Bücher veröffentlicht von Mdpi AG

This reprint addresses original studies and reviews focused on the current evolution and research novelty in agricultural sustainability.New developments are discussed on issues related with quality of soil, natural fertilizers, or the sustainable use of land and water. Also, crop protection techniques are pivotal for sustainable food production under the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, allied to innovative weed control methodologies, as a way to reduce the utilization of pesticides. The role of precision and smart agriculture is becoming more pertinent as communication technologies improve at a rapid rate. Waste management, reuse of agro-industrial residues, extension of shelf life, and use of new technologies are methods to reduce food waste, all contributing to higher sustainability in food supply chains and leading to more rational use of natural resources. The unquestionable role of bees as pollinators and contributors to biodiversity is adjacent to characterizing beekeeping activities, which in turn contributes, together with the valorization of endemic varieties of plant foods, to the development of local communities. Finally, short circuits and local food markets have a decisive role in the preservation and enhancement of rural economies.

This Special Issue focuses on the comprehensive understanding and novel treatments in the realm of cornea and ocular surface diseases. Ranging from the relatively benign manifestations of keratoconjunctivitis sicca to more critical conditions such as corneal ulcers, ocular surface diseases pose a considerable challenge in clinical ophthalmology. Such conditions can severely compromise the transparency of the cornea, often necessitating interventions such as keratoplasty. A significant emphasis of this edition is on the paramount importance of pre-surgical optimization. A successful keratoplasty is often predicated on the health of the ocular surface. Through a series of insightful articles, the importance of enhancing tear function, rehabilitating the normal lid anatomy, and ensuring a robust limbal stem cell supply is elucidated. Properly addressing these factors has a direct bearing on the success rate of the subsequent surgical intervention. Another highlight of this Special Issue is the presentation of cutting-edge treatments. Researchers from around the globe share their findings, detailing advancements in both surgical and non-surgical treatments. These range from innovative surgical techniques and tools to groundbreaking pharmaceutical agents that hold promise in managing and possibly reversing some of these conditions. In summary, this Special Issue serves as a repository of the latest knowledge in the management of cornea and ocular surface diseases, aimed at both the seasoned ophthalmologist and budding researchers in the field.

The Special Issue "Recycled Materials in Civil Engineering Application" aims to discuss the preparation and characterization of new ecologically friendly materials containing recycled materials or waste that could be used in specific engineering applications. Using waste and materials obtained through recycling is a key part of decreasing current waste. In concrete and other composite materials, recycled materials such as plastics, steel and other metals, ash, glass, ceramics, and industrial wastes see the most use. The application of recycled materials or waste to the production of new materials is consistent with the idea of sustainable construction. Using recycled materials to synthesize composite materials saves the use of natural resources and has a positive influence on environmental protection. Unfortunately, the production of composite materials containing waste, by-products, or recycled materials requires a substantial amount of research, and is a very relevant issue for materials engineers and chemists. For this reason, in this Special Issue we publish the latest research results in the field of the synthesis of composite materials, in particular cement-based composites and their physicochemical and mechanical properties, as well as their impact on the natural environment.

Perception of the environment is an essential skill for robotic applications that interact with their surroundings. The ability to recognize objects, people, or dynamic situations often comes with perception.. This skill is of paramount importance in many use cases, from industrial to social robotics. Robots that can accurately perceive and understand their environment are critical for tasks like manufacturing, delivery, healthcare, and assisting humans in homes or public spaces. Object recognition enables robots to identify items, tools, and obstacles in their vicinity. This allows industrial robots to select the right parts or manipulators, allows logistics robots to handle packages, and allows autonomous vehicles to avoid collisions. Activity recognition allows robots to interpret human motions and behaviors. This facilitates safe and intuitive collaboration in shared workspaces. It also permits service robots to determine user intent and respond appropriately. People recognition provides robots the means to identify individuals. This capability supports applications like personalized assistance, healthcare monitoring, and security surveillance. Altogether, these skills make up the fundamental building blocks for robots to operate adaptively in the real world.

This Special Issue in Cancers is focused on cell therapy, bispecific antibodies, and other immunotherapies against cancer. It includes reports on cell therapies such as CAR-NK cell therapies, and bispecific antibodies against multiple myeloma and B cell lymphoma. Immunotherapies against solid tumors include TGF-beta-PDL-1 fusion protein and EpCAM-CD3 bispecific antibody generated with mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNP) against colorectal tumors. The clinical studies ongoing with bi- and tri-specific T cell engager antibodies against solid tumors and advantages versus cell therapies are discussed. This Special Issue highlights novel approaches to cell therapies, bispecific antibodies, vaccines, and immunotherapies that will be interesting for cancer cell researchers, biologists, and oncologists.

