Böcker utgivna av Mdpi AG

In this Special Issue, we aim to represent the vibrant state of protein structure studies at the end of 2021. Recent decades have brought significant changes to the protein structure research field. Thanks to the genome projects and advances in structure determination methods, the number of solved protein structures has increased significantly. Protein structure research is experiencing a new renaissance, and in 2020 the number of deposited structures in the PDB database reached a new record. An assortment of many new frontiers are presented in this collection. A single Special Issue cannot give a comprehensive overview of a large field such as proteins science, but we aim to give a broad overview of current research.

This reprint summarizes the ongoing research on the topic of polymer nanoparticles for different applications. It includes functionalization of graphene, silver, and titanium surface with polymers as electrochemical sensors, and antimicrobial agents. The Special Issue "Polymer nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications" reviews the latest research in polymeric and functionalized nanoparticles, providing a new platform for development and further research. The reprint helps the researcher to fabricate polymeric nanoparticles and nanocomposites with detailed properties.

Nowadays, there is great pressure on energy conservation and emission reduction. In order to achieve these goals, weight reduction in manufacturing fields, such as the vehicle, marine, and aerospace industries, and microelectromechanical systems is the major trend. Although some structures and parts that require special properties and service conditions must use ferrous materials such as steels due to their superior thermal and wear resistance, there is a desperate need to replace these alloys with non-ferrous materials such as Al alloys, Mg alloys, Ti-based alloys, Cu alloys, and others in order to decrease the operational and maintenance costs. Recently, many new material processing techniques, i.e., irradiation, cryogenic rolling, wet chemical method, induction sintering, liquid/solid casting, heat treatment, electromagnetic hot forming, and five-axis flank milling, have been developed to enhance the performance of non-ferrous materials. Excellent work hardening, fracture toughness, mechanical properties, magnetic properties, and wear resistance could be realized depending on the appropriate application of these new technologies. This Special Issue covers these topics and focuses on the process-structure-properties relationships of high-performance non-ferrous materials.

This book covers works related to research on the environments of coastal zones and inland waters, solving complex and current scientific problems in these areas. Tasks undertaken by the authors address current research trends using contemporary remote sensing techniques and cover various thematic areas or scientific approaches. Some works propose new possibilities of using geospatial data or methods of remote sensing data processing. They include issues related to the use of augmented and virtual reality, object-oriented image analysis, UAV-based photogrammetry, fusion of hydroacoustic and photogrammetric data, spatial interpolation, and geodata reduction techniques. These methods are being developed to support safe navigation in inland waters; low-cost monitoring of underwater objects; creating bathymetric maps and topobathymetric digital models or mapping submerged aquatic vegetation. The papers also focus on improving existing solutions and demonstrate new research approaches, including atmospheric correction, adjacency effects for remotely sensed images, classification of wetland vegetation, as well as determining the speed of sound in shallow waters for hydrography applications. These papers demonstrate the potential of the information contained in the remote sensing data acquired by the various platforms, as well as techniques for image processing based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE).

The aim of this Special Issue is to gather recent advances and development in target tracking techniques to determine how they can be adapted for modern radar and sonar systems. After peer review, 17 articles in related areas have been accepted for publishing in this Special Issue. The published articles cover a range of topics and applications central to target tracking. There are eight papers about general multi-target tracking, including the topics of joint tracking and classification [3], adaptive estimation using clutter measurement probability [6], joint localization and tracking [7], extended target tracking [8], tracking with smoothing [11], DOA tracking [12], tracking under low detection probability [14], and sonar tracking and interception [17]. Three papers address multi-sensor multi-target tracking methods. Specifically, a multi-target estimating method for pulsed radar systems is proposed in [2], a joint dwell time and bandwidth optimization method in a radar network is proposed in [4], a and multiple marine ship tracking method with unknown backgrounds is presented in [9]. There are 2 papers [10,15] on the problem of target assignment in multi-sensor multi-target tracking. Moreover, Mallick et al. considered measures of nonlinearity of a polynomial curve in two dimensions [1], Zhao et al. explored the use of calibration targets for which the positions are known to the MPR system, to counter the loss in target localization accuracy arising from transmitter/receiver position errors [13], and Li et al. proposed an algorithm to apply the frequency diversity technique to passive azimuth estimation in [16].

