Bücher veröffentlicht von Mdpi AG

This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open access journal Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915) entitled "Novel Antiviral Agents: Synthesis, Molecular Modelling Studies and Biological Investigation".

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious respiratory disease that results from infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). Although several vaccines have been developed and programs implemented globally, patients may present various complications, including some that are life-threatening.Different studies have shown several potential acute and chronic complications in patients with COVID-19. The spectrum of acute complications ranges from respiratory failure to cardiac and cardiovascular injury, liver and renal disorders, neurologic manifestations, secondary infections, and coinfections, as well as disseminated intravascular coagulation.Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not only a short-term infection; patients may also present with long-term complications. Post-COVID-19 conditions are found more often after severe illness, but any patient may experience long COVID-19, even those who have mild illness or no symptoms. Also, due to the intrinsic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the elderly and patients with certain medical conditions have been demonstrated to be particularly at risk for various complications.At present, our research critically analyzes and discusses current knowledge on the clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection, focusing on acute and long-term complications.

Recently, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention in biomedical applications. Due to their advantageous properties, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, natural and synthetic polymers are versatile materials that offer several advantages for the therapy and diagnosis of a vast range of diseases and health conditions. Encapsulating therapeutic agents in polymeric NPs allows for sustained drug release, which improves drug efficacy and safety, reduces unwanted side effects, and enhances patient acceptance and compliance. This Special Issue presents the most recent insights on advanced polymeric NPs and their current applications in healthcare, including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.

In this Special Issue, we have invited authors with serious research in the field of the circular economy with interesting ideas for the recovery of waste products in various productions, but we have selected and published only the best articles with the latest results of research on the biological effects of waste products, studies of natural compounds, and looked at the mechanisms underlying their biological activity. We selected articles describing innovative experimental models related to the extraction and purification of natural functional components and their application and the danger of the presence of dangerous toxic substances, but we emphasized the beneficial properties of these extracts or their compounds and sought benefits in the prevention and treatment of various serious illnesses.

The term "weed" is rather subjective, as we are the ones who decide what plants are called weeds, and the term usually carries a negative connotation. However, there is a reason why weeds grow in some places and behave in their particular manner. Today, certain groups of weeds have become extremely rare, and some species have even gone extinct where they were once abundant. Climate change also creates a huge challenge, and weeds often act as indicators of this change.This Special Issue discusses the ecology and diversity of weeds in natural and human-impacted agroecosystems on different continents. The focus is on the weeds' distribution, abundance, and diversity and how anthropogenic factors, pedoclimatic conditions, and genetics create, alter, and destroy specific weed communities.

Information science has long been a complex and interdisciplinary field. Recent developments in applied mathematics have been employed to construct proper solutions in related fields. In this Special Issue, we deal with research developments in various areas of applied mathematics and/or the application of artificial intelligence, statistical models, etc., to improve the state-of-the-art problems in the field of information science.

Sustainability is the overall goal in the management of grassland resources; it further determines the institutional framework within each grassland use is planned and implemented. Recent developments emphasize the need to include ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural) provided by grasslands into this framework. This reprint focuses on research advantages related to the ecology and management of grasslands and to the safeguarding of related ecosystem services, and provides an outline for future directions for sustainability. The reprint contains experimental studies and systematic reviews regarding grassland biodiversity, issues and threats related to grasslands, sustainable use of grasslands, ecosystem services they provide and other topics.

This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open-access journal Computation (ISSN 2079-3197) titled Computation to Fight SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This reprint contains articles concerning the last pandemic health emergency, considering the period 2020-2023.

The Special Issue "Feature Papers for Land Innovations-Data and Machine Learning" makes valuable contributions relating to spatial data science for obtaining, processing, analyzing, harnessing, and visualizing social, economic, environmental, and other data related to land. In particular, this Special Issue welcame geospatial artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for dealing with spatial big data, including remotely sensed data and social media data. Manuscripts can be theoretical, applied, or review articles. Interdisciplinary manuscripts were particularly welcome as well.

Special Issue "Experimentation in 5G and beyond Networks: State of the Art and the Way Forward" collected original contributions on experimental aspects related to 5th Generation (5G) and Beyond-5G (B5G) networks and systems.Ten high-quality papers were accepted to appear in this Special Issue, covering three main research areas: 5G testing and validation, 5G enhancements, and the use of AI/ML for B5G systems. We believe that the papers provide key updates and insights into these research areas, and thus may inspire future work aimed towards the further improvement and optimization of next-generation mobile systems.

The footprint of biotechnological advancements impacts not only science but also our society. Over the recent decades, traditional and emerging technologies have generated ethical concerns and vivid debates, which-in certain cases-have resulted in or need to result in policy changes at the national and/or international level.This Special Issue discusses the ethical, legal, and societal challenges raised by various applications, such as genome editing, genetic testing, gene therapy, organoids, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. It highlights the interdisciplinary approach that requires adoption to responsibly address such issues by gathering scholars from medicine, law, genetics and genomics, agriculture, chemical engineering, policy science, philosophy, and environmental and social sciences.

