, editing entries, and similar actions). Page views increased by ~930% and Visitors by ~690%, indicating highly effective audience reach. The exceptionally high conversion rate of new users into credit recipients directly reflects a strong user interest in the campaign's core value and a clear intent to engage with VA creation. 4. Impact of Video Abstracts on Enhancing Research Visibility The effect of VAs on article performance represents the primary area of concern among scholars. Accordingly, this section consolidates data collected from VAs and articles, examining both the VAs' impact on their corresponding original articles and the dissemination performance of the articles across online channels. 4.1. VA-Driven Changes in Article Reach and Metrics Over the past year, tracking the performance of the VA Series and comparing its data with that of the previous reporting cycle has revealed a clear trend: the substantial growth in the platform-wide exposure of VAs has expanded into the millions. This marks a dramatic rise from the previous statistical period (2024), when total exposure across all VA series remained below 200,000 (181,553) impressions (Table 4). Table 4. The exposure of individual series has now reached the millions. All data was obtained from Encyclopedia. *The JCM VA series was established in 2025 and therefore does not have corresponding data for the previous statistical period (2024). A comparative study was conducted using articles published in four target journals—Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM), Agronomy, Remote Sensing, and Nutrients—with Impact Factors of 2.9, 3.4, 4.1, and 5.0, respectively. The analysis covers all articles released between January 1, 2023, and October 31, 2025. Articles accompanied by video abstracts (with VAs produced by MDPI’s academic video service; 30 in total) were designated as the experimental group, while the remaining 24,906 articles without VAs published during the same period formed the control group. For both cohorts, cumulative performance metrics—including article views, downloads, and citations—were collected up to the common statistical cutoff date. A comparison of group-level averages across these key indicators (Figures 6, 7, 8) enables a systematic assessment of the long-term impact of VAs on content dissemination and academic influence. Figure 6. After implementing VAs, the average view count of all journals significantly exceeded that of those without VAs. All data was obtained from MDPI. Figure 7. Comparison of average article downloads with and without VA support across four journals, showing consistent increases in downloads for video-supported articles, with relative increases ranging from 3.94% to 47.19%. All data was obtained from MDPI. Figure 8. Comparison of average article impact metrics for articles published with and without MDPI’s Academic Video support across four journals, showing consistently higher values for video-supported articles. All data was obtained from MDPI. In terms of uplift magnitude, page views increased by as much as 112.25% for Remote Sensing, citation growth reached a peak of 201.2% for JCM, and download growth spanned the range between 3.94% and 47.19%. These results highlight clear differences in the strength of the VA service across the dimensions of content dissemination and scholarly impact. Remote Sensing is the journal benefiting most strongly from VA, recording a 112.25% surge in page views—the highest among all journals—alongside a 51% increase in citations and a 3.94% rise in downloads. This profile reflects an exposure-driven, burst-style growth pattern. For newly integrated JCM articles, VAs demonstrate exceptional effectiveness in driving both academic impact (citations) and downstream conversion (downloads). This finding aligns with the earlier analysis, which indicates stronger audience engagement with biology & medicine content. By contrast, Agronomy exhibits a well-balanced response to VAs, with no pronounced weaknesses and steady improvements across the entire dissemination-to-impact pipeline. Nutrients also records positive gains across all three indicators (citations +30.61%, downloads +12.35%, views +9.22%), though the overall increase remains comparatively limited and weaker than that observed for the other three journals. Taken together, the results show that VAs effectively enhanced both dissemination efficiency (views to downloads) and academic impact (citations) across all four journals. However, its effectiveness is clearly shaped by disciplinary characteristics: technology-focused journals (e.g., Remote Sensing) tend to achieve rapid gains in visibility through VAs, whereas medical journals (e.g., JCM) perform better at translating enhanced exposure into deeper academic influence. 