Bøger udgivet af Mdpi AG

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.

Carbon-based nanofillers such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, etc. have been extensively explored recently. This is because these nanofillers assist in improving the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of polymer composites. This Reprint provides insight into recent advances in present research activities on material science, manufacturing techniques, and their multi-functionality within polymer composites. With the advancement of research, new novel materials are expected, with a special focus on ongoing challenges in present scenarios. Therefore, this Reprint will provide readers with up-to-date literature on the research on nanofillers-based polymer composites, their current scenarios, and the future prospects of the work in this area.

The field of quantum information science has seen tremendous progress over the last several years, with advances in both hardware development and novel algorithms. This Special Issue has endeavored to capture some of the technical advances in this rapidly changing field.

This Special Issue, "Innovative Nanomaterial Properties and Applications in Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, or Environment", focused on (i) the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanowires, or nanofibers; (ii) nanostructures (graphene, zeolites, membrane, etc.), coatings, and thin films; (iii) the correlation between the chemical composition, morphology, surface, and magnetic properties of nanostructured materials; (iv) the thermal behaviour of ceramic pigments with applications in glazes; (v) nanomaterials for photocatalysis and electrocatalysis; (vi) nanomaterials for water purification; (vii) nanomaterials for the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants; and (viii) nanomaterials for biosensing and biomedical applications. This Special Issue includes 12 original research papers and highlights the development of synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and nanostructures of different natures with various applications in chemistry, physics, medicine, biology, and the environment.

Functional polymer composites are showing increasing potential as materials in chemistry and materials science. Polymer composites, including nanocomposites, are made via the incorporation of fillers in polymer matrices and offer many advantages. The properties of polymer composites are further improved via the surface modification of fillers or the matrix phase. Currently, there is an increasing demand for smart materials based on eco-friendly polymers for a wide variety of applications. Therefore, functional polymer composites are essential for the development of new technologies. This reprint aims to conduct rigorous research focused on innovative smart materials that make significant contributions to nanotechnology.

Rapid advances in technologies around the globe necessitate the development of new materials, nanostructures, and multicomponent composites with specific chemical and physical properties that can meet the requirements of modern technologies. Using appropriate synthetic approaches is crucial for the preparation of inorganic materials with designed microstructure and properties. Among the different technologies currently available, the sol-gel method is very well known for its versatility, simplicity, and time- and cost-efficiency. The mix of starting materials on an atomic level provides high homogeneity and stoichiometry in the products, facilitating the fabrication of high-quality materials at low temperatures. The versatility of the sol-gel method allows for the development of materials for a wide range of applications in electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, biomedicine, and many other areas. The scope of this Special Issue of Materials, entitled "Sol-Gel Technology Applied to Materials Science: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications", focuses on, but is not limited to, the preparation, characterization, and application of functional inorganic materials, as well as hybrid materials, which are important in the field of catalysis, electronics, optics, biomedicine, etc.

This reprint is a collection of articles in the Special Issue "Energy Harvesters and Self-Powered Sensors for Smart Electronics, 2nd Edition", published in Micromachines, containing one Editorial, nine original research articles, and one review article. This reprint showcases the latest progress in the field of energy harvesting and self-powered sensing for enabling a wide range of advanced applications in the era of the Internet of Things, digital health, and metaverse. With broad coverage and deep insights into technology innovations, this reprint can provide readers with detailed design considerations and actual implementations of various energy-harvesting devices and systems, inspiring new ideas to enable the sustainable development and transformation of our society.

Numerous significant ideas in applied mathematics have been formulated within the framework of ordinary or partial differential equations, which provides a language for the illustration of these ideas. Through the years, mathematicians and scientists have developed extensions of these methodologies across almost all areas of science and technology. This Special Issue provides an opportunity to showcase recent developments in the many branches of ordinary or partial differential equations in applied mathematics that are related to stochastic, fuzzy, functional, and fractional differential or difference equations in the fields of sciences and engineering.

