Böcker utgivna av Mdpi AG

The reprint is a collection of original articles and reviews in the field of modern drug delivery systems and strategies for efficient drug transport across various biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier, mucosal and endothelial barriers, and cell membranes.

The present reprint contains 10 articles which have been published in a Special Issue of MDPI's journal Mathematics titled, 'Numerical Methods for Solving Nonlinear Equations', covering a wide range of topics on the numerical methods for solving nonlinear differential equations, nonlinear integral equations, nonlinear integro-differential equations, nonlinear variational equations, nonlinear optimization problems, nonlinear control problems, equilibrium problems or nonlinear algebraic equations.

The topic "Marine Renewable Energy" brings together four MDPI journals, Energies, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Inventions, and Processes, with 51 papers published. The present reprint includes a selection of 26 significant scientific works structured into three main subjects: S1 - wind turbines, including both fix and floating structures (7); S2 - developments in ocean energy and emerging floating photovoltaic systems (10); and S3 - economic assessments related to offshore renewable energy extraction (9). The present reprint seeks to contribute to the renewable energy agenda through enhanced scientific and multi-disciplinary works, aiming to improve knowledge and performance in harvesting offshore renewable energy.

Since Kurt Lewin (1947) first published his article Frontiers in Group Dynamics 75 years ago, countless publications in the form of articles and books have been written on the topic of organizational change. There remains a great deal to be discussed and deliberated about organizational change. The articles in this Special Issue have been carefully selected to provide new insights into the vast domain of organizational change.

Propulsion systems based on chemical reaction principles are still the most widely used thrust devices for aircrafts, drawing a lot of research attention. Whether in traditional propulsion systems including aero-engines, rocket engines, ramjets and scramjets, or new developed combined power systems (such as TBCCs and RBCCs), thermal protection, flow dynamics and combustion instabilities in engine systems are still major concerns, especially for high-speed aircraft. Thermal protection has become the biggest issue for hypersonic aircraft experiencing extremely high external aerodynamic heating and internal combustion heat release. Another challenging issue is the risk of combustion instability inside some propulsion systems, which couples with an unsteady heat release process and leads to high thermal load. Some optimized or novel design, analysis and simulated methods have been applied to the structural design, heat transfer and flow dynamics of propulsion systems. New measurement methods have been proposed to realize clear and accurate visualizations of flow field and combustion products, such as high-resolution PIV and burst-mode high frequency LIF. In addition, new concepts have been proposed aiming at improving the efficiency of propulsion systems, such as the application of powder fuel instead of traditional fuels and the application of supercritical fluids and nanofluids in thermal management systems.

The reprint collects research papers on mathematical and numerical modelling in fluid dynamics, discusses latest research developments in areas of fluid flows heat and mass transfer, and focuses on special topics and applications of tech-related real-world applications.

Numerical analysis and computer simulations are becoming increasingly important in modeling of new sources and methods of harvesting, transforming and storing energy from its renewable sources. A similar trend is also observed in relation to environmental impacts on people and the buildings in which they use to live or stay, as well as the impact of everyday devices, machines and industrial installations on the quality of air and drinking water. This collection provides an overview of contemporary methods, algorithms and results in this broad and important field of human knowledge. Particularly noteworthy here are works in the area of machine learning and artificial intelligence, where the progress of computer methods and the interest of researchers from many fields seem to be the greatest. The use of statistical and stochastic algorithms that make it possible to take into account the impact of wind, humidity, moisture, temperature and sunlight on the immediate human environment remains still a great challenge.

Copper-based catalysts possess important applications in diverse reactions and have received considerable attention from material and catalysis researchers. A great challenge in this field is the facile synthesis of copper-based catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability. This Special Issue of Catalysts, entitled "Synthesis and Applications of Copper-based Catalysts", presents state-of-the-art synthetic strategies for copper-based catalysts, as well as information on their structure and catalytic use in heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, which is helpful for developing novel high-efficiency Cu-based catalysts and synthetic methodology, and for exploring their new catalytic applications.

