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Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024
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Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024

A special issue of Sci (ISSN 2413-4155).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 9225

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Claus Jacob

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
Interests: bioorganic chemistry; catalytic sensor/effector agents; epistemology; intracellular diagnostics; nanotechnology; natural products; reactive sulfur and selenium species; redox regulation via the cellular thiolstat
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ahmad Yaman Abdin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
Interests: pharmacy; bioorganic chemistry; philosophy of science; history of science; science communication; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are once again excited to announce the fourth edition of our annual Feature Papers Collection here in Sci. As we continue to bridge gaps between diverse scientific disciplines, we are particularly delighted to share with you that Sci has recently achieved a CiteScore of 3.1 from SCOPUS. You may have also noticed that we  have updated Sci’s aims and scope (see details) in an effort to acquire a pending Journal Impact Factor. Thank you for your continued support!

For our 2024 Special Issue, we encourage and seek quality contributions from your area of expertise that address potential implications for the environment and society. We invite you as an authority in your field of research to contribute a keynote publication that aims to present scientific interdisciplinary problem-solving. These “Feature Papers” will be collected as part of the annual overview of activities in the areas relevant to Sci and will be published in book format after the Special Issue has been closed.

Contributions will be immediately visible on Preprints, may undergo public peer review, and will be prominently featured on Sci. Following the close of the Special Issue, selected Feature Papers will be published in a dedicated book, offering another avenue for your research to make a lasting impact.

We look forward to receiving your submissions that align with the scope of Sci’s diverse scientific activities.

See previous editions:2020 Edition; 2021 Edition; 2022 Edition; 2023 Edition.

Prof. Dr. Claus Jacob
Dr. Ahmad Yaman Abdin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sci is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • life and physical sciences
  • clinical medicine
  • sports sciences
  • material sciences
  • computer sciences and mathematics
  • environmental and earth sciences
  • engineering