We explore the cutting-edge realm of 'Recent Trends in Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications' through this insightful reprint. Morever, we delve into the new advancements in nanotechnology where functional nanomaterials are revolutionizing biomedicine and healthcare. This reprint uncovers the latest advancements, applications, and the transformative potential of these nanomaterials, offering a glimpse into the future of healthcare innovation. From targeted drug delivery to advanced imaging technologies, this reprint captures the essence of how nanomaterials are reshaping the landscape of modern healthcare

This reprint includes papers that were presented at the Zimányi School Winter Workshop in 2022. This workshop aimed to summarize the developments of 2022 in high-energy heavy-ion physics with particular attention to the new data emerging from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and SPS. The included papers discuss new results in hydrodynamics, flow and femtoscopy. One of the main aims of the workshop was to encourage interactions between the theoretical and experimental community, hence experimental and theoretical papers appear alongside one another in the reprint.

In this Special Issue, we aim to publish articles, reviews, short notes, etc., on active and innovative approaches towards methodologies and advanced research relating to sustainable STEAM and mathematics education. We encouraged theoretical, methodological, and empirical research on teaching and learning, competencies and assessment, policy, program development and implementation, instructor preparation, community- and project-based learning, institutional collaborations and partnerships, and other relevant topics. Particular focus was also directed towards active and innovative teaching and learning approaches and methodologies that have been substantiated to be relevant to sustainable STEAM and mathematics education, such as flipped classrooms, blended learning, escape rooms, gamification, technology-based classrooms, future classrooms, virtual reality, e-learning and online-learning, project-based learning, service learning, inclusive learning, etc.

This Special Issue comprises 14 original studies and 2 reviews, and will serve as a platform to further the current knowledge of antibody responses against RNA virus infections. Infectious diseases represent one of the major public health concerns on the global level.The emergence and re-emergence of different RNA viruses (influenza, SARS-CoV-1, MERS,CHIKV, Zika and SARS-CoV-2) remain a major concern for public health control worldwide[1,2]. In every disease outbreak, valuable knowledge about virus-host interactionscan be learnt to better manage and control the spread of RNA virus diseases.

The reprint "Feature Reviews in Pharmaceutical Technology" aims to highlight exciting developments in pharmaceutical technologies. With the continuous discovery of a plethora of new drug candidates, both small-molecule drugs and large biomolecules, such technologies are becoming essential for the advancement of patient treatments. This issue features twelve review papers broadly classified into formulation development and drug delivery devices. These technologies address important issues of improving drug bioavailability, decreasing treatment toxicity and side effects, and enhancing treatment efficacy to both cure patients and improve their quality of life.

The purpose of this reprint is to present current research on identifying and supporting giftedness and talent in schools all over the world. This reprint contains 19 articles from differing international contexts: Australia, Austria, Finland, France, Greece, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA. By sharing differing approaches with one another, we can learn and be inspired as to how to deliver quality educational experiences for gifted children and students. Diverse approaches to identification include broad (even 'fuzzy'), multi-categorical, and curriculum-specific opportunities for talent to emerge within enrichment programs. Diverse approaches to gifted education support include differentiated teaching or curriculum content, such as the use of transdisciplinary, holistic education; acceleration; ability-grouping; special programs; and enrichment opportunities. Alongside these considerations are why we engage in gifted education, specifically the needs and educational rights of children and students. We take a holistic approach to education in schools and early childhood education that includes cognitive, emotional, social, and moral domains concerning giftedness and talents. This means that all aspects of a gifted learner are important, not just their academic achievements. We increasingly find that gifted child and student well-being is tied to the identification and support they receive in schools and early childhood services.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the geoenvironment, with concepts like "geosites", "geoparks", and "geodiversity" becoming integral to the local economic and cultural development of various areas. Globally recognized significant geosites benefit from exchanges of information, skills, experience, and personnel within the geopark community. Geotourism, a form of tourism focused on understanding the geological features of visited areas, plays a crucial role, encompassing both natural and human resources. The core of geoparks lies in geoeducation, as they serve as ideal locations for educational activities.This volume aims to compile a collection of papers highlighting the importance of geoeducation in promoting and preserving geological heritage and geoethical values. Beyond research articles covering various geological heritage approaches, this volume zooms in on new cases, emphasizes current challenges and knowledge gaps, and includes long-term review articles. This Special Issue addresses topics such as the following:Scientific studies of geoheritage sites, showcasing geosites across different geological and geomorphological contexts.Techniques for enhancing geoheritage.The significance of geoheritage in human life.Geosciences education for sustainability.Educational programs fostering geoeducation.Sustainable geotourism, shedding light on issues related to geological heritage management.The sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage and resources.The valorization of geoheritage for sustainable and innovative tourism development.