4.2. Impact of Video Abstracts on Research Dissemination The deployment of a VA serves as an effective catalyst for the associated research article, as evidenced by the Encyclopedia video dashboard and data from social media platforms. A. Article Visibility Amplified by VA Distribution Each VA prominently features the article’s DOI within the video content itself. This design ensures a direct navigational pathway from VA exposure to the original publication, providing a clear analytical rationale for attributing changes in article access (views) behavior to VA visibility. The impact of a VA on article visibility is assessed by continuously monitoring and comparing article access data before and after the VA is made available online. Case 1: Optimizing Lettuce Growth in Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponics: Evaluating the Impact of Elevated Oxygen Concentrations in the Root Zone under LED Illumination Case 1 was initially published on August 24, 2024. During its first month, it received 816 page views, averaging 25.5 daily views, and reached a monthly peak of 1,163 in the third month. The average daily views over the first three months totaled 30.4, after which traffic gradually declined and stabilized. Prior to the release of the VA, the article’s monthly views averaged 677.7. The associated VA was launched on July 22, 2025. Following the launch, page views rose to 906 in the first month, representing a 33.7% increase over the pre-VA monthly average. Traffic continued to grow over the subsequent three months, reaching a peak of 1,763 in November 2025—an increase of 160% compared to the pre-VA baseline. As of the report date, December traffic stood at 1,309, still 93% higher than the pre-VA average. Over the five months following the VA release, the article averaged 1,383.6 monthly views (44.6 daily views), reflecting a 104% increase in growth relative to the monthly average before the VA launch. Figure 9. Viewership trend of Case 1 after its publication. All data was obtained from MDPI. Insights from the line chart and supporting data reveal that the VA maintained a persistent impact on readership well beyond its publication date, significantly improving the article’s visibility and engagement trajectory. Case 2: A Survey of Object Detection for UAVs Based on Deep Learning The article examined in this analysis was initially published on December 29, 2023, with its associated VA content released on February 24, 2024. During the first three months after publication, the article exhibited stable and consistent performance. Average daily traffic remained at 17.7 views, while monthly views increased gradually from 535 to 639 (Figure 10), implying a normal early-stage growth pattern without external intervention. The deployment of the VA marked a clear inflection point in the traffic trajectory. In the first full month following launch (March 2024), article views increased sharply by 62.4% to 1,038. Following a brief and modest correction in April 2024—likely attributable to natural fluctuation—traffic strongly rebounded, reaching a cycle peak of 1,415 views in May 2024. This period represents the concentrated achievement of the synergistic impact generated by a VA. Following this peak, beginning in June 2024, the article’s traffic entered a gradual and anticipated normalization phase, ultimately stabilizing at a sustained level that remained structurally higher than the initial baseline. Figure 10. Viewership trend of Case 2 before and after the launch of its VA. All data was obtained from MDPI. Overall, this pattern aligns with a classic content re-amplification lifecycle, wherein the introduction of a VA catalyzes short-term pulse growth, followed by convergence toward a new steady state. B. Expanding Reach to New Audiences via Social Platforms Case 3: Attitudes Toward Managing the Fish-Eating Great Cormorant The article analyzed here was published on April 23, 2025, with its associated VA content released on July 3, 2025, and concurrently distributed via the Facebook homepage. By the statistical cutoff date of January 27, 2026, the video had generated 409,966 cumulative views while reaching 9,224 unique users (Figure 11), yielding an exceptionally high views-to-reach ratio and indicating strong visibility amplification and repeated content consumption. Figure 11. Performance overview of Case 3 on Facebook. All data was obtained from Facebook. Total viewership for this VA amounted to 12 days and 5 hours (293 hours in total), distributed as shown in the chart above. In addition, the watch time distribution (Figure 12) reveals a critical insight: the audience composition suggests that the vast majority