This reprint focuses on a number of timely and challenging issues in areas that support the design, implementation, and experimental testing of single and multiple autonomous air, land, and marine robots. Special emphasis is placed on the methods and techniques employed for motion planning and control that are rooted in solid theoretical concepts. Applications are also addressed in the area of advanced manipulator control. The reprint affords the reader a well-balanced presentation of a wide spectrum of topics that include, but are not limited to, the generation of optimal collision-free trajectories for heterogeneous vehicles working collaboratively or independently, the rapid adaptation of manipulator trajectories to task perturbations, the automatic collision avoidance for surface vessels, the path following controllers for marine and ground robots, the large-scale swarm counterattack strategies, and the optimal actuator configuration design for over-actuated underwater robots.

This reprint, titled "New approaches to Qur'anic hermeneutics in the Muslim world", discusses the approaches that play significant roles in modern Qur'anic interpretation in the Islamic world. The eleven articles in this reprint demonstrate the richness of resources in Qur'anic hermeneutics in the Muslim World. The authors from different backgrounds and regions have made a great contribution to Qur'anic studies and hermeneutics in the modern period. The following topics are covered throughout the reprint: Decolonizing Qur¿anic Studies, contextualist approach in the modern period and its theoretical origins in the classical Islamic scholarship, Qur'an hermeneutics and historicism (or contextualism in western context) in contemporary Turkey, transempirical exegesis in Said Nursi's Risale-i Nur Collection, F¿dil al-Samarr¿'¿'s (b. 1933) contribution to literary and rhetorical Qur'anic exegesis, Shia scholar Ayatollah Yusuf Sanei's (d.2020) broader jurisprudential approach, Comparative Theology and comparative readings (isr¿'¿liyy¿t and direct Bible citations) in Qur'anic exegesis with special reference to the narrative of Prophet Yäy¿ (John the Baptist) in the Qur'an and the Bible, critique of the concept of naskh (abrogation) in contemporary Qur'¿nic hermeneutics (När ¿¿mid Ab¿ Zayd's critique), thematic interpretation (tafs¿r maw¿¿'¿) in Indonesia in the 2000s, inclusive Islamic interpretations in the light of rationalistic Maturidite theology, and violence and jihad in Islam: From the war of words to the clashes of definitions.

This Special Issue, "Biotechnology Applications of Microalgae", is focused on the latest novel advances related to the production of different bioactive compounds from microalgae and their biotechnological use.

This book includes research papers on different disciplines related to composites. It contains research related to new topics such as nanotubes, fibres, admixtures added in cement and concrete. Additionally self-healing and self-sensing issues are presented. Environmental, and thermal-related topics are also discussed. Studies related to consolidation topics and alkali activation of clays are included. This blend of traditional and modern building materials, all having a common ground, the use of new technologies for improving fresh and harden state properties, make this volume interesting.

A multidisciplinary approach that involves multiple sectors and stakeholders is essential for disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. This Special Issue explores how interdisciplinary approaches could resolve a wide range of issues, including risk and damage assessment, behavior change, investment, and evidence-based policy formulation.

Knowledge engineering and data mining are fundamental topics in the area of artificial intelligence and knowledge-based systems.This Special Issue covers the entire knowledge engineering pipeline: from data acquisition and data mining to knowledge extraction and exploitation. The reader will find topics including data mining methods, multidimensional data analysis, supervised and unsupervised learning methods, methods of knowledge-based management, language ontologies, ontology learning, and others.

Given the current growth in global challenges, the need for smart agriculture practices and effective strategies is emerging as an imminent issue at a planetary scale. Agriculture 4.0 involves a large variety of mobile apps, web applications, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and platforms, drones, robots, and smart machinery for precision agriculture. The expansion of cloud technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and big data collection are setting the stage for Agriculture 5.0. Agriculture science and natural sciences are further promoting this trend with the development of leading-edge scientific models and platforms, including stochastic, process-based, and data-driven machine learning modeling.This Special Issue covers the most recent and up-to-date progress in all aspects of internet and computer software applications in agriculture, focusing on the development of web applications and mobile apps, smart IoT devices and platforms, AI, ML and DL solutions in precision agriculture for detection, recognition, classification, monitoring, cultivation, harvesting, and marketing; development of cloud technologies for smart agriculture; computer and machine vision methods and applications for drones and smart machinery, and sensors for field operations; diagnostics and data collection; big data science; scientific process-based and stochastic modeling; and machine learning modeling for agriculture, agroecosystems and natural ecosystems. The research in this Special Issue will contribute to the promotion of modern agriculture practices in the current climate and in the future.