This reprint brings together the work of practitioners, communities, artists and other researchers from multiple disciplines. Seeking to provoke a discourse around displacement within and beyond the field of humanities, it positions historical cases and debates, some reaching into the ancient past, within diverse geo-chronological contexts and current world urgencies. In adopting an innovative dialogic structure, between practitioners on the ground-from architects and urban planners to artists-and academics working across subject areas, the volume is a proposition to remap priorities for current research agendas; open up disciplines, critically analyse their approaches; address the socio-political responsibilities that we have as scholars and practitioners; and provide an alternative site of discourse for contemporary concerns about displacement. Ultimately, this volume aimed to provoke future work and collaborations-hence, manifestos-not only in the historical and literary fields, but wider research concerned with human mobility and the challenges confronting people who are out of place in terms of rights, protection and belonging.

This Special Issue focuses on the articulation of the 2030 Agenda at the domestic level, with policies addressing social exclusion in rural and urban contexts, both in countries from the Global North and the Global South. In such contexts, a complex multiactor governance mechanism is required to guarantee the participation of all relevant stakeholders in the policy cycle. This democratic governance is especially relevant to effectively address the problems faced by the most vulnerable people and groups in rural and urban areas, to guarantee that no one is left behind. Many elements defining the situation of vulnerability and deprivation that people face occur in relation to and caused by the characteristics of the place where they live, be it a city or a rural area. Rural and urban vulnerabilities should not be studied as two separate realities, not only because they share common features, but also because those most deprived in cities are likely to have migrated from the rural milieu in search of a better life. Thus, they can be regarded as two stages in time and space of a continuum of underdevelopment. This Special Issue gathered the works of scholars that explore how the 2030 Agenda is influencing the design of domestic policies with a multilevel (transnational and domestic) approach, methodological models for studying the articulation of global policies such as the 2030 Agenda in the design of national and local policies, or potentially replicable diffusion and transference models for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Energy plays a decisive role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as employment growth, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, clean energy, and climate change. This reprint, titled "Recent Advancements in Sustainable Solar Photovoltaic Power Technology", presents significant works in the field of solar photovoltaic systems and critical issues in solar power generation technology, as well as the latest achievements and current problems in solar power generation technology and proposing corresponding solutions to key technical challenges in the utilization of solar power, pointing out future directions for achieving the SDGs through solar power generation technology.

This reprint presents information to update the state-of-the-art knowledge on young, professional or recreational, male and female athletes. Moreover, it addresses current gaps in the literature on issues that have an impact on athletes (e.g., Crohn's disease, Olympic weightlifting, and velocity speed loss). Importantly, this reprint contributes to knowledge on how to improve load monitoring (of training and competition) and health care for athletes through direct or indirect research.

Earth observation (EO) techniques have proven to be reliable and accurate for monitoring land-surface deformations that occur naturally (landslides, earthquakes, and volcanoes) or due to anthropogenic activities (ground-water overexploitation, extraction of oil and gas). In cases where mitigation methods have to be put into practice, the detailed mapping, characterization, monitoring and simulation of the geocatastrophic phenomena have to precede their design and implementation. EO techniques possess high potential and suitability as alternative, cost-efficient methods for the management of geohazards, and have been proven to be a valuable tool for verifying and validating the spatial extent and evolution of the deformations. To this extent, the current reprint covers innovative applications and case studies on the mapping and monitoring of all kinds of geohazards with remote-sensing technologies. Submissions that make use of new tools and methodologies, including the use of data-driven machine learning methods, were encouraged.

Food quality, including dietary quality and diversity, is as essential to human health as air is to human life. In addition, other healthy lifestyle factors, including a healthy body mass index, regular exercise, no smoking, and sufficient sleep duration, are associated with a lower incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases and longer life expectancy. More importantly, maternal healthy lifestyle factors are also associated with a substantially reduced risk of chronic diseases in their offspring. Childhood is a critical period for the development of a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of chronic diseases in adulthood. However, the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing and unhealthy lifestyles are becoming an epidemic, posing a potential future burden of adult chronic disease. The aim of this Special Issue is to identify and assess dietary factors, including dietary diversity and specific nutrients/phytochemicals, as well as other healthy lifestyle factors, in the prevention and management of childhood chronic diseases. Additionally, we want to identify gaps and tools that could help with the assessment of children's health. We wanted to encourage all researchers who work in this field to submit original research, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses to this Special Issue to broaden our knowledge and pave the way for new research directions.