Building decarbonization is now becoming a prerequisite for achieving the Paris Agreement objectives and many UN Sustainable Development Goals. This reprint contains a range of research articles and review articles with a foucs on energy savings, storage, and carbon emission mitigation applications in buildings to address some of the global imperatives and stringent environmental standards related to building energy efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

It was first suggested nearly 50 years ago by Meyer-Rochow in Australia that the use of insects as food and feed sources could ease the problem of global food shortages, and that the WHO and the FAO should support the promotion of insects as a food item, especially in countries with a long tradition of entomophagy. However, food shortages in some parts of the world are only one aspect to consider; overeating and obesity in other parts of the world are another aspect. An increased use of edible insects might well be able to assist in overcoming, at least to some extent, both of these problems. This Special Issue of Foods represents Volume 2 of the topic "Edible Insects as Innovative Foods: Nutritional, Functional and Acceptability Assessments". Some of the 20 contributions by scientists from 13 different countries deal with hitherto unreported food insects, and others explore the effects that a diet containing insects or insect products can have on the gut microbiota of the consumer, whether human or non-human. Food safety questions are not ignored, and questions related to the chemical composition of food insects, their content in terms of nutrients and antinutrients, and their acceptability by consumers are additional topics that the articles in this book explore. Altogether, this reprint provides convincing reasons for the advantages to health and the environment that a greater use of insects as food and feed would present, and ends with the slogans "Forget about the pork and put a cricket on your fork!" and "Mealworms and spaghetti is food that makes you happy!".

Translational research is required to uncover the underlying pathomechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders, search for new biomarkers, and develop novel therapeutics. Complex polygenic, multifactorial, and heterogeneous mechanisms have been elucidated using in vivo and in vitro models. Advanced preclinical models have recently revealed an intriguing interaction between sex/gender and aging in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite these advances, much work remains to be carried out to fully understand the underlying pathology of these conditions and to develop treatments that can significantly improve the lives of those who suffer from them. The current challenge in the field of neurological and psychiatric disorders is the development of disease-modifying, effective treatments for these complex and long-term debilitating conditions with a high malady burden. The first edition of this research topic, entitled 'Emerging Translational Research in Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases: From In Vitro to In Vivo Models,' emphasizes the importance of translational research in bridging the gap between basic research and clinical applications. Furthermore, it provided a venue for researchers to share their findings and progress in translational research in this field.

Although they play a key role in ecosystem functioning and human life, plants are generally overlooked by policymakers and humans in general. In addition, in recent years, we have been witnessing an increase in biologists unable to recognize even common plants, and the number of plant experts (i.e., botanists) able to identify plants is decreasing. In light of these considerations, the Special Issue "Floristic Studies in the Light of Biodiversity Knowledge and Conservation" was launched in the journal Plants, and eight research articles, two reviews, and an editorial were published in it. It has been possible to publish research from different countries, underlining that the knowledge of the flora of a territory is essential to slow down the effects of anthropic pressure on biodiversity and likewise essential for most of the research activities of modern botany.

Bee products, such as honey, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, and bee-related insect foods, are widely consumed as natural/functional foods or supplements, owing to their nutritional/bioactive characteristics, which are beneficial to human health. However, the bee products currently on the market vary in quality, leading to serious concerns among consumers. Various factors influence the quality of bee products, such as the standardization of bee breeding and product production, environmental and climatic conditions, artificial blending, and the residues of hazardous substances. In order to improve the quality of bee products and promote the healthy development of the bee product industry, it is vital to strengthen the quality evaluation system of bee products based on their physicochemical and biological characteristics, such as the distribution of different nutrients, the residue detection of hazardous substances, the characterization of botanical or geographical markers, the identification of genomic characteristics, and the determination of biological/functional activities. We invited submissions to this topic on the "Quality Evaluation of Bee Products".

