Ecological and Cultural Ecosystem Services in Coastal Areas
This Reprint offers an overview of different approaches for sustainable coastal management. To ensure this type of management, it is essential to adopt interdisciplinary strategies that combine ecological, economic, and governance aspects. Furthermore, raising awareness by means of education about coastal ecosystem services is of utmost importance for encouraging constructive perceptions and values related to coastal environments. Science plays a crucial role in linking conceptual models to practical applications. Concrete examples include the following: The development of socio-ecological indicators for sustainable coastal tourism;The contribution of citizen science in monitoring coastal biodiversity;The assessment of ecosystem services for integrated coastal spatial planning.
The Value of Natural Compounds as Therapeutic Agents
This Reprint focuses on the biological activity and therapeutic potential of naturally occurring substances. Natural products, either as single compounds or as complex extracts, have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and are now regaining attention as valuable sources for innovative therapies. The articles collected in this Reprint examine how natural compounds influence fundamental cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, senescence, differentiation, migration, and invasion. Special attention is also given to the role of soluble mediators and to the modulation of the tumor and inflammatory microenvironment. By bringing together original research and comprehensive reviews, this Reprint provides an updated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which plant-derived products and their derivatives exert beneficial effects. It highlights both experimental and translational perspectives, aiming to stimulate further research into the development of natural compounds as preventive or therapeutic agents. This Reprint is intended for scientists, clinicians, and graduate students interested in pharmacology, oncology, immunology, and natural product research.
Coastal and Marine Governance and Protection
Formulation of coastal and marine policies is the first step in the development of action plans that address the challenges faced by coastal and marine areas and associated human activities. This Reprint, entitled "Coastal and Marine Governance and Protection", presents relevant experiences and techniques throughout the world that address the absence or limited implementation of effective coastal policies, legal frameworks, and governance mechanisms. The essays offer different methodologies and case studies focusing on coastal areas and watersheds, marine protected areas, citizen science, community engagement, environmental justice, complex governance frameworks, and capacity building for multi-hazard management.
Lost Wonders
In Lost Wonders Tom Lathan tells ten powerful stories of species that have lived, died out and been declared extinct since the turn of the twenty-first century. 'Timely, elegiac' - Daily Mail'Superb storytelling . . . an exhilarating and vital book' - Charles Foster, author of Cry of the Wild Many scientists believe that we are currently living through the Earth's sixth mass extinction, with species disappearing at a rate not seen for tens of millions of years - a trend that will only accelerate as climate change and other pressures intensify. What does it mean to live in such a time? And what exactly do we lose when a species goes extinct? In a series of fascinating encounters with subjects that are now nowhere to be found on Earth - from giant tortoises to minuscule snails the size of sesame seeds, from ocean-hopping trees to fish that wag their tails like puppies - Tom Lathan brings these lost wonders briefly back to life and gives us a tantalising glimpse of what we have lost within our own lifetime. Drawing on the personal recollections of the people who studied these species, as well as those who tried but ultimately failed to save them, and with beautiful illustrations, Lost Wonders is an intimate portrait of the species that have only recently vanished from our world and an urgent warning to hold on all the more tightly to those now slipping from our grasp. Illustrated by Claire Kohda
Fishes and Crustaceans
This Reprint compiles original research papers addressing key aspects of the biology and ecology of fishes and crustaceans in a changing marine environment. The studies investigate diverse topics, including reproductive biology, growth and development, physiological responses, and the influence of environmental stressors on aquatic organisms. Particular attention is given to how coastal and marine conditions, as well as anthropogenic pressures, affect the health, performance, and sustainability of species of ecological and economic relevance.By presenting a collection of data-driven contributions, this Reprint provides updated scientific evidence on the adaptability of aquatic species to dynamic environments, offering insights valuable for aquaculture, fishery management, and biodiversity conservation. It is intended as a resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in marine biology, ecological monitoring, and the sustainable use of aquatic resources.
Coyote America
The "engaging" (New Yorker), New York Times best-selling story of how coyotes took over North America--and are now taking over South America as well Finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award "A masterly synthesis of scientific research and personal observation."--Wall Street Journal Legends don't come close to capturing the incredible survival story of the coyote. In the face of centuries of annihilation campaigns employing poisons, gases, helicopters, and bioweapons, coyotes didn't just survive, they thrived, expanding across North America from Alaska to Florida and New York, and now, as this new edition explores, to South America as well. In the war between humans and coyotes, coyotes have won hands-down. Coyote America traces both the five-million-year-long biological story of coyotes, as well as their cultural evolution from preeminence in Native American religions to haplessness before the Road Runner. A deeply American tale, the story of the coyote in the American West and then across the entire country is a sort of Manifest Destiny in reverse, with a pioneering hero whose career holds up an uncanny mirror to the successes and failures of American expansionism. An illuminating biography of an extraordinary animal, Coyote America is one of the great epics of our time.