This reprint, entitled "Process Control and Smart Manufacturing for Industry 4.0", contains the extended papers from the Series of annual IFSA conferences on Automation, Robotics and Communications for Industry 4.0/5.0 (ARCI) on the following topics: Process Automation, Process Control and Monitoring, Design Principles in Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing and Technologies, Smart Factories, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing.The reprint contains 13 chapters written by 54 ARCI conference participants from seven countries: China, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Poland and Romania. This reprint will inform readers of cutting-edge developments in the field and provide effective starting points and a road map for further research and development. All chapters follow the same structure: firstly, an introduction to the specific topic under study; secondly, a description of the field, including sensing or/and measuring applications. Each chapter ends with a curated list of references, including books, journals, conference proceedings and websites."Process Control and Smart Manufacturing for Industry 4.0" is intended for researchers and scientists from academia and industry, as well as for postgraduate students.

This article collection from the Special Issue "Sustainable Processes for the Removing of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions" attempts to summarize the state-of-the-art of current macro-, micro- and nanotechnologies for water purification, discussing their field of application, especially for heavy-metal ion removal. For instance, it presents the recently available information on utilizing different biomass materials for heavy metals removal, highlighting the increasing use of these materials due to their low cost, regeneration ability, high adsorption efficiency, and small chemical or biological sludge with a possibility of metal recovery.

This reprint focuses on fish otoliths, as one of the most useful and important biological structures for fishery scientists and managers around the world. Collected papers cover several different research areas, from the otolith macro- to the microstructure and microchemistry, analyzing different types of otoliths and investigating various freshwater and marine species in their larval, juvenile and adult stages. Special attention is given to different approaches in otolith research and to many practical applications of such studies. The obtained data served to determine the age and growth of individual fish; to study habitat interactions, migration patterns, or habitats that the fish live in; to detect water temperatures or the presence of certain pollutants in the environment; and to reveal all other vital information about the life history of the fish.

Herein we describe some molecular aspects of the recent anti-COVID-19 research, including some approaches making use of natural remedies, especially from medicinal plants, in silico methods, and different experimental procedures that led to the discovery of novel targets of SARS-CoV-2 and consequently novel potential COVID-19 therapeutics. COVID-19 vaccines also find mention in this book with also a description of some adverse effects reported in some cases. Considering that the different beta coronaviruses present certain conserved biomolecular mechanisms and, thus, some common therapeutic targets, finding effective therapies for a specific member of their family (such as SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV) even in a scenario of a reduced impact at the time of the related disease on humankind is still relevant as it could offer or inspire efficacious therapeutic strategies not only in the context of novel pathogenic mutations of the already known beta coronaviruses, but also when future zoonoses caused by other beta coronaviruses will emergence, which is not unlikely to occur in the current world where the interactions between humans and wildlife are made more and more frequent due to the growing loss of intact ecosystems worldwide.

Polymer-processing techniques are of the utmost importance for producing polymeric parts. They must produce parts with the desired qualities, which are usually related to mechanical performance, dimensional conformity, and appearance. Aiming to maximize the overall efficiency of the polymer-processing techniques, advanced modeling codes along with experimental measurements are needed to simulate and optimize the processes.Thus, this reprint exploits the digital transformation of the plastics industry, both through the creation of more robust and accurate modeling tools and the development of cutting-edge experimental techniques. Furthermore, it addresses advanced topics, such as crystallization during the solidification processes, prediction of fiber orientation in the cases of short and long fiber composites, prediction of the foaming process (such as microcellular foaming), and flow instabilities by including viscoelastic constitutive equations.

Hydrologic modeling at the watershed scale is a key topic in the field of hydrology. The hydrological model is an important tool in understanding the impact of climate change and human activities on rainfall-runoff processes, and especially on water resources for human beings in a changing environment. In the last two decades, with the development of satellite remote sensing and artificial intelligence, many new datasets and methods have been introduced into hydrological modeling.Hydrologic modeling at the watershed scale is an important and fundamental research field in hydrology. Therefore, we proposed a Special Issue entitled "Advanced Hydrologic Modeling in Watershed Scales" in Water to publish results regarding the recent progress in hydrological modeling at the watershed scale against global changes. Before the deadline for the submission of manuscripts to this Special Issue, we received many manuscripts regarding hydrological modeling at the watershed scale. In total, ten articles have been published in this Special Issue. Researchers interested in hydrological modeling and the impacts of environmental changes on water resources may be interested in this reprint.

