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16 pages, 3160 KB

Open AccessArticle

MEC-Based Modeling and Design of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines with Axial–Radial Rotor Extensions Using Yoke and Rotor-Side Spaces

by Soheil Yousefnejad, Majid Mehrasa and Parviz Rastgoufard

Actuators 2025, 14(10), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14100507 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

This paper proposes a solution to enhance the torque production capability of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM), utilizing not only the unused space resulting from the stator end windings on the rotor side, but also the otherwise unused space around the winding on [...] Read more.

This paper proposes a solution to enhance the torque production capability of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM), utilizing not only the unused space resulting from the stator end windings on the rotor side, but also the otherwise unused space around the winding on the yoke side. By implementing an additional axial rotor equipped with Permanent Magnets (PMs) in both rotor and yoke sides, the proposed design technique increases the PMSM torque output, taking advantage of the useless space on the yoke side. In the proposed configuration, one magnetic flux path circulates between the PMs on the rotor (rotor side) and the stator, while an additional flux path circulates between the PMs positioned on both sides of the stator end windings. These two flux paths contribute to generating a stronger and more effective magnetic field within the machine than conventional structure, resulting in increased torque density. A magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) model of the proposed design is developed, and its accuracy is validated through Finite Element (FE) analysis. For a fair evaluation, the proposed structure is compared with a conventional configuration using the same volume of PM material. Furthermore, optimization of the proposed design is carried out to maximize Torque/PM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Electric Machine Design and Control for Sustainable Mobility)

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23 pages, 7505 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Compensation for Operating Region Variations in an In-Wheel PMSM Under Temperature Changes Using Neural Network Algorithms

by Doo-Il Son, Geun-Ho Lee, Young-Joo Kim and Kwang-Ouck Youm

Actuators 2025, 14(10), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14100508 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

This study proposes a compensation method for operating region variations in in-wheel PMSMs, which are widely used in small mobility applications such as e-scooters and e-bikes. As motor temperature increases during operation, electrical parameters such as inductance vary, leading to unstable control. To [...] Read more.

This study proposes a compensation method for operating region variations in in-wheel PMSMs, which are widely used in small mobility applications such as e-scooters and e-bikes. As motor temperature increases during operation, electrical parameters such as inductance vary, leading to unstable control. To address this, a Single-Layer Backpropagation Neural Network (SLBPNN) is used to estimate inductance variations in real-time. The proposed algorithm adjusts the motor’s operating point to maintain stable performance under thermal stress. Simulation results using MATLAB 2024b confirm the model’s effectiveness by estimating inductance from voltage, current, speed, and position inputs. Experimental validation further demonstrates that the proposed method compensates for the shift in the operating region due to temperature changes, improving the overall motor efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Electronics and Actuators—Second Edition)

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20 pages, 1294 KB

Open AccessReview

Stress Pathways in Chronic Kidney Disease: Linking Cortisol, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation

by Maria Motrenikova, Krasimir Boyanov, Neli Bojinova and Anelia Bivolarska

Antioxidants 2025, 14(10), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14101259 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the role of chronic stress and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The focus is on the interplay between cortisol, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic risk factors within the [...] Read more.

This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the role of chronic stress and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The focus is on the interplay between cortisol, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic risk factors within the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune (PNEI) system. CKD is a multifactorial disease characterized by oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation, and neuroendocrine imbalance. These processes interact to accelerate renal injury and systemic complications. Pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), together with oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), are strongly associated with disease progression. Altered cortisol dynamics—assessed in serum, saliva, and hair—further reflect chronic HPA activation and contribute to immune dysfunction, metabolic disturbances, and cardiovascular risk. By integrating experimental and clinical findings, this review highlights how stress-induced dysregulation of the PNEI system amplifies CKD progression. Understanding these interconnected mechanisms underscores the potential of combining oxidative, inflammatory, and neuroendocrine biomarkers for improved risk stratification and targeted therapeutic interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Kidney Diseases)

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30 pages, 1073 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

A Scoping Review of Antimicrobial Therapy in Leptospira Infections in Domestic Animals

by Julia Mendes, Luiza Aymée and Walter Lilenbaum

Animals 2025, 15(20), 3045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15203045 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira spp., affects multiple domestic species and can result in significant economic and public health impacts. This scoping review, conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searched PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus for original studies that described complete therapeutic protocols (including dose, [...] Read more.

Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira spp., affects multiple domestic species and can result in significant economic and public health impacts. This scoping review, conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searched PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus for original studies that described complete therapeutic protocols (including dose, duration, and confirmed diagnosis) in dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, and goats. Thirty-five studies met the criteria: 14 (40%) in cattle, 7 (20%) in swine, 2 (5.7%) in small ruminants, 7 (20%) in dogs and cats, and 5 (14.3%) in horses. In livestock, streptomycin monotherapy has predominated, demonstrating high efficacy against renal and genital carriers, but it faces regulatory restrictions in several countries. In companion animals, treatment often addressed acute cases using doxycycline and aminopenicillins, with frequent drug combinations. Horses were mainly treated with penicillin, alone or associated with other agents. Across species, protocols showed substantial heterogeneity, lack of harmonization, and limited evaluation of bacteriological cure, with most studies published before 2000. This scarcity of recent clinical trials reinforces the neglected status of animal leptospirosis. By compiling fragmented evidence, this review identifies converging practices that may serve as a preliminary consensus, highlights discrepancies and knowledge gaps, and provides an evidence-based framework to support the development of standardized, species-specific guidelines urgently needed in a One Health context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Research, Epidemiology and New Therapeutic Options in Companion and Wild Animals: 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 10909 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel tRF-Lys-TTT-012 in Qingyu Pigs Mediates the Conversion of Muscle Fibers from Fast-Twitch to Slow-Twitch Type

by Kai Wang, Jiaxin Li, Yuhang Lei, Xinyi Wang, Dujun Chen, Mailin Gan, Li Zhu and Linyuan Shen

Animals 2025, 15(20), 3044; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15203044 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Skeletal muscle, the largest organ within the animal body, consists of multiple muscle fiber types. The distribution of these fiber types significantly impacts both athletic performance and the quality of meat. Growing evidence has demonstrated that transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are [...] Read more.