Due to the increase in population worldwide, there is an urgent need to estimate natural hazards more efficiently. A crucial aspect of this challenging task is the mitigation of the risk of earthquakes. The occurrence of earthquakes is an inherently complex phenomenon that is manifested in the nonlinear dynamics that form the process of earthquake generation. Earthquakes interact over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales to generate new events; meanwhile, the coupling of stress interactions with other aseismic processes, such as fluid flow, poroelastic effects, and aseismic slip, may further reduce the frictional strength of faults, triggering more earthquakes. As such, earthquakes are considered a critical phenomenon, exhibiting nonlinearity, self-organized criticality, scaling, clustering, fractal/multifractal structures, and long-range interactions. The analysis of earthquake phenomena in the light of complexity theory is thus ubiquitous, and mathematical tools arising from statistical physics offer a consistent theoretical framework with which to better understand the occurrence of earthquakes. With the significant generation of new data in recent years, these modern tools may provide novel and substantial insights into the physics of earthquakes, with the ultimate aim being to mitigate the risk of earthquakes more effectively.

In a world dealing with the widespread impact of heavy metals on our environment, it is crucial to delve deep into the subject and develop effective strategies. Despite appearing in seemingly harmless concentrations, these metals, which do not break down easily and accumulate in living organisms, pose potential threats to various life forms, including humans. Understanding the intricate details of their presence, pathways, sources, and associated risks in our environment underscores the need for focused research.This reprint is expected to provide valuable insights that will lay the foundation for future research and policy efforts. The combined knowledge of the global scientific community shared in these pages will contribute to a more resilient and sustainable approach to tackling the complex challenges presented by heavy metal pollutants in our environment. Additionally, the reprint will serve as a handy reference for students, scholars, and budding researchers.

Nanotechnology has made enormous progress over the last few decades, and the current use of nanomaterials is rapidly increasing. As a result, the continuous release of nanomaterials into the air, water, and soil has raised concerns about possible adverse consequences for environmental and human health. This Special Issue pays close attention to the evaluation of nanomaterials' ecotoxicity associated with their occurrence, behavior, fate, and bioavailability. Such an evaluation would be critical for scientists, legislators, business leaders, and the public to understand and develop effective solutions to the potential impacts of nanomaterials.

In recent years, the expansion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0) to cities has disrupted the way in which cities are planned and developed as well as having generated a new city conceptualization-i.e., City 4.0. This new smart city blueprint, City 4.0, aims to leverage the power of engaged and connected citizens, digital technology, and data to ensure and enhance the quality of urban life, productivity, and sustainable development. In other words, City 4.0 is a city that utilizes technological developments and digitalization to transform local public services and the local economy to produce sustainable and desired urban, environmental, and societal outcomes for all. This reprint further elaborates the concept of City 4.0.

This Reprint comprises all of the accepted articles published as part of the Special Issue "Mathematical Methods and Applications for Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision". The aim of this Special Issue was to publish recent theoretical and applied studies in computational intelligence and related fields, with a particular focus on computer vision. Our goal was to inspire researchers in this community to further their research in the field of artificial intelligence and computer vision while also encouraging the exploration of their valuable applications across various fields and disciplines. We hope that the included papers will stimulate further research and development in the domains of artificial intelligence and computer vision.

