MDPI, Basel Videos

Peer Review Week 2024
Thorough peer review is fundamental to maintaining the highest standards in academic publishing. We are pleased to share that MDPI's 2024 author survey revealed that 92% of authors rated our peer review process as excellent or good. Watch the video to see more of our author's insights and click the link to learn about what we are doing to celebrate - https://brnw.ch/21wMRXo #PeerReviewWeek2024 #PRW2024

Interaction between Moisture and Tin-Titanium-Based Metal Oxide Gas Sensors
All articles in Chemosensors (ISSN: 2227-9040) Vol 12, Issue 8, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMQO0 COVER STORY: Humidity significantly interferes with metal oxide gas sensors, impacting their performance. Research by the Università degli Studi di Ferrara examines the effects of adsorbed water on the conductivity of pure tin oxide (SnO2) and a tin–titanium–niobium oxide mixture (SnTiNb)xO2. The results reveal that tin–titanium–niobium sensors are less sensitive to humidity, making them more suitable for environments with unavoidable moisture. Building on theoretical studies, this work addresses ongoing debates regarding water–surface interaction mechanisms, including reaction kinetics and adsorption/desorption processes. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of humidity in metal oxide gas sensor mechanisms and offers practical insights for sensor design and optimization. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMQO0

Hybrid Modeling for On-Line Fermentation Optimization and Scale-Up: A Review
All articles in Processes (ISSN: 2227-9717) Vol 12, Issue 8, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMIg6 COVER STORY: Modeling is a crucial tool in the biomanufacturing industry, namely in fermentation processes. Hybrid modeling is a growing field that combines mechanistic and data-driven models for greater accuracy and ease in extrapolating results. This work by the Danmarks Tekniske Universitet - DTU examines the characteristics and structure of such hybrid models, highlighting their versatility and usefulness in various process development stages, including real-time monitoring and optimization. Perspectives are presented on the potential of hybrid modeling by predicting performance across different process scales. This could lead to more efficient and reliable biomanufacturing processes that require fewer experimental development resources. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMIg6

Link Found Between Nighttime Phone Use, Cyberbullying and Sleep in Teens
The effects of excessive phone use, especially during the night, can have serious health consequences. Researchers from the University of South Australia found a link between nighttime phone use, exposure to cyberbullying and its impact on sleep. The study, published in the Open Access journal Adolescents, analyzed data from a questionnaire given to 53,734 participants aged 9-14 years and found that over 60% of the children and young adults did not get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep. Furthermore, they found that using phones during the night was directly associated with getting less sleep and increased psychological stress. The survey data also showed that 75% of those that did admit to being previously cyberbullied had the habit of checking their phone during the night. Lack of sleep alone can bring deleterious effects to both mental and physical health. Cyberbullying, a form of online bullying, also impacts health, and can trigger feelings of low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. This study shows that nighttime phone use may be a moderator for cyberbullying and sleep duration. The researchers urge parents or carers to pay closer attention to teenagers’ use of phones, particularly during the night. Strategies to manage and address this issue are of vital importance for the health and welfare of all teenagers, especially those that struggle with phone addiction, cyberbullying or lack of sleep. Find out more here ⬇️https://brnw.ch/21wMDly

How Can Intelligent Capabilities Be Allocated between Vehicle Side and Roadside?
All articles in Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417) Vol 14, Issue 16, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMAKJ COVER STORY: The vehicle–road collaborative intelligence approach has become an industry consensus, efficiently tackling the technical hurdles and reducing performance requirements and costs of on-board perception and computing devices. Research from the Tsinghua University presents a model for distributing perception and computing capabilities between vehicle-side and roadside, ensuring that the needs of various autonomous driving levels are met. Meanwhile, the collaborative intelligence approach will also introduce the costs of intelligent infrastructure deployment, energy, and maintenance. Different roads have varying scene characteristics and usage intensities, and it is necessary to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of the intelligent deployment of different road types. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMAKJ

Nodular Graphite Dissolution and Nucleus Observation
All articles in Metals (ISSN: 2075-4701) Vol 14, Issue 8, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMunV COVER STORY: A significant advancement in ductile cast iron research may have been achieved with the detailed description of the dissolution sequence of nodular graphite structures. This study from the Universität Duisburg-Essen introduces an alternative approach that enhances the observation of non-metallic inclusion cores within nodular graphite. The research offers substantial potential for improving material analysis and performance. This work marks a critical step forward in metallurgy, providing insights that could drive future innovations in cast iron technology. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMunV

The Majority of Baby Food in Top US Stores Fails to Meet EU Standards
Researchers from the US, Australia and Brazil have analysed convenience foods for 6-36 month olds in Top US grocery stores using EU guidelines to investigate their nutritional value. In the study published by Open Access journal Nutrients MDPI the researchers use the WHO nutritional and promotional profile model (NPPM) set by Europe to assess infant convenience food in the US. The study identified that none of the products tested met the international nutrition and product promotion requirements. The researchers hope that this study will demonstrate that change needs to happen and that policymakers need to act to stop these products from entering the market. Find out more here ⬇️ https://brnw.ch/21wMpFO

