Bücher veröffentlicht von Mdpi AG

Nanofluid flows are characterized by intricate and multi-level physics, which has led to substantial study from both fundamental and practical viewpoints. This collection examines the progress made in modeling and experimental methods used to study nanofluids. It specifically focuses on how these nanofluids might be used to tackle thermal challenges in renewable energy systems. The phenomenon of improving heat transfer via the use of nanofluids is well recognized; however, further research is necessary to comprehensively comprehend the interplay between nanoparticles and base fluids, as well as their influence on heat convection. Furthermore, the extensive use of nanofluids in solar thermal, geothermal, heat storage, and heat recovery systems has not been thoroughly investigated. The current difficulty is in creating precise and economical computational methods to forecast the heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids. This requires thorough experimental investigations at the system level. This edition highlights the significant contribution of nanofluid heat transfer in promoting carbon-free thermal technology and supporting the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, in line with the worldwide effort to decarbonize the energy sector.

Porphyrins, metalloporphyrins, and their analogs are a family of macrocycles that are ubiquitous in nature, playing key roles in a myriad of biological functions, such as in plant light-harvesting (e.g., chlorophyll, a magnesium-chlorin complex), oxygen binding and transport (e.g., heme group, an iron-porphyrin complex, responsible for animal cellular respiration), and bacteria photosynthesis. The pivotal functions fulfilled by these naturally occurring porphyrinoids have motivated and inspired organic chemists to produce synthetic porphyrins and analogs in the laboratory. In recent years, a multitude of applications for porphyrins has shifted the focus from purely academic interest to industrial processes.There is a growing recognition of the need to develop new, more selective, and environmentally friendly synthetic methods. Within this Special Issue, readers will find a collection of 16 original research papers and a comprehensive review, all dedicated to exploring the synthesis and functionalization of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles. These papers shed light on the vast potential applications of these compounds across various fields.

In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration successfully imaged the first supermassive black hole (M87*), opening a new era in detailed study of these exotic objects. By sharply enhancing the capabilities of black hole imaging, the next-generation EHT (ngEHT) is poised to again revolutionize our view of horizon-scale physics. The ngEHT will enable the first movies of black hole accretion, produce high-dynamic-range images that connect black holes directly to their galactic-scale relativistic jets, and bring into range a larger population of black holes and explosive transients to explore. This Special Issue develops the key science drivers and architecture of the ngEHT. The contributions sharpen the ngEHT scientific vision and implementation by illuminating and proposing new possibilities in the following areas: Fundamental physics; Black holes and their cosmic context; Accretion; Jet launching; Transients and impulsive phenomena; Algorithms and inference; History, philosophy, and cultural implications of building new instruments in the current era; Advances in submillimeter VLBI instrumentation; VLBI array design and optimization

Modernization in the agriculture sector is important to ensure food security and poverty alleviation, which are the primary themes of UN-SDGs. There are many challenges in developing advanced agricultural techniques, tools, and systems, by which sustainable agriculture and food security can be satisfied. Worldwide, agricultural mechanization and modernization can be attained with advancements in agricultural engineering technologies and their associated applications. The concept is directly linked to the technological advancements in agricultural automation and robotics; precision agriculture; high-efficiency irrigation systems; farm energy systems; handling, storage, and processing of agricultural products; livestock and poultry sheds; farm water/wastewater management; biomass, biogas, and biochar; remote sensing and geographical studies; societal aspects in agriculture; and the associated bioenvironment. Such advances in agricultural engineering technologies and applications are the need of the 21st century, particularly from the viewpoint of the agricultural water-energy-food security nexus. Therefore, this Special Issue comprises original research and review studies in the abovementioned research areas.

Sustainability is a critical global challenge that requires comprehensive assessments of environmental, social, and economic indicators. The formulation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represents a significant leap forward in humanity's pursuit of sustainability. The SDGs now serve as a shared platform for global development, guiding current actions towards and shaping visions of a sustainable future. Monitoring progress towards the SDGs and sustainability in general is essential. This is true not only at the global and national scales, but also at the subnational and landscape levels. Geographic information science (GIScience) and remote sensing (RS) have made significant advances in these areas. These breakthroughs include the increasing availability of geospatial data, a development which plays a crucial role in this regard. This Special Issue aimed to bring together novel contributions on the assessment of sustainability and sustainability-related indicators over space and time using geospatial data, tools, and techniques (GIScience and RS). This publication contains 11 peer-reviewed papers, including two review articles and nine research articles.