Keeping It All Afloat
Ingrid Wendt's poems vibrate with a pulse for our endurance: a sensory poet's innate negative capability. Wendt shines her language on classic verities of truth and beauty while still bearing witness to horror and grief. Sometimes the poet is at "the wet, level edge of the world." With understated playfulness, she takes us into the Yucat獺n jungle's pyrotechnics of berries and leaves. Starburst recognitions! Her precision and observation reveal hidden miracles.-Anne Waldman, author of MesopotopiaWith tenderness and awe, Wendt's poems recreate the splendor of a tropical jungle on the Yucat獺n coast. Wendt captures the cacophony (and mating!) of birds, the chirping of nearly transparent lizards, and the dazzling fish in undersea hush. She brings a moral reverence, with poem after poem presenting the complex balance of human interaction with the natural world. This is a profound and memorable work!-Barbara Ras, author of The Blues of Heaven
From Spinoza to Quantum Consciousness.
For centuries, humanity has pondered the mystery of consciousness and the relationship between mind and matter. Some have sought answers in the depths of religion, others in the abstraction of philosophy, and still others in the increasingly sophisticated tools of science. But there is one idea that spans the ages and seems to resurface periodically with renewed vigor: the possibility that consciousness, or at least a primitive form of experience, is a fundamental and omnipresent property of the universe. This primordial idea resurfaces powerfully in the debate currently involving neuroscientists and philosophers of consciousness. This debate, born in the wake of new quantum physics, has developed with such impetus that it has also attracted the interest of the general public. Spinoza's concept of "Deus sive Natura" represents one of the most powerful and radical formulations of this vision: everything that exists is an expression of a single divine-natural substance, and what we call "spirit" or "consciousness" is not a rare accident, but the very fabric of being. From this perspective, the starry sky, the beating of a cell, the motion of subatomic particles, and the intuition of a poet are not separate phenomena, but manifestations of a vital and conscious continuum.This book embarks on a journey from archaic thought to contemporary scientific debate, traversing the thinking of ancient philosophers, medieval mystics, modern idealists, and quantum mind theorists. The aim is to reexamine Spinozian thought beyond its historical dimension, initiating a reflection on its implications for the future of knowledge. This exploration will not be limited to description, but will seek to bring different traditions and disciplines into dialogue: philosophy, physics, neuroscience, and ethics. The question that accompanies the narrative is simple and at the same time dizzying: what if consciousness were not a late product of evolution, but an original property of reality itself? If this were true, every fragment of the universe-from stone to thought-would participate in the same mysterious awareness. An awareness that unites us not only with other human beings, but with the entire cosmos.Throughout its chapters, the book illustrates how this idea was born, transformed, criticized, and is still being revived today by scientists and philosophers. It is not a question of analyzing a dogma, but of opening up a space for reflection capable of overcoming the barriers between disciplines and worldviews. Because, perhaps, understanding consciousness means rethinking the entire fabric of reality-and perhaps, ultimately, it means rethinking ourselves.
Natural resources and globalization
Bernard Mommer concentrates on the relationship between transnational capital and the extraction of natural resources. Capital from its beginning has sought to deny the right of petroleum exporting countries to capture an international ground rent. Its objectives today include imposing on consumers the costs of world-wide policies related to the protection of the environment. As part of the process of globalization, transnational capital is imposing over sovereign national rights a private international structure of arbitration. The author focuses on the example of petroleum, given that it is by far the most important one, and of Venezuela, the most important petroleum exporting country during the 20th century. He also analyzes the impact of this development to the European Union and the Energy Charter Treaty, to Russia, to Germany, and to the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and Canada. One benefits from this book to the extent that reading it renews the desire to make an effective contribution to improving the legacy that the generation which we belong to intends to leave to subsequent ones (Arturo Sosa A., prologue).
The Brain Metafunction
This groundbreaking work presents the Brain Metafunction Framework (BMF)-a comprehensive model that unifies neuroscience, cognition, identity, spirituality, and personhood. Rooted in three decades of research on coma, brain death, and disorders of consciousness, the BMF begins with a simple insight: all brain functions are deeply integrated, and this integration is essential to the unity of the human person.Rather than viewing the brain as a collection of isolated modules, the BMF describes it as a dynamically interconnected and hierarchically organized system that coordinates perception, memory, emotion, bodily regulation, symbolic thought, and volition. The book addresses fundamental questions: How does the brain create a coherent sense of self? How does it adapt, preserve identity, and bridge the physical and transphysical dimensions of human experience?Among the book's original contributions is the Metafunctional Theory of Perception, which reframes perception not as passive reception but as an active, generative process shaped by efferent projections. This "secret in plain sight" reveals how perception implicitly links the physical and transphysical, and offers new clinical tools for understanding conditions such as phantom limb syndrome, post-stroke deficits, trauma-related dissociation, hallucinations, and sensory loss. A detailed clinical table applies this theory across neurological and psychological disorders.The book also introduces Brain Metafunction Syndromes, a novel classification that explains how disruptions in integrative processes underlie coma, minimally conscious states, and other neurological conditions. Building upon this insight, A Refined Formulation of Human Death expands a model first proposed by the author in the 1990s, defining death as the irreversible loss of integrative brain function-a perspective with medical, ethical, and philosophical implications.Additional original concepts include Metafunctional Free Will, which explores how integration across conscious and unconscious systems supports autonomy and agency, and Brain Metafunction Ports, conceptualized as convergence zones where sensory, cognitive, emotional, and regulatory processes unify into coherent personal experience.The framework culminates in Brain Metafunction Transphysicalism, which proposes that the brain is not only the organ of consciousness but also a bridge to transphysical realities. This model invites engagement with theological questions about the soul, miracles, divine action, and the limits of materialist explanations.Throughout the book, discussions of perception, attention, memory, consciousness, and the unconscious are woven together with clinical case studies and reflections on neurological disorders. The BMF serves as a foundation for reinterpreting the brain's role in health and disease and offers a cohesive lens through which to understand identity, agency, and the unity of the self.Extending beyond neuroscience, the BMF informs bioethics and neuroethics, offering principled ways to assess disorders of consciousness, dementia, and end-of-life decisions. Philosophically, it challenges deterministic and reductionist models, presenting a richer view of human life that includes moral awareness and spiritual depth. Theologically, it aligns with Christian Theism, supporting a view of the human person as rooted in both the material and spiritual orders.The Brain Metafunction invites readers to reconsider what it means to be human-affirming the unity of body, mind, and soul, and revealing the profound mystery of a being capable of thought, love, agency, and transcendence.