The Impact of Weather on Gas Pipeline Failures and Maintenance
All articles in Sustainability (ISSN: 2071-1050) Vol 16, Issue 13, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMn81 COVER STORY: This study from North Dakota State University explores how weather-related events affect failure mechanisms in gas pipelines and their relationship with maintenance strategies. By examining various pipeline incidents caused by weather, the study identifies critical risk factors and proposes adaptive maintenance strategies. The research underscores the crucial need for resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding diverse weather conditions. This enhances the overall sustainability and safety of gas pipelines. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMn81

Ultrathin Boron Growth on Nanodiamond Surfaces with Wet Chemistry
All articles in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991) Vol 14, Issue 15, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMhbj COVER STORY: Diamond has excellent physical properties and is one of the world's most inert materials, yet engineering its surface properties is an outstanding challenge for chemists and material scientists. Generating new covalent bonds could allow diamond to be used in emergent quantum sensing and biomedical technologies. Research from San Jose State University explores a new chemical route to produce ultrathin boron layers on nanoscale diamond with the use of trigonal planar boron molecules. A unique growth mechanism similar to atomic layer deposition was found using wet chemistry and was initiated by tertiary alcohols on the diamond surface. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMhbj

Gentic Signatures of Domestication Idenfitied in Pigs and Chickens
Researchers from Hiroshima University have explored how to improve food security globally by investigating how the domestication of chickens and pigs may have led to selective breeding in these species, decreasing their reproductive capacity. In the study published in Open Access journal Animals MDPI, the researchers compare the genetic expression of chickens and pigs to their ancestors; red jungle fowl and wild boars. The study demonstrates that gene upregulated in these animals has a strong association with the domestic process, and highlights candidate genes that when enhanced could improve breeding and increase food production. Find out more ⬇️: https://brnw.ch/21wMcP7

Lateral Flow Assay for Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen Detection
All articles in Pharmaceuticals (ISSN: 1424-8247) Vol 17, Issue 8, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wMawg COVER STORY: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a major global health challenge, impacting millions each year, especially in resource-limited areas. Existing diagnostic methods, which rely on antibody screening and viral RNA detection, are often complex, costly, and inaccessible. This study from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III presents the development of a novel lateral flow immunochromatography assay designed to detect the highly conserved hepatitis C core antigen (HCVcAg). The assay uses four specific monoclonal antibodies in a double-antibody sandwich format and demonstrated a sensitivity of 10 ng/strip. This innovative, cost-effective, and user-friendly tool holds significant potential to enhance HCV screening accessibility in high-risk and underserved populations. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wMawg

An Overview of Recent Advancements in Aquaculture Vaccinology
All articles in Vaccines (ISSN: 2076-393X) Vol 12, Issue 7, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wM5eV COVER STORY: Aquaculture has rapidly evolved into one of the fastest-growing industries globally, meeting the increasing demand for high-quality proteins and supplying nearly half of the aquatic food intended for human consumption. However, infectious and parasitic diseases pose significant challenges in the field of aquaculture, impacting its economic and environmental sustainability. Existing vaccines, and recent advancements in aquaculture vaccinology, driven by nanotechnology, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, offer sustainable solutions. Research from the Γεωπονικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών - Agricultural University of Athens -Οfficial provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of aquaculture vaccinology and presents emerging vaccine technologies, delivery methods, novel adjuvants, and parasite vaccine developments. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wM5eV

Researchers from the Shibaura University of Technology designed an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict high risk areas of soil liquefaction caused by earthquakes in Yokohama, Japan. Soil liquefaction occurs when water-saturated soil is weakened during an earthquake, making it unstable and unable to hold buildings and infrastructure. The study, published in the open access journal Smart Cities, uses complex machine learning technology such as gradient boosted decision trees. The model developed was able to predict soil characteristics and its ability to bear load. Furthermore, it considered factors such as the type of earthquake motion and groundwater level of the soil. Using the geotechnical information provided along with predicted data, the model created a liquefaction index (LPI), to generate a soil liquefaction map in areas within Yokahama. This research is essential for boosting urban resilience, particularly in areas prone to experiencing earthquakes. Specifically, the AI model can help in predicting areas of high risk for soil liquefaction when planning the construction of infrastructure. Learn more about this research ⬇️ https://brnw.ch/21wM1j3

Alpine Rye Varieties: Genetic and Agronomic Insights for Sustainable Farming
All articles in Agronomy (ISSN: 2073-4395) Vol 14, Issue 8, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wLYvA COVER STORY: The identification and preservation of alpine rye ecotypes in Valtellina (Italy) has been the object of a recent study by the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca. Fourteen rye accessions, including two commercial varieties, were analyzed through genetic, agronomic, and phytochemical methods. The findings revealed two distinct genetic lineages: P1 (lower valley) and P2 (upper valley). P2 accessions exhibited superior agronomic traits, while phytochemical analysis highlighted high-performing Valtellina landraces. This study emphasizes the importance of conserving these ecotypes for local agriculture and resilience against climate change. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wLYvA