The effects of additives on the flow characteristics of drilling muds used in various drilling operations, including oil and gas wells, must be better quantified. In this study, acrylamide polymer was used to modify water-based bentonite mud to reduce the yield point and maximum shear stress produced by the mud during the drilling operation. The bentonite content in the drilling mud was varied up to 6% (by weight). Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, the major constituents of bentonite were montmorillonite (MMT, (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2·nH2O), feldspar (Albite, NaAlSi3O8), kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH4)), Beidellite ((Na,Ca0.5)0.3Al2((Si,Al)4O10)(OH)2·nH2O) and quartz (SiO2). Bentonite was modified using a water-soluble polymer solution before being used in the drilling mud. The rheological properties of bentonite were characterized from a very low strain rate to a relatively high strain rate to determine the nonlinear behavior of the shear-thinning drilling mud. The polymer modification reduced the yield point by 26-66% based on the bentonite content in the drilling mud.

Modernization in the agriculture sector is important to ensure food security and poverty alleviation, which are the primary themes of UN-SDGs. There are many challenges in developing advanced agricultural techniques, tools, and systems, by which sustainable agriculture and food security can be satisfied. Worldwide, agricultural mechanization and modernization can be attained with advancements in agricultural engineering technologies and their associated applications. The concept is directly linked to the technological advancements in agricultural automation and robotics; precision agriculture; high-efficiency irrigation systems; farm energy systems; handling, storage, and processing of agricultural products; livestock and poultry sheds; farm water/wastewater management; biomass, biogas, and biochar; remote sensing and geographical studies; societal aspects in agriculture; and the associated bioenvironment. Such advances in agricultural engineering technologies and applications are the need of the 21st century, particularly from the viewpoint of the agricultural water-energy-food security nexus. Therefore, this Special Issue comprises original research and review studies in the abovementioned research areas.

History is the basis for our interpretation of humanity's past. Indeed, new developments in digital humanities and the digitalization of archives can place historical sources in a new light. Systematized historical sources allow us to see the practical changes that have occurred over centuries of ethnobotany and analyze (although sometimes solely hypothesize on) the causes of such changes. Studying history helps us to understand the influences on the evolution of local ecological knowledge regarding plant use. In ethnobotany, numerous understudied historical sources are awaiting modern interpretations. Old uses enhanced by the new possibilities offered by technology can enrich our everyday lives. Yet, understanding historical sources, especially in ethnobotany, where several disciplines are involved, is not univocal. Mistakes introduced by misidentified plants or information misinterpreted from old languages can have negative, long-term consequences. This Special Issue provides examples of the critical analyses of various historical sources and insights into ongoing historical and diachronic studies on plant use. This reprint is intended for a broad interdisciplinary audience interested in historical ethnobotany, history of plant studies, and human culture.

"Mechanical Research of Reinforced Concrete Materials" describes the mechanical properties of reinforced concrete materials. The topics include theoretical, experimental and numerical studies, to evaluate the general deformation response, damage evolution and failure patterns of ordinary and high-performance reinforced concrete materials under various loading conditions (e.g., quasi-static, dynamic, fatigue, and impact).

This reprint focuses on the most recent advances in PET/CT imaging within the field of oncology. These innovations include studies on novel or experimental tracers, such as [18F]FES for the imaging of advanced breast cancer and [68Ga]Ga-Nitroimidazole for visualizing hypoxic tumour components; research on new radiopharmaceuticals represents, in fact, one the most important study fields of PET research. Advanced image analysis, such as radiomics, is also featured in this reprint; this method has been applied to both traditional nuclear medicine clinical issues, such as thyroid nodules, as well as in the setting of new therapeutic approaches, such as CAR-T cell therapy. Finally, the theranostic implications of PET radiotracers and the diagnostic processes of rare tumours are explored in this reprint.

Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness that can be prevented if detected and treated in the early stages of the disease. This reprint includes original research studies and reviews that focus on strategies to help identify and treat patients with glaucoma more effectively, improve their treatment adherence, review the potential impact of psychopharmacological therapy on intraocular pressure, and increase knowledge of potential treatment targets for neuroprotection.

