Bücher veröffentlicht von Mdpi AG

This reprint entitled "Nanomedicine Based Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Developments and Future Prospects" contains 14 articles in total. This includes one editorial, ten research articles, and three review articles. All articles are associated with nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems for the solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic enhancement of active drug molecules. In recent years, there has been a tremendous amount of research on nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems. This reprint has brought together prominent scientists who have explored a diverse range of applications of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems. I believe that further clinical and toxicological studies on both animal and human models are still required to explore the complete potential and commercial exploitation of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems. The diverse and critical perspectives within this reprint provide sufficient information on the development, characterization, and evaluation of nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems.

Plant-derived phenolic compounds whose most important classes are flavonoids (i.e., catechin, epicatechin) quinones, stilbenes (i.e., resveratrol) and essential oils (i.e., thymol, carvacrol), widely found in fruits, seeds, flowers, and leaves, are considered as beneficial molecules for prevention and treatment of several diseases, since it has been shown that they have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. The Special Issue contains contributions concerning different aspects of the use of phenolic plant-derived molecules for prevention and therapy of several diseases, in order to understand the mechanisms involved in their protective role, their bioavailability and their metabolism in human tissue. Moreover, the use of different strategies for extraction, synthesis, and delivery of these compounds, has been covered.

Currently, with the popularity of smart devices, assured Position Navigation and Time (PNT) is critical for these devices and some fundamental infrastructures, i.e., the power grid. The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is dominant in providing PNT information due to its coverage and high accuracy. However, its signals are weak, and it is vulnerable; multipath and None-Line-Of-Signals (NLOS) are the major errors that occur with regard to the GNSS in applications in urban areas. Advanced signal processing methods are expected to improve its resilience and assurance. In addition, the GNSS is fragile to interference and spoofing, which should be emphasized for unmanned systems and smart devices.This Special Issue aimed to provide a platform for researchers to publish innovative work on the advanced technologies for position and navigation under GNSS signal-challenging or -denied environments.

The human body poses various biological barriers to protect itself from pathogens, foreign materials and is important for its functioning and development. This reprint serves as a collection of research and review articles describing novel approaches and new therapeutic modalities to overcome biological barriers. This collection is a must read for scientists working in the field of drug and vaccine delivery.

After almost two decades of continuous development in bio, circular, and green economy, the time is ripe for the assessment of the major achievements and challenges that private and public enterprises face today to further enhance these global sustainability concepts. Due to the central role of political incentives for the development and implementation of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, the present book project focuses on the nexus between public policies, institutions, quality of public sector management, and patterns of interaction between government and private businesses in backing bio, green, and circular economy practices and eco-innovation. In addition, the project also accommodates surveys that elaborate on the differences between the implementation of new organizational forms and scientific innovations in technologically advanced and developing settings.

The aim of this reprint devoted to the topic "Polymers and the Environment" was to pursue environmentally friendly objectives for polymer-based materials under a two-fold perspective, applied and academic. In the 1980s, the first global environmental crisis occurred with an emphasis on the role of plastics in big cities' massive solid waste streams. It was apparent then (and now) that the best environmental management practices required solid scientific and technical knowledge. Moreover, once at the end of their useful life, these plastics become involved in their materials (polymers and additives) into a circular economy strategy conjugated with the non-steady scenarios of the other key sectors of the economy, industry, society, and policy. Thus, linking tandem polymers and the environment has led, 40 years later, to a wide polymer research field devoted to continuously improving the environmental performance of polymer and polymer-based materials. This strategy comprises all the steps in the polymer management chain, from the raw materials to the polymers, many of which come from classical and renewable sources (the so-called bioplastics). Additionally, there is a need to improve the processability, ultimate properties, and performance by employing friendly environment additives; the recyclability of the materials; and the development of innovative and disruptive processes allowing better mechanical and energy recovery, including chemical recycling. This reprint includes approaches related to this frontrunner polymer science and technology area.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has made the general public aware of the breakthrough technologies which were developed in recent years for state-of-the-art biosensing, and terms such as clinical specificity and sensitivity are now widely understood. The need for reliable point-of-care diagnostic systems during the last few years has been crucial.Continuous developments in MEMS technology and microfluidics are key drivers for the miniaturization of lab-grade sensing systems. Micro-technologies and miniaturization allow for designing lightweight and small devices, other advantages include reduced consumption of power and reagents, faster response times, increased sensitivity, reduced environmental footprint, availability of batch production processes for low-cost and disposable devices.This Special Issue published seven novel contributions in the fields of biosensing, lab-on-chip, organ-on-chip and related technologies such as numerical microfluidics studies, digital micro-fluidics and micromixers.