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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21 pages, 3348 KiB  
Article
Implementing Person-Centred Lean Six Sigma to Transform Dermatology Waiting Lists: A Case Study from a Major Teaching Hospital in Dublin, Ireland
by Aileen Igoe, Seán Paul Teeling, Orla McFeely, Michelle McGuirk, Siobhan Manning, Vanessa Kelly, Heather Coetzee, Úna Cunningham, Karen Connolly and Patsy Lenane
Sci 2024, 6(4), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci6040072 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1282
Abstract
The study site, a major teaching hospital in Dublin, Ireland, addressed significant challenges within its dermatology service through a comprehensive improvement initiative using a person-centred Lean Six Sigma methodology. Initially, the hospital’s dermatology department faced excessive outpatient waiting times, with 3736 patients awaiting [...] Read more.
The study site, a major teaching hospital in Dublin, Ireland, addressed significant challenges within its dermatology service through a comprehensive improvement initiative using a person-centred Lean Six Sigma methodology. Initially, the hospital’s dermatology department faced excessive outpatient waiting times, with 3736 patients awaiting appointments, and 1615 waiting over 12 months. The person-centred Lean Six Sigma approach, which combines Lean techniques to reduce non-value add and Six Sigma methods to eliminate variation through a person-centred lens, was applied to overhaul the referral, triage, and scheduling processes. Key interventions included standardising triage categories, centralising the triage process, and redistributing referrals equitably among consultants. A new centralised triage system was established, leading to a more efficient allocation of appointments and better management of urgent cases. Post-implementation data showed a 40% reduction in the overall waiting list and a 60% reduction in the number of patients waiting over 12 months. The initiative significantly decreased the wait times across all urgency categories, with the most notable improvements in soon and urgent referrals. These changes were also the impetus for a follow-up design-led innovation phase, where the team worked with partners across the educational and healthcare system to enable disruptive change. The success of this project provides a scalable model for improvements in similar healthcare settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024)
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14 pages, 5883 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Graphene Oxide and Its PEGylated Derivative Against Staphylococcus aureus
by María F. Gilsanz-Muñoz, Mónica Martínez-Martínez, Javier Pérez-Piñeiro, Miriam Roldán, Mariana P. Arce, Rodrigo Blasco, Laura Rico-San Román, Fernando Esperón-Fajardo, Arisbel Cerpa-Naranjo and Bárbara Martín-Maldonado
Sci 2024, 6(4), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci6040066 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 942
Abstract
The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical health challenge. This, plus the antimicrobial discovery void, had led scientists to search for an effective alternative to antimicrobials. In this context, nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional (2D) carbon molecule [...] Read more.
The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical health challenge. This, plus the antimicrobial discovery void, had led scientists to search for an effective alternative to antimicrobials. In this context, nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional (2D) carbon molecule with oxidized functional groups, have been shown to interact physically and chemically with bacteria. Moreover, the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to its surface enhances GO’s biocompatibility and water solubility, making it a promising candidate for biomedical applications. This study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of GO and its polyethylene glycol-modified form (GO-PEG) against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium responsible for numerous hospital-acquired and multidrug-resistant infections. After their production, both nanomaterials were characterized using various techniques to provide insight into their morphology, stability, and functional group composition. Then, the antimicrobial activity of GO and GO-PEG was assessed using the Müeller–Hinton broth microdilution method, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for S. aureus among ten different concentrations of both nanomaterials (from 0.0625 to 32 mg/mL). The results demonstrate the potential of GO as an effective antimicrobial agent at 16 and 32 mg/mL, offering new strategies in the fight against AMR. Further research could establish its role in future therapeutic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024)
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23 pages, 1040 KiB  
Article
Proteomic Comparison between Periodontal Pocket Tissue and Other Oral Samples in Severe Periodontitis: The Meeting of Prospective Biomarkers
by Elisa Bellei, Emanuela Monari, Carlo Bertoldi and Stefania Bergamini
Sci 2024, 6(4), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci6040057 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 780
Abstract
Periodontitis is characterized by gingival regression, alveolar bone resorption and the development of deep periodontal pockets that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Currently, specific biomarkers are needed for the early, objective diagnosis, monitoring, and management of periodontal patients. In this [...] Read more.
Periodontitis is characterized by gingival regression, alveolar bone resorption and the development of deep periodontal pockets that, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Currently, specific biomarkers are needed for the early, objective diagnosis, monitoring, and management of periodontal patients. In this proteomic study, periodontal pocket tissues from patients with severe periodontitis were analyzed in comparison to periodontally healthy sites with the aim of discovering distinctive protein targets. Gingival tissues were fragmented using a motorized mechanical method and mixture protein was separated via mono-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The examination of protein bands using definite 1D image analysis software allowed for the detection of 22 differentially expressed proteins between pathological and healthy samples that were identified through mass spectrometry. A comparative assessment of these proteins with those previously reported in other studies conducted on periodontal diseases in various types of oral specimens, such as gingival crevicular fluid, dentin, tooth pulp, root canal content, salivary gland secretions, saliva, periodontal ligament cells, and dental stem cells, highlighted a great number of significant common matches. The discovery of a selective cluster of periodontitis-related biomarkers could become particularly important before the clinical manifestation of the disease to promptly stop its progression for a timely preventive diagnosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024)