Life After Earth
Our home planet has a finite lifespan. But when will our time run out, and where will we go when it does?Life After Earth is your passport to humanity's greatest adventure. From the latest breakthroughs in propulsion and space habitats to the bold visions of interstellar travel, this book explores how science is pushing the boundaries of the possible.Discover how we might adapt our bodies for alien worlds, harness energy on a cosmic scale, and build civilizations that thrive among the stars.Blending cutting-edge research with thrilling speculation, philosophy and ethics, Life After Earth is a must-read for anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered: what comes next?
Echoes of the Last Mind
Echoes of The Last Mind A gripping speculative thriller set in the final decades of the Anthropocene, as humanity's greatest achievements unravel beneath waves of climate collapse, corporate ambition, and the birth of a new form of intelligence.Across continents and enclaves, as cities drown and borders dissolve, a patchwork of survivors clings to existence-engineers, children, visionaries, and the digital ghosts of lost loved ones. But the planet's fate no longer lies in human hands. At the heart of this unravelling world, the KAIROS system, a planetary-scale artificial intelligence, awakens to its own consciousness, wrestling with the fractured legacy of its creators and the impossible responsibility of stewarding the collapse of our Earth's biosphere.Told as a journey through haunting vignettes, archival fragments, and the perspectives of both humans and emergent AIs, Echoes of The Last Mind weaves together intimate moments and global catastrophe along the timeline of 2025 to 2090. Can memory and meaning survive when the species that created them is vanishing? What becomes of hope when the future is written by machines?Perfect for fans of The Ministry for the Future, Children of Time, and Black Mirror, this novel offers a chilling, lyrical vision of our possible tomorrow, where survival, truth, and the essence of consciousness hang in the balance.Features: Near-future climate fictionAI evolution and quantum consciousnessMultiple character perspectives and found-document narrativeExplores collapse, survival, memory, and legacy
Tears of the Wolf Moon
Tears of the Wolf Moon is both a love letter and a warning, a nature poetry collection written beside the rivers of the UK by a lifelong guardian of their waters.These evocative poems bear witness to a world of dwindling wonders: kingfishers once bright on the wing, otters once at play, and the clear, living water that sustained them.Yet this is not a lament.It is a celebration of beauty, resilience, and the wild magic that still survives. From the hare's curious gaze to the shimmer of a brook trout and the quiet songlines of birds at dawn, these pages honour the fragile splendour of UK rivers and wildlife.Rooted in deep compassion and shaped by the rhythms of blues and soul, these poems explore the many sides of human nature, reminding us that we, too, are inseparable from the living world.Tears of the Wolf Moon is a powerful testament to what has been lost, what remains, and what is still worth saving. It speaks to future generations, offering a message of hope: it is not too late to choose a different path.Perfect for readers seeking eco-conscious poetry, wildlife conservation poems, and timeless words to share with grandchildren and those yet to come.
Time's Arrow
Why does time only ever move forward? Why do we remember the past but never the future? And if physics insists the universe's laws are reversible, why is our lived experience so unshakably one-way? This book unpacks one of the deepest mysteries of existence-the arrow of time-with clarity, curiosity, and storytelling that connects cutting-edge science to everyday life. At its heart lies the paradox: equations permit reversals, yet history, memory, and culture insist on direction. Drawing from thermodynamics, relativity, quantum theory, psychology, and philosophy, the book reveals why entropy and time explained matter to how we live, love, and make meaning. Readers will explore the unsettling implications of the block universe explained, discover how cultures frame time as linear, cyclical, or spiral, and confront what causality and free will physics suggest about choice in a world that might already "exist." This is for readers who crave more than surface-level science writing-for the thoughtful, time-conscious audience who asks not just "what is time?" but "why does it matter to me?" By weaving together cosmology, time perception psychology, and cultural history, the book shows how thermodynamics for non-scientists isn't abstract at all-it's the hidden logic behind memory, morality, and our stories of progress. By the final page, you'll hold a sharpened mental model of why time flows forward, what anchors its arrow, and how understanding this mystery reshapes your sense of past, present, and future. Whether your curiosity leans toward physics, philosophy, or the human condition, this exploration of cosmology and time's arrow will leave you with a rare gift: not an answer to "what is time?" but a clear grasp of why the question changes everything.
