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20 pages, 8124 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Real-Time Sensor for Measuring the Surface Temperature of Thermal Protection Structures Based on the Full-Time Domain Temperature Inversion Method

by Yuhao Liu, Xiong Zhao, Xiangyu Wei, Pengyu Nan, Fan Zhou, Guoguo Xin, Kok-Sing Lim, Yupeng Zhang and Hangzhou Yang

Sensors 2025, 25(7), 2227; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25072227 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

The real-time surface thermal monitoring of thermal protection structures (TPSs) is crucial for hypersonic vehicle safety. This study proposes an effective approach for real-time temperature reconstruction by integrating embedded sensor arrays with an enhanced full-time domain inversion algorithm, utilizing the overlapping sliding window [...] Read more.

The real-time surface thermal monitoring of thermal protection structures (TPSs) is crucial for hypersonic vehicle safety. This study proposes an effective approach for real-time temperature reconstruction by integrating embedded sensor arrays with an enhanced full-time domain inversion algorithm, utilizing the overlapping sliding window method. An array of three evenly spaced sensors is used for TPS monitoring. Notably, the inversion approach eliminates the need for prior knowledge of the TPS’s thermal parameters. It exhibits remarkable practicality with low-frequency sampling requirements (1 Hz) and robust noise resistance. Through numerical simulations and a quartz lamp side heating experiment, it is demonstrated that the window size and data noise have great influence on the temperature reconstruction accuracy, but the window slip step has little influence. The mean relative error of the inversion temperature decreases exponentially as the window size increases, and the optimal window duration is equal to the thermal hysteresis time. The study investigates the impact of three noise filtering methods on the inversion accuracy, finding that the Savitzky-Golay filtering significantly enhances measurement precision, reducing mean relative error from 18.4% to 6.7%. These results highlight the potential of the proposed real-time sensor method for practical engineering applications, offering a reliable and efficient solution for real-time TPS temperature monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)

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15 pages, 4838 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Jasmonic Acid-Mediated Antioxidant Defense Confers Chilling Tolerance in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

by Weixia Liu, Jielin Wang, Dan Zhu, Xiaomin Yin, Gongfu Du, Yuling Qin, Zhiyuan Zhang and Ziji Liu

Plants 2025, 14(7), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071100 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Chilling stress inhibits the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), reduces its overall agricultural yield, and deteriorates fruit quality. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanism through which okra plants respond to chilling stress. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of [...] Read more.

Chilling stress inhibits the growth of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), reduces its overall agricultural yield, and deteriorates fruit quality. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanism through which okra plants respond to chilling stress. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of chilling tolerance by comparing the transcriptome and metabolome of chilling-tolerant (Ae182) and chilling-sensitive (Ae171) okra varieties. We found that Ae182 exhibits higher antioxidant enzyme activities, including SOD, POD, CAT, and APX, suggesting it mitigates oxidative stress more effectively than Ae171. Metabolomics analysis revealed that Ae182 produces higher levels of jasmonic acid (JA) and JA-isoleucine (JA-Ile) under chilling stress, potentially activating genes that alleviate oxidative damage. Additionally, integrated analyses identified key transcription factors, such as AP2, BHLH, and MYB, associated with JA and chilling stress. These findings provide candidate genes for further research on chilling resistance in okra. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)

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12 pages, 8821 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tunable Slow Light in Valley-Locked Topological Photonic Crystal Waveguide

by Chenyang Peng, Gang Li, Junhao Yang, Chunlin Ma and Xinyuan Qi

Photonics 2025, 12(4), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12040332 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

This study introduces a topological photonic slow-light waveguide based on a honeycomb unit cell, which allows for the convenient tuning of the group index and bandwidth through the valley-locked effect. The topological properties of the unit cell are initially assessed. By adjusting the [...] Read more.

This study introduces a topological photonic slow-light waveguide based on a honeycomb unit cell, which allows for the convenient tuning of the group index and bandwidth through the valley-locked effect. The topological properties of the unit cell are initially assessed. By adjusting the air gap in the topologically protected photonic crystal (PhC) waveguide, it is possible to continuously vary the group index from 47 to 6 and the normalized group index–bandwidth product (NGBP) from 0.495 to 0.573. Furthermore, the chiral propagation characteristics and propagation loss of the topologically protected PhC waveguide are evaluated. The findings indicate that the structure supports chiral propagation and maintains a high transmission rate even after passing through sharp corners. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of topological photonics and suggest potential for applications in future photonic technologies, such as dynamic topological photonic retarders and nonlinear localization enhancers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section New Applications Enabled by Photonics Technologies and Systems)

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18 pages, 3027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Leisure, Intergenerational Learning and Grandparents’ Level of Education

by José Manuel Martínez, Rosa Ana Alonso, Mª Ángeles Valdemoros and Cristina Medrano

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3138; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073138 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Sustainable leisure, shared among grandparents and grandchildren, provides multiple benefits, as it enhances contexts and bonds that foster personal, familiar, social and emotional development. In addition to this, it directly contributes to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, established in Agenda 2030. [...] Read more.