It is crucial that we strengthen existing structures worldwide, especially in earthquake-prone areas. Recent earthquakes have highlighted the inadequacy of many existing structures, which have been damaged from previous powerful earthquakes and have been designed without code provisions or according to old code provisions that are now obsolete. Furthermore, the majority of existing buildings in low- and middle-income countries have been constructed using substandard materials and without application of code provisions; therefore, the structural vulnerability in these areas is highly concerning.Recently, there has been enormous development in novel construction materials that could be effectively utilised to protect existing structures and to enhance structural resilience. This Special Issue provides an overview of the latest scientific advancements in the development of novel technologies for durable earthquake-resistant Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures. These studies are focused on the development and application of innovative repair and strengthening techniques using novel composite and high-performance materials for the structural performance improvement and improved durability of existing RC structures.

This Special Issue of Pharmaceuticals presented the recent findings on antiproliferative compounds and highlighted possible routes to discover new drugs used to treat cancer. In this Special Issue, different studies on kinase and methyltransferase-like proteins 3 inhibitors and compounds capable of altering the tumor microenvironment or acting at the mitotic stage of the cell cycle were presented. Furthermore, the antiproliferative or cytotoxic activities of various small synthetic, natural-derived molecules, and their hybrids were discussed.

Anticancer therapy remains a leading area of interest for researchers worldwide. This interest was shared also by the participants of the Interdisciplinary Conference on Drug Sciences, ACCORD 2022. Most of the papers published in this reprint were presented, at least in part, at this conference. The main subjects of the reprint are manifold: markers in neurodegenerative disorders, mediators of inflammation, non-coding micro-RNAs, enzymes regulating cell division, measures to mitigate post-operative side effects of cancer treatment, genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, skin disorders, multifunctional biomaterials, plant-derived topical preparations, crystal forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients, innovative drug product formulations, the quality control of drug substances and drug products, including the chemical stability of drug substances and impurity profile, drug membrane permeability and the identification of drug candidates via the virtual screening of a compound library. The topics in this reprint address the identification of the molecular target of new drugs, docking supported by molecular dynamics simulation, quantum chemical simulations, studies of protein-drug interactions, the modeling and optimization of the structure of small molecules with drug-like activity, the determination of the functional profile, pre-formulation studies, new pharmaceutical formulations, preclinical development to the design, and prediction of the efficacy of agents in clinical trials.

Radiomics is one of the most successful branches of research in the field of image processing and analysis, as it provides valuable quantitative information for the personalized medicine. It has the potential to discover features of the disease that cannot be appreciated with the naked eye in both preclinical and clinical studies. In general, all quantitative approaches based on biomedical images, such as positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have a positive clinical impact in the detection of biological processes and diseases as well as in predicting response to treatment. This Special Issue, "Image Processing and Analysis for Preclinical and Clinical Applications", addresses some gaps in this field to improve the quality of research in the clinical and preclinical environment. It consists of fourteen peer-reviewed papers covering a range of topics and applications related to biomedical image processing and analysis.

This reprint is a collection of research articles that highlight the achievements of the team of the European project called the REAMIT, funded by Interreg North-West Europe and ERDF. The chapters of this reprint were published as articles in the Special Issue titled "New Multidisciplinary Approaches for Reducing Food Waste in Agribusiness Supply Chains" published in the journal Sustainability. We gratefully acknowledge the generous funding received from the Interreg North-West Europe for carrying out our activities. We believe that the reprint and individual chapters will be of interest to a wide and various audience and will kindle interests in food companies, technology companies, business support organisations, policy-makers and members of the academic community in finding ways to reduce food waste with and without the use of technology.

Since entering the 21st century, the emergence of new functional materials and the development of interdisciplinary approaches have provided strong support for the design and construction of all kinds of green roads. At present, building environmentally friendly green and low-carbon roads, expanding road service functions, improving road ecological benefits and further improving road environments have become important challenges for road workers and researchers, as well as frontier directions for the development of the road engineering discipline. To this end, scholars around the world have carried out a great deal of in-depth research on green road materials and applied technologies. This Special Issue aims to gather recent research that advances knowledge about new green road materials and applied technologies. The supplement to these studies will guide the development of functional road materials and promote the design optimization and technological innovation of green roads.

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.