The active molecules or bioactives (i.e., polysaccharides, fatty acids, proteins, polyphenols, diterpenes, steroids and alkaloids) from algae (seaweed and microalgae) have been widely studied in recent years for multiple pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Innovative and emerging technologies, including but not limited to ultrasounds, microwaves, electric fields, high-pressure supercritical fluids, ionic fluids and plasma, are currently being explored throughout multiple stages of the pre-treatment, extraction, isolation/purification and preservation of biomolecules from algae. This Special Issue will target research papers, reviews, short communications and perspectives on the use of novel technologies for the pre-treatment, extraction, isolation¿purification, characterization and preservation of marine compounds from algae. It will particularly focus on novel research related to algal bioactives with clear and demonstrated industrial applications and focuses.

Nanocomposites have the potential for novel material properties that significantly exceed the capabilities of their individual constituent phases, thereby enabling the exploration of gaps in material property charts. In this book, we aim to provide an overview of the current state of the art, enabling the investigation of novel structural and functional material properties through better understanding and implementation of nanocomposite design. The covered properties of interest encompass the whole material usage span, starting from the structural modifications of nanocomposites by employing different synthesis routes, to assessing their microstructure-dependent mechanical properties such as strength, ductility, and high-temperature stability. Furthermore, we address the functional characteristics of nanocomposites, such as soft magnetic properties or thermoelectricity, as well as tailored property adjustment through design strategies (bioinspired design, chemical sensitivity, bio sensing). Thus, the included contributions detail methods for the synthesis, characterization, modeling, and in-depth understanding of the mechanisms governing the outstanding properties of this fascinating material class.

Dietary patterns are evolving, and we are increasingly aware of the contribution of food and food systems to community and planetary health. To be responsive to these changes and to promote dietary patterns that enhance the health and wellbeing of populations and protect against climate change, nutrition professionals and researchers need to monitor evolving dietary patterns and trial comprehensive, multiaction solutions. Countries are pushing back on corporate and climate change disruptions to food systems and are looking for ways to strengthen community involvement in food systems, so that healthy and environmentally friendly food choices are easier to make. To achieve this, policymakers need access to the latest evidence on evolving dietary patterns and on effective solutions, and this Special Issue on Progress in Community Nutrition: Dietary Patterns and Planetary Health provides some of this evidence.

In the urological sphere, the number of tumor malignancies caused by cancer is continuously growing in Western countries. Although this is mainly due to the contemporary increase in the life expectancy of people in these geographic areas, many other factors are also contributing to this growth. Urological cancer is a complex and varied disease which affects different organs and mainly affects the male population. In fact, in most statistics, kidney, prostate, and bladder cancer are regularly included in the top-ten list of the most frequent neoplasms in males. The female population, however, has also been increasingly affected by renal and bladder cancer in the last decade. From these facts, it is clear that urological cancer is a problem of major concern in developed societies. This Topic Issue of Cancers intends to shed some light on the complexity of this field and will consider all useful and appropriate contributions from scientists and clinicians in order to improve urological cancer knowledge for patients' benefit.

The use of telemedicine and mobile devices is growing, and sensors might aid in creating creative solutions. Developing these solutions is crucial for monitoring senior citizens, lifestyles, and medical procedures. This Special Issue's goal is to bring together academics and professionals in healthcare and medicine interested in using information and communication technologies (ICT) to serve people with special needs. The development of assistive technology for various users to follow sports and other activities is strongly tied to this study area. Data protection is crucial, and the development of these solutions for medical uses should be verified. The security and privacy of the information may be tied to other recognized research projects for their acceptability. ICT research has considerably improved quality of life and has fully assimilated all citizens into society through medical rehabilitation and assistive technology. The technologies and research fields that influence medical informatics include databases, networking, graphical user interfaces, data mining, machine learning, intelligent decision support systems, and specialized programming languages. Because mobile devices are commonly used for several everyday chores and are equipped with sensors that monitor various physical and physiological indicators, it is crucial to encourage the development of m-Health and e-Health solutions for healthcare practitioners. In this area, several solutions are now being developed. In addition, they can collaborate with emerging technologies for social assistance while enhancing life quality.