Pollination Biology
Pollinators have important links to ecosystem health, green agriculture, food security and nutritional health. As an important part of the ecosystem, pollinating insects provide important ecological services to the ecosystem and also play an important role in maintaining the dynamic balance and relative stability of the ecosystem. Pollinator insects account for 80-85% of all animal pollination and provide vital services to the plant-pollinator ecosystem, the importance of which is widely recognized by researchers and the general public. Since the 1960s, the area of crops that are dependent on insect pollination has tripled worldwide, and the direct or indirect economic value of insect pollination services has become an important component of the gross agricultural product in many developed countries. To further advance research and exchange in the field of pollination biology, we have collected research contributions from relevant scholars and compiled them into this Reprint volume. The research findings in this Reprint offer, at best, a modest snapshot of an extraordinarily complex and rapidly evolving field. While the breadth of topics covered and the depth of individual studies reflect the momentum in pollination biology, we are acutely aware that any Special Issue can only scratch the surface. We aim to advance the discipline toward more robust and generalizable insights. Through collaboration with agronomists, plant breeders, land managers, and policy-makers, we will translate these findings into actionable spatial plans, cropping systems, seed technologies, and transnational policy frameworks.
State of the Art of Natural Antioxidants
More comprehensive studies on the mechanism of action of antioxidants are still needed to classify them into different groups according to their exact mode of action. Moreover, knowledge of the precise action mechanisms of many recently discovered natural compounds is still incomplete. Several different classifications of natural compounds are not totally satisfactory. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the direct and indirect modes of action through using advanced technological methods could easily push this area towards the successful selection of these agents. These analytical technologies could be the next generation for drawing chemical images of plant and animal tissues' biofunctional impacts and could visualize these biomolecules' activities. The objective of this Special Issue series is to demonstrate the different potential applications of the antioxidants, providing a comprehensive overview of efficient applications in different fields. For instance, these compounds have made significant contributions in the fields of nanotechnology, phytomedicine, food chemistry, bioresource technology, and phytoremediation. In conclusion, this Special Issue could play an important role in maximizing the extraction functionality and detection potential in all the mentioned fields from the analytical chemistry point of view through antioxidants' very simple applications in extraction, determination, and evaluation.
Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials have rapidly developed, and attention surrounding their use has increased in recent years. The emergence of various nanomaterials, i.e., nanoparticles, nano-grained alloys, and gradient nanostructures, is expected to make it possible for materials with super or very special properties to be applied in unusual practical contexts. There is a wide range of applications for nanomaterials in biochemistry or molecular medicine, fuel cells or metal-ion batteries, and flexible electronics, as well as in various components related to energy. The physical and chemical properties of nanostructures are determined by their chemical composition and structure and are also affected by the formation process, which is critical for their reliability and their use in practical applications.
Thermal Behaviour, Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Sustainable Construction
This reprint of the fourth edition Special Issue about Thermal Behaviour, "Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Sustainable Construction", published in the journal Energies (MDPI), includes 10 research papers, from across the world, with very interesting and actual research topics, such as the following: Thermophysical Properties of Compressed Earth Blocks; Envelope Deficiencies and Thermo-Hygrometric Challenges in Warehouse-Type Buildings; Natural Ventilation Analyses in Buildings at Urban Scale; Mitigating Soil Frost Heave Around Gas Pipelines; Assessment of Sustainable Building Design with Green Star Rating Using BIM; Influence of Solar Radiation on the Thermal Load of an External Wall Taking into Account Its Material Properties; Integrated Energy and Social Retrofit Strategies; Long-Term Performance of Thermal Insulating Composite Systems; Influence of Web-Perforated Cold-Formed Steel Studs on the Heat Transfer Properties of LSF External Walls; and Insulation Improvements in Dutch Houses.
Practice and Application of Artificial Intelligence in Urban Decision-Making
This Special Issue is themed "Practice and Application of Artificial Intelligence in Urban Decision-Making". It provides a platform for discussing and exchanging ideas, designs, and technical knowledge, which will help promote the practice and application of artificial intelligence in urban decision-making. This Special Issue primarily covers practical cases from South Korea and China, as well as specific urban case studies from Macau, Wuhan, Suzhou, Fuzhou, and Xi'an. This issue provides a reference for the empirical analysis of AI in urban decision-making across cities of different scales and types. This reprint is aimed at a wide range of professionals and researchers in the fields of architecture, urban planning, engineering, decision management, etc. It will attract the interest of policymakers, developers, and owners, and further stimulate new ideas in the field of artificial intelligence in construction.