Sustainable leisure, shared among grandparents and grandchildren, provides multiple benefits, as it enhances contexts and bonds that foster personal, familiar, social and emotional development. In addition to this, it directly contributes to the achievement of the sustainable development goals, established in Agenda 2030. The objective was to examine, from the grandparents’ perspective, and taking into account their educational level, the links that exist among co-learning processes and the practice of sustainable intergenerational leisure and its evolution throughout the pandemic era. This project sought to combine quantitative (N = 350) and qualitative (N = 18) methodologies, using an ad hoc questionnaire and a discussion group, in different moments, before and after the pandemic. The SPSS 23.0 statistical program was used for quantitative analysis and the NVivo Release 1.6 software for the qualitative study. The results show that intergenerational co-learning is a motive and a relevant stimulus that encourages both generations to share these experiences in natural spaces, which brings them together and facilitates lifelong learning. It has been proven that, before the lockdown, sustainable leisure practices showed significant differences depending on the level of education of the older generation. This had an impact on participation in activities associated with different types of leisure, with a tendency to increase the practice as the level of education rises. Nevertheless, after the pandemic, a greater reduction has been observed in the practice of shared leisure activities among those with a higher educational level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Tourism, Culture, and Heritage)

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23 pages, 4023 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Single-Character-Based Embedding Feature Aggregation Using Cross-Attention for Scene Text Super-Resolution

by Meng Wang, Qianqian Li and Haipeng Liu

Sensors 2025, 25(7), 2228; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25072228 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

In textual vision scenarios, super-resolution aims to enhance textual quality and readability to facilitate downstream tasks. However, the ambiguity of character regions in complex backgrounds remains challenging to mitigate, particularly the interference between tightly connected characters. In this paper, we propose single-character-based embedding [...] Read more.

In textual vision scenarios, super-resolution aims to enhance textual quality and readability to facilitate downstream tasks. However, the ambiguity of character regions in complex backgrounds remains challenging to mitigate, particularly the interference between tightly connected characters. In this paper, we propose single-character-based embedding feature aggregation using cross-attention for scene text super-resolution (SCE-STISR) to solve this problem. Firstly, a dynamic feature extraction mechanism is employed to adaptively capture shallow features by dynamically adjusting multi-scale feature weights based on spatial representations. During text–image interactions, a dual-level cross-attention mechanism is introduced to comprehensively aggregate the cropped single-character features with textual prior, also aligning semantic sequences and visual features. Finally, an adaptive normalized color correction operation is applied to mitigate color distortion caused by background interference. In TextZoom benchmarking, the text recognition accuracies of different recognizers are 53.6%, 60.9%, and 64.5%, which are improved by 0.9–1.4% over the baseline TATT, achieving an optimal SSIM value of 0.7951 and a PSNR of 21.84. Additionally, our approach improves accuracy by 0.2–2.2% over existing baselines on five text recognition datasets, validating the effectiveness of the model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sensor Networks)

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16 pages, 3399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Systemic Optimization of Electric Vehicles Power System

by Saber Hadj Abdallah, Motab Turki Almousa, Fatma Ben Salem and Souhir Tounsi

World Electr. Veh. J. 2025, 16(4), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16040207 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study between two permanent magnet motor structures, one with trapezoidal waveforms and the other with sinusoidal waveforms, from the perspective of production cost, dynamic characteristic performance, and energy economy. The novel element of the research is also in [...] Read more.

This paper presents a comparative study between two permanent magnet motor structures, one with trapezoidal waveforms and the other with sinusoidal waveforms, from the perspective of production cost, dynamic characteristic performance, and energy economy. The novel element of the research is also in using an electromagnetic converter to reduce the vehicle’s overall energy consumption and to push the multiple disadvantages of using the insolated bipolar transistors. This study is based on the sizing of the electromagnetic converter and the two motor structures using the method of combined analytical finite elements. The program for sizing is coupled with two control laws relating to the motor types in order to choose the top performers according to good dynamic characteristics and energy saving. The simulation results show, on the one hand, the equivalence of these structures from a dynamic characteristic point of view and, on the other hand, that the trapezoidal waveform motor structure is more economical. The design of an excitation system optimizing the consumed energy equipped by a hybrid excitation motor is also developed. Full article

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11 pages, 211 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment: Integrating Innovations for Enhanced Patient Outcomes

by Shih-Heng Hung, Wei-Ting Yen and Da-Wen Lu

Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040850 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Glaucoma, a chronic and progressive eye disease, is a significant public health concern responsible for a substantial proportion of global vision impairment and blindness [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular and Translational Medicine)

12 pages, 3737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Thermal Annealing on the Chemical Composition, Nanomechanical, and Nanotribological Properties of Tantalum Thin Films

by Debottam Datta, Ali Eskandari, Junaid Syed, Himanshu Rai, Nitya Nand Gosvami and Ting Y. Tsui

Micromachines 2025, 16(4), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16040427 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Tantalum metal and tantalum oxide thin films are commonly used in semiconductor devices, protective coatings, and biomedical implants. However, there is limited information on their nanotribological behavior and small-scale mechanical properties. This study characterized the chemical, mechanical, and tribological properties of as-deposited and [...] Read more.

