Insights from MDPI Top Picks: May 2025
In this month’s edition of Top Pick articles, we explore a wide variety of studies published by researchers from institutions that are part of MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program. We review research that attempts to understand the link between specific diseases and poor outcomes in post-stroke rehabilitation. We also look at innovative new research to develop a more sustainable wood-based alternative to traditional plastic containers, as well as learning more about new ways of monitoring transport infrastructure in a changing climate. Furthermore, we hear from researchers on the importance of understanding key factors affecting well-being.
MDPI and the Institutional Open Access Program
MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) supports institutions and consortia in their Open Access journey, striving to make Open Access publishing as seamless as possible. This includes providing flexible agreements and a range of benefits for researchers and institutions. As of May 2025, the IOAP has 917 participating institutions worldwide, all of which benefit from tailored support and discounted APCs.
If you’re interested in learning more about the program, please see our recent article: MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) explained here.
Or alternatively, if you would like to contact the IOAP team about joining the program, please see here.
Real-Time Detection and Quantification of Rail Surface Cracks Using Surface Acoustic Waves and Piezoelectric Patch Transducers
Published in: Sensors
Graz University of Technology
Rail network infrastructure relies on efficient monitoring systems to ensure that tracks remain well-maintained and safe for travel. In the last decade, climate change has significantly impacted the stability of transportation infrastructure, with extreme weather conditions affecting roads and railway networks. Accurate and efficient methods to detect deficiencies in infrastructure are needed now more than ever.
An Open Access study published in Sensors by researchers from Austria explores a novel type of precise monitoring system to detect rail surface cracks in real-time. It uses sophisticated technology based on surface acoustic waves and piezolectric patch transducers to detect sub-millimetre cracks on railway surfaces. We reached out to an author of the study, Dr. Hans-Peter Ganser, who discusses the research and its importance.
“Typically, inspection of rails for surface cracks is done in regular intervals by track recording vehicles using eddy-current measurements. This approach is costly and shows only limited accuracy for crack depth sizing, especially if the track contains sections with different rail steel grades. In contrast, the present work demonstrates a method for wayside monitoring which offers continuous monitoring of surface cracks with high accuracy and at a very affordable cost.
Given the fact that critical track sections are usually known in advance, they may be equipped with piezoelectric patch transducers to assess their degradation continuously by means of surface acoustic waves. A key feature of the method is the sophisticated signal processing pipeline utilizing the features of different wave types (surface and bulk waves) that are generated at the same time by the patch transducer and exhibit different propagation paths.”
The Impact of Concurrent Chronic Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Dysfunction on Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Outcomes
Published in: Neurology International
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Stroke is now the second leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular disease. Both chronic heart failure and renal dysfunction increase the risk of mortality after a stroke.
An Open Access study published in Neurology International assesses the impact of chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney dysfunction (CKD) on post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes. To do this, they analysed the records of 586 patients who were admitted to a rehabilitation centre post-stroke, until their death or discharge from the centre. They found that unfavourable outcomes were associated with patients having CHF and/or CKD, and having both signficantly increased the risk of adverse outcomes post-stroke.
The research is significant to understand the association between post-stroke adverse outcomes and their influencing factors, helping healthcare providers to diagnose and manage patients with CHD and CKD more effiectively.
Multi-Layer Oil- and Water-Resistant Food Containers Made Using Cellulose Nanofibril-Laminated Wood Veneer
Published in: Polysaccharides.
Oregon State University
Researchers have recently discovered that polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with health risks such as cancer and hormone disruption, causing significant harm to our health. Research to replace current PFAS-based choices is critical to reduce their use and associated health risks. Furthermore, contamination of PFAs in the soil and water can create long-lasting impacts on both the environment, ecosystem and in turn on human livelihoods and health.
A new innovative material using wood veneer laminated with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) has been developed by researchers from the US. The study, published in Polysaccharides, demonstrates how the researchers aimed to replace traditional PFAS-based containers with wood-based containers that were oil and grease-resistant.
The researchers developed the container by laminating CNFs on the sides of yellow birch wood, which improved the strength and barrier properties of the container. They saw that the container demonstrated excellent mechanical strength, flexibility and elasticity. Furthermore, the container was also effective at resisting oil and grease.
The study presents an excellent and innovative alternative to PFAS-based food containers, which are proven to be toxic to health. Furthermore, it provides a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option, potentially reducing environmental waste and contamination.
Multidimensional Analysis of Well-Being Domains in Japan: Fulfillment, Importance, and Contribution to Overall Well-Being
Published in: Urban Sciences
University of Tokyo
What brings humans contentment? This age-old question is explored by researchers from Japan, who wanted to analyse what influenced the overall well-being of 1300 Japanese adults. Dr. Kudo, author of the study, explains how they carried out the experiment, its relevance and importance:
“Our study offers a multidimensional evaluation of well-being (WB) domains in Japan, assessing their fulfilment, perceived importance, and actual contribution to overall WB. Using data from over 1,300 Japanese adults and the Liveable Well-being City (LWC) indicator, we identified inconsistencies between what people value and what contributes to their WB.
For instance, domains related to Life Environment ranked highest in terms of fulfilment. Conversely, domains related to Community Relationships or Living Authentically tended to rank higher in terms of their contribution to overall WB. These findings highlight the risks of relying on a single dimension in policymaking.
A comprehensive approach that includes all three dimensions can better guide resource allocation and policy design. This framework is not only applicable in Japan but also offers broader relevance for improving well-being in other countries.”