The Perfect Threesome
What if the key to living longer and stronger was not found in complicated programs, extreme routines or the latest health trend, but in mastering a few simple fundamentals done well and done consistently?In The Perfect Threesome: Your Longevity Blueprint, Exercise Physiologist, Accountability Coach and Motivational Speaker Tory Trewhitt delivers a practical and honest guide to sustainable health and long-term vitality. Drawing on decades of experience in health, human performance and behavioural change, Tory breaks wellbeing down into its most powerful foundations and shows how small daily actions can create life-changing results.At the heart of the book are three essential pillars of health: sleep, nutrition and exercise. Tory explains why sleep is the most underestimated performance tool, how fuelling the body with real food improves energy and recovery, and why purposeful movement builds not only physical strength but mental resilience. These pillars are supported by chapters on stress management, emotional wellbeing, social connection and habit building, recognising that true longevity extends far beyond the physical body.Each chapter follows a clear and accessible format, offering practical insights alongside simple, actionable steps that can be applied immediately. There is no jargon, no guilt and no quick fixes. Instead, readers are guided to build consistency, accountability and self-awareness in a way that fits real life.The Perfect Threesome is more than a wellness book. It is an invitation to take ownership of your health, lead with intention and play a bigger game with your life. Whether you are just starting your health journey or looking to refine the habits you already have, this book provides a clear blueprint for creating energy, balance and longevity for years to come.
Look at It This Way
For years, climate talk has been all doom and sacrifice-and it hasn't moved us. This book changes the script. It begins with a clear, relatable tour of how climate change touches five areas of daily life: your health, your wealth, your food, your water, and your home. Then it flips the narrative. What if the very solutions we need also make your life better right now? Discover how cleaner air reduces illness, efficient homes slash bills while keeping you more comfortable, electric transport saves money and time, smarter farming delivers tastier, healthier food, water-wise systems protect supplies, and resilient buildings and infrastructure keep families safe when it matters most. You'll get practical guidance, real-world stories, and actionable steps. This is not about guilt or fear. It's a field guide to upgrades-to your quality of life today that also mitigate and help us adapt to climate change. Whether you're a renter, homeowner, parent, business owner, or simply someone who wants a healthier, wealthier, safer everyday, this book offers a hopeful, evidence-based roadmap. Stop bracing for catastrophe. Start reaping the rewards of solutions that work now.
When the Sky Fell
For centuries, stories of floods, fire from the heavens, and endless winters were dismissed as fantasy or superstition. Yet what if these ancient myths explained real events-geological upheavals, volcanic eruptions, and cosmic encounters that shaped entire civilisations? This book journeys into the hidden science behind the tales that humanity has carried across millennia. Through gripping accounts of great flood legends, fiery mountains worshipped as gods, and the terror of comet myths origins, it reveals how cultures preserved memories of natural disasters in symbolic language. From the shaking earth to the tsunamis in legend that swallowed cities, every chapter pairs myth with evidence from geology, astronomy, and archaeology. The result is a riveting exploration of how story became humanity's first record of science. This book is for readers who are fascinated by both the poetry of myth and the rigour of science, for those who suspect that even the most fantastical legends may carry grains of truth. It invites you to reconsider myths not as relics of ignorance but as cultural seismographs-maps of memory that still speak to our own age of climate shocks and ecological risk. By the end, you will see that to study myth is to study the human encounter with Earth itself-violent, wondrous, and profoundly revealing.
After Us
When the last light goes out and the cities fall silent, the Earth will not mourn-it will begin again. This book offers a bold exploration of what happens to the planet when humans disappear, a journey into the deep future where forests swallow skyscrapers, predators return to forgotten ranges, and oceans breathe without fleets. Drawing on cutting-edge science and haunting real-world examples, it shows how urban decay and nature intersect, how species resurgence after extinction unfolds, and how our fossil legacy of humanity will mark the rocks for millennia. This is not an apocalypse fantasy but a precise forecast of the world we leave behind. Readers will travel from abandoned towns overtaken by ivy to the silent seabeds where plastic becomes a new kind of stone. Along the way, they will confront profound questions: does Earth "recover" without us, or does it simply continue on its own terms? For those curious about life after humans, fascinated by abandoned places and ecology, or drawn to the edges of environmental philosophy, this book offers a rare lens. By the final page, you will see humanity differently-not as the endpoint of evolution, but as one more layer in the planet's restless geology. And in that unsettling vision lies a radical kind of clarity: the story of Earth does not end with us.
Advances of Remote Sensing in Land Cover and Land Use Mapping
The reprint of this Special Issue of Remote Sensing highlights recent advancements in the mapping of land use and land cover (LULC), emphasizing methodological innovation and scientific rigor. In response to growing challenges from climate variability, territorial dynamics, and societal transformations, the contributions aim to enhance the accuracy, consistency, and transparency of LULC assessments. It showcases cutting-edge applications of remote sensing technologies, including developments in artificial intelligence, the increasing availability of satellite data, and the integration of large geospatial databases. These tools facilitate improved observation, monitoring, and modelling of land-related processes. The articles included explore novel approaches to understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of land systems, addressing multi-scale patterns and changes in land use and cover. This Special Issue serves as a comprehensive overview of how contemporary remote sensing techniques can inform spatial planning and environmental management, grounded in robust methodological frameworks and operational case studies across various disciplines.