Efficient separation of cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass is the premise of the high-value utilization of cellulose. The separated cellulose is mainly used in chemical, energy, and materials applications. The chemical applications of cellulose mainly consist of hydrolysis and fermentation. Polysaccharides are prepared from the hydrolysis of cellulose. Bioethanol is obtained from the fermentation of cellulose. The preparation of bio-oil is the main research direction of cellulose in the field of energy. In recent years, the excellent application value of cellulose has attracted attention. The preparation, modification, and application of nanocellulose and microcrystalline cellulose in polymer composites will be the main research trend in the future. This reprint helps readers understand and build on an overview of cellulose-based lignocellulose refining, especially in terms of efficient separation, functional modification, and promising applications. Thus, research including the current developments of the production methods, properties, and applications of cellulose and its derivatives are presented in this reprint.

This Special Issue covers the new advances in physical, chemical, and biological processes in energy geoscience, especially for unconventional gases and geothermal energy. Its major topics include (1) depositional and diagenetic processes of geo-energy reservoirs, (2) formation and evolution mechanism of pores and fractures, (3) characterization of organic and mineralogical properties of unconventional geo-energy, (4) fluid flow behaviors in porous media under geological conditions, and (5) exploration, development, and utilization of geo-energy resources (including oil, gas, and geothermal resources).

This reprint turns out to be very important for the pathologies deriving from the gut microbiome and its disorders. Human health seems to be correlated with the status of our microbiome, which plays a vital role in our health. The human microbiome is associated with a wide range of diseases, from non-neoplastic to tumorigenesis, including cancer, inflammation, intestinal damage, etc. Following these statements, it is possible to deduce the paramount importance of the role of the gut microbiome and the relative consequences for human well-being.

The reprint 'Aerogel Hybrids and Nanocomposites' is a collection of the latest publications in the research, development, and use of complex aerogel-based materials. The applications of aerogels in hard tissue engineering, new wound-healing materials to challenge bacterial infections, and the making of wearable aerogel fibers reveal their role and potential in the biomedical fields. Catalytic applications of aerogels are well demonstrated by the papers on environmental protection and green hydrogen production. The efficient removal of rare-earth ions, as well as the sensitization of their luminescence in aerogels, makes them environmentally and analytically valuable materials.

Young readers will find the Reprint useful for learning about the systematic study and review of the many themes in the area of microfluidic-based biosensing. Empirical research and comprehensive reviews regarding the use of microfluidic technology in biosensing and point-of-care system development are included in this Reprint.

Scientific motivation to publish this book comes from the increased interest in the study of toxoplasmosis, showed all over the world. Though the Toxoplasma gondii infection was first discovered in 1908, toxoplasmosis remains a today's research topic, a realm of questions and dilemmas that interest both the veterinarians and the human doctors. Studies in the field are directed to the epidemiology of the disease, the sources of infection, epidemiological chains, being underlined the important feature in the transmission of this parasite: the ability to pass from one intermediate host to another intermediate host without passing through the final host - felids. An increased prevalence of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals, as well as the difficulty of coproscopic diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats, expensive serological examinations in both animals and humans, lack of diagnostic methods accessible to veterinarians in slaughterhouses, cultural and culinary differences of human patients, which can influence the prevalence of the disease, motivate the scientific and practical importance of the proposed book and reveal the importance of this topic for animal and human health. So, the proposed book will contain informations regarding the etiology and history of Toxoplasma gondii infection and also the parasite's morphology and biology. This work will contain a very detailed epidemiology of the toxoplasmosis from all over the world and for all species of animals. This chapter will include also personal findings of the authors about the Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in domestic animals from Romania. In the last part of the book we will present the main methods for toxoplasma diagnosis. At the end of the book we will synthesize the main routes for T. gondii infection and the recommendations for reducing toxoplasmosis seroprevalence.

The aim of this Special Issue was to publish high-quality papers on poultry nutrition and the inter-relations between nutrition, metabolism, gut microflora, and poultry performance. Therefore, we present here original research articles in the following topics:- the nutrient requirements of poultry;- the impact of dietary fibre on poultry health and performance;- the use of feed additives to improve gut microflora and performance;- the effect of feeding on poultry meat and egg quality;- factors that cause variation in feed ingredients used in poultry diets;- alternative feed ingredients for use in poultry feed formulations;- the impact of gastrointestinal pH on nutrient bioavailability and the intestinal microbiota in poultry;- phytate and xylan 'susceptibility' in relation to the effects of enzymes;- factors that influence reactivity and enzyme efficacy;- in vitro models to determine the digestibility of poultry diets.