Skeletal muscle, the largest organ within the animal body, consists of multiple muscle fiber types. The distribution of these fiber types significantly impacts both athletic performance and the quality of meat. Growing evidence has demonstrated that transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are not merely byproducts of tRNA metabolism but also participate in multiple cellular metabolic processes. However, the role of tsRNAs in skeletal muscle fiber type transition remains elusive. In this study, a total of 403 differentially expressed tsRNAs were identified through small RNA sequencing in psoas major muscle (PM) and latissimus dorsi muscle (LD), among which 220 tsRNAs including tRF-Lys-TTT-012 were upregulated in psoas major muscle. Functional studies in C2C12 and PK15 cells demonstrated that it inhibited the proliferative capacity of C2C12 cells while promoting myogenic differentiation, increased the proportion of slow muscle fibers after differentiation, and drove muscle fiber type transition toward slow fibers. Additionally, tRF-Lys-TTT-012 enhanced mitochondrial number and function, potentially linking to the promotion of slow fiber characteristics. Collectively, tRF-Lys-TTT-012 may serve as a promising marker for slow muscle fibers and uncover a novel potential target for skeletal muscle fiber type transition toward the slow fiber phenotype. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pigs)

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20 pages, 12576 KB

Open AccessArticle

A ConvLSTM-Based Hybrid Approach Integrating DyT and CBAM(T) for Residential Heating Load Forecast

by Haibo Zhang, Xiaoxing Gao, Xuan Liu and Zhibin Liu

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3781; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203781 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Accurate forecasting of residential heating loads is crucial for guiding heating system control strategies and improving energy efficiency. In recent years, research on heating load forecasting has primarily focused on continuous district heating systems, and it often struggles to cope with the abrupt [...] Read more.

Accurate forecasting of residential heating loads is crucial for guiding heating system control strategies and improving energy efficiency. In recent years, research on heating load forecasting has primarily focused on continuous district heating systems, and it often struggles to cope with the abrupt load fluctuations and irregular on/off schedules encountered in intermittent heating scenarios. To address these challenges, this study proposes a hybrid convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) model that replaces the conventional batch normalization layer with a Dynamic Tanh (DyT) activation function, enabling dynamic feature scaling and enhancing responsiveness to sudden load spikes. An improved channel–temporal attention mechanism, CBAM(T), is further incorporated to deeply capture the spatiotemporal relationships in multidimensional data and effectively handle the uncertainty of heating start–stop events. Using data from two heating seasons for households in a residential community in Dalian, China, we validate the performance of ConvLSTM-DyT-CBAM(T). The results show that the proposed model achieves the best predictive accuracy and strong generalization, confirming its effectiveness for intermittent heating load forecasting and highlighting its significance for guiding demand-responsive heating control strategies and for energy saving and emissions reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Practice and Application of Artificial Intelligence in Built Environment)

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23 pages, 2109 KB

Open AccessArticle

Field Evidence of Envelope Renovation Impact on Heating Activation Temperature and Heating-Dependent Temperature Range in Apartments

by Minjung Bae and Jaesik Kang

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3780; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203780 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Various studies on the envelope renovation of existing residential buildings have quantified energy savings effects across various climate conditions and building types yet have also reported discrepancies between predicted and actual energy savings performance. Given that identical technical improvements can yield substantially different [...] Read more.

Various studies on the envelope renovation of existing residential buildings have quantified energy savings effects across various climate conditions and building types yet have also reported discrepancies between predicted and actual energy savings performance. Given that identical technical improvements can yield substantially different actual outcomes depending on occupants’ behavioral adaptation patterns, renovation effect evaluation requires a multifaceted approach incorporating occupant behavioral changes. This case study empirically analyzed the effects of envelope renovation on occupants’ actual heating operation patterns. Envelope renovation effects applied to a 30-year-old apartment were analyzed by subdividing temperature conditions, with comparative evaluation using a non-renovated adjacent unit within the same building as a reference. While recognizing the inherent limitations of single-case analysis, this study presents a novel methodological framework for capturing subtle behavioral shifts through high-resolution temperature-specific analysis. Change-point models utilizing utility billing data were employed to analyze threshold temperature changes, and daily heating water-consumption estimation algorithms were applied to track heating pattern changes according to outdoor temperature variations. Results showed heating energy reduction despite more severe climate conditions post-renovation, with particularly pronounced savings under mild conditions. The upper limit of temperature ranges showing high heating dependency shifted downward from pre-renovation levels, improving to levels lower than the reference unit’s upper limit, demonstrating envelope performance enhancement effects. These results provide quantitative evidence that envelope improvements directly influence occupants’ heating decision-making criteria, though broader validation across multiple cases would strengthen these findings. This study quantifies envelope renovation effects not only in terms of energy savings, but also from the perspectives of occupant behavioral changes and comparison with reference units, presenting a novel evaluation methodology for effective energy efficiency improvements in aging buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Building Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction)

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15 pages, 4854 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Response Analysis of Infilled RC Frames with Openings Under Instantaneous Column Removal Scenarios

by Jia-Liang Wang, Yu Zou, Huan Liu, You Wu, Zhi Li and Tian-Qi Xue

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3778; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203778 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

In order to further explore the role of infill walls in the progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) spatial frames, based on ANSYS/LS-DYNA finite element analysis software, the refined numerical models of pure RC spatial frames and infilled RC spatial frames were [...] Read more.