Tantalum metal and tantalum oxide thin films are commonly used in semiconductor devices, protective coatings, and biomedical implants. However, there is limited information on their nanotribological behavior and small-scale mechanical properties. This study characterized the chemical, mechanical, and tribological properties of as-deposited and 400 °C annealed β-Ta thin films using nanoindentation and atomic force microscope (AFM)-based nanoscale friction and wear tests. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results revealed that a thermally grown Ta oxide layer forms on the surface of Ta film after being annealed at 400 °C. The nanoindentation data indicated an increase in both the hardness and elastic modulus in the heat-treated sample compared to the as-deposited Ta film (13.1 ± 1.3 GPa vs. 12.0 ± 1.4 GPa for hardness) and (213.1 ± 12.7 GPa vs. 175.2 ± 12.3 GPa for elastic modulus). Our nanotribological results show that the friction increased and wear resistance decreased on the surface of the annealed sample compared to the as-deposited Ta film. This discrepancy may be caused by the oxidation of Ta on the film surface, which induces residual compressive stresses in the film and degrades its wear resistance. Our results highlight the influence of thermal annealing and oxidation on nanotribological behavior and small-scale mechanical properties of Ta thin films. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small-Scale Mechanical Behaviors in Advanced Engineering Materials)

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16 pages, 1370 KiB

Open AccessReview

Regulation of Yeast Cytokinesis by Calcium

by Qian Chen

J. Fungi 2025, 11(4), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11040278 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

The role of calcium, an essential secondary messenger, in cell division remains an outstanding question in cell biology despite several significant findings over the past few decades. Among them is the landmark discovery of intracellular calcium waves during cytokinesis, the last stage of [...] Read more.

The role of calcium, an essential secondary messenger, in cell division remains an outstanding question in cell biology despite several significant findings over the past few decades. Among them is the landmark discovery of intracellular calcium waves during cytokinesis, the last stage of cell division, in fish cells. Nevertheless, subsequent studies have been largely unable to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of these cytokinetic transients. At the center of this stalemate stands two challenging questions, how these calcium transients rise and what they do during cytokinesis. Yeast, despite its proven prowess as a model organism to study cell cycle, has not drawn much interest in addressing these questions. However, the recent discovery of cytokinetic calcium spikes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has provided novel insights into how calcium regulates cytokinesis. In this review, I will primarily focus on our current understanding of the molecular mechanism of cytokinetic calcium transients in yeast cells. First, I will briefly recount the discovery of cytokinetic calcium transients in animal cells. This will be followed by an introduction to the intracellular calcium homeostasis. Next, I will discuss yeast cytokinetic calcium spikes, the ion channel Pkd2 that promotes these spikes, and the potential molecular targets of these spikes. I will also compare the calcium regulation of cytokinesis between yeast and animal cells. I will conclude by presenting a few critical questions in our continued quest to understand how calcium regulates cytokinesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Cell Biology, Metabolism and Physiology)

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21 pages, 3799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Could Disengagement Reports Indicate Evolution of Autonomous Vehicles?

by Adam Skokan and Jan Mareček

Vehicles 2025, 7(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles7020032 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

The testing and pilot operations of autonomous vehicles are currently booming in terms of real-world operations. Although the validation and verification methods are not standardized, nor is the legislation, as well as the methodology of data collection on autonomous vehicles’ performance and safety. [...] Read more.

The testing and pilot operations of autonomous vehicles are currently booming in terms of real-world operations. Although the validation and verification methods are not standardized, nor is the legislation, as well as the methodology of data collection on autonomous vehicles’ performance and safety. The safety of autonomous vehicles can be inferred from the collision and disengagement reports provided by manufacturers and operators. This report documents instances when a human driver or operator took control of an autonomous vehicle during testing in detail. Disengagement reports are primarily aimed at safety and performance evaluation of autonomous vehicles, but can they be the basis for determining the readiness of autonomous driving technology and technological progress? This study analyzes disengagement reports to assess their utility in determining autonomous vehicles’ progress and readiness. Our findings indicate a declining trend in reported disengagements, despite increased operational distances, suggesting possible improvements in autonomous vehicle technology. However, disparities in data collection, varying operational design domains, and inconsistent reporting practices among manufacturers limit direct comparability. These factors challenge the reliability of disengagement reports as a definitive measure of technological evolution. The study highlights the need for more standardized and transparent reporting to better assess autonomous vehicle safety and development trends. Full article

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10 pages, 406 KiB

Open AccessReview

The MAPK Response to Virus Infection Is Modified by Probenecid

by Les P. Jones, David E. Martin and Ralph A. Tripp

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(4), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47040246 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) annually cause respiratory illness, which may result in substantial disease and mortality in susceptible individuals. Viruses exploit host cell machinery for replication, which engages the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. The MAPK signaling pathways are [...] Read more.

Respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) annually cause respiratory illness, which may result in substantial disease and mortality in susceptible individuals. Viruses exploit host cell machinery for replication, which engages the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. The MAPK signaling pathways are triggered by pattern recognition receptors that recognize the pathogen, infection, or external stimuli, leading to the induction and regulation of immunity and inflammation. Probenecid, used to improve renal function by inhibiting the tubular reabsorption of uric acid, has been shown to have therapeutic efficacy in reducing inflammation and blocking viral replication by inhibiting components of the MAPK pathway that preclude virus replication. This review summarizes key molecular cascades in the host response to virus recognition, infection, and replication and how this can be altered by probenecid treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology of Viral Replication and Associated Disease Outcomes)

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29 pages, 7747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empowering Retail in the Metaverse by Leveraging Consumer Behavior Analysis for Personalized Shopping: A Pilot Study in the Saudi Market

by Monerah Alawadh and Ahmed Barnawi

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20020063 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

The integration of advanced technologies, such as the Metaverse, has the potential to revolutionize the retail industry and enhance the shopping experience. Understanding consumer behavior and leveraging machine learning predictions based on analysis can significantly enhance user experiences, enabling personalized interactions and fostering [...] Read more.

The integration of advanced technologies, such as the Metaverse, has the potential to revolutionize the retail industry and enhance the shopping experience. Understanding consumer behavior and leveraging machine learning predictions based on analysis can significantly enhance user experiences, enabling personalized interactions and fostering overall engagement within the virtual environment. In our ongoing research effort, we have developed a consumer behavior framework to predict interesting buying patterns based on analyzing sales transaction records using association rule learning techniques aiming at improving sales parameters for retailers. In this paper, we introduce a validation analysis of our predictive framework that can improve the personalization of the shopping experience in virtual reality shopping environments, which provides powerful marketing facilities, unlike real-time shopping. The findings of this work provide a promising outcome in terms of achieving satisfactory prediction accuracy in a focused pilot study conducted in association with a prominent retailer in Saudi Arabia. Such results can be employed to empower the personalization of the shopping experience, especially on virtual platforms such as the Metaverse, which is expected to play a revolutionary role in future businesses and other life activities. Shopping in the Metaverse offers a unique blend of immersive experiences and endless possibilities, enabling consumers to interact with products and brands in a virtual environment like never before. This integration of cutting-edge technology not only transforms the retail landscape but also paves the way for a new era of personalized and engaging shopping experiences. Lastly, this empowerment offers new opportunities for retailers and streamlines the process of engaging with customers in innovative ways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Digital Technologies and Consumer Behavior)

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22 pages, 4237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Monoclonal Antibody Aggregates on Effector Function Characterization

by Wendy J. Walton, Shousong Jason Zhang, Joseph J. Wilson, Briana N. Harvey, Matthew Clemens and Yingmei Gu

Antibodies 2025, 14(2), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/antib14020031 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Monoclonal antibodies have successfully been used for a variety of indications. Many therapeutic antibodies are IgG1 and elicit effector functions as part of their mechanism of action. It is well known that aggregate levels should be controlled for therapeutic antibodies. Although there [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Monoclonal antibodies have successfully been used for a variety of indications. Many therapeutic antibodies are IgG1 and elicit effector functions as part of their mechanism of action. It is well known that aggregate levels should be controlled for therapeutic antibodies. Although there are several reports describing the impact of antibody aggregates on FcγR binding, most of these have been performed with surface plasmon resonance in an avidity-based format. What is less well known is which Fcγ receptor is most impacted by antibody aggregation and how antibody aggregates impact binding to Fcγ receptors in solution-based formats and in cell-based assays. Methods: An effector-competent IgG1 (mAb1) was forcibly degraded and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography to enrich for aggregates. The fractions were examined for FcγR binding by SPR with different formats and in solution. The fractions were also analyzed with cell-based FcγR reporter assays. Results: All Fcγ receptors displayed increased binding to enriched mAb1 aggregates in the avidity-based SPR methods and in solution, with FcγRIIa impacted the most. When examined with an antibody-down SPR format that is not usually susceptible to avidity, FcγRIIa did not show increased binding with mAb1 aggregation. Although activity for mAb1 aggregates increased slightly in an FcγRIIa cell-based reporter assay, it decreased in the FcγRIIIa reporter assay (most likely due to differences in fucosylation from the reference standard). Conclusions: Monoclonal antibody aggregation can impact FcγR binding for avidity-based binding formats. Even at low levels of antibody aggregation, FcγRII binding increases substantially. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Antibody-Based Therapeutics)

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41 pages, 10319 KiB

Open AccessReview

BODIPY Dyes: A New Frontier in Cellular Imaging and Theragnostic Applications

by Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar, Shivanjali Saxena and Rakesh Joshi

Colorants 2025, 4(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/colorants4020013 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

BODIPY (Boron-Dipyrromethene) dyes have emerged as versatile fluorescent probes in cellular imaging and therapeutic applications owing to their unique chemical properties, including high fluorescence quantum yield, strong extinction coefficients, and remarkable photostability. This review synthesizes the recent advancements in BODIPY dyes, focusing on [...] Read more.