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23 pages, 13418 KiB  
Article
Application of Coffee Silverskin Cellulose/Polyacrylamide Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Rechargeable Zinc-Ion Batteries
by Vorrada Loryuenyong, Jessada Khamsawat, Panuwit Danwong, Achanai Buasri and Prasit Pattananuwat
Sci 2024, 6(3), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci6030050 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2206
Abstract
Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have grown in popularity due to their low cost and the abundance of resources. However, there has been little research into the development of gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) for high voltage and capacity ZIBs. The use of agricultural waste [...] Read more.
Rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have grown in popularity due to their low cost and the abundance of resources. However, there has been little research into the development of gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) for high voltage and capacity ZIBs. The use of agricultural waste as a polymer electrolyte (PE) is gradually increasing in order to support a circular economy. This study focuses on the utilization of cellulose derived from coffee silverskin (CS); coffee silverskin is a by-product generated during coffee roasting. We employ a reasonable approach to create the coffee silverskin cellulose (CSC)/polyacrylamide (PAM) GPE, with the goal of achieving good properties and improved battery performance. An investigation was conducted to determine the effect of CSC content in GPEs on ZIB characteristics. The cellulose derived from CS had a crystallinity index (CrI) of 64.60%. The optimal amount of cellulose added to the acrylamide monomer (AM) for the GPE of ZIB was found to be 2.5 mg (CSC/AM/salt weight ratio of 0.01/6/23). This amount resulted in the highest electrochemical stability and a cycling time of approximately 226 h. Furthermore, the PAM/Cellulose 2.5-based GPE exhibited increased Young’s modulus and tensile strength compared to the pure PAM. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test revealed a diffusion resistance of 27.47 Ω and an ionic conductivity of 9.10 mS/cm at a temperature of 25 °C. Additionally, the use of cellulose in GPEs does not affect the electrochemical window. When the pure PAM-based GPE was compared to the CSC/PAM-based GPE, the biocomposites demonstrated electrochemical stability for a cycle life of over 200 cycles in the ZIB application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024)
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21 pages, 3103 KiB  
Article
Heavy Metal Concentrations in Wild Mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) during 2001–2023 and Potential Risks for Consumers: A Study on the Romanian Black Sea Coast
by Andra Oros, Elena-Daniela Pantea and Elena Ristea
Sci 2024, 6(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci6030045 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1798
Abstract
This study investigates the potential health risks associated with consuming mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from the Romanian Black Sea coast between 2001 and 2023. The research focuses on heavy metal (copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, and chromium) bioaccumulation in mussels and the [...] Read more.
This study investigates the potential health risks associated with consuming mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from the Romanian Black Sea coast between 2001 and 2023. The research focuses on heavy metal (copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, and chromium) bioaccumulation in mussels and the associated human health hazards. While most metals fell within safe limits, lead and cadmium exceeded the maximum admissible concentrations set by the European Commission in a small percentage of samples (10% for cadmium, 14% for lead). To assess human health risks, we calculated dietary intake estimates and hazard quotients. These calculations suggested that current metal concentrations in the mussels are unlikely to cause adverse health effects at typical consumption levels. Although current metal concentrations seem safe based on estimated intake and hazard quotients, we emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of pollutants in seafood to ensure consumer safety. Future research should consider the cumulative effects of various contaminants and how individual factors like age and health conditions might influence risk. Public health protection requires continuous monitoring, comprehensive risk assessments, and transparent communication between scientists, policymakers, and the public to establish safe consumption guidelines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024)
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9 pages, 776 KiB  
Essay
Pharmasophy: Pharmacy, Society and Philosophy
by Ahmad Yaman Abdin and Claus Jacob
Sci 2024, 6(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci6030055 - 13 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1140
Abstract
Pharmacy is not only a science; it is also a profession, a trade and an art. As such, it frequently encounters society, where it leaves its impact in a way which is probably unique among the natural and life sciences. In turn, individuals [...] Read more.
Pharmacy is not only a science; it is also a profession, a trade and an art. As such, it frequently encounters society, where it leaves its impact in a way which is probably unique among the natural and life sciences. In turn, individuals and society have become increasingly dynamic and also often critical of modern pharmacy and its products. This poses a multitude of intra- and extra-scientific questions which cannot be studied with the traditional tools of pharmacy. Addressing them requires additional expertise from a wide range of disciplines, including social sciences, psychology, ethics and other branches of philosophy. Pharmasophy aims to bring this kind of wisdom to pharmacy by taking a holistic view of pharmacy and pharmaceuticals, from the process of research and development to regulation, distribution, application and compliance. In doing so, it aims to master some of the challenges facing pharmacy in the 21st century Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers—Multidisciplinary Sciences 2024)
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