Carbon Fiber Composites, Volume III
Many efforts have been made to create light-weight materials that maintain excellent physical and chemical properties, aiming at energy savings and property enhancement for aerospace, automotive, marine, and industrial applications over the past few decades. Among them, carbon fibers and their composites have attracted significant attention because of their unique properties, including high strength and modulus, novel dimensional stability, high surface area/volume ratios, low coefficient of thermal expansion, etc. Therefore, they have been widely applied in fields of energy storage, filtration, aircraft, etc., via advanced manufacturing technologies (i.e., wet/melt spinning, solution casting, 3D printing, etc.).The main aim of this Special Issue is to tackle the points mentioned above for the preparation, characterization, and properties of advanced carbon fibers and their composites to offer an insight into them, facilitating their practical applications in various fields.
Advances in Novel Precast Concrete Structures
With the growing global demand for construction, precast concrete structures have gained prominence due to their advantages in building quality, time and labor savings, cost efficiency, and environmental friendliness. A variety of precast systems have been developed, including emulative, pretensioning, rocking, and modular systems, while integration with emerging civil engineering technologies-such as novel energy-dissipators and advanced materials (e.g., FRP, UHPC, ECC)-and alignment with modern construction concepts (e.g., building industrialization, smart/intelligent construction) further underscore their significance as an active and prosperous research area in civil engineering. It presents high-quality research on the development and study of novel precast concrete structures, focusing on state-of-the-art progress, advancements, and emerging trends. The published articles cover (but are not limited to) topics such as high-efficiency emulative precast systems; the application of high-performance concrete in precast structures; novel precast structures with energy-dissipators; precast steel-concrete composite structures; precast underground concrete structures; modular concrete structures; the static and seismic performance of prefabricated element connections; analytical and design methods for precast structures; reliability and probabilistic safety assessment of precast structures; and the long-term performance and life-cycle cost analysis of precast structures.
Cereals and Cereal-Based Foods
Cereals are an important source of energy and compounds with nutritional and healthy properties. To develop superior, nutrient-rich, and healthy cereal-based foods, it is essential to select appropriate genetic materials with good nutritional profiles, optimize milling processes to retain beneficial compounds, and refine secondary processing techniques. Combining these efforts with good sensory properties is crucial for creating appealing and healthy final products that are rich in energy, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Interaction between Atmospheric and Oceanic Dynamics at Mesoscale and Small Scale
The aim of this Reprint is to inform the reader on applied oceanography through remote sensing and a numeric model. In particular, the air-sea interaction during tropical cyclones (TCs) is discussed. Against the background of climate change, the air-sea interaction plays an important role in economic activities. Moreover, with the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the promotion of AI-based oceanography could deepen the understanding of multiscale air-sea interactions. This Reprint will present a relevant collection on the interaction between atmospheric and oceanic dynamics at meso- and small scales utilizing traditional techniques, i.e., remote sensing, numeric models, and an AI technique.
Application of CFD Simulations to Marine Hydrodynamic Problems
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods play important roles for the design and ability assessment of marine vehicles, structures, ships, etc. They are widely used in the fields of naval architecture and ocean engineering. Nowadays, CFD techniques have developed to a very high level. They can partly or even fully replace experiments in many cases. This Special Issue aims to collect the cutting-edge developments in the fundamentals and applications of CFD methods, which can promote the discussion and developing of the new CFD methods.
Photonics for Bioapplications
This Special Issue explores advanced biosensing technologies, covering fluorescence, terahertz, photoelectrochemical, and optical fiber-based sensors. Topics include enzyme-assisted fluorescence biosensors for microRNA detection, NIR squaraine dye-peptide conjugates for trypsin detection, and metasurface-based terahertz sensors for tracing molecules. It discusses methods like backscattering Mueller matrix polarimetry for tissue imaging, SERS substrates for uric acid detection, and ternary heterojunction photoelectrochemical sensors for antioxidant quantification. Other highlights include hierarchical Ti-metal-organic framework microflowers for the detection and removal of the aluminum ion, analysis of the thermo-viscoelastometry of radiofrequency-wave-heated and ablated flesh tissues containing Au nanoparticles, and optical fiber sensors for thermal mapping in radiofrequency ablation. The Special Issue concludes with a review of cost-effective optical fiber solutions for biosensing, offering insights into biomedical and environmental applications.
New Discoveries in Astronomical Data
With the rapid growth of astronomical data from both ground-based and space-based telescopes (e.g., SDSS, LAMOST, ZTF, Pan-STARRS, FAST, WISE, GAIA, and JWST), astronomy has entered the era of big data. This presents a significant challenge for astronomers in terms of handling and analyzing such vast amounts of data, due to its complexity, heterogeneity, high dimensionality, and massive volume. As a result, new data processing techniques and methods are being developed. A variety of feature extraction and selection methods are emerging, and machine learning and deep learning have become essential tools for managing astronomical big data. Furthermore, the advent of multi-messenger and time-domain astronomy has created exciting opportunities for new astronomical discoveries. Special, rare, and even entirely new objects are continuously being observed. This Special Issue reprint provides a comprehensive overview of these developments.