This reprint encompasses karst ecosystem quality, ecosystem services, climate change, ecological restoration, vegetation dynamics, land management, and the element biogeochemical cycle. These are closely related to land system science, landscape, land-climate interactions, the water-energy-land-food nexus, ecosystem services, and multifunctionality and sustainability. We expect that this reprint will contribute to ecological construction and land use management in karst areas.

This unique reprint was the culmination of a Special Issue of the journal Religions with a focus on "God and Ethics," a topic both rich in historical significance and of special contemporary importance in light of the recent resurgence of interest in this branch of natural and philosophical theology, the philosophy of religion, and religious epistemology. Suggested themes for the reprint included whether or not the evidence furnished by various aspects of ethics points in the direction of God, and, if so, in what fashion; discussion of obstacles in the way of theistic ethics; and challenges in making the best sense of ethics apart from theism. It was suggested in the original call for papers that the nature of the moral evidence adduced might cover (but was not limited to) intrinsic human value, binding moral obligations, moral knowledge, moral transformation, the category of evil, issues associated with reconciling moral reasoning and prudential reasoning, and the historical discussion of moral atheology or the moral argument. Matters of the roles of reason and emotion in moral epistemology, the nature of potential dependence relations of morality on God, and what a sufficiently robust moral theology looks like were all topics for investigation rife with potential. The ten contributions that passed muster by surviving the peer-review process did not disappoint, and they now comprise this collection, making for an exciting contribution to the literature. We are deeply grateful to all of the excellent contributors and to all the good folks at Religions for everything they have done to make this volume possible.

Global immunization rates were stagnating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and declined further in 2020 and 2021, with substantial variation. Across countries, the level of protection afforded by immunization varies, with many countries reporting gaps in coverage of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and seasonal influenza, and many population subgroups, especially children, being left behind. In this Special Issue, we explore the latest evidence on various types of immunization across the life course at global, regional, national, and subnational levels. Exploring various dimensions of inequality-such as economic status, subnational geographic regions, sex, maternal education-and other categories, this issue includes contributions characterizing the situation of inequality, the drivers of inequality, and finally, actions and initiatives that hold promise for enhancing equity of immunization across countries.

This reprint of the Special Issue "BDS/GNSS for Earth Observation" highlights and discusses major aspects of Earth monitoring. Among the most noteworthy works are articles presenting variations in the plasmaspheric total electron content (TEC) and correlations between the seismo-ionospheric anomalies of GNSS-TEC and earthquake energy. Those addressing the analysis of the Earth's ionosphere employ two new methods developed for determining the optimal thin layer ionospheric height in the polar regions and for estimating the multi-GNSS differential code bias without using the ionospheric function model. In addition, the troposphere is investigated using a modified interpolation method of multi-reference station tropospheric delay. There are two papers addressing precise orbit determination, employing the Haiyang-2b altimetry satellite and GRACE-FO antenna phase center modeling. Works on GNSS signals are also published, with variations in multi-channel differential code biases from new BDS-3 signal observations, and the modelling and assessment of a new triple-frequency IF1213 PPP with BDS/GPS. Furthermore, GNSS precipitable water vapor (PWV) and its applications are discussed with regard to individual station meteorological data, while three other works examine improvements in iGNSS-R ocean altimetric precision, maritime multiple moving target detection using multiple-BDS radar, and a regional groundwater storage anomaly by combining GNSSs and surface mass load data. Lastly, a review addressing the application of multi-GNSS for Earth observation and its emerging applications is presented.

The fast development of biosensors with high sensitivity through new functional materials introduced, or simplified the procedure in measurements, which is definitely important. However, more attentions should be paid for real applications, increasing tolerances against various matrix that potentially influence the performance of biosensors.This reprint focuses on the biosensors which were widely used in various fields after some problems were circumstanced, analytical methods development for containments in environments and foods, and biomarkers/hazardous substances in cells based on nanozyme or other nanoparticles, combined with antibodies, nucleic acids, aptamers or nanobodies, including enough sensitivity and satisfactory accuracy, maintaining enzyme activity at varied harsh environments.