Functional inorganic materials are an indispensable part of innovative technologies that are essential to the development of many fields of industry. The use of new materials, nanostructures, or multicomponent composites with specific chemical or physical properties promotes technological progress in electronics, optoelectronics, catalysis, biomedicine, and many other areas that are concerned with many aspects of human life. Due to the broad and diverse range of potential applications of functional inorganic materials, the development of superior synthesis pathways, their reliable characterization, and a deep understanding of the structure-property relationships in materials are rightfully considered to be fundamentally important scientific issues. Only synergetic efforts of scientists dealing with the synthesis, functionalization and characterization of materials will lead to the development of future technologies.

The ever-growing information and communications within society require us to continuously update our knowledge. For this reason, higher education must provide students and lecturers with the opportunity to implement new learning approaches in the classroom. In this sense, teaching is adapting to a fast-changing world, and achieving a high-quality standard for our educational systems will ensure that the education standard appropriately adapts to both the current times and to new teaching-learning processes. This topic captures the attention of different socio-educational actors in order to achieve an education style that develops individuals and provides them with the necessary strategies to assist their learning throughout their lifetime.

The prostate is the largest accessory gland of the male reproductive tract. Together with seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands, the prostate is responsible for the production of an alkaline fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid. The prostates of men over 40 years of age are commonly affected by several pathologies, such as benign prostate hyperplasia and cancer.Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers among men population worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the year 2018, prostate cancer affected approximately 1.28 million men and was responsible for the death of 358,989 of them. Prostate cancer development is associated with several risk factors, such as older age, black ethnicity, a family history of disease, an increased body mass index and obesity. In this way, the risk of prostate cancer development may be reduced through the consumption of a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, practice of physical exercise and maintenance of a healthy weight.Despite several approaches being available for prostate cancer treatment, the number of prostate cancer deaths is continuously increasing, which emphasizes the need to search for new methods for precocious diagnosis and more effective treatment. Animal models, including rodents, have greatly contributed to the study of biopathology and the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.This Special Issue presents original research works, case reports and reviews concerning the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of prostate cancer, highlighting new advances in this field.

Electron collision physics covers a broad range of processes in atoms and molecules. Understanding these processes can be achieved via experimental and theoretical investigations that support and challenge each other. The last few decades have been witness to tremendous progress in both the computational and experimental techniques applied to study and model electron-driven processes. Access to modern supercomputer facilities has allowed for the computational modelling of collision processes involving complex atoms and molecules; in turn, this allows for a sophisticated modelling and the diagnostic assessment of various plasmas. Applications of electron collision physics range from fusion, precision measurement and attoclocks to radiation damage and biomedical research. This volume collates diverse applications of collision physics, highlighting the importance and power of theoretical and computational techniques while also presenting new experiments which disclose exciting new developments in collision processes.

Kinetic theory stems from statistical mechanics established at the mesoscopic scale. The numerical methods established on kinetic theory perform unique and important roles in almost all studies of fluid dynamics. This book reports the recent advances in this vibrant community. The development of kinetic theory-related numerical schemes and their applications to fluid dynamics problems are the main focus.

This reprint aims to provide an update on the biomedical imaging technologies that can be used for cardiovascular diseases, including Doppler echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. Cardiovascular disease imaging assessment includes anatomy, hemodynamics, and tissue biomarkers, which aid the stratification of patient risk and therapy. In addition, this Special Issue includes articles that discuss the recent integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, in order to support novel approaches to personalized image-based diagnosis.

Our era is characterized by two major phenomena. On the one hand, we are confronted by climate and environmental crises constituted by, among others, changing weather patterns, loss of biodiversity and natural wildlife, and ecosystem degradation. On the other hand, we are experiencing an ongoing technological evolution culminating in the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The popular notion of "AI for Sustainability" constitutes an attempt to connect these two phenomena in a beneficial way by using AI to alleviate climate and environmental worries. AI is increasingly being used in the analysis, mitigation, and prevention of the climate and environmental crises and their effects. Much less attention has been paid to the idea of the "Sustainability of AI", which focusses on the materiality of AI technologies themselves. Indeed, what are the hidden costs of AI? Although we use AI in combatting the climate and environmental crises, does it not have its own contributions to these crises? And, if so, how do we account for these contributions? The Special Issue "Towards the Sustainability of AI; Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to Investigate the Hidden Costs of AI" is the first attempt to address the topic of "Sustainable AI" from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The authors that contributed to this issue come from diverse fields such as philosophy, ethics, sociology, law, and engineering. The included papers represent the first steps in understanding what it means to tackle the climate and environmental crises with AI while refraining from aggravating these crises.