BODIPY (Boron-Dipyrromethene) dyes have emerged as versatile fluorescent probes in cellular imaging and therapeutic applications owing to their unique chemical properties, including high fluorescence quantum yield, strong extinction coefficients, and remarkable photostability. This review synthesizes the recent advancements in BODIPY dyes, focusing on their deployment in biological imaging and therapy. The exceptional ability of BODIPY dyes to selectively stain cellular structures enables precise visualization of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids within live and tumor cells, thereby facilitating enhanced understanding of biochemical processes. Moreover, BODIPY derivatives are increasingly utilized in Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and Photothermal therapies (PTT) for targeting cancer cells, where their capability to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species upon light activation offers a promising approach to tumor treatment. Recently, BODIPY derivatives have been used for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for various tumors, and it is a growing research field. Advancements in nanotechnology have allowed the fabrication of BODIPY dye-based nanomedicines, either alone or with the use of metallic nanoparticles as a matrix offering the development of a new class of bioimaging and theragnostic agents. This review also discusses innovative BODIPY-based formulations and strategies that amplify therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects, underscoring the potential of these dyes as integral components in next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. By summarizing current research and future perspectives, this review highlights the critical importance of BODIPY dyes in advancing the fields of cellular imaging and treatment methodologies. Full article

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11 pages, 183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges of Key Performance Indicators and Metrics for Measuring Medical Science Liaison Performance: Insights from a Global Survey

by Samuel Dyer, Cherie Hyder and Jeff Kraemer

Pharmacy 2025, 13(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy13020051 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Background: Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) serve a vital role in facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge between pharmaceutical companies and health care professionals (HCPs), including pharmacists, ensuring the dissemination of accurate, evidence-based information to support clinical decision-making. Evaluating MSL performance is critical for [...] Read more.

Background: Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) serve a vital role in facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge between pharmaceutical companies and health care professionals (HCPs), including pharmacists, ensuring the dissemination of accurate, evidence-based information to support clinical decision-making. Evaluating MSL performance is critical for demonstrating their value, yet defining appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) remains challenging due to the combination of scientific engagement, relationship-building, and other activities that are difficult to measure. Objective: This study examines the current and perceived ideal use of quantitative and qualitative metrics for MSL performance evaluation, the difficulties in measuring MSL impact, and the perceived effectiveness of existing KPIs. Methods: A global survey of 1023 medical affairs professionals across 63 countries was conducted, gathering data on which KPIs are currently used versus which should be used, the preferred weighting of qualitative vs. quantitative metrics, and opinions on measurement difficulty and KPI effectiveness. Results: The results reveal a strong preference for qualitative metrics (52%) over quantitative metrics (7%), though most organizations primarily use activity-based metrics such as the number of key opinion leader (KOL) engagements (92%). Despite these practices, many respondents believe that MSL KPIs should focus more on impact-based qualitative metrics, such as the quality of KOL/HCP relationships and/or engagements (70%) and the quality of actionable insights gathered (67%). Furthermore, 67% of participants reported it is “difficult” or “very difficult” to measure MSL performance accurately, and only 3% revealed current KPIs and metrics used to measure MSL performance are “very effective”. These findings highlight a disconnect between the way MSLs are evaluated and the value they provide. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the need for a balanced KPI framework that integrates both qualitative and quantitative measures. A more refined performance evaluation system (incorporating stakeholder feedback, insight quality, and strategic impact) can ensure fair assessments and drive MSL effectiveness. Full article

12 pages, 1296 KiB

Open AccessProject Report

Immune Clustering Reveals Molecularly Distinct Subtypes of Lung Adenocarcinoma

by Yan Lender, Ofer Givton, Ruth Bornshten, Meitar Azar, Roy Moscona, Yosef Yarden and Eitan Rubin

Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040849 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Background/objectives: Lung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent type of non-small cell lung cancer, consists of two driver mutations in KRAS or EGFR. These mutations are generally mutually exclusive and biologically and clinically different. In this study, we aimed to test if lung adenocarcinoma tumors [...] Read more.