In order to further explore the role of infill walls in the progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) spatial frames, based on ANSYS/LS-DYNA finite element analysis software, the refined numerical models of pure RC spatial frames and infilled RC spatial frames were constructed, respectively. By comparing it with the experimental results, the validity and accuracy of the model are verified. Subsequently, the effects of column removal devices and infill wall openings on the progressive collapse resistance of RC spatial frames were studied. The results show that the residual displacement of the model with a complete column removal device is 238.1% higher than that of the model with an incomplete column removal device, and the stiffness is reduced by 68.8%. The results obtained by an incomplete column removal device are often unsafe. The open-hole infill wall will form a diagonal strut in the corresponding area. The strength of the strut near the fixed end has the most significant effect on the structural stiffness after the column is removed and plays a controlling role. The reduction in the effective area of the strut reduces the strength of the strut and weakens the structural stiffness. When the opening is arranged in the mid-span position, the structural stiffness decreases more significantly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)

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34 pages, 5570 KB

Open AccessArticle

Harnessing AI and Sustainable Materials for Greener, Smarter Buildings: A Bibliometric Study

by Mohammed Fellah, Salma Ouhaibi, Naoual Belouaggadia, Khalifa Mansouri and Zohir Younsi

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3777; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203777 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

As global energy challenges intensify, reducing energy consumption in buildings is becoming a crucial economic and environmental priority. Despite extensive research on energy efficiency, a comprehensive synthesis that addresses emerging trends, eco-friendly insulation materials, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods remains limited. This study [...] Read more.

As global energy challenges intensify, reducing energy consumption in buildings is becoming a crucial economic and environmental priority. Despite extensive research on energy efficiency, a comprehensive synthesis that addresses emerging trends, eco-friendly insulation materials, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods remains limited. This study aims to bridge this gap through a bibliometric analysis of 2477 articles from the Scopus database, using the tools VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to explore several key questions: What are the dominant research trends? Who are the most influential contributors? And how are AI and sustainable insulation technologies evolving and converging to optimize energy performance? The analysis highlights major research themes, global collaboration networks, and two key strategies: eco-insulation materials, which help reduce environmental and technical costs, and AI-based solutions, which enable accurate energy predictions, real-time optimization, and material selection tailored to diverse climates and architectural contexts. Despite these advances, significant gaps remain in the development and characterization of eco-insulating materials. Future research should focus on integrating AI with sustainable insulation to enhance energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact, thereby paving the way for innovative, energy-resilient building solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)

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28 pages, 16274 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Minor Additives on the Performance of Calcined Clay and Blast Furnace Slag Based One Part Alkali-Activated Mortars

by Suat Çalbıyık, Tarik Omur, Hakan Ozkan and Nihat Kabay

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3776; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203776 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

The availability of key precursors of alkali-activated binder (AAB) systems is declining, requiring sources. Calcined clays (CCs) stand out as a promising alternative due to their widespread accessibility. Although the properties of CC and blast furnace slag (BFS)-based two-part AABs have been well [...] Read more.

The availability of key precursors of alkali-activated binder (AAB) systems is declining, requiring sources. Calcined clays (CCs) stand out as a promising alternative due to their widespread accessibility. Although the properties of CC and blast furnace slag (BFS)-based two-part AABs have been well reported in the literature, the effect of minor additives on the properties of a one-part AAB system composed of CC and BFS remains unexplored. In this research, calcined magnesia (CM), aerial lime (AL), hydraulic lime (NHL), quicklime (QL), borax (BR), and zeolite (ZP) have been used as minor additives and incorporated into the AAB system at between 2% and 15%. The specimens were activated with sodium–metasilicate, and the fresh, physical, mechanical, durability and microstructural properties of mortars have been investigated. Key findings indicate that all minor additives, except for BR, enhanced the early- and later-age mechanical properties. Notably, 10% QL addition significantly increased compressive strength by up to 55% at 28 days (50.9 MPa), compared to the reference. BR and ZP usage eliminated the efflorescence formation without compromising other properties. Furthermore, incorporating QL, AL, CM, and BR markedly reduced the chloride permeability of the mortars and decreased D_nssm value by as much as 81%, compared to the reference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Sustainable Low-Carbon Materials for Green Concrete)

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16 pages, 2179 KB

Open AccessArticle

Noise Reducing Textile Diffuser of Building Ventilation System

by Kęstutis Miškinis, Mindaugas Žilys, Milda Jucienė and Vaida Dobilaitė

Buildings 2025, 15(20), 3775; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15203775 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

The ventilation system is one of the most important elements of a building for the appropriate insurance of indoor climate parameters. Nowadays, textile ventilation systems are increasingly being used as a solution for low-energy buildings. Greater air movement and distribution in ventilation systems [...] Read more.

The ventilation system is one of the most important elements of a building for the appropriate insurance of indoor climate parameters. Nowadays, textile ventilation systems are increasingly being used as a solution for low-energy buildings. Greater air movement and distribution in ventilation systems often leads to one of the most noticeable issues for people—increased noise in the indoor environment. One of the solutions is to use noise reducing diffusers. The aim of this research was to design and test a diffuser that fulfills noise regulations, would be light (weight less than 3 kg), be able to flexibly change geometry and have a design that harmonizes with the interior design, could be easily installed into a suspended ceiling, have a simple connection to the ventilation duct and be able to be effortlessly removed for maintenance, and be sustainable (usage of recycled materials). Three types of diffusers were created according to set characteristics and tested. The test results showed that the aim of the research was achieved—the emitted noise levels are below the regulation’s required level of less than 45 dBA. Also, it is light—the weight is 1.7 kg and 2.8 kg, respectively, for square and rectangular diffusers; has a flexible construction and design; is made from recycled materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)

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19 pages, 10016 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Enterococcus Phage Endolysin Lys22 with a Wide Host Range Against Mixed Biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii

by Ziqin Yang, Xue Du, Nannan Hu, Meng-Ai Feng, Jiaoyang Xu, Hailin Jiang, Na Zhang, Honglan Huang, Jinghua Li and Hongyan Shi

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14101060 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

The global surge in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens has created an urgent imperative for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrate remarkable antibiotic resistance and dominate hospital-acquired infections. These bacteria often form biofilms, a complex community structure [...] Read more.