The evaluation of vascular stiffness is becoming increasingly important in cardiovascular research to determine the properties of the arterial tree and clinically assesspatients. Current research addresses and debates some unresolved technical and methodological issues with measuring arterial stiffness, with the purpose of making it more reliable and clinically suitable. This Special Issue focuses on new methodological advances in vascular stiffness, as well as preclinical and clinical applications. A privileged space is reserved for new data and targeted reviews of the application of arterial stiffness and early vascular ageing measures regarding problems such as the stratification of risk of special populations and specific diseases.

Nowadays, diet-related non-communicable diseases and their complications are one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Food supplements and functional foods are considered food products which contribute to the achievement of optimal nutritional well-being, health status, and quality of life through reducing the risk of diseases and promoting the appropriate function of human organs and systems. Nowadays, the assessment of these functional foods and the study of their implications in nutrition and health are important challenges in societies of developed countries where consumers increasingly demand foods with added value beyond the provision of nutrients and the satisfaction of appetite. In this reprint, the characterization of the nutritional composition and phytochemicals of functional foods and food supplements as well as the evaluation of their potential health benefits in different disorders and diseases through clinical trials or preliminary studies are addressed.

This reprint of the Special Issue "GNSS-R Earth Remote Sensing from SmallSats" includes a compilation of research articles concerning the pioneering NASA CYGNSS mission and potential future constellations of GNSS-R SmallSats for Earth remote sensing. This reprint is composed of different sections, covering various scientific applications such as ocean wind speed, ocean altimetry, inland water bodies, and soil moisture content. The use of GNSS-R techniques by the future constellations of SmallSats could overcome several limitations of more classical remote sensing techniques; for example, passive microwave radiometry and synthetic aperture radar. Present and upcoming GNSS-R missions include BuFeng-1, Fengyun-3 series, Spire Global and Muon Space commercial constellations, ESA's HydroGNSS and PRETTY, TASA TRITON, etc. The outcome of this reprint aims to leverage state-of-the-art procedures and techniques by present and future mission science teams.

The reprint focuses on environmental monitoring as a key issue in the sustainable management of land resources, where the increasing availability of temporal and spatial soil data plays a fundamental role. Remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information System) applications allow the efficient handling of these data with the aim of developing predictive and robust models to reduce land degradation and soil erosion.

Viruses in the Parvoviridae family constitutes a most diverse and intriguing field of research. Parvoviruses have a long evolutionary history and, beneath an apparent simplicity and uniformity, can differ widely in structure, genome organization and expression, virus-cell interaction, and impact on the host. In addition to interest in the study of basic virology, the translational implications of research on parvoviruses are relevant since many viruses are important human and veterinary pathogens, while other viruses can be engineered as tools for oncolytic therapy or as sophisticated gene delivery vectors. Exploring the diversity and the inherent complexity in the biology of these apparently simple viruses is an ongoing commitment for the scientific community to address. This Special Issue entitled 'Advances in Parvovirus Research 2022' continued the series dedicated to research on viruses belonging to the Parvoviridae family and collected the latest contributions in the field of parvovirus research.

To accelerate the potential applications, various works focused on the physical and chemical characteristics through theory, experiments, and simulations of advanced energetic materials (AEMs), including nano-scale energetic materials (nEMs) and micro-scale energetic materials (mEMs). This Special Issue collected comprehensive knowledge on materials synthesis, characterization, combustion, mechanical, detonation, and safety. This Special Issue, Advanced Energetic Materials: Testing and Modeling, explores innovative EMs and EMs ingredients and formulations tests and models. It collected contributions covering recent progress and models of energetic materials in chemical propulsion. Attention was focused on the design, model, properties, and state-of-the-art of this class of thermochemical propulsion devices. A total of 13 papers were selected for publication after a standard peer review process, which summarizes the most recent achievements of famous research groups. Participation of young authors with novel/innovative concepts was especially encouraged, of course, with the assistance of their supervisors.