Background/objectives: Lung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent type of non-small cell lung cancer, consists of two driver mutations in KRAS or EGFR. These mutations are generally mutually exclusive and biologically and clinically different. In this study, we aimed to test if lung adenocarcinoma tumors could be separated by their immune profiles using an unsupervised machine learning method. The underlying assumption was that differences in the immune response to tumors are characteristic of tumor subtypes. Methods: RNA-seq data were projected into inferred immune profiles. Unsupervised learning was used to divide the lung adenocarcinoma population based on their projected immune profiles. Results: The patient population was divided into three subgroups, one of which appeared to contain mostly EGFR patients. The tumors in the different clusters significantly differed in their expression of some of their known immune checkpoints (TIGIT, PD-1/PD-L1, and CTLA4). Discussion: We argue that EGFR mutations in each subgroup are immunologically different, which implies a distinct tumor microenvironment and might relate to the relatively high resistance of EGFR-positive tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, we cannot make the same claim about KRAS mutations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Lung Cancer Precision Oncology Research and Treatments)

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13 pages, 3465 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of the Support Nature of Copper Catalysts on Catalytic Properties in the Hydrogenation of Fatty Acid Esters

by Anastasiya Shesterkina, Anna Strekalova, Mikhail Mashkin, Igor Mishin, Kseniia Vikanova, Obid Tursunov, Sergey Dunaev and Alexander Kustov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3289; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073289 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Copper-containing catalysts supported on different commercial oxide supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and mixed oxide supports) were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and investigated for the selective hydrogenation of methyl esters (methyl butyrate, methyl hexanoate, methyl stearate) [...] Read more.

Copper-containing catalysts supported on different commercial oxide supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and mixed oxide supports) were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method and investigated for the selective hydrogenation of methyl esters (methyl butyrate, methyl hexanoate, methyl stearate) to fatty alcohols. Characterization techniques, including transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, and the temperature-programmed hydrogen reduction (H₂-TPR) method, were utilized and revealed the relationship between catalyst properties and its structure. The best results of catalytic activity were obtained in the presence of the Cu catalyst supported on SiO₂ with co-precipitated Al₂O₃, where the conversion of esters was above 50% with a selectivity for the corresponding alcohols of 40–70%. This efficient and inexpensive Cu-based catalyst can be widely used in industrial production, which is conducive to promoting the development of non-precious metal catalysts in the biomass industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Nanomaterials and Technologies for Sustainable Development)

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27 pages, 5049 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advances in Microfluidic Single-Cell RNA Sequencing and Spatial Transcriptomics

by Yueqiu Sun, Nianzuo Yu, Junhu Zhang and Bai Yang

Micromachines 2025, 16(4), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16040426 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

The development of micro- and nano-fabrication technologies has greatly advanced single-cell and spatial omics technologies. With the advantages of integration and compartmentalization, microfluidic chips are capable of generating high-throughput parallel reaction systems for single-cell screening and analysis. As omics technologies improve, microfluidic chips [...] Read more.

The development of micro- and nano-fabrication technologies has greatly advanced single-cell and spatial omics technologies. With the advantages of integration and compartmentalization, microfluidic chips are capable of generating high-throughput parallel reaction systems for single-cell screening and analysis. As omics technologies improve, microfluidic chips can now integrate promising transcriptomics technologies, providing new insights from molecular characterization for tissue gene expression profiles and further revealing the static and even dynamic processes of tissues in homeostasis and disease. Here, we survey the current landscape of microfluidic methods in the field of single-cell and spatial multi-omics, as well as assessing their relative advantages and limitations. We highlight how microfluidics has been adapted and improved to provide new insights into multi-omics over the past decade. Last, we emphasize the contributions of microfluidic-based omics methods in development, neuroscience, and disease mechanisms, as well as further revealing some perspectives for technological advances in translational and clinical medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Microfluidic Technology in Bioengineering)

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12 pages, 234 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ultrafast Breast MRI: A Narrative Review

by Ottavia Battaglia, Filippo Pesapane, Silvia Penco, Giulia Signorelli, Valeria Dominelli, Luca Nicosia, Anna Carla Bozzini, Anna Rotili and Enrico Cassano

J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(4), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15040142 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the most effective method for detecting breast cancer due to its high sensitivity. Yet multiple factors limit its widespread use, including high direct and indirect costs, a prolonged acquisition time with consequent patient discomfort, and a [...] Read more.

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the most effective method for detecting breast cancer due to its high sensitivity. Yet multiple factors limit its widespread use, including high direct and indirect costs, a prolonged acquisition time with consequent patient discomfort, and a lack of trained radiologists. During the last decade, new strategies have been followed to increase the availability of breast MRI, including the omission of non-essential sequences to generate abbreviated MRI protocols (AB-MRIs) aimed at reducing the acquisition time with the potential of improving the patient’s experience and accommodating a higher number of MRI examinations per day. An alternative method is ultrafast MRI (UF-MRI), a novel technique that gathers kinetic data within the first minute after contrast injection, offering high temporal resolution. This enables the analysis of early contrast wash-in curves, showing promising outcomes. In this study, we reviewed the role of UF-MRI in breast imaging and detailed how the integration of this new approach with radiomics and mathematical models might further improve diagnostic accuracy and even have a prognostic role, a fundamental characteristic in the modern scenarios of personalized medicine. In addition, possible clinical applications and advantages of UF-MRI will be discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Statistical and Mathematical Techniques in Personalized Medicine and Healthcare)