The global surge in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens has created an urgent imperative for innovative antimicrobial strategies. Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrate remarkable antibiotic resistance and dominate hospital-acquired infections. These bacteria often form biofilms, a complex community structure that shields them from immune system phagocytosis, resists antibiotic penetration, and enhances their survival in hostile environments. In clinical cases, these bacteria often form mixed biofilms and lead to treatment failures. Phages and their derivatives have emerged as promising candidates in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. Lys22, an endolysin derived from an enterococcus phage, has been cloned and demonstrated to possess a broad host range, effectively targeting E. faecalis, various Staphylococcus species, and A. baumannii. When applied to the biofilms formed by these bacteria, Lys22 was found to significantly inhibit both simple and complex biofilms in vitro. Virulent genes, including agrA, sarA, and icaA in S. aureus; asa1, cylA, and gelE in E. faecalis; and OmpA and lpsB in A. baumannii were also downregulated by Lys22. Notably, Lys22 also exhibited a robust protective effect against dual or triple infections involving E. faecalis, S. aureus, and A. baumannii in a zebrafish embryos model, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent in combatting multi-bacterial infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Antimicrobial Agents: Combatting Multi-Drug Resistant Bacterial Infections)

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28 pages, 2452 KB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond Microbiological Analysis: The Essential Role of Risk Assessment in Travel-Associated Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Investigations

by Antonios Papadakis, Eleftherios Koufakis, Vasileios Nakoulas, Leonidas Kourentis, Theodore Manouras, Areti Kokkinomagoula, Artemis Ntoula, Maria Malliarou, Kyriazis Gerakoudis, Katerina Tsilipounidaki, Dimosthenis Chochlakis and Anna Psaroulaki

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14101059 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Between April and May 2025, an outbreak of travel-associated Legionnaires’ disease (TALD) occurred, involving six cases at a hotel in Crete, Greece. Including two cases reported in 2023 and two additional cases from 2016 to 2017, ten cases were associated with this accommodation [...] Read more.

Between April and May 2025, an outbreak of travel-associated Legionnaires’ disease (TALD) occurred, involving six cases at a hotel in Crete, Greece. Including two cases reported in 2023 and two additional cases from 2016 to 2017, ten cases were associated with this accommodation site. All TALD cases were reported by the European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet). In compliance with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) surveillance and investigation protocols for hotels associated with the patient’s stay, local public health authorities conducted on-site inspections at the hotel by collecting water samples and performing risk assessments, while simultaneously recording the required epidemiological, environmental, and physicochemical data. A total of 181 statistically analyzed water samples showed positive rates for L. pneumophila of 12.71% (95% CI: 7.86–17.56) for (≥50 CFU/L) and 6.08% (95% CI: 2.60–9.56) for (≥1000 CFU/L). Risk assessments identified 18 stagnation points, systemic maintenance deficiencies, and high cumulative structural (30/52) and water (36/71) system risk scores. Low microbiological positivity of water samples does not necessarily equate to low risk, thus necessitating continuous risk assessment, implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSPs), and integrated monitoring by accommodation facilities to prevent LD cases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Pathogens)

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13 pages, 1251 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Parameter-Driven SC-ANFIS Framework for Predictive Modeling of Acid Number Variations in Lubricating Oils

by Yawen Wang, Haijun Wei and Daping Zhou

Lubricants 2025, 13(10), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100458 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

The acid number is widely recognized as one of the most essential and frequently used indicators for evaluating the degradation state of lubricants. Changes in acid number serve as a direct reflection of the oil’s oxidative deterioration. Conventional prediction methods, however, often neglect [...] Read more.

The acid number is widely recognized as one of the most essential and frequently used indicators for evaluating the degradation state of lubricants. Changes in acid number serve as a direct reflection of the oil’s oxidative deterioration. Conventional prediction methods, however, often neglect the coupling effects among multiple physical factors and lack sufficient dynamic adaptability. Therefore, this study proposes a method for predicting the variation trend of lubricating oil acid number by integrating an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) with Subtractive Clustering (SC), establishing an SC-ANFIS-based predictive model. The subtractive clustering technique automatically determines the number of fuzzy rules and initial parameters directly from the dataset, thereby eliminating redundant rules and simplifying the model architecture. The SC-ANFIS model further optimizes the parameters of the fuzzy inference system through the self-learning ability of neural networks. Lubricant aging tests were conducted using a laboratory oxidation stability tester. Regular sampling was carried out to acquire comprehensive lubricant performance degradation data. The input variables of the model include the current acid number, carbonyl peak intensity, metal element concentrations (Fe and Cu), viscosity, and water content of the lubricating oil, while the output variable corresponds to the rate of change in the acid number of the lubricating oil relative to the previous time step. The proposed model demonstrates effective prediction of the lubricating oil acid number variation trend. Posterior difference tests confirmed its high predictive accuracy, with all three evaluation metrics—RMSE, MAE, and MAPE—outperforming those of the BP model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Condition Monitoring of Lubricating Oils)

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19 pages, 11176 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multiscale Investigation of the Anti-Friction Mechanism in Graphene Coatings on Copper Substrates: Substrate Reinforcement via Microstructural Evolution

by Di Ran, Zewei Yuan, Po Du, Ning Wang, Na Wang, Li Zhao, Song Feng, Weiwei Jia and Chaoqun Wu

Lubricants 2025, 13(10), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100457 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Graphene exhibits great potential as an anti-friction coating material in MEMS. However, its underlying microscopic friction-reduction mechanism remains unclear. In this paper, the microstructural evolution and nanomechanical behavior of graphene coatings on copper substrates were systematically investigated by AFM friction experiments and MD [...] Read more.

Graphene exhibits great potential as an anti-friction coating material in MEMS. However, its underlying microscopic friction-reduction mechanism remains unclear. In this paper, the microstructural evolution and nanomechanical behavior of graphene coatings on copper substrates were systematically investigated by AFM friction experiments and MD simulations. MD simulations reveal that the anti-friction properties of graphene coatings primarily stem from microstructural regulation and load-bearing reinforcement of the substrate. The graphene coatings increase indentation diameter by forming transition radii at the indentation edges, and suppress the plowing effect of the substrate by restricting atomic upward movement, both of which enhance the dislocation density and load-bearing capacity of the substrate. Additionally, graphene coatings also reduce the scratch edge angle, weakening the interlocking effect between the substrate and tip, further lowering the friction force. Experimental results indicate that the tribological behavior of graphene coatings exhibits staged characteristics: graphene coatings show excellent ultrafriction properties under intact structural conditions, while showing a higher friction force in wear and tear states. This research provides a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the development of anti-friction and wear-resistant coatings for micro-nano devices. Full article

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21 pages, 693 KB

Open AccessReview

Translating Metabolic Interventions into Breast Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review

by Luxi Chen, Stephen L. Shiao and Yuan Yuan

Life 2025, 15(10), 1634; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15101634 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Despite significant advances in targeted therapies, therapeutic resistance, metabolic toxicities, and disease recurrence continue to limit long-term efficacy. Metabolic syndrome is a major epidemiologic risk factor for the development of [...] Read more.