Overcoming biological barriers is a significant challenge in drug development, and recent advancements in drug delivery systems and technologies offer promising solutions. This Special Issue highlights the innovative approaches and techniques being used to improve drug permeability and absorption, as well as their potential impact on a wide range of therapeutic goals. These advancements being made in drug delivery and permeability offer exciting possibilities to improve patient outcomes.

Fungal Nanotechnology 2 provides an updated and thorough explanation of the green and sustainable production of metal- and organic-based nanostructures by various fungal species, as well as an investigation of intracellular and extracellular mechanisms, with a particular focus on the applications of fungal nanotechnology in biomedical, environmental, and agri-food sectors. Since FN is still in its infancy, major research should be conducted in this field; plants, animals, and people will all benefit significantly from this, and effective and environmentally acceptable methods should be developed.

Dual disorders, meaning the coexistence in the same individual of a substance use disorder and another mental disorder, have become an area of great interest in the fields of psychiatry and addiction and in health overall due to their high prevalence, clinical relevance and multicultural presence. This book includes a compilation of papers published between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2023 focused on recent advances in dual disorders.The contributions present a broad look at various relevant aspects. Among them are the characterization of patients treated in different services, with special interest in the risk of overdoses, suicidal attempts and HIV, as well as the so-forgotten gender perspective and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attention of addiction centers. One of the first studies to consider the comorbidity of gambling disorders with substance use is also presented. The possible usefulness of explanatory models of machine learning for diagnosis and for performing chronobiological measurements that allow a more individualized treatment stand out among the novel contributions to the field of dual disorders. The aim of each of the contributions of this book is to be transferred for the benefit of clinical practice.

Mangrove communities represent a coastal habitat located in the intertidal zone or brackish water of tropical and subtropical coastal areas, between 5°N and 5°S latitudes, spanning over 118 countries. The special ecological conditions of mangroves include high salinity, nutrient limitation, tidal gradients, high temperatures, excessively high light, and muddy anaerobic or sandy soil, which lead to various morphological and physiological adaptations of inhabiting species and act as an effective selector for the metabolic pathway via the generation of unique functional metabolites with highly unique chemical scaffolds and pharmaceutical application potential. In recent decades, numerous metabolites with uncommon structures and efficacious bioactivities have been discovered in mangrove-derived microorganisms, along with mangrove plants. For this reason, mangrove ecosystems have taken the limelight as an attractive biodiversity hotspot, attracting significant attention from organic chemists and pharmacologists. Additionally, many unique and novel chemical structures with a wide range of structural classes have suggested various biosynthetic origins containing novel functional genes and corresponding enzymes with unique catalytic functions. In this Special Issue, we welcome articles describing recent studies and pertinent reviews focusing on the latest and most important developments in bioactive product discovery from mangrove ecosystems and correlating structures with chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, genomic and metabolomics approaches, biological activities, and pharmaceutical mechanisms. We are now in the process of putting together a group of top researchers whose work we would like to feature in this collection, and we would like you to participate.

The first three papers describe research activities about poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based blends and their composites with wheat bran that were carried out under the framework of the BIONTOP project ("Novel Packaging Films and Textiles with Tailored End of Life and Performance Based on Bio-based Copolymers and Coatings", 837761) funded by the European Commission BBI-JU program. The melt fluidity, morphological, thermo-mechanical, creep and fracture properties of these promising biodegradable materials were considered and discussed. The reprint then includes two contributions (a review and a research article) written in the contest of ECOFUNCO project ("ECO Sustainable Multi FUNctional Biobased COATings with Enhanced Performance and End of Life Options", 837863) funded by the European Commission BBI-JU program. The review explores possible innovations in the field of solid and liquid biobased coatings, whereas the research article examines the modification of paper tissues with biobased additives for sustainable personal care applications. A research paper on the production of PLA-based composites to valorize hazelnut shell powder, which represents an agro-food waste, is also included in the reprint. Moreover, the reprint presents research papers investigating different biobased materials for environmental depollution, including hydrogel-based, bacterial cellulose-based and biochar-based materials. Finally, a research paper on the behavior of natural rubber during aging is presented.