13 pages, 424 KiB

Open AccessStudy Protocol

Effects of a Novel Psychosocial Climate Resilience Course on Climate Distress, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Health in Young Adults

by Elissa Epel, Jyoti Mishra, Eve Ekman, Coryna Ogunseitan, Elena Fromer, Lucy Kho, Jillian Grialou and Philippe Goldin

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073139 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Background: The sustainability of ecosystems and human flourishing depends on the well-being of younger generations who are most at risk. Increasing youth climate distress is an important public and mental health issue. Training in resilience skills and climate advocacy may reduce climate distress [...] Read more.

Background: The sustainability of ecosystems and human flourishing depends on the well-being of younger generations who are most at risk. Increasing youth climate distress is an important public and mental health issue. Training in resilience skills and climate advocacy may reduce climate distress and may be accomplished in educational settings, and we aimed to test the efficacy of such training in a university setting. Methods: We developed and implemented a 10-week climate resilience (CR) course for students on eight university campuses that included lectures by experts on varying aspects of the climate crisis, discussion, guided resilience practices, and group climate projects. We administered surveys at baseline, immediately and 4 months post course completion to assess primary outcomes (mental health symptoms, climate distress, and climate self-efficacy). Results from qualitative interviews with a subsample of participants are provided to compliment the quantitative results. Results: From baseline to immediately post course completion in 150 of 190 (79%) assessment responders, students showed significantly reduced climate distress, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, and enhanced climate self-efficacy. Course-related reductions in climate distress were associated with (a) lower depressive symptoms and (b) greater coping with climate emotions. Secondary outcomes showed increases in actions taken to combat climate change, community belonging, altruism for climate causes, and decreases in climate-related loneliness. At 5 months post course, improvements were sustained for primary outcomes (climate distress, depression, anxiety, stress, and three of four facets of climate self-efficacy). Conclusions: Our CR course yielded improvements in mental health and confidence to collectively contribute to climate change solutions with evidence of longer-term maintenance. The next challenge is to replicate the findings and disseminate the CR course effectively across educational settings. This will help to promote the engagement of the youth in climate solutions and help to promote the sustainability of ecosystems, importantly, while nurturing personal resilience. Full article

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14 pages, 4828 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Damping Applications of Coconut Oil–Silica Gels and Their Rheological Properties

by Jesús Javier Jiménez-Galea and Ana Isabel Gómez-Merino

Gels 2025, 11(4), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11040261 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) have the advantage of using the latent thermal heat as energy storage. Coconut oil (CO) has attracted much attention as PCM due to its high stability against oxidation. Although the viscosity of CO-based dispersions has extensively been studied, little [...] Read more.

Phase change materials (PCMs) have the advantage of using the latent thermal heat as energy storage. Coconut oil (CO) has attracted much attention as PCM due to its high stability against oxidation. Although the viscosity of CO-based dispersions has extensively been studied, little research has been performed on time-dependent flow behaviors. In this work, the rheological properties of fumed silica dispersed in CO at fractions of 1, 2, 3, and 4 vol.% were investigated. All suspensions showed shear-thinning behavior, which became more Newtonian at temperatures above the phase change. The 3 and 4 vol.% suspensions showed gel-like microstructures. The thixotropic properties of the 3 vol.% suspension at 30 °C and 35 °C were mainly studied through stepwise changes in the shear rate. The results were consistent with thixotropic behavior, with a complete recovery of the microstructure. The sweep frequency of this sample demonstrated the dominance of the elastic modulus at both temperatures. Therefore, a thixoelastic nature of this gel could be inferred. This gel-like material flowed under high stress, providing superior thermal damping capabilities compared to conventional fluids. A reduction of 8.65 °C was confirmed after 30 min. of the laptop power supply operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thixotropic Gels: Mechanisms, Functions and Applications)

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21 pages, 5645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent Methods of Operational Response to Accidents in Urban Water Supply Systems Based on LSTM Neural Network Models

by Aliaksey A. Kapanski, Nadezeya V. Hruntovich, Roman V. Klyuev, Aleksandr E. Boltrushevich, Svetlana N. Sorokova, Egor A. Efremenkov, Anton Y. Demin and Nikita V. Martyushev

Smart Cities 2025, 8(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8020059 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