ADAR1 Is Essential for Smooth Muscle Homeostasis and Vascular Integrity
All articles in Cells (ISSN: 2073-4409) Vol 13, Issue 15, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wLPT2 COVER STORY: ADAR1 is crucial for maintaining smooth muscle and vascular integrity. The deletion of ADAR1 specifically in smooth muscle in mice causes lethality due to extensive hemorrhage and vascular damage. Histological analyses show structural destruction and apoptosis in smooth muscle along with mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA sequencing reveals significant changes in gene expression, such as a reduction in fibrillin-1, which disrupts the interaction between elastin and fibrillin-1. Research from Columbia MO VA Medical Center highlights the essential role of ADAR1 in smooth muscle survival and vascular homeostasis. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wLPT2

Ribonuclease Inhibitors for the Control of Pathogenic Bacteria
All articles in IJMS (ISSN: 1422-0067) Vol 25, Issue 15, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wLNMA COVER STORY: Bacteria constantly adapt to resist antibiotics, making current antibacterial compounds only temporarily effective. Ribonucleases are the enzymes responsible for the maturation and degradation of RNA molecules. Members of the PNPase and RNase II families of exoribonucleases have been implicated in virulence in many pathogens and, as such, are targets for the development of new antibacterials. This study from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa used virtual high-throughput screening to find chemical compounds that interact with RNase II and PNPase from Escherichia coli. The study identified compounds that inhibited the activity of these enzymes and that also affected cell viability, demonstrating the potential of targeting ribonucleases to develop new antibacterial treatments. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wLNMA

Raw Ilmenite as a Cost-Effective Photocatalyst for UV Photo Destruction of PFAS
All articles in Materials (ISSN: 1996-1944) Vol 17, Issue 15, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wLNBO COVER STORY: Ilmenite is an iron-titanium oxide mineral widely found in natural mineral deposits. Due to its TiO2 contents, it could potentially be used as a cost-effective photocatalyst material to degrade various pollutants, including the “forever chemicals” and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In this work, researchers from the Stevens Institute of Technology discovered that for the first time, raw ilmenite minerals can be used after milling to almost completely mineralize the two most common PFAS species, PFOA and PFOS. The PFAS removal efficiencies exceeded 98% for concentrations up to 800 ppb in the solution. Milled ilmenite photocatalyst was proven to be recyclable over multiple reaction cycles. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wLNBO

Using Aquaponic Wastewater as a Sustainable Fertiliser in a Hydroponic System
Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign investigated the use of aquaponics wastewater as a growth medium for lettuce in hydroponic systems. In the study, published in the open-access journal Agriculture, researchers investigate using wastewater as a sustainable liquid fertiliser to support alternative ways to increase crop production. The researchers sealed buttercrunch lettuce seeds in Ziplock bags along with paper towels saturated with the wastewater samples as well as two controls.The study aimed to investigate if wastewater could propagate the germination of lettuce seeds. Alternative methods of crop production are needed to sustain the increased demand for food caused by the increased global population. Learn more about this research: https://brnw.ch/21wLKZF

Advanced Aromatic Vitrimeric Composites with Self-Healing Capability
All articles in J. Compos. Sci. (ISSN: 2504-477X) Vol 8, Issue 7, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wLG0C COVER STORY: Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are renowned for their exceptional mechanical properties, making them indispensable across industries such as aerospace, medical, and civil engineering. However, their repairability remains a significant challenge. This study from Texas A&M University investigated the self-healing capability of aromatic thermosetting co-polyester (ATSP) vitrimer-based CFRP composites, which exhibit mechanical properties comparable to aerospace-grade composites. Vitrimers, known for their exchangeable covalent bonds, enable bond reformation across cracks as a means to restore load bearing. The ATSP CFRPs underwent three-point bending and fracture tests. The results demonstrated that ATSP CFRPs possess in situ repair capabilities, effectively restoring fracture toughness to near-original values. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wLG0C

Potential for Repowering Inland Coat-Fired Power Plants Using Nuclear Reactors
All articles in Energies (ISSN: 1996-1073) Vol 17, Issue 14, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wLDSx COVER STORY: The popularity of nuclear power as a high-availability energy source is increasing in countries that currently rely on coal-based energy. However, nuclear reactors remain the most expensive commercially available power generation technology, which limits investment in this field. This paper, prepared by the DEsire project team, explores the feasibility of investing in coal-to-nuclear conversion at selected coal-fired power plant sites in Poland. By converting coal-fired infrastructure, it is possible to reduce the financial cost of constructing a nuclear power plant. This study from the Silesian University of Technology included an analysis of hydrological conditions at selected locations, which determined the potential for siting high-power nuclear reactors. The findings suggested that it is feasible to construct an inland nuclear power plant in Poland while complying with legal and safety standards. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wLDSx