Food systems are under increasing pressure. They must meet the food requirements of a growing world population, and socio-economic changes also influence the type of foods which are under demand. At the same time, food systems are a major contributor to global environmental change, and environmental changes adversely impact agricultural productivity. This Special Issue explores opportunities and challenges towards achieving more sustainable food systems. Essential changes required in food systems are highlighted, such as more effective food distribution, the avoidance or valorisation of food waste, and less meat consumption. How to actually achieve these required changes across food value chains is also presented. This Special Issue supports solution-oriented approaches towards addressing one of most complex challenges of this century. The reader is invited to study the publications included in this Special Issue in detail.

Over the last twenty years, the use of cellulosic and lignocellulosic agricultural by-products for composite applications has been of great interest, especially for reinforcing matrices. Fibers of renewable origin have many advantages. They are abundant and cheap, have a reduced impact on the environment, and are independent from fossil resources. Their ability to mechanically reinforce thermoplastic matrices is well known, as is their natural heat insulation ability. The matrices can themselves be of renewable origin (e.g., proteins, thermoplastic starch, poly(lactic acid), polyhydroxyalkanoates, etc.), thus contributing to the development of 100% bio-based composites with a controlled end of life.This Special Issue, "Natural Fiber Based Composites", provides an inventory of the latest research in the area of composites reinforced with natural and wood fibers, focusing particularly on the preparation and molding processes of such materials (e.g., extrusion, injection molding, hot pressing, 3D printing, etc.) and their characterizations. It contains one review and ten research reports authored by researchers from three continents and eleven countries, namely China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Fiber lasers are key components that have attracted wide attention owing to their advantages such as compact structure, high peak power, high efficiency, and excellent beam quality. To date, considerable efforts have been undertaken to improve the emission performance of optical fiber lasers, including their pulse duration, peak power, and stability. Furthermore, high-peak-power fiber lasers have been adopted as an edge tool in both research and industry fields, such as nonlinear optics, optical imaging, laser processing, and 3D printing. The aim of this reprint is to provide a comprehensive exploration of fiber lasers and their diverse applications.

This Issue focuses on processes related to the research of natural products dereived from plants (Bauhinia forficata, Placolobium vietnamense, Tamarix chinensis, Peperomia obtusifolia, Cymbidium ensifolium, Dendrobium delacourii, Turnera subulata, Eruca sativa, Miconia chamissois and Persea americana) and microorganisms (Streptomyces tricolor, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Gonatophragmium triuniae, Penicillium bissettii and P. glabrum) as well as spectroscopic data from a significant number of natural products, 13C-NMR data from 504 pentacyclic triterpenoids isolated from plants of the Celastraceae family and UV, IR, 1H and 13C-NMR data of the 192 chromones.

Duckweed (Lemnaceae) represents a small aquatic monocot plant family presently composed of 36 species. These plants gained importance in recent decades for their applications in wastewater purification, as animal food or human nutrition, as well as for energy production. This Reprint presents 39 manuscripts published in the Special Issue "Duckweed: Research meets applications" of the journal Plants. We provide an overview of the present state of the art of duckweed research in taxonomy of the family, phytoremediation, accumulation of protein or starch, interaction with microorganisms, and phytomonitoring of toxic compounds. This Special Issue also invited the participants of the 6th International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications (ICDRAs) held in Gatersleben, Germany, organised on behalf of the International Steering Committee on Duckweed Research and Applications (ISCDRAs). This Reprint is organised as follows:1. Introduction; 2. Molecular Characterization and Taxonomy; 3. Phytoremediation: Wastewater; 4. Applications: Accumulation of Protein or Starch; 5. Interaction with Microorganisms; 6. Physiology and Phytomonitoring.The manuscripts were organised by the Guest Editors Viktor Oláh (University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary), Klaus-J. Appenroth (Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany), and K. Sowjanya Sree (Central University Kerala, Periye, India).

Autophagy is a conserved degradative mechanism essential for cellular homeostasis in eukaryotic organisms. It is a cellular response mechanism that helps cells adapt and survive under various stressful conditions. It involves the degradation and recycling of cellular components to maintain cellular homeostasis and protect against damage from stressors like nutrient deprivation, oxidative stress, infection, and protein misfolding. However, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of autophagy regulation is still in significant development, including the involvement of gasotransmitters and small signaling molecules, such as those produced under ROS, RNS and RSS. Dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in various diseases, making it an important area of research to improve biomedical therapies and strategies for overcoming the challenges from environmental stresses. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to review the current developments regarding autophagy research.