Parasitic infections pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in developing countries, and can lead to long-term illness, disability, and even death. This reprint focuses on parasitic diseases and how parasites respond to the oxidative and nitrosative stress generated by the host's immune system. The articles in this Special Issue cover various aspects of this topic, including the localization of parasites within the host, the impact of nutrition and drugs, and the role of the host's immune defense cells in the parasitic response to oxidative and nitrosative stress. Understanding the mechanisms underlying parasitic diseases is crucial for developing innovative treatments that can target parasites' defense against oxidative stress. This Special Issue serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and physicians interested in parasitic infections.

This reprint is a collection of the papers published in the Special Issue of Atmosphere entitled "Improving the Understanding, Diagnostics, and Prediction of Precipitation". It provides atmospheric researchers and operational meteorologists with an update on recent research and its applications on precipitation prediction.As a result of rigorous peer reviews, 14 papers have been accepted for publication in this Special Issue. These articles cover topics in (a) data assimilation such as assimilation of ground-based microwave radiometers [p. 1] and combined techniques of data assimilation [p. 15]; (b) microphysical parameterizations in NWP models [p. 41]; (c) analog ensemble post-processing [p. 61]; (d) deep learning based short-term intensive rainfall forecast [p. 85], nowcasting [p. 105], and monthly forecast [p. 121]; (e) trend and projection of the long-term spatial-temporal precipitation changes [p. 145]; (f) intercomparison of satellite-based and X-band radar rainfall products [p. 167]; (g) verification of various analyzed precipitation data with observations [p. 191]; (h) climatic patterns of Meiyu and its associated circulations [p. 207]; (i) composite analysis of warm-sector heavy rainfall and its association with large-scale circulations, pre-storm environments, and mesoscale convective systems [p. 221]; and (j) precipitation diurnal cycle [p. 245] and precipitation recycling and moisture sources [p. 263]. It should be noted that all viewpoints in the published papers merely represent those authors' viewpoints, and, certainly, they do not represent our and our organization's viewpoints.

Due to the high prevalence of Eating Disorders (ED) and obesity over the life-spam and the increasing comorbidity between both conditions, the goal of this Special Issue, "Eating Disorders and Obesity: Through the Life Course", is to approach that situation from a broader perspective. We would like to have multidisciplinary contributions, approaching ED and Obesity as potential continuum (eg. Anorexia nervosa and obesity as extreme dimensions), looking not only to shared and differential risk factors (environmental, temperamental, biological, nutritional and neuroendocrinological between ED and obesity), but also to epidemiological studies exploring transition from one to the other, through the life-course, and its impact on the treatment outcome. We are expecting to have systematic reviews and empirical studies (cross-sectional and longitudinal manuscripts), coming from all over the globe.

Advanced manufacturing technology and systems cover a broad scope involving manufacturing processes, machine tool design, system optimization, smart and flexible manufacturing, theoretical study and metrology. This reprint comprises 19 original papers concerning recent advances in the research and development of AMTSs. Specifically, there are many research fields that are covered: machining processes (six papers), micro-/nano-precision fabrication (four papers), and system optimization (eight papers), in addition to one review.

With the development of high-precision geological observation technology, in situ mineral microanalysis technology, isotope geochemical analysis technology, deep geophysical exploration technology, deep drilling, real-time mining, remote sensing highresolution hyperspectral image technology, and supercomputer and industrial intelligence, geoscience has entered an era of big data and artificial intelligence in the 21st century. Three-dimensional/four-dimensional (3D/4D) geoscience modeling with the multi-disciplinary intersection of geosciences has been used as the basis for mineral exploration and the extraction of geosciences information for mineral resource assessment.