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Despite significant advances in targeted therapies, therapeutic resistance, metabolic toxicities, and disease recurrence continue to limit long-term efficacy. Metabolic syndrome is a major epidemiologic risk factor for the development of breast cancer, with metabolic dysregulation strongly linked to tumor progression, recurrence, and mortality. Crosstalk between insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling and oncogenic pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR provides a mechanistic basis for these associations, highlighting the interplay between metabolism and tumor biology. Given this context, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity agents are being investigated as novel therapeutic strategies in breast cancer. Beyond their established metabolic benefits, these agents can directly modulate tumor cell growth, immune responses, and signaling pathways central to breast cancer pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the intersection of metabolic dysregulation and breast cancer as well as critically evaluate preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the use of metabolic therapies in this space. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Breast Cancer: Current Controversies and Future Perspectives)

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28 pages, 11071 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forest Cover in the Congo Basin: Consistency Evaluation of Seven Datasets

by Solène Renaudineau, Frédéric Frappart, Marc Peaucelle, Valentine Sollier, Jean-Pierre Wigneron, Philippe Ciais and Bertrand Ygorra

Forests 2025, 16(10), 1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16101609 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Tropical forests play an essential role in the carbon and water cycles of terrestrial ecosystems, but they are increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change. For places where ground observations are scarce, like in Equatorial Africa, remote sensing is a key source [...] Read more.

Tropical forests play an essential role in the carbon and water cycles of terrestrial ecosystems, but they are increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change. For places where ground observations are scarce, like in Equatorial Africa, remote sensing is a key source of information for monitoring the temporal and spatial dynamics of forests over large areas. Several Earth Observation-based global maps were developed in recent decades using different definitions of the land-use/land-cover (LULC) classes. While such products are widely used for monitoring land use and planning land management, the consistency of these LULC maps for the Congo Basin has never been analyzed and quantified at the ecosystem level. Here, we selected seven of the most-used global maps and analyzed their consistency over the Congo Basin. After reclassification into forest/non-forest masks and spatial resampling, we assessed the agreement and disagreement percentage across the different tropical ecoregions of Africa, from moist forest to miombo, including savanna. The datasets showed differences in forest area as a function of spatial resolution, with higher forest area levels at coarser resolutions (e.g., from 74.1% to 88.5% forest cover when upscaling the GLCLU from 30 m to 1 km over the Congo Basin). A higher agreement between the datasets was found for forest area over moist forest (between 88.18% and 99.38%) in comparison to savanna (32.82%–99.84%) and miombo (53.83%–99.7%). These discrepancies led to large differences in forest cover, varying from a net loss of 205,704 km² to a net gain of 50,726 km² over 2001–2019 depending on the dataset used. This study draws attention to the uncertainty associated with these products with regard to forests, particularly in regions of biological importance, such as the miombo and savanna regions, which remain poorly understood. Indeed, the two major uncertainties affecting the quality of LULC products are related to the different spatial resolutions and biological definition of “forest” adopted by each product. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Forest Inventory, Modeling and Remote Sensing)

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16 pages, 6095 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation on the Hydrodynamic Characteristics of the Confluent Channel with Different Tributary Radius-to-Width Ratios

by Yongchao Zou, Haifeng Tian, Lan Yang, Ruichang Hu and Hao Yuan

Water 2025, 17(20), 3010; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17203010 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

The radius-to-width ratio has an obvious impact on the flow structure within curved channels, which most natural rivers possess, but there are currently few studies on the influence of the radius-to-width ratio of a tributary (R/B) on the hydrodynamic [...] Read more.

The radius-to-width ratio has an obvious impact on the flow structure within curved channels, which most natural rivers possess, but there are currently few studies on the influence of the radius-to-width ratio of a tributary (R/B) on the hydrodynamic characteristics of a confluent channel. In order to contribute to this field of research, this study employed the RNG k-ε turbulence model, which has good applicability and accuracy for confluence, to investigate the effects of the R/B and flow ratios (q*) on the hydraulic characteristics of confluence. The results reveal that the numerical model can effectively simulate the velocity distribution in the confluence. The values of the key errors are all relatively small (e.g., the value of Mean RMSE is 0.05), and the flow patterns near the bed and water surfaces are different. The maximum velocity zone (MVZ) and the scale of the separation zone (SZ) increase as R/B increases; conversely, the MVZ and the scale of the SZ decrease as the q* increases. Upstream of the confluence, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) increases and decreases as R/B and q* increase, respectively, while TKE downstream of the confluence hardly changes. Furthermore, the size of the SF decreases as R/B increases. The value of

\bar{S_{w}}

peaks downstream of the confluence, increases with the increase in the R/B, and decreases with the increase in the q*. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the hydrodynamic characteristics of confluence and provide valuable insights for the management and ecological restoration of confluent channels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Vegetation on Open Channel Flow and Sediment Transport)

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13 pages, 1742 KB

Open AccessArticle

Black Carbon in Urban and Suburban Hangzhou: Spatiotemporal Variation, Precipitation Scavenging, and Policy Impacts

by Mengjing Zhu, Honghui Xu, Meng Shan, Huansang Chen, Yilei Dong and Yuyun Lei

Atmosphere 2025, 16(10), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101212 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Black carbon (BC) aerosols significantly impact regional air quality and global climate as important light-absorbing atmospheric particles. Using high-temporal resolution BC observation data from urban and suburban sites in Hangzhou and PM₁₀ concentrations, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics [...] Read more.