This Special Issue of "Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Activity" contains 10 research and review articles, which present the recent advances in the synthesis and applications of TiO2 nanomaterials for photocatalytic water splitting, environmental remediation, antibacterial, and bioimplant. In this issue, photocatalysts such as Ti2O3, TiN, g-C3N4, and reduced graphene oxide could be combined with TiO2 to form heterojunctions, thus enhancing photocatalytic performance. Besides anatase TiO2, rutile TiO2 with oxygen vacancies also demonstrated marvelous photoluminescence emission properties. In addition, the cutting-edge progress in black TiO2 nanomaterials are summarized in this issue. The advances of TiO2 catalysis and generation mechanism of reactive oxygen species w/o light irradiation were also concluded to analyze the safety and complexity of Ti-oxides in disinfection and bioimplants.

Research and development related to smart, connected, and portable biosensors and bioelectronics have been game changing in the fields of diagnostics and health management. Unlike conventional biosensors, these devices allow rapid, accurate, and on-site detection of biomarkers, which helps to prevent disease spread by the source control. This reprint contains experimental/computational studies and systematic reviews that report advances towards addressing current challenges and the future scope of the field of portable biosensors and bioelectronics.

Food packaging plays an important role in the preservation and transportation stages of food. In recent years, coating packaging has become a research hotspot. Coatings can inhibit the growth of microorganisms during food storage, control gas exchange, water penetration, and oxidation processes in food, thus improving food safety and extending the shelf life of food, which brings convenience to consumers. This Special Issue on food packaging and shelf life caters to the needs of scientists, material scientists, food chemists, and microbiologists in the area of food packaging and shelf life. The journal will mainly publish original research papers, review articles, and short communications in the following areas: food packaging material development, coatings or films material development, nano coatings or films material, edible coatings or films, designing coatings or films machinery, physical and chemical properties of food packaging coatings or films, modified atmosphere packaging systems, active and intelligent antimicrobial packaging systems, food package testing, sensory properties of packaged foods, migration from packaging materials, food package interactions, shelf life of packaged food products, recycling of food packaging materials, microbial stability of food during storage, handling and transportation, sensory changes during food storage, shelf life and food safety, chemical, physical and microbial determinants for shelf life, shelf life simulation, and accelerated shelf life tests.

In today's global food market, ensuring both consumer satisfaction and the highest standards of safety is paramount. Food quality analysis covers chemical composition, physical properties, taste evaluation, and even traceability. Traditional methods are often slow, expensive, and eco-unfriendly due to their destructive nature. Here's the exciting part! Advanced spectroscopy techniques offer solutions. Imagine using non-destructive methods like X-rays, hyperspectral imaging, NMR, and Raman-quick, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, using less solvent. Now, let's demystify chemometrics-it extracts hidden info from spectra or image data, creating models for both qualitative and quantitative food analysis. This reprint presents recent advances in spectroscopy and chemometrics, focusing on their role in food analysis, quality evaluation, safety, and practical industry use. It's all about ensuring safe, delicious, and trustworthy food. Whether you're a curious consumer, food enthusiast, or industry insider, this reprint unveils cutting-edge methods for maintaining top food standards. With advanced spectroscopy and chemometrics, we're on track to boost consumer confidence in the food we love.

Smart cities represent a great advance in terms of sustainability, energy efficiency and being able to respond to the needs of enterprises, institutions and inhabitants. In this sense, smart grids contribute to the development of smart cities in the field of electrical energy, including concepts such as renewable energies, distributed generation, energy efficiency and smart homes and automation. In order to be able to implement all the functionalities of smart grids, it is necessary to have real-time information about the different installations. In this sense, IoT plays a fundamental role in developing smart grids. Cloud computing, which integrates the data obtained via smart electrical meters, smart electrical power analyzers and other intelligent metering devices, contributes to the availability of the measured data in real time and provides intelligence to existing electrical networks. Wireless communication networks, especially LPWANs, allow the construction of devices with low energy consumption and high operating autonomy, which can be installed in different locations, even those that are difficult to access. The massive implantation of the electric vehicle implies the construction of charging stations. These stations must use renewable energy sources that contribute to saving fossil fuels, reducing CO2 and increasing the sustainability of electric mobility.