This reprint showcases the latest advancements in energy harvesting and self-powered sensing technologies, ranging across the wide aspects of device design, operation principle, performance characterization, system integration and applications. The novel designs and detailed explanations can be highly useful to researchers and engineers in the field for new idea inspiration and inter-technology fusion. It is also a good reference for readers who want to know more about the current progress and future direction of the field.

This is a reprint of this Special Issue "State-of-the-Art Metabolomics and Lipidomics in Life Sciences: Methods and Applications", which was published online in Metabolites, including two reviews and twelve original research articles.

The utilization of medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) holds significant promise due to their diverse bioactive compounds. These plants have been historically acknowledged for their potential in managing DM and its complications. They often contain secondary metabolites with inherent hypoglycemic properties, aiding in regulating blood glucose levels. Several plants and secondary metabolites have shown effectiveness in improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing glucose uptake, and mitigating the adverse effects associated with DM. For instance, bitter melon (Momordica charantia) contains charantin and polypeptide-p, both known for their hypoglycemic effects. Additionally, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) exhibits hypoglycemic properties attributed to the presence of trigonelline and diosgenin.The complex array of bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants offers a multifaceted approach to managing DM. Flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and terpenoids found in these plants exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation effects, mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation often associated with diabetic complications.This Special Issue highlights the role of natural products in the treatment of DM, including recent patents as well as the effects of characterized extracts and the cellular mechanisms of isolated secondary metabolites in preclinical and clinical studies.

The domain of environmental analytical chemistry includes all analytical aspects of studies related to environmental problems and their management. The analysis of organic, inorganic, and radioactive pollutants in air, water, soil, and biota is quite a challenging task at a time of large social development and climate change. In addition, the development of new analytical methods or the improvement of existing ones for the monitoring of pollutants is of paramount importance for achieving such goals. The other important task is the implementation of appropriate methods and procedures for pollution risk assessment, revealing sources, pathways of exposure, trends, and the spatial distribution of analyzed pollutants.

This Science Historical Collection celebrates the inauguration of the "Charles E. Helmstetter Prize for Groundbreaking Research in Bacterial Cell Cycle Physiology" at the Ein Gedi's EMBO Workshop in December 2022. The bacterial cell cycle is fundamental to the physiology of the bacterial cell and, hence, to the many fields that depend on it. The roots of the bacterial cell cycle physiology are described in detail by several of the surviving pioneers (over 90 years of age) and selected worldwide scientists of the second generation. This issue contains contributions from the recipients of the prize who, fairly, may be said to have created our present understanding of the field. Control mechanisms of some fundamental issues of the bacterial cell cycle (e.g., chromosome replication and cell division) are elaborated and can serve as a basis for current and future discoveries.

This reprint discusses the importance of studying the physicochemical properties of food proteins, which play crucial roles in providing essential amino acids and contributing to the overall quality of our foods. The demand for sustainable and nutritious food sources has led to a surge of interest in understanding and utilizing proteins derived from various sources. The studies in this reprint explore various aspects, including protein solubility, structural integrity, emulsifying properties, and allergenic epitopes, as well as the application of different processing techniques such as ultrasonication, high-pressure processing, and esterification. These findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of proteins in food products but also provide valuable insights for the food industry in terms of product development, process optimization, and the potential application of novel protein-based materials. The research presented showcases the potential of food proteins and their modifications in various applications, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation in this field.

The aim of this reprint is to immerse the reader in the latest biotechnological approaches employed in forestry. From rejuvenation through clonal propagation to somatic embryogenesis, the cryopreservation of germplasm, and the use of molecular techniques and genetic engineering, we aim to unravel the potential and promise of these cutting-edge technologies. In this reprint, leading experts in the field share their insights, research findings, and visions for the future. Together, we embark on a journey to unlock the full potential of biotechnology in forestry, seeking sustainable solutions that balance our insatiable need for forest resources with our responsibility to preserve the harmony of our planet's ecosystems. We pave the way towards a greener, more sustainable future where forests thrive and humanity prospers in harmony with nature.

This reprint focuses on cutting-edge advancements and forthcoming prospects in membrane proteins. It encompasses the function, structure, and dynamics of membrane proteins from various perspectives, including cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

This Special Issue covers preparations, measurements, devices, and applications based on thermoelectric nanomaterials and summarizes the latest developments towards highly efficient thermoelectric nanomaterials and thermoelectric devices.

Graphene and graphene oxide are widely applied as successful sorbent materials for various compounds obtained from biosamples and surface water samples. Therefore, they are suitable for future use in numerous biomedical and environmental applications.Moreover, their functionalization with magnetic nanoparticles can lead to magnetic sorbents, thus allowing convenient sample treatment via magnetic separation.To date, a plethora of graphene and graphene oxide materials have been synthesized and successfully employed for solid-phase extraction of organic compounds from environmental and biological samples. The unique properties of these materials enrich the analytical toolbox available for the analysis of various organic compounds in various matrices and make them precise and valuable means for handling analytical and environmental issues.This Special Issue was supported by the Sample Preparation Study Group and Network, supported by the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the European Chemical Society.Eleven manuscripts, namely seven research articles, three reviews and one communication are included in this SI.