This paper investigates the application of recurrent neural networks, specifically Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models, for pressure forecasting in urban water supply systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LSTM models for pressure prediction tasks. To acquire real-time [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the application of recurrent neural networks, specifically Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models, for pressure forecasting in urban water supply systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LSTM models for pressure prediction tasks. To acquire real-time pressure data, an information system based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology using the MQTT protocol was proposed. The paper presents a data pre-processing algorithm for model training, as well as an analysis of the influence of various architectural parameters, such as the number of LSTM layers, the utilization of Dropout layers for regularization, and the number of neurons in Dense (fully connected) layers. The impact of seasonal factors, including month, day of the week, and time of day, on the pressure forecast quality was also investigated. The results obtained demonstrate that the optimal model consists of two LSTM layers, one Dropout layer, and one Dense layer. The incorporation of seasonal parameters improved prediction accuracy. The model training time increased significantly with the number of layers and neurons, but this did not always result in improved forecast accuracy. The results showed that the optimally tuned LSTM model can achieve high accuracy and outperform traditional methods such as the Holt–Winters model. This study confirms the effectiveness of using LSTM for forecasting in the water supply field and highlights the importance of pre-optimizing the model parameters to achieve the best forecasting results. Full article

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44 pages, 549 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

The PACE Trial’s GET Manual for Therapists Exposes the Fixed Incremental Nature of Graded Exercise Therapy for ME/CFS

by Mark Vink and Katarzyna Partyka-Vink

Life 2025, 15(4), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040584 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

The British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its updated guidelines for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in October 2021. NICE concluded, after an extensive review of the literature, that graded exercise therapy (GET) is harmful and should not be [...] Read more.

The British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its updated guidelines for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in October 2021. NICE concluded, after an extensive review of the literature, that graded exercise therapy (GET) is harmful and should not be used, and that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is only an adjunctive and not a curative treatment. An article by White et al., which is written by 51 researchers, claims that there are eight anomalies in the review process and the interpretation of the evidence by NICE. In this article, we reviewed the evidence they used to support their claims. Their three most important claims are that NICE redefined the disease, that CBT and GET are effective, and that fixed incremental increases are not part of GET. However, our analysis shows that the disease was not redefined by NICE. Instead, it was redefined in the 1990s by a group of doctors, including a number of authors of White et al., when they erased the main characteristic of the disease (an abnormally delayed muscle recovery after trivial exertion, which, over the years, has evolved into post-exertional malaise) and replaced it with chronic disabling severe fatigue. Their own studies show that CBT and GET do not lead to a substantial improvement of the quality-of-life scores or a reduction in CFS symptom count, nor do they lead to objective improvement. Also, both treatments have a negative instead of a positive effect on work and disability status. Moreover, a recent systematic review, which included one of the authors of White et al., showed that ME/CFS patients remain severely disabled after treatment with CBT. Our analysis of, for example, the PACE trial’s GET manual for therapists exposes the fixed incremental nature of GET. Why the authors are not aware of that is unclear because eight of them were involved in the PACE trial. Three of them were centre leaders and its principal investigators, four others were also centre leaders, and another one was one of the three independent safety assessors of the trial. Moreover, many of these eight authors wrote, or were involved in writing, this manual. In conclusion, our analysis shows that the arguments that are used to claim that there are eight anomalies in the review process and the interpretation of the evidence by NICE are anomalous and highlight the absence of evidence for the claims that are made. Furthermore, our analysis not only exposes the fixed incremental nature of GET, but also of CBT for ME/CFS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Medical Research)

4 pages, 550 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Advances in Ophthalmic Engineering—Integrating Biomechanics, Tissue Engineering, and Imaging for the Future of Vision Science

by Sanfeng Xin, Zhuxin Xiong and Xiaofei Wang

Bioengineering 2025, 12(4), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12040374 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

Vision is one of the most essential senses, enabling individuals to interpret the world around them [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ophthalmic Engineering)

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14 pages, 641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Enhancing Digital Marketing Resilience During Crises

by Bora Gündüzyeli

Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3134; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073134 (registering DOI) - 2 Apr 2025

Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected world, businesses may face the challenge of managing crises, whether they are economic downturns, natural disasters, or global pandemics. During such times, building strong and sustainable marketing resilience becomes crucial for businesses aiming to survive and thrive. Digital technologies—particularly [...] Read more.

In an increasingly interconnected world, businesses may face the challenge of managing crises, whether they are economic downturns, natural disasters, or global pandemics. During such times, building strong and sustainable marketing resilience becomes crucial for businesses aiming to survive and thrive. Digital technologies—particularly social media platforms and artificial intelligence (AI)—can play a vital role in enhancing marketing resilience. This research seeks to answer the core question: “How can social media and AI technologies help businesses build marketing resilience during crises”? Drawing from a literature review, this study analyzes a wide range of relevant research. The findings indicate that AI and social media together contribute to enhancing marketing resilience during crises by enabling real-time engagement, data-driven decision-making, and personalized communication. However, these technologies also present challenges, such as privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, and potential risks to brand reputation. This research contributes to the field by analyzing how AI and social media technologies enable companies to remain agile, reduce the impact of crises, and maintain sustainability objectives in their marketing practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Resilience and Sustainable Societies: The Intersection of Digital Technologies, Cyber Resilience, and Sustainable Development)

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