
Insights from MDPI Top Picks: November 2024
In the last Top Picks roundup of 2024, we take a look at a selection of articles published in a variety of journals on behalf of prominent societies, associations or faculties. We explore research on consumer spending habits, and learn about the effect that burn injuries may have on the balance of individuals. We also look at the current perception of using Next-Generation Sequencing for the screening of cystic fibrosis – a type of deleterious hereditary disease effecting the respiratory and digestive system. Finally, we learn about the potential of digital twin technology in preserving historical plan-relief maps and point to research dedicated to analysing the intricate function of the Tesla powertrain.
Researchers demonstrate how weather affects our spending habits.
Original Article: Does the Weather Still Affect Me When I shop at Home? The Impact of Weather on Online Shopping Behavior | Published in the Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research on behalf of the University of Talca
Does the weather impact our spending habits? Researchers designed a study to see if there was a relationship between weather and consumers’ online shopping behaviour, where 261 consumers filled out a questionnaire with specific questions about feelings towards the weather, their spending habits and their overall mood.
The researchers found several interesting results. Unsurprisingly, they confirmed that an attitude towards favourable weather presented a significantly positive effect on consumers’ moods, which in turn affected different consumer behaviour across different consumer types. Through the questionnaire, they found that consumer behaviour was mediated through risk aversion and consumer moods. This study provides a framework for future research to analyse how weather type, air quality and temperature affect consumer’s spending habits.
Burn victims suffer from long-term impairments – including balance issues.
Original Article: Balance Impairment in the Burn Population: A Burn Model System National Database | Published in: The on behalf of the European Burns Association
According to the World Health Organization, people who have suffered from burns are ‘among the leading cause of morbidity, including prolonged hospitalisation, disfigurement and disability, often with resulting stigma and rejection.’
A study published in the European Burn Journal demonstrates how common long-term balance is affected in people who have suffered from burn injuries. Edward Santos, first author of the study, discusses what they found and highlights the importance of the study:
Balance is an essential functional part of people’s daily lives but is understudied in the burn survivor population. This manuscript highlights that 40% of burn survivors reported balance impairment at discharge, with 36% still reporting symptoms up to 5 years after injury. Trouble with balance at 12 months is more likely to be reported by individuals who are older, unemployed at the time of injury, and received outpatient therapy services.
Balance assessments and fall prevention efforts during inpatient and follow-up care will help identify persons living with burn injuries who could benefit from targeted balance interventions.
Next-Generation Sequencing could be used to screen for cystic fibrosis
Original Article: Stakeholder Views of the Proposed Introduction of Next-Generation Sequencing in the Cystic Fibrosis Screening Protocol in England | Published in the on behalf of the International Society for Neonatal Screening
Next-generation sequencing, a rapid method of analysing DNA or RNA, is a proposed method that could be used to screen for cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetically inherited disease effecting the lungs and digestive system. The disease can be detected in those who have a mutated CFTR gene, causing the CFTR protein to malfunction. The disease is characterised by the body’s inability to sufficiently clear mucus, creating its build-up in the lungs and digestive tract.
The article published in IJNS looks at stakeholders views on the use of this technology in CF screening.
Stakeholders highlighted the importance of not missing any children with CF via screening and the balance of harm between missing a case of CF compared to picking up more children with an uncertain outcome (CRMS/CFSPID).
The need for adequate explanations about potential outcomes including uncertainty at the time of screening was emphasized. This is relevant and timely given the recent interest and work being undertaken in relation to genomic screening and the impact this will have on policy decisions around newborn screening. – Pru Holder, first author of the study.
This study highlights key developments and contributes to implementing more efficient screening for CF.
Analysis of the Tesla Model 3’s Powertrain
Editor’s Choice Article: Quantifying the State of the Art of Electric Powertrains in Battery Electric Vehicles: Comprehensive Analysis of the Tesla Model 3 on the Vehicle Level | Published in World Electric Vehicle Journal on behalf of the World Electric Vehicle Association
Electric cars, such as the Tesla, consist of state-of-the-art battery power sources. Information on this technology is integral to the future innovation and progression of efficient energy solutions. However, due to the privacy policies of companies, the data on this type of technology is restricted.
Therefore, an article published in the Open Access World Electric Vehicle Journal publishes a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the electric powertrain of the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus from 2020 with lithium iron phosphate cells. Here, the authors provide over 1GB of data which include details on the power unit efficiency, thermal management of the battery pack, energy density, etc.
Nico Rosenberger, first author of the study, provides a summary of their research, highlighting the importance of Open Access research and data accessibility:
As a research institute focusing on vehicles and vehicle data, we often faced the problem of missing data and available vehicle parameters for our simulation models and analyses. Of course, our main target was to find these parameters and information for analyses, but since we live an open-source philosophy at the Institute of Automotive Technology at the Technical University of Munich, we wanted to provide fellow researchers with the information and data we gathered during our test series.
In addition to our publication, we also provide the raw data of our findings so that researchers can directly access them and may find further information in them or more suitable parameters from the provided vehicle signals. This data are linked within the publication.
Finally, this publication is part of a trilogy, where it is the second publication after the study of the Volkswagen ID.3. We are currently working on the final study, which will be about the Porsche Taycan, to provide researchers with parameters and information about a sports car with unique technology (e.g., two-speed gearbox and 800V architecture).
Could digital twin technology be used to preserve historical plan-reliefs?
Original Article: Accuracy Evaluation for Plan-Reliefs and Historical Maps Created During WWI in Northern Italy | Published in International Journal of Geo-Information on behalf of ISPRS
Plan reliefs are scale models of buildings and historical territories which are highly preserved by museums across the world, particularly from the time of World War I. Depicting these models in a digital format is highly useful and is a type of . This type of high-level tech would reflect all the details and information of the original physical version of the plan relief, whilst providing an additional layer of security. Paolo Zatelli, one of the authors of the study provides the motivations and aims of the study:
The creation of 3D models has always been a topic of different interests, simply addressed throughout history with different techniques (and) moving from the so-called “scale models” to the current “digital twins”. Starting from physical models of different workmanship, which have been historically created in a military environment, the work addresses the different steps necessary to reach their 3D virtualization, complete with quality control of the entire process.
The resulting digital models are very effective for the promotion of historical artefacts, in particular with the online publication of interactive 3D models which reaches a wide audience. Additionally, researchers can work on the digital models or their 3D prints, without the need to manipulate the original, often fragile artefacts.