Cancer treatment has unimaginably evolved in recent years, giving our patients an increased rate of progression-free survival and/or overall survival. However, most importantly, these new drugs or new drug combinations are more patient-friendly, increasing their quality of life. Nevertheless, we still have to learn how to control the adverse events involved in target therapy, immunotherapy, and the new drugs of hormonotherapy. At present, we still struggle with these adverse events when combining different drugs for immunotherapy, immunotherapy with chemotherapy, or immunotherapy with target agents. The nausea and emesis induced by chemotherapy are still stressful events that we continually try to control better; the immune-mediated toxicity, the rashes and diarrhea induced by target therapy, and the numerous forms of pain that affect most of our cancer patients are all still of significant concern and are the object of investigation. We need also to evaluate the long-term impact of these treatments on the quality of life of cancer patients. Therefore, this Special Issue focuses on the current state-of-the-art control of cancer treatments' adverse events and improving the quality of care for cancer patients, as well as prospects for improving therapies.

Remote sensing is a powerful technique for characterizing and monitoring crop or vegetation properties at reasonable temporal and spatial resolutions. Remote sensing uses airborne and spaceborne platforms to collect various imageries and is widely applied for the vegetation monitoring of local- or large-scale interest concerning the effect of geophysical and climate parameters.The Special Issue highlights vegetation monitoring using remote sensing data acquired from satellite or unmanned aerial vehicle platforms. In addition to the optical data, thermal data is utilized to estimate crop yield or production, orchard water status, chlorophyll content, forest diversity mapping, or vegetation phenology.

Recently, the construction industry has shown great interest in the use of a variety of industrial by-products and waste, as well as used consumer products. The Special Issue "Recycled Materials for Concrete and Other Composites" presents the results of the latest research on the synthesis of composite materials produced using various types of waste materials, in particular, mortars and concretes, and their physicochemical and mechanical properties. The topics of the published articles also cover a number of other aspects, including the efficiency of the production of composite materials containing waste materials, their resistance to corrosion, the interactions of wastes and plasticizers, and the leaching of metal ions from the produced composites. Both interesting and practical solutions and the results of laboratory tests are presented. The published research clearly shows that the use of waste and recycled materials for the production of composite materials is a key element in reducing the consumption of natural resources and the amount of waste generated, which has a positive impact on environmental protection. The topics of published scientific works are relevant for both scientists and engineers from the construction industry.

In this reprint, we report on different applications of peptide science at the border between different scientific areas, including biology, material science, medicine, chemistry, and cosmetic science. From the conclusions of the experimental investigations as well as the literature reviews herein reported, we envisage that peptide chemistry can open new avenues for drug discovery and nanotechnology.

The health and behavior of females during the birthing process in both altricial and precocial species, along with the survival of newborns in domestic animals, are important topics addressed in this Special Issue titled "Animal Perinatology: Behavior and Health of the Dam and Her Offspring." Animal perinatology is increasingly studied and encompasses the final phase of gestation, parturition, and the lactation period. In this Special Issue, some of the topics analyzed in mothers include obstetric processes, premature births, gynecologic and obstetric pathology, fetal and uterine electronic monitoring, parturition in domestic animals, pain management during labor, the use of labor stimulators, mother-young bonding, the neurophysiological mechanisms of attachment, maternal care strategies (cross-suckling and communal rearing), and the adverse effects of dystocia on the health of the mother and milk production. For neonates, this Special Issue focuses on factors predisposing stillbirths, the causes of perinatal death, suckling motivation, and abnormal or redirected behaviors, all of which are of great importance in today's scientific community. Notable topics include the physiopathology of intrauterine asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), low birth weight, hypothermia, neonatal thermoregulation mechanisms, natural sucking behavior of the offspring; as well as behavioral problems associated with the peripartum period and studies on animal welfare in both mothers and offspring during this period.

This Special Issue is a continuation of our previous Special Issue "Molecular Mechanisms of Synaptic Plasticity: Dynamic Changes in Neurons Functions". With the aim to present good research papers provided by specialists, this Special Issue published basic research and pre-clinical research articles, case reports, case series or clinical image articles, short communications, and review articles.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a change in the pattern of various infectious diseases. Evidence suggests that the same nonpharmaceutical interventions employed to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 likely led to the reduced incidence of influenza in various regions across the globe. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in the reporting of other infectious diseases such as sexually transmitted diseases and other coronavirus infections. Decreased reporting of notifiable infectious diseases and conditions during the pandemic remained a major concern for health authorities. Ascertaining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the transmission patterns of other infectious diseases holds significant implications for public health, but this topic has not yet been studied to a greater extent. On the other hand, the scope and relevance of clinical microbiology are appreciated more than ever. Viral structure, transmission, diagnosis, and optimal sterilization and disinfection process were the key elements that clinical microbiologists shared for the betterment of the community throughout the pandemic. This issue underscores various aspects of the advancements in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This Special Issue highlights the need for integrated efforts to control any future outbreak along with parallel management of other infectious diseases.