Black carbon (BC) aerosols significantly impact regional air quality and global climate as important light-absorbing atmospheric particles. Using high-temporal resolution BC observation data from urban and suburban sites in Hangzhou and PM₁₀ concentrations, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of BC concentrations, precipitation scavenging efficiency, and the efficacy of emission mitigation policies. The results showed that (1) suburban BC concentrations presented a significant interannual decline. Seasonal variation displayed a single peak, with high concentrations in winter and low concentrations in summer. A characteristic bimodal diurnal variation pattern was observed, with peaks during morning and evening rush hours. In terms of spatial distribution, the annual average concentration in urban areas was 20.7% higher than in suburban areas, with the largest difference in winter. (2) The scavenging efficiency of precipitation showed nonlinear characteristics. The average efficiency of light rain was the highest, whereas heavy rainfall showed more complex characteristics. The scavenging efficiency of continuous 12 h precipitation was significantly higher than that of short-term heavy rainfall. (3) Emission mitigation policy implementation had a marked effect, with diesel vehicle restrictions and biomass combustion control reducing BC concentrations by 11% and 19%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Aerosols)

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30 pages, 15268 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Objective Two-Layer Robust Optimisation Model for Water Resource Allocation in the Basin: A Case Study of Yellow River Basin, China

by Danyang Di, Hao Hu, Shikun Duan, Qi Shi, Huiliang Wang and Lizhong Xiao

Water 2025, 17(20), 3009; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17203009 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

The continuous growth of the social economy and the accelerated urbanisation process have led to a rising increase in the demand for water resources in river basins. The uneven temporal and spatial distribution of water resources has further exacerbated the contradiction between supply [...] Read more.

The continuous growth of the social economy and the accelerated urbanisation process have led to a rising increase in the demand for water resources in river basins. The uneven temporal and spatial distribution of water resources has further exacerbated the contradiction between supply and demand. The traditional extensive water resource allocation model is no longer suitable for the diverse demands of sustainable development in river basins. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to determine how to reconcile the supply and demand of water resources in river basins to achieve a rational allocation. Taking the Yellow River Basin as an example, an optimal water allocation framework based on multi-objective robust optimisation method was proposed in this study. A robust constraint boundary conditions for the industrial, agricultural, construction and service, ecological, and social water demand were selected from the perspective of the economy–society–ecology nexus. Then, Latin hypercube sampling was adopted to modify the Monte Carlo method to improve the dispersion of sampling values for quantifying the uncertainty of water allocation parameters. Furthermore, a multi-dimensional spatial equilibrium optimal allocation combining adjustable robust optimisation and multi-objective optimisation was established. Finally, a multi-objective particle swarm optimisation algorithm based on a crossover operator was constructed to obtain the Pareto-optimal solution for multi-dimensional spatial equilibrium optimal allocation. The primary findings were as follows: (1) Parameter uncertainty had a significant effect on the provincial/regional revenues of water resources but has no obvious effect on basin revenue. (2) The uncertainty in runoff and parameters had a significant influence on decisions for optimal water allocation. The optimal volume of water purchased by different provinces (regions) varied greatly under different scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)

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20 pages, 4040 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Correlation Network Analysis of PM2.5 in China: A Temporal Exponential Random Graph Model Approach

by Xia Wu and Linyi Zhou

Atmosphere 2025, 16(10), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101211 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

With the rapid acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in China, PM2.5 pollution has emerged as a major challenge to public health and sustainable development of the society and economy. At the interprovincial level, PM2.5 exhibits a complex spatial correlation network structure. Using data [...] Read more.

With the rapid acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in China, PM2.5 pollution has emerged as a major challenge to public health and sustainable development of the society and economy. At the interprovincial level, PM2.5 exhibits a complex spatial correlation network structure. Using data from 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2023, this study constructed a spatial correlation network of PM2.5 and analyzed its structural characteristics and formation mechanisms. The results reveal that China’s PM2.5 spatial correlation network is both complex and stable, underscoring the severity of the pollution problem. The network demonstrates a distinct ‘core–periphery’ distribution, with provinces such as Jiangsu, Shandong, and Henan occupying central positions and functioning as critical bridges. Block model analysis showed a clear role of differentiation among provinces in the diffusion of pollution. Temporal exponential random graph model suggests that geographical proximity, industrial structure, vehicle ownership, and government intervention are key factors shaping the network. Geographically adjacent provinces are more likely to form close connections, whereas environmental regulation and vehicle ownership tend to constrain the spread of pollution. This study provides a novel theoretical framework for understanding the spatial diffusion pathways of PM2.5 pollution and offers important policy implications for optimizing and implementing cross-regional air quality governance strategies in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Coordinated Control of PM2.5 and O₃ and Its Impacts in China)

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25 pages, 5974 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Regulatory RNA-Binding Genes in Spermatogonial Stem Cell Reprogramming to ES-like Cells Using Machine Learning–Integrated Transcriptomic and Network Analysis

by Ali Shakeri Abroudi, Hossein Azizi, Hewa Khalid Abdullah, Marwa Fadhil Alsaffar and Thomas Skutella

Cells 2025, 14(20), 1632; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14201632 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are unipotent germline cells with emerging pluripotent potential under specific in vitro conditions. Understanding their capacity for reprogramming and the molecular mechanisms involved offers valuable insights into regenerative medicine and fertility preservation. SSCs were isolated from Oct4-GFP C57BL/6 transgenic [...] Read more.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are unipotent germline cells with emerging pluripotent potential under specific in vitro conditions. Understanding their capacity for reprogramming and the molecular mechanisms involved offers valuable insights into regenerative medicine and fertility preservation. SSCs were isolated from Oct4-GFP C57BL/6 transgenic mice using enzymatic digestion and cultured in defined media. Under these conditions, ES-like colonies emerged expressing pluripotency markers. These cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry, teratoma assays, and transcriptomic analyses using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. Gene expression profiles were compared with ESCs and SSCs using datasets from GEO (GSE43850, GSE38776, GSE149512). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks and co-expression modules were explored through STRING, Cytoscape, and WGCNA. ES-like cells derived from SSCs exhibited strong expression of OCT4, DAZL, and VASA. Transcriptomic analysis revealed key differentially expressed genes and shared regulatory networks with ESCs. WGCNA identified key co-expression modules and hub regulatory RNA binding genes (Ctdsp1, Rest, and Stra8) potentially responsible for the reprogramming process. Teratoma assays confirmed pluripotency, and single-cell RNA-seq validated expression of critical markers in cultured SSCs. This study demonstrates that SSCs can acquire pluripotency features and be reprogrammed into ES-like cells. The integration of transcriptomic and network-based analyses reveals novel insights into the molecular drivers of SSC reprogramming, highlighting their potential utility in stem cell-based therapies and male fertility preservation. Full article