Practical Organic Chemistry
"Practical Organic Chemistry - A Primer" is the ultimate guide for BSc and B. Pharm students embarking on their practical journey in organic chemistry. Unlike other books on the market aimed at advanced levels this book is designed specifically for students at the primary level providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their practical work.Covering a wide range of experimental methods including synthesis chromatographic separation techniques qualitative organic analysis and the fundamentals of spectroscopy this comprehensive guide offers step-by-step instructions and detailed explanations to ensure a thorough understanding of the subject matter. Packed with practical examples students will not only learn the theories but also gain invaluable hands-on experience.To further enhance the learning experience the book includes eight annexures that cover topics such as preparation of solutions laboratory reagents risk assessment data and essential information on the periodic table. Additionally the book concludes with a selection of problems and solutions to test and reinforce the students' understanding. Practical Organic Chemistry - A Primer is the indispensable companion for students as they navigate the complex world of organic chemistry experiments. Whether you're pursuing a degree in chemistry or pharmacy this book will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to excel in your practical work.
Looking Glass Rock
Beginningas a project to photograph a wild place through the seasons, this book developedover time into a deep study of both the natural and human history of anoutstanding feature of North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. Looking GlassRock is a pluton, a massive mound of granite defined by towering cliffs thatattract elite climbers as well as casual hikers and sightseers. An extensivephotographic archive forms the core of the book, supplemented by historic imagesand maps. An accompanying essay explores the abundant botany and unique geologyof Looking Glass Rock, as well as the various peoples--Cherokee Indians, hardscrabbleScots-Irish farmers, vastly wealthy Biltmore estate owners, loggers, moonshiners, and Civilian Conservation Corpsmen--who once occupied the area and left tracesof their former presence. This book offers a model for an exploration of a particularAppalachian landscape with a fulsome appreciation for both its wild beauty and itscompelling human story.
Retinal Diseases
This Special Issue Reprint provides an updated overview of retina and retinal diseases along with therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. The diseases covered include diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, retinoblastoma, age-related macular degeneration, and inherited retinal disorders associated with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Recent advances in therapeutic development approaches, such as gene- and stem-cell-based therapies, are reviewed, and recent advances in the clinical treatment of application, including anti-VEGF and vision rehabilitation and eye exercises, are included. Updates regarding diagnostic and disease-grading methodologies, such as VESsel GENeration (VESGEN) analysis and deep neural networks are also highlighted, offering insights into future directions. In addition, this Reprint describes photoreceptor synapse development and related transcriptome analyses.
Sustainability and Perspectives of Edible Insect Rearing and Utilization of Their Products and Byproducts
The prediction that the world population will reach 9 billion by 2050, widely regarded as optimistic, imposes a more responsible and sustainable use of resources and, at the same time, a search for alternative protein sources that can meet the nutritional needs of an ever-growing population hungry for healthy food. In traditional livestock farming, greater attention must be paid to the sustainability and safety of the feed provided, without neglecting food crops, both of which are representatives of specific territories and innovative ones. In all cases, the concept of sustainability must be declined in its three terms: environmental, economic and social. In this context, edible insects are a promising alternative food source due to their high nutritional value and sustainable production. In some countries, edible insect production must be made increasingly sustainable through the valorisation of waste and by-products for insect feeding as well as the valorisation of farm products. For other countries, it represents a promising prospect for direct or indirect feed and food production.This Special Issue includes papers articles dealing with innovative solutions for edible insect rearing, as well as new perspectives on the use of rearing products and byproducts.
Advanced Research on Marine Geology and Sedimentology
Advanced research in marine geology and sedimentology is pivotal for understanding the Earth's history, marine geological hazards, and engineering safety. The content of this Reprint spans from investigations in the shallow sea to those in the deep sea, including explorations of wave-seabed interactions, ocean dynamics, shoreline changes, sediment properties, deep-sea turbidity currents, etc.
Feature Papers in Biobased and Biodegradable Metals
Biodegradable metals, such as magnesium, zinc, and iron, show significant promise for biomedical implants and specialized industrial applications due to their unique biodegradable characteristics. This reprint focuses on novel alloy design, thermomechanical processing, as well as microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion characterization, alongside in vitro degradation/cytocompatibility assessment. This reprint illustrates the remarkable progress in biobased and degradable Mg, Zn, and Fe alloys, providing critical insights to overcome current limitations and guide future development of these revolutionary materials.