This reprint provides some up-to-date solutions in the domain of deep power vision technology and intelligent vision sensors. It offers the latest perspectives covering the detection, classification, and some other basic tasks in processing and analyzing the inspection images or videos of power systems.

With the development of new technologies, the attractiveness of the rotary engine's advantages is making a comeback in the minds of many designers. In recent years, driven by the progressive electrification of the automotive powertrain, new applications have emerged for the rotary engine in the automotive industry. This engine concept has also emerged as a range extender, especially due to its specific advantages such as simplicity, compactness, light weight, low vibration, and high efficiency. Therefore, the rotary engine has established itself as a formidable contender for some of the markets currently served by reciprocating engines in vehicle engineering. This reprint aims to provide a platform for researchers to share the latest advancements in the mixture organization, combustion improvement, and emission control of all rotary engine types and their sustainability in vehicle engineering.

This Special Issue reprint aspires to illuminate recent strides and innovative methodologies in the design, analysis, and measurement of antennas across a spectrum of emerging wireless communication systems. The primary goal is to explore and spotlight cutting-edge advancements while pinpointing fresh avenues for the evolution of research and techniques in this dynamic field. Readers will delve into the forefront of antenna technology, gaining insights that not only showcase recent developments but also guide the way forward, promising exciting prospects for further research and exploration in the realm of wireless communication systems.

The efficient ecodesign of secondary raw materials from recycled multiphase polymer systems is performed through the study of various things, such as:The compatibility of mixtures of recycled polymers where work on knowledge of the miscibility of mixtures depends on the different rates and the nature of the constituents;The aging of recycled polymers in terms of the structuring of end-of-life polymers, which may have changed their starting structure due to degradation or aging;The compatibility of mixtures of polymers recycled by additive treatments and/or reactive pre-treatments and integration of coupling agents or reactants in situ at the interface of the mixtures; this compatibility can be linked beforehand to reactive pre-treatments (plasma, corona, heat/chemical treatments) on each of the phases.The selection of these three themes follows a study cycle logic on the development of formulations of blends of recycled polymers, in which compatibilization affects the morphology and therefore the miscibility of blends of polymers in relation to their structure.

Structural health monitoring (SHM) and non-destructive testing (NDT) have gained significant importance for civil, mechanical, aerospace, and offshore structures. Nowadays, we can find SHM and NDT applications being used on various structures with very different requirements. However, the practical implementation of strategies for the detection of structural damage to real structures outside of laboratory conditions is always one of the most demanding tasks for engineers. Moreover, the processing and interpretation of the massive amount of data generated through the long-term monitoring of large and complex structures (e.g., bridges, buildings, ships, aircrafts, wind turbines, pipes, etc.) has become an emerging challenge that needs to be addressed by the community. This Topic brings together the most established as well as newly emerging SHM and NDT approaches that can be used for the detection and evaluation of defects and damage development in large-scale or full-scale structures. After a strict peer-review process, 44 papers were published, which represent the most recent progress of SHM and NDT methods/techniques for aerospace, civil, mechanical, and offshore infrastructures.

This Special Issue aimed to present the recent developments in the interaction between the coupled multi-physical fields and underground structures, as well as geo-environmental effects, to stimulate fruitful technical and scientific interactions between professionals.A total of ten papers regarding geo-environmental problems in various ¿elds caused by underground construction are presented in this Special Issue reprint.

In today's era of rapid digitization and information technology advancement, web searching and web data mining stand at the core of the technological progress of numerous web-based applications, serving as the main methods of extracting valuable information from large amounts of network data. The models, algorithms, and techniques of web searching and web data mining are constantly and rapidly evolving, leading to various autonomous, proactive, content-exploring, self-learning, socially collaborative, and location-aware web applications. This Special Issue, "New Horizons in Web Search, Web Data Mining, and Web-Based Applications", addresses existing knowledge gaps and aids in the advanced development of web searching, web data mining, and web-based applications globally. It consists of ten peer-reviewed papers covering various subjects and applications related to web intelligence.

This Special Issue "Current Management of Hip Fracture", in the "Surgery" section of MDPI's journal Medicina, reports international studies regarding the different aspects of the treatment of patients suffering proximal femur fracture. Therefore, these studies are not solely relevant to surgical strategies and the choice of implant, but also focus on the whole process of treating patients after they have suffered a hip fracture. This Special Issue presents research on the whole treatment process, starting with pre-surgery risk stratification, followed by the results of studies on novel implants and strategies in the surgical treatment of hip fractures, as well as the impact of patient-associated factors, like malnutrition and anticoagulation, on the outcome of hip fracture diagnosis. Two studies focus on the prevention of secondary fractures and the often underlying osteoporosis.

This Special Issue provides a forum for original high-quality research in Electroencephalography (EEG) signal pre-processing, modelling, and analysis in the time, space, frequency, or time-frequency domains. It focuses particularly on the utilization of machine learning and deep learning techniques. The range of applications covers healthcare, emotion, motor imagery, external stimulation, mental workload, and satisfaction.