of views originated from non-followers, highlighting the VA’s effectiveness in reaching new viewers and expanding content discoverability. Figure 12. Watch time distribution. This significant difference is largely due to the extensive exposure and the number of followers. All data was obtained from Facebook Insights. The data reveal a pronounced drop-off in viewing depth; however, 78,947 instances of 3-second views suggest that the video initially captured attention. The Watch Time Trend (Figure 13) indicates effective initial audience engagement and successful early reach. Figure 13. The Watch Time Trend Chart illustrates a robust launch phase in late July, with watch time quickly reaching a significant initial level. All data was obtained from Facebook Insights. Throughout August and September, the watch time maintained consistently high performance, reflecting stable viewer interest and strong retention. The stability during this period suggests that the content had lasting value and continued to attract views well beyond its release date. A gradual decline is visible from October onwards—a common pattern for published content over time. Furthermore, the post for the VA achieved 819 impressions and an impressive 312 views on LinkedIn. In other words, the video achieved a view-through rate (VTR) of 39.2%, calculated by dividing views by impressions (321/819). This substantially exceeds typical industry benchmarks for academic and professional content, which generally range between 15 and 25. This high VTR indicates significant content relevance and a strong appeal to the target audience. Over the past year, the average VTR of all the VAs published on LinkedIn reached an impressive 62.4%, well above the general range mentioned earlier. 5. Conclusions and Outlook The evidence presented in this report leads to an unequivocal conclusion: in an increasingly crowded digital landscape, the VA has evolved from a novel supplement into a critical component of a modern research dissemination strategy. The data confirms that VAs deliver transformative value by directly addressing the core challenge of academic visibility. For Authors: VAs capture global attention and drive engagement, translating into increased article visibility and academic impact. For Journals: VAs significantly boost content consumption metrics and expand readership through algorithmic distribution, enhancing the journal's reach and influence. Looking forward, the integration of video into scholarly communication is not a passing trend but a fundamental shift. Many researchers feel that deepening understanding is a collaborative effort. Thus, extending an invitation for others to engage with their work is a natural and rewarding step. About MDPI’s Video Service The MDPI Video Service was launched in 2025 to meet the growing demand for dynamic research dissemination. The service offers comprehensive video solutions, including Video Abstracts, Short Takes, and Profile Videos. MDPI’s video service provides a one-stop service, including one-on-one video assistance, script writing, high-quality animation, a native speaker voice, quality assurance, and social media promotion. For video examples, see Heat-Sealing Process for Chañar Brea Gum Films and ESG Reporting for Large US Airports Reference [1] Spicer, S. Exploring Video Abstracts in Science Journals: An Overview and Case Study. J. Librariansh. Sch. Commun. 2014, 2，eP1110. [2] Video Streaming Market Trends, Shares, Competition and Growth Forecast 2025-2033 - Cloud Tech and Mobile Platforms Continue to Transform the Landscape, Fueling User Engagement and Market Expansion. Available Online: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/31/3178410/28124/en/Video-Streaming-Market-Trends-Shares-Competition-and-Growth-Forecast-2025-2033-Cloud-Tech-and-Mobile-Platforms-Continue-to-Transform-the-Landscape-Fueling-User-Engagement-and-Marke.html (accessed on 11 November 2025) [3] Al-Aufi, A; Fulton, C. Impact of social networking tools on scholarly communication: a cross-institutional study. Electron. Libr. 2015, 33, 224–241. [4] Laaser, W.; Toloza, E.A. The changing role of the educational video in higher distance education. Int. Rev. Res. Open Dis. 2017, 18, 2.  [5] Gazi, M. A. I.; Rahaman, M. A.; Rabbi, M. F.; Masum, M.; Nabi, M. N.; Senathirajah, A. R. bin S. The Role of Social Media in Enhancing Communication among Individuals: Prospects and Problems. Environ. Soc. Psychol. 2024, 9, 11. [6] Bonnevie, T.; Repel, A.; Gravier, F.E.; Ladner, J.; Sibert, L.; Muir, J.F.; Cuvelier, A.; Fischer, M.O. Video abstracts are associated with an increase in research reports citations, views and social attention: a cross-sectional study. Scientometrics 2023, 128, 3001–3015.