We are pleased to introduce this collection of research papers entitled "Horticultural Plants Facing Stressful Conditions - Strategies for Stress Mitigation". This reprint comprises twelve research papers and a review paper exploring the impact of stress factors on plant growth and ways to eliminate or mitigate them. The studies investigate various plant species, including sunflowers, zinnias, orchids, buttercups, tomatoes, snap beans, lettuce, jojoba, grapevines, strawberries and apple trees. The impact of stress caused by high temperatures, spring frosts, drought, salinity, copper and asbestos on the physiological, biochemical and anatomical changes in plants at the cellular, tissue, organ and whole-plant levels was described by the authors. The presented issues are crucial for comprehending the metabolic, molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the enhancement of plant resistance to environmental stresses. This reprint focuses on three essential topics: (1) using exogenous compounds and bioinoculants to increase stress tolerance, (2) improving the quality and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables and (3) planting ornamental plants in polluted areas. Each paper has been meticulously prepared and contains figures, tables and a list of references to support a deeper understanding of the subject matter. In our opinion, this revised reprint will benefit scientists who are specifically interested in horticulture, plant physiology, biochemistry, microbiology and environmental sustainability.

In recent years, there have been remarkable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract diseases. Among them, the advanced endoscopic treatments and anti-tumor therapies for biliary tract cancer are outstanding. This reprint contains the latest research articles and review articles focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract diseases using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or endoscopic ultrasounds (EUSs) for biliary stricture, cholecystitis, cholangitis, ampullary tumors, and chemotherapy for biliary tract cancer.

The primary compound at the core of ALIAmides, known as palmitoyl ethanolamide (PEA), has been recognized as a nutritional substance with protective qualities since the 1950s. Over time, PEA has been identified in a range of plant and animal food sources, and its role in promoting the resolution of inflammation within the mammalian body has been subject to growing scrutiny. The revelation of the intricate connection between ALIAmides and the endocannabinoid system has significantly bolstered research endeavors in this area. PEA's capacity to impact multiple targets and employ highly effective mechanisms to support homeostasis represents a substantial departure from the conventional pharmacological perspective, which often revolves around the concept of "one drug, one target, one disease." This marks the commencement of a new era in the field of human and animal health management, where a nature-aligned approach is adopted to modulate the body's responses to diverse stimuli and injuries.

The COVID-19 pandemic and in particular its resultant lockdown had a devastating impact on female professionals and workers in all sectors of the economy and all countries of the world. Despite their struggles and setbacks, women emerged from the pandemic with new requirements in their workplaces. This Merits Special Issue "Changing Realities for Women and Work: The Impact of COVID-19 and Prospects for the Post-Pandemic Work World" provides a multi-perspectival view of the impact of the pandemic on women and highlights some of the areas that employers need to improve in order to attract women back into the workplace. The articles included in this Special Issue highlight mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic and the need for employers to address them; how burnout manifested during this time; the impact of the need for women to care for and educate their children in addition to working during lockdown; the importance of resilience; and career challenges women face. Successful leadership approaches among both government leaders and women themselves emerged and will be critical in the post-pandemic work world.

This Special Issue delves deeply into the intricate distinctions between acute and chronic pain. Crucially, chronic pain is more than a mere by-product of sensory input; it entails the activation of a complex brain network intertwined with biopsychosocial factors. As such, its management emerges as a formidable clinical challenge. Within the scope of this Special Issue, focused attention is given to postoperative pain (POP) and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). POP, characterized by its predictability, intensity, and short duration, contrasts starkly with the potentially persistent and troublesome nature of CPSP, which can endure for over three months if not adequately addressed. The prevention of CPSP takes on paramount importance, with regional anesthesia techniques emerging as promising tools for intervention. The pivotal role of multimodal analgesia and combined therapeutic strategies is underscored. The Special Issue also delves into the intriguing realm of gender differences in pain perception, advocating for further research to illuminate these disparities. Risk factors contributing to the development of chronic pain following surgery are meticulously identified. Lastly, this Special Issue explores the potential of new technologies in the field of telemedicine and artificial intelligence to optimize care delivery, opening new avenues for enhanced patient outcomes and treatment strategies.

'Nature-based solutions' (NbS) is an umbrella term for ecosystem-based approaches. It focuses on actions and policies that are in harmony with natural principles to achieve development goals and addressing challenges, while benefitting human livelihoods and the environment. The reprint contains empirical studies and systematic reviews regarding, inter alia, natural and green infrastructures, ecosystem-based management approaches, ecosystem and biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-based adaptation and climate change adaptation, and nature-based recreational activities.