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15 pages, 2133 KB

Open AccessArticle

BelloStage™-3000 Bioreactor Versus Conventional Cultivation of Recombinant Capripoxvirus Expressing Brucella Antigens in Vero Cells: A Step Towards the Development of a New Human Brucellosis Vaccine

by Zhanat Amanova, Zhanna Sametova, Olga Chervyakova, Sholpan Turyskeldi, Alina Kurmasheva, Ruslan Abitayev, Abdurakhman Ussembay, Zhanat Kondibayeva, Dariya Toktyrova, Dana Mazbayeva and Yerbol Bulatov

Cells 2025, 14(20), 1631; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14201631 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Brucellosis remains one of the most significant zoonotic diseases, posing a serious threat to both human health and livestock. This issue is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, which is among the countries endemic for brucellosis with a high incidence rate. Such circumstances highlight the [...] Read more.

Brucellosis remains one of the most significant zoonotic diseases, posing a serious threat to both human health and livestock. This issue is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, which is among the countries endemic for brucellosis with a high incidence rate. Such circumstances highlight the urgent need for the development and implementation of effective preventive measures, including modern vaccine platforms capable of providing reliable protection for the population and reducing the economic impact on the agricultural sector. Recombinant capripoxviruses are considered promising vector platforms for vaccine development, as they ensure high expression of target antigens, elicit strong immune responses, and are safe for humans. In this study, the replication of recombinant capripoxviruses expressing Brucella antigens (SPPV (TK-) OMP19/SODC and SPPV (TK-) OMP25) was evaluated in Vero cells using the BelloStage™-3000 bioreactor system in combination with BioNOC II^® macrocarriers. Application of the bioreactor resulted in nearly a 100-fold increase in Vero cell density compared with static cultures and provided optimal conditions for cell adhesion, growth, and metabolic activity. Consequently, a significant increase in viral titers was observed: for SPPV (TK-) OMP19/SODC, mean titers reached 7.50 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL versus 4.50 in static culture (p < 0.0001), while SPPV (TK-) OMP25 achieved 7.08 log₁₀ TCID₅₀/mL versus 4.33 (p < 0.001). These findings confirm the reliability, reproducibility, and scalability of this bioreactor-based approach, demonstrating clear advantages over conventional cultivation methods. Overall, the study highlights the high potential of the BelloStage™-3000 system with BioNOC II^® macrocarriers for the industrial production of recombinant capripoxvirus-based vaccines against brucellosis and for the broader development of other recombinant viral vaccines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Cultures and Organ-on-a-Chip in Cell and Tissue Cultures)

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16 pages, 2954 KB

Open AccessArticle

SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Lung Epithelia Leads to an Increase in the Cleavage and Translocation of RNase-III Drosha; Loss of Drosha Is Associated with a Decrease in Viral Replication

by Michael T. Winters, Emily S. Westemeier-Rice, Travis W. Rawson, Kiran J. Patel, Gabriel M. Sankey, Maya Dixon-Gross, Olivia R. McHugh, Nasrin Hashemipour, McKenna L. Carroll, Isabella R. Wilkerson and Ivan Martinez

Genes 2025, 16(10), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16101239 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Since its emergence, COVID-19—caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2—has affected millions globally and led to over 1.2 million deaths in the United States alone. This global impact, coupled with the emergence of five new human coronaviruses over the past two decades, underscores [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Since its emergence, COVID-19—caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2—has affected millions globally and led to over 1.2 million deaths in the United States alone. This global impact, coupled with the emergence of five new human coronaviruses over the past two decades, underscores the urgency of understanding its pathogenic mechanisms at the molecular level—not only for managing the current pandemic but also preparing for future outbreaks. Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) critically regulate host and viral gene expression, including antiviral responses. Among the molecular regulators implicated in antiviral defense, the microRNA-processing enzyme Drosha has emerged as a particularly intriguing factor. In addition to its canonical role, Drosha also exerts a non-canonical, interferon-independent antiviral function against several RNA viruses. Methods: To investigate this, we employed q/RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence in an immortalized normal human lung/bronchial epithelial cell line (NuLi-1), as well as a human colorectal carcinoma Drosha CRISPR knockout cell line. Results: In this study, we observed a striking shift in Drosha isoform expression following infection with multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. This shift was absent following treatment with the viral mimetic poly (I:C) or infection with other RNA viruses, including the non-severe coronaviruses HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E. We also identified a distinct alteration in Drosha’s cellular localization post SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, Drosha ablation led to reduced expression of SARS-CoV-2 genomic and sub-genomic targets. Conclusions: Together, these observations not only elucidate a novel aspect of Drosha’s antiviral role but also advance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 host–pathogen interactions, highlighting potential therapeutic avenues for future human coronavirus infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section RNA)

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33 pages, 23229 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Comparative Study of the Structure and Antibacterial Activity of Polygalacturonate Complexes with Ionic and Nanoparticulate Silver

by Andrey V. Nemtarev, Elena V. Kuznetsova, Abdulla A. Yergeshov, Darya S. Eflova, Rezeda A. Ishkaeva, Inna R. Valiullina, Vladimir F. Mironov, Diana V. Salakhieva and Timur I. Abdullin

Polymers 2025, 17(20), 2798; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17202798 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

A series of silver-polygalacturonate complexes with improved structure and activity against bacterial infections was developed. Pure sodium polygalacturonate was obtained by saponification of a pectin precursor and identified by NMR as predominantly homogalacturonan (uronide content 95%). Polygalacturonate complexes with ionic and borohydride-reduced silver [...] Read more.