This book focuses on challenging issues in the field of AI-based image and video processing and recognition, including the topics of AI-based image processing, understanding, recognition, compression, and reconstruction; AI-based video processing, understanding, recognition, compression, and reconstruction; computer vision based on AI; AI-based biometrics; AI-based object detection and tracking; approaches that combine AI techniques and conventional methods for image and video processing and recognition; explainable AI (XAI) for image and video processing and recognition; generative adversarial network (GAN)-based image and video processing and recognition; and approaches that combine AI techniques and blockchain methods for image and video processing and recognition.

In recent years, ironmaking and steelmaking have witnessed the incorporation of various new processes and technologies that can be operated and organized in different combinations depending on the properties of raw materials and the required quality of the final products. Indications from the steel industry and local and global government institutions suggest that the breakthrough technologies for decarbonization will be based on new fuels and energy vectors. For CO2-lean process routes, three major solutions have been identified: decarbonizing, whereby coal would be replaced by hydrogen or electricity in the hydrogen reduction or electrolysis of iron ore processes; the introduction of CCS technology; and the use of sustainable biomass.Today, hydrogen-based steelmaking is a potential low-carbon and economically attractive route, especially in countries where natural gas is cheap. By considering systems for increasing energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of steel production, CO2 emissions may be greatly reduced by hydrogen-based steel production if hydrogen is generated by means of carbon-free and renewable sources. Currently, the development of the hydrogen economy has received a great deal of attention in that H2 is considered a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels. Based on hydrogen, the "hydrogen economy" is a promising clean energy carrier for decarbonized energy systems if the hydrogen used is produced from renewable energy sources or coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS) or nuclear energy.

The Special Issue of Biomedicines, entitled "Advances in Pathogenesis and Therapeutics of Hepatobiliary Diseases," presents cutting-edge research findings, innovations, and insights into a wide range of topics related to the hepatobiliary system, such as the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis, diagnostic advancements, novel therapeutic approaches, and prevention strategies. The Special Issue comprises seven original articles and four review articles regarding NAFLD, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), hepatitis B and C, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

This book explores sustainable urban development, addressing the challenges and opportunities encountered in the 21st century. It addresses topics such as resilience, blockchain architecture, and green roofs, offering insights into urban challenges and opportunities. The research provides innovative strategies and best practices for sustainable, equitable, and resilient urban communities. The collection emphasizes stakeholder integration, community engagement, and the importance of addressing specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations. As a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students, this publication aims to foster informed conversations about the future of urban planning and design, and inspire further research and dialogue on sustainable urban development, paving the way for more sustainable urban communities worldwide.

This reprint contains a series of articles and reviews that illustrate the state-of-the-art knowledge about Gamma Ray Bursts and provide deep insights on the challenges that will be faced in GRB physics in the next decade.

In the treatment of acute stroke, thrombolysis and thrombectomy have proven to be highly effective. Many patients have seen significant improvement after reperfusion therapy. This reprint aims to address current knowledge gaps and promote advancements in the use of thrombolysis and thrombectomy for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

The remarkable explosion of wireless devices and bandwidth-consuming Internet applications has boosted the demand for wireless communications with ultra-high data rates. The wireless traffic volume is foreseen to match or even surpass the wired services by 2030, and high-precision wireless services will need to be guaranteed with a peak data rate of well beyond 100 Gbit/s, eventually reaching 1 Tbit/s. To meet the exponentially increasing traffic demand, new regions in the radio spectrum are being explored. The terahertz band, which is sandwiched between microwave frequencies and optical frequencies, is considered the next breakthrough point to revolutionize communication technology due to its rich spectrum resources. It is recognized as a promising candidate for future rate-greedy applications, such as 6G communications. At the World Radio Communication Conference 2019 (WRC-19), it was announced that the identification of frequency bands in the frequency range of 275 GHz-450 GHz is permitted for land-mobile and fixed service applications, indicating potential standardization of the low-frequency window of terahertz band for near-future wireless communications. Motivated by the potential of terahertz wireless communications, this reprint reports on recent critical technological breakthroughs in terms of broadband terahertz devices and communications, as well as novel technologies at other frequency bands that can also motivate terahertz research.