This reprint is a compilation of cutting-edge knowledge in the field of bariatric surgery. It addresses the growing obesity epidemic and provides in-depth insights into the latest innovations in bariatric surgery and its future prospects. The content of the work includes a comprehensive review of modern surgical techniques. Additionally, it explores key aspects of preoperative assessment, postoperative follow-up, and the management of potential complications. The reprint highlights the benefits of bariatric surgery in improving the health and quality of life of morbidly obese patients. The reprint also addresses emerging trends in research and technology, such as robotic surgery and gene therapy, which hold the promise of further revolutionizing the field.

In order to solve richer and more diverse problems in environmental and Earth sciences and other fields that have a direct impact on human society and human life, it has become a global trend to synergistically utilize methodological innovations in all relevant fields, including statistical science, systems science, complexity science, and artificial intelligence, to tackle the problems. This Reprint, a collection of papers published in a Special Issue of Applied Sciences, demonstrates the feasibility of such a rationale. This Special Issue is hoped to instigate further activities along this line.

The huge prevalence of type 2 diabetes is a leading human and economic concern worldwide. The diagnosis code of type 2 diabetes includes multiple clinical phenotypes showing different degrees of obesity, fat distribution patterns, types of dyslipidemia, and characteristics of insulin resistance syndrome. In addition, subjects with type 2 diabetes could develop different clinical trajectories, with age being a critical factor in progression. The chronic complications of type 2 diabetes are a major cause of mortality and disability, and are ranked in the top places in western countries' scores. The pathophysiological heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes is not captured by the current classifications and guidelines. The potential for diabetes progression and complications developing is different depending on the type 2 diabetes cluster, which is mostly regardless of the degree of glycemic control. However, the impact on quality and life expectancy with the current therapeutic approach is not always the same for every individual. Clinical research is the key to reducing the burden of diabetes. New basic, digital, and clinical approaches are obtaining useful knowledge and designing more individualized interventions to prevent, track, and treat diabetic complications. This Special Issue is a clear reflection of this methodological evolution.

Restoring the hearing and enabling the integration of individuals with severe to profound deafness into mainstream society are remarkable achievements, and this Special Issue contributes to the discussion on the latest challenges and advancements in cochlear implantation. This reprint celebrates the remarkable progress in the field as it is dedicated to showcasing a collection of articles that capture the essence of these developments. These articles collectively provide an insightful overview of the advancements in the field of cochlear implants and cover a wide range of topics, from surgical techniques and electrophysiology to auditory rehabilitation and prognosis factors. Readers and researchers can explore these publications to gain a deeper understanding of the latest developments in this transformative technology with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of cochlear implant recipients.

This essential collection, edited by Dr. Zeheng Wang and Dr. Jing-Kai Huang, unveils the latest advancements in semiconductor technology that are considered to be the cornerstone of the modern digital era. Spanning cutting-edge research in semiconductor materials, devices, and systems, this reprint is an indispensable guide through the innovative realms of microelectronics and nanotechnology.Dive into expert discussions on device architectures, from high-electron-mobility transistors to innovative designs resistant to extreme conditions. Explore the frontiers of material science and fabrication techniques, witnessing groundbreaking methods that enhance device performance and reliability. Uncover the evolving landscape of energy efficiency and power management, crucial for next-generation telecommunications and electric vehicles. Lastly, immerse yourself in the dynamic world of optoelectronics, where advancements in light-based technologies are redefining possibilities.Bringing together pioneering research papers, this volume is not just an academic resource but a beacon for industry professionals and scholars alike, pointing the way to the future of semiconductor technology.

This Special Issue is a thematic collection works examining nanomaterials that display functionalities in optoelectronics, photocatalysis and photovoltaics. It includes research works on oxide, metallic and hybrid nanomaterials. Herein, topics range from light-emitting diodes, new materials and photocatalysis for dye degradation and energy production.

This Proceedings reprint brings together a collection of selected papers presented at the sixth Congress of the Egas Moniz Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, held in Caparica from the 5th to the 7th of July, under the theme "Immediate and future challenges to foster One Health". Researchers and health professionals participated in presentations and discussions on the innovation, sustainability and quality of health systems, digital solutions for a healthy society, the promotion of sustainable and circular management of natural resources, and the security of sustainable food and nutrition systems. More than 400 participants registered for the event, which featured presentations by international speakers and undergraduate and graduate students who had the opportunity to disseminate their research work as an important contribution to their education, namely on how to meet the standards of scientific writing and research papers for publication.