A series of silver-polygalacturonate complexes with improved structure and activity against bacterial infections was developed. Pure sodium polygalacturonate was obtained by saponification of a pectin precursor and identified by NMR as predominantly homogalacturonan (uronide content 95%). Polygalacturonate complexes with ionic and borohydride-reduced silver with a controllable metallic component were synthesized; the role of spontaneous Ag⁺ reduction was revealed. The presence of uniform 5 nm nanoparticles and negligible particulate by-products in the reduced complexes was verified. The complexes showed similar silver-normalized activity against non-resistant bacteria, irrespective of complex stoichiometry/silver state. Pharmaceutical silver proteinate with a similar nanoparticle profile exhibited the same silver-normalized activity, indicating the lack of a ligand effect. The Ag⁺ complex was more effective against some hospital drug-resistant strains. The cytotoxicity of the complexes depended on fibroblast type, silver state, ligand type, exposure time, presumably in association with cellular availability and glutathione depletion. The complexes were administered to rats with excisional wounds persistently infected with S. aureus. Swab/histological analyses of the treated wounds revealed decreased bacterial burden/tissue damage, along with promotion of wound contraction/closure and matrix formation. The nanoparticle complexes that were compared had similar antibacterial/regenerative effects, while the Ag⁺ complex demonstrated higher efficacy in vivo. These results encourage the use of the developed silver-polygalacturonate complexes as antibacterial substances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Polymer Materials with Antibacterial Properties, 2nd Edition)

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41 pages, 2159 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Predicting Website Performance: A Systematic Review of Metrics, Methods, and Research Gaps (2010–2024)

by Mohammad Ghattas, Suhail Odeh and Antonio M. Mora

Computers 2025, 14(10), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/computers14100446 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Website performance directly impacts user experience, trust, and competitiveness. While numerous studies have proposed evaluation methods, there is still no comprehensive synthesis that integrates performance metrics with predictive models. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) following the PRISMA framework across seven [...] Read more.

Website performance directly impacts user experience, trust, and competitiveness. While numerous studies have proposed evaluation methods, there is still no comprehensive synthesis that integrates performance metrics with predictive models. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) following the PRISMA framework across seven academic databases (2010–2024). From 6657 initial records, 30 high-quality studies were included after rigorous screening and quality assessment. In addition, 59 website performance metrics were identified and validated through an expert survey, resulting in 16 core indicators. The review highlights a dominant reliance on traditional evaluation metrics (e.g., Load Time, Page Size, Response Time) and reveals limited adoption of machine learning and deep learning approaches. Most existing studies focus on e-government and educational websites, with little attention to e-commerce, healthcare, and industry domains. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of research remains uneven, with a concentration in Asia and limited contributions from North America and Africa. This study contributes by (i) consolidating and validating a set of 16 critical performance metrics, (ii) critically analyzing current methodologies, and (iii) identifying gaps in domain coverage and intelligent prediction models. Future research should prioritize cross-domain benchmarks, integrate machine learning for scalable predictions, and address the lack of standardized evaluation protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Human–Computer Interactions)

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28 pages, 1015 KB

Open AccessReview

Multicentric and Multifocal Breast Tumors—Narrative Literature Review

by Mircea-Octavian Poenaru, Mihaela Amza, Cristian-Valentin Toma, Fernanda-Ecaterina Augustin, Irina Pacu, Giorgia Zampieri, Liana Ples, Romina-Marina Sima and Andrei-Sebastian Diaconescu

Cancers 2025, 17(20), 3380; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17203380 - 20 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background: Multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) breast cancers, defined by the presence of multiple synchronous tumor foci within the same breast, present important diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic challenges. Historically considered a contraindication for breast-conserving therapy (BCT), advances in imaging, surgical techniques, and adjuvant [...] Read more.

Background: Multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) breast cancers, defined by the presence of multiple synchronous tumor foci within the same breast, present important diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic challenges. Historically considered a contraindication for breast-conserving therapy (BCT), advances in imaging, surgical techniques, and adjuvant therapy have reshaped management strategies. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, prioritizing ISI-indexed articles published within the last 10–15 years. More than 55 relevant studies, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large cohorts, were analyzed to evaluate epidemiology, pathological features, imaging modalities, treatment outcomes, and prognosis of MF/MC breast cancers. Results: The reported incidence of MF/MC breast cancers ranges from 10% to 24%, increasing when MRI or whole-organ pathology is applied. MRI can detect otherwise occult additional foci in up to 30% of patients, improving staging accuracy but raising concerns of overdiagnosis. MF/MC presentation is strongly associated with lobular histology, younger age at diagnosis, and higher rates of axillary involvement—nodal positivity is observed in up to 45% of MF/MC cases versus 28% in unifocal tumors. Pathological analyses demonstrate frequent clonal origin of MF lesions, whereas MC lesions may represent independent primaries, occasionally with receptor heterogeneity that alters systemic therapy selection. From a prognostic perspective, older series suggested shorter breast cancer-specific survival (e.g., median 154 vs. 204 months for MF/MC vs. unifocal disease), and higher local recurrence with BCT. However, contemporary analyses, including a 2022 meta-analysis of 15,703 patients, demonstrated no significant difference in overall or disease-free survival once adjusted for tumor size and nodal status. Local recurrence remains slightly higher with BCT in MF/MC (5.6% vs. 4.2%), but outcomes are equivalent to mastectomy when radiotherapy is appropriately delivered. Five-year survival in early-stage MF/MC exceeds 90% with guideline-concordant multimodal therapy. Conclusions: MF/MC breast cancers represent a biologically heterogeneous entity. Optimal outcomes rely on precise imaging, complete excision, tailored systemic therapy, and multidisciplinary management, with increasing acceptance of breast conservation in selected patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Systematic Review or Meta-Analysis in Cancer Research)

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