Inland lakes are indicators of climate change and environmental deterioration. As a unique ecosystem unit, an inland lake is one of the basic locations for human survival and development. In recent years, with the rapid development of regional society and economy, the ecological environment of inland lakes has been continuously disturbed by human activities under the influence of large-scale water and soil exploitation activities, which have affected the ecological environment of lakes. Therefore, lake ecological restoration and water quality monitoring under the coupled effect of climate change and human activities are the key to lake protection and management. In recent years, remote sensing has played an increasingly important role in the monitoring of the terrestrial water cycle. Remote sensing technology has been applied in many fields, such as water storage, water quality, water level, and hydrodynamics. Furthermore, the explosive growth of remote sensing data applications is driven by the coupling of multisource remote sensing data and the expansion of new modeling technology.

The relationship between human beings and the ecological environment poses a significant global challenge for the present and the future. As human-environment interactions become more complex, it is essential to measure and understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of coupled human-environment systems and how they are influenced by social and ecological factors. This book offers twenty original research articles that explore the latest developments in monitoring and projecting the spatiotemporal changes of the coupled system, examining the responses of the coupled system to socio-ecological drivers and processes, and discussing the implications for the sustainable management of the coupled system.

This MDPI booklet lists the articles published in three Special Issues of the journal Mathematics devoted to special functions with applications in mathematical physics in the years 2020-2021.The call for papers considered theories and applications of high transcendental functions, including topics found mainly in the list of keywords:- Mittag-Leffler and related functions, and their applications in mathematical physics;- Wright and related functions and their applications in mathematical physics;- exponential integrals and their extensions with applications in mathematical physics;- generalized hypergeometric functions and their extensions with applicationsHowever, the Special Issues were not limited to the above list, for example, when the content of a paper was clearly related to some high transcendental functions and their applications.Special attention was reserved for distinct functions exhibiting some relevance in the framework of the theories and applications of the fractional calculus and in their visualization through illuminating plots.Both research and survey articles were included in this booklet, according to the content list.

Major concerns regarding health and the environment are at the heart of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Sustainable Development Goals. Now more than ever, humanity is called upon to take action to protect the environment and public health. The environment in which we live is the most vital factor for our health and well-being. Human activities have significant impacts on the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and even outer space. Biological, chemical, and physical risk factors are part of our everyday lives, and scientific research continuously faces challenges to understand and mitigate these interactions to make life on Earth more sustainable. The sustainability of human societies and the biodiversity that supports them requires the responsible supervision of natural resources, including the development of technologies and regulations.

The Special Issue "Fatigue and Fracture of Metals and Alloys: Numerical and Experimental Study" includes 19 articles covering problems in fatigue and fracture mechanics from different parts of the scientific world. The issue includes articles presenting theoretical, numerical, statistical and experimental approaches to fatigue life estimation. The influence of technological processes, state of stress, or the environment on steel and aluminum alloys is presented. The subjects of the articles of interest, as they present solutions to common practical problems in the industry.

It is currently apparent that extracellular ATP's physiological effect is mediated by its interaction with specific purinergic receptors. All purinergic receptors are divided into P1-purinoreceptors and P2-purinoreceptors. Each of the subtypes is divided into a number of families. For instance, P2 receptors are divided into P2X and P2Y receptors according to the mechanism by which their effect is realized: P2Y are G-protein-coupled receptors, while P2X receptors are ligand-operated ion channels. P2X receptors are important molecular therapeutic targets, the malfunctioning of which leads to severe complications in the physiology of humans and animals and causes dangerous diseases. The search for compounds that can modulate the function of purinergic receptors can lead to the creation of new drugs that are effective in central and peripheral nervous system and immune system disease treatment, including neuroinflammation, hypoxia/ischemia, epilepsy and neuropathic pain. In this Special Issue, we wish to offer a platform for high-quality publications on the latest advances in the identification of P2X/Y- and P1-receptor blockers, functions and regulation by them; the characterization of these receptor signaling networks and crosstalk; mechanisms underlying the role of purinoceptors in neurodegenerative illnesses as well as chronic neuronal changes following acute noxious damage and therapeutic opportunities associated with regulation of purinergic receptor activity.