Industrial/commercial centers and residential consumers require different types of energy such as electrical, heat, and natural gas. Nowadays, many types of energy resources are available. Traditionally, energy is operated and planned separately, but their combination may be synergistic. Hence, penetration of multi-energy systems has been raised in the real world, e.g., co-generation combined heat and power systems. The process of combining various types of energy is also called a multi-carrier energy system, which increases energy efficiency. In addition, the rapid development of technologies has resulted in amplifying the joint operation of the multi-generation systems. This highlights the importance of focusing on multiple alternatives such as integration of renewable energy sources, effective energy conservation, energy storage, etc. The main purpose of the proposed topic was to cover research in electrical, mechanical engineering, and thermal sciences, with a strong concentration on multi-energy analysis, integrated energy systems, multi-energy systems modeling, operation and planning of integrated energy systems, energy conversion, efficiency, renewable energy and electricity supply, including small and large demand scales. It also welcomed research on the technologies of energy storage and electric vehicles.

With the aid of smart and functional nanomaterials, various analytical techniques and their applications have been greatly improved. Based on functional nanomaterials, this Reprint contains innovative studies and comprehensive reviews regarding the design of SERS, fluorescence, bioluminescence, and chromatographic assays and electrochemical techniques for the detection of food contaminants. It includes the pretreatment of food samples, signal amplification mechanisms, detection strategies, method construction process, and other topics.

Polyphenols are natural phytochemicals recognized as one of the largest and most widespread classes of plant constituents occurring throughout the plant kingdom. Over the years, polyphenols have attracted the attention of the scientific community due to their potential health-promoting effects. Owing to their several interesting properties, polyphenols have aroused considerable interest, shedding light on their chemistry, reactivity, biological properties and their beneficial effects on both plants and humans. As a result of these investigations, a huge number of research works have been reported on polyphenols. However, despite the voluminous literature studying polyphenols and their impact on human health, there are still many issues waiting to be explored in order to explain and elucidate the positive effects of polyphenols on human health. This Special Issue was intended to gather up-to-date knowledge related to the cutting-edge research in the broad scientific area of polyphenols, providing an opportunity to show the latest advances in the exploration of polyphenols and their health beneficial effects. The special issue was a great success with more than 50 published manuscripts covering various aspects related to polyphenols and their role in human health. We are confident that this Special Issue will be of great interest to the scientific community, and will contribute to the improvement of knowledge regarding the area of polyphenols, leading to a better understanding of their role in human health.

This is a reprint of a Special Issue of Energies, titled "Condition Monitoring and Failure Prevention of Electric Machines". This Special Issue primarily focused on the issues related to the advanced monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of typical and complex faults in all kinds of electric machines. Four guest editors, namely Prof. Yu-Ling He (Department of Mechanical Engineering, North China Electric Power University, China), Prof. David Gerada (PEMC group, University of Nottingham, UK), Prof. Conggan Ma (School of Automotive Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, China), and Prof. Haisen Zhao (School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, North China Electric Power University, China), worked together on this Special Issue.

Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies represent a diverse spectrum of cancers with notable global incidence and prevalence. The comprehensive care of individuals affected by these malignancies is a multifaceted endeavor involving the collaboration of various medical disciplines. The nonspecific clinical manifestations of GI cancers often present a formidable diagnostic challenge to primary care providers, resulting in diagnostic delays. Subsequently, the treatment regimens, once initiated, are often demanding and prolonged, and profoundly impact the patients' overall quality of life.Given the intricate involvement of the digestive system, nutritional concerns are pervasive among these patients, influencing both their quality of life and survival. Despite these considerable challenges, the evolving landscape of treatment modalities has yielded improved outcomes, enabling a greater number of patients to achieve remission or extended survival. It is now imperative that we delve deeper into understanding the unique needs of this patient population and refine the care delivery pathways through enhanced diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and holistic support, and ultimately enhance the overall value of care provided to individuals afflicted by GI malignancies.

Explore the fascinating world of plant functional traits in our upcoming Reprint sourced from the Special Issue in Plants. Delve into the diverse aspects of plant morphology, their responses to global climate change, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest productivity. Join us on a journey through the intricate web of plant characteristics and their impact on the environment.