MDPI

The 2022 citation metrics have been released in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR), and we’re pleased to announce the following results for MDPI journals: ✅ 208 MDPI journals earned an Impact Factor ✅ 41 MDPI journals with an Impact Factor above 4.0 ✅ 111 MDPI journals awarded first Impact Factor Thanks to all authors, editors and reviewers for your contribution and continued support. Together we share the latest scientific insights faster and ensure that your work is accessible to all. Learn more: https://fal.cn/3zuUF

We had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Kunyan Zhang, winner of the Sensors MDPI 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award. "It is a great honour for me to receive the Outstanding Reviewer Award. My advice to someone starting their journey as a reviewer is to be fair and supportive in their critique, aiming to help authors improve their work meaningfully." - Dr. Kunyan Zhang See the interview: https://brnw.ch/21wJlb5 #mdpi #openaccess #award #research

This special issue explores the latest advancements in applying machine learning within healthcare, covering areas such as predictive modelling and drug discovery. The special issue focuses on machine learning's potential to transform disease diagnosis, treatment, and personalised medicine, enhancing healthcare outcomes. Guest edited by Dr. Hongqing Yu et al. Download the open access reprint: https://brnw.ch/21wJkwN #mdpi #openaccess #machinelearning #research

Digital twin technology has the potential to revolutionise personalised medicine and improve the efficiency of public health organisations. Here, we explore applications of digital twin technology in healthcare and the resulting ethical concerns and technical challenges. Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21wJjXu

Researchers suggest molecules, vital to the development of life, could have formed from a process known as graphitisation. If verified experimentally, this process will contribute to the understanding of early Earth on its journey towards life. The fundamental building blocks for life lie in proteins, phospholipids and nucleotides. Nitrogen-based molecules such as nitriles and isonitriles hold potential in the synthesis of these essential components. However, until now there has been no known efficient process to produce them all in significant quantities together. In a study, published in the open access journal Life MDPI, researchers from the University of Cambridge made a significant advancement by modelling the process of graphitisation. This process demonstrated theoretical feasibility of synthesising substantial quantities of essential nitrogen-based molecules, crucial for life. The discovery stemmed from computational modelling, which revealed the conditions conducive to such production. The origins of how the conditions for life arose on Earth have long been debated. Previous models faced challenges because they produced a variety of other products along with nitriles, creating a messy system that hinders the formation of life. The researchers explain that since the synthetic chemistry at life's origins involves multiple steps, a prebiotic environment necessitates clean, productive chemistry. As prebiotic chemistry is more likely to be successful when it is clean and productive, this drew the team towards the process of graphitisation. In particular, they were interested in how graphitisation cleans the environment. “At first, we thought this [graphitisation] would spoil everything, but actually, it makes everything so much better. It cleans the chemistry,” explains Rimmer. In the study, the researchers theorise that when a moon-sized object collided with the early Earth about 4.3 billion years ago, its iron reacted with water on Earth, forming a tar-like substance. This tar reacted with magma at high temperatures, producing graphite, a stable form of carbon, and nitrogen-containing compounds. The evidence to support this theory lies in the presence of a volcanic rock, Komatiite, which only form at scorching temperatures, around 1700°C - hot enough to heat the tar and create nitriles. With the link confirmed, the researchers propose that nitrogen-containing compounds could have been formed through this method. The researchers' next step involves replicating these modelled conditions in a laboratory to determine if water breaks down the nitrogen compounds. “Though we don’t know for sure that these molecules started out life on Earth, we do know that life’s building blocks must be made from molecules that survived in water,” adds Rimmer. If you’re interested in learning more about this research, you can access the paper published in Life here: https://brnw.ch/21wJjsO

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Dr. Giulio Cerullo as the new Editor-in-Chief of Applied Sciences MDPI (ISSN: 2076-3417). Prof. Dr. Giulio Cerullo, a professor at Politecnico di Milano, specialises in generating adjustable few-optical-cycle light pulses and applying them to investigate primary photoinduced processes in molecules, nanostructures, and two-dimensional materials. He holds fellowship positions in the Optical Society of America and the European Physical Society, and is a member of the Accademia dei Lincei. See the interview: https://brnw.ch/21wJirB #mdpi #openaccess #editorinchief #research

All articles in Forecasting MDPI (ISSN 2571-9394) Vol 6, Issue 1, are now freely available to access, read and download: https://brnw.ch/21wJhEb COVER STORY: Forecasting is important for decision making. At present, forecast training is mainly provided through online content-based or face-to-face instructor-led courses. As an alternative, intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) can provide one-on-one online computer-based learning support that is adaptable to the knowledge, strengths, and needs of each individual student. In this work, Researchers at the University of Birmingham develop a constraint-based tutor to support learning of classical time series decomposition and name it FITS (forecasting intelligent tutoring system). Through a combination of a literature review, an analysis of think-aloud protocols, and expert opinion, they propose best practice for designing such systems. Results of a small sample pilot study show FITS can be used to improve learning and develop a deeper understanding of knowledge acquisition in forecasting. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wJhEb #mdpi #openaccess #forecasting #curriculum #research

With over 36,000 views, this special issue investigates the latest developments in translational medicine and research on the microbiome, endosymbionts, and inflammatory molecules. It explores diagnostics, treatments, and observations of comorbidities, complications, and their management, which are improving the standard of skin care. Guest edited by Prof. Dr. Alin Laurentiu Tatu of Dunarea de Jos University. Access the free reprint: https://brnw.ch/21wJh8R #mdpi #openaccess #skincare #research

A paper published in the open access journal Energies MDPI investigates the potential of extended reality (XR) technologies and applications in smart building operation and maintenance. The research, mentioned in Forbes, discusses the state-of-the-art XR technologies and their diverse applications in building operation and maintenance, examining both their advantages and drawbacks. Read more about this research: https://brnw.ch/21wJgFA or view the news story: https://brnw.ch/21wJgFz #openaccess #extendedreality #XRtechnology

This special issue explores the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of spinal infections, as well as the continuing improvement and advancements within the field. The special issue addresses key challenges such as optimizing antibiotic therapy, exploring the benefits of spinal instrumentation, and leveraging emerging technologies like minimal invasive surgery and novel implants. Guest edited by Dr. Kalliopi Alpantaki of "Venizeleion” General Hospital of Crete. Read the free reprint: https://brnw.ch/21wJdMG #mdpi #openaccess #spinal #infections #research