Announcement 03 Feb 2026
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Encyclopedia Journal Accepted for Coverage in Scopus
We are pleased to announce that in August 2025, Encyclopedia (ISSN 2673-8392) has been selected for coverage in the Scopus indexing database. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, and editors who have contributed to this journal and made this achievement possible. Encyclopedia is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that mainly publishes high-quality entries, field guides, reviews, and systematic reviews in all scientific areas. Original research articles in the area of Encyclopedia Studies are also welcome. Our goal is to form a comprehensive record of scientific development and provide reference information not only for researchers but also for the general public interested in accurate and advanced knowledge on specific topics. To make the most of this opportunity, we would like to invite you to submit your research to the journal. We warmly welcome you to consider Encyclopedia as a platform for publishing your work. If you have a paper concerning any topic within the scope of the journal, please submit it via the journal’s website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/encyclopedia.
Announcement 28 Aug 2025
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Peer Reviewed
Plant Awareness Disparity (Lack of Plant Awareness)
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6030063

The term “plant awareness disparity”, also referred to as “lack of plant awareness”, describes a tendency for individuals to overlook and underestimate plants, especially compared to animals. This phenomenon is still referred to in parts of the literature as “plant blindness”, a term increasingly replaced due to its ableist connotations, which was introduced to capture the idea that people often fail to notice plants in their surroundings or recognize their significance for environmental sustainability and human well-being. Research has shown that this lack of awareness manifests in several interconnected ways, including: (a) failure to notice plants in everyday environments, (b) limited understanding of fundamental concepts in plant biology and ecology, (c) a tendency to undervalue or misunderstand the unique biological features of plants—such as their growth patterns, physiological processes, and adaptive strategies—and (d) the perception of plants as less complex than or inferior to animals. Plant awareness disparity has been linked to multiple contributing factors, including evolutionary, biological and educational factors. These influences reinforce anthropocentric and zoocentric views of nature, shaping how individuals conceptualize living organisms and their relative importance. In this entry, we trace the historical evolution of the concept from plant blindness to lack of plant awareness, examine the cognitive, evolutionary, and educational factors that contribute to its persistence, and discuss its broader implications for education and sustainability.

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Peer Reviewed
A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review of the Contribution of Phonics to Overall Reading Performance for Primary Students
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6030061

This Systematic Quantitative Literature Review (SQLR) examines instructional content (the what) and instructional strategies (the how) that contribute to overall reading performance for students in mainstream English-speaking primary classes. Drawing on 163 peer-reviewed studies published over four and a half decades, the authors examine instructional content and strategies aligned with six interrelated foundational elements of reading development: phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and oral language. In response to the proliferation of reading research and the limitations of narrative reviews, the five iterative phases of the SQLR method enable rigorous selection, coding, and synthesis of studies reporting quantitative evidence of the contribution of instructional content and strategies to students’ overall reading performance. The second part of the paper focuses on phonics instruction, an element of the teaching of reading central to ongoing public, educational, and political debate. The authors identify significant variation in terms of the scale, duration, and year-levels of the reported research, and foreground the complex roles of teacher professional learning, teachers’ pedagogical decision-making, and implementation fidelity in shaping the research projects. The paper finishes by synthesizing evidence that concludes that while phonics instruction can contribute to overall reading performance, its effects are variable and contingent on specific instructional and contextual conditions.

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See what people are saying about us
Shlomi Agmon
Encyclopedia Video provides potential readers with a tool to quickly understand what the work is about. That is important for casualreaders, whose time is thus spared, and for investedreaders, for whom it makes the decision to say "yes, I want to read the paper" much simpler.
School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
Ignacio Cea
For the video abstracts, the papers and authors could gain more visibility and increase citations. Also, it means a more diverse and interesting way of communicating research, which is something valuable in itself.
Center for Research, Innovation and Creation, and Faculty of Religious Sciences and Philosophy, Temuco Catholic University
Melvin R. Pete Hayden
Thank the video production crew for making such a wonderful video. The narrations have been significantly added to the video! Congratulations on such an outstanding job of Encyclopedia Video team.
University of Missouri School of Medicine, United States
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