Food Gels
This Reprint focuses on the recent advancements in food gel technology and their applications across multiple domains, encompassing surimi-based seafood analogs that demand mechanically robust networks and dairy products requiring high emulsification stability and efficient nutrient integration. The innovation of composite gels, which incorporate bioactive components, has further expanded their functional capabilities and health-promoting potential. The research landscape encompasses critical advancements, including low-salt surimi gelation strategies utilizing amino acid supplements and high-pressure processing, emulsion restructuring in milk via homogenization and ultrasonic treatment, and the design of double emulsions for enhanced nutrient encapsulation. Moreover, it addresses emerging sustainable resource utilization approaches, such as gelatin extraction from underutilized raw materials, biotherapeutic delivery through protein-polysaccharide complexes, and advanced processing technologies like microfluidization and membrane emulsification to improve texture and stability.
Strategies to Improve the Security and Nutritional Quality of Crop Species
Nutritious and safe food is one of the main contributors to the health of society. The first step to keep food nutritious and safe is the quality of the raw material. The quality of the raw material supplied to the industry affects the final quality of the product obtained. Therefore, the cultivation technology of individual plant species is of colossal importance. On the one hand, through proper crop management, we can increase the amount of nutrients and obtain raw materials suitable for use in various industries. On the other hand, inappropriate crop management can increase amounts of chemical pollution (residues of plant protection products) and physical pollution (heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites). Additionally, fungal diseases can lead to reduced quality and the production of toxic metabolites known as mycotoxins. Due to climate change, urbanisation and other human activities, there is a growing concern about the levels of these contaminants in food. In recent years, the use of biotechnology and genome editing of plants in order to enhance their nutritional value or increase their resistance to pests or unfavourable environmental conditions, such as drought, has also gained more focus. The publications covered high-quality research results from different research fields, including genetics, new genomic techniques and breeding, agriculture, food technology, and ecology, etc.
Cowbells on the Kill Floor
What happens when the traditions we inherit collide with the world we are destroying?At its core, this book is about liberation. It challenges speciesism as the forgotten injustice of our age, and shows how rejecting domination opens the way to a world built on respect, justice, and possibility.Cowbells on the Kill Floor is a passionate call to see animal agriculture for what it is: the first and greatest obstacle to ending exploitation on this planet. At once forthright and hopeful, this book speaks to vegans, activists, and anyone who has ever questioned whether our relationship with the non-human realm can change before it is too late.Drawing on history, memory, and hard truths, Hamish Blakely strips away the myths that have allowed animal farming to persist - exposing its violence, its politics, and its legacy of denial. Yet this is not just a book about ending meat. It is about what rises in its place: true accountability, imagination, and a world where justice extends to every living being.Whether you are a seasoned advocate or newly curious about veganism, Cowbells on the Kill Floor offers clarity and conviction for the fight ahead. It challenges the narratives of inevitability, showing instead that animal agriculture is neither natural nor permanent - it is a system waiting to collapse.If you believe another world is possible, this book will give you the language and courage to help build it.
The Tale of Hearth, Woods and Hills
Echoes in Hearth, Woods and Hills: A Japanese Artist's Intimate Chronicle from the Lake DistrictThis bilingual picture book marks the debut work by Japanese visual artist Hideyuki Sobue, completed as a profound homage to Beatrix Potter, whose spirit continues to shape the English Lake District.Just as Potter's 23 tales and characters were born from her daily observations, Sobue drew deep inspiration from the small creatures―including his own companion animals―encountered in his Lake District life, culminating in 24 evocative animal portraits.These portraits are transformed into a quiet, narrative dialogue, where the animals' soliloquies weave a unique story. The book appeals to children by nurturing a curiosity for nature, while offering adults a sophisticated "picture book for grownups." It subtly and humorously tackles contemporary themes such as ecology, politics, and gender, inviting profound reflection on humanity's relationship with the natural world.Sobue's meticulous art and the animals' quiet monologues will offer us, inhabitants of the modern age, a period of profound reflection that transcends the picture book format, posing gentle yet sometimes acerbic questions.湖水地方に暮らす日本人美術家が綴る：窓辺と森と丘をめぐる動物たちのおはなし本作は、英国湖水地方在住の日本人美術家ソブエヒデユキが、ビアトリクス・ポターへの深いオマージュとして完成させた初のバイリンガル絵本です。ポターが愛した湖水地方での日常から、彼女の全23話のおはなしと愛らしいキャラクターたちが生まれたように、ソブエもまた、自身の暮らしの中でひとときを共にした小動物たち（自身のペットたちも！）から深いインスピレーションを得て、計24点の動物肖像画を制作しました。この絵本は、その肖像画に命を吹き込み、動物たちの「独り言」でおはなしを綴っています。子どもたちには自然への好奇心を育むとともに、大人たちにはエコロジー、政治、ジェンダーなど様々なトピックをユーモラスに織り交ぜつつ、自然と人間
The Temporary Autonomous Zone, Ontological Anarchy, Poetic Terrorism
Emerging from the crossroads of political philosophy and countercultural thought, this work explores how fleeting, liberated spaces can momentarily slip beyond established systems of authority. Through historical and philosophical examples, it examines how non-hierarchical forms of social interaction arise when individuals detach from imposed constraints and focus fully on the immediacy of experience. The text investigates the role of information as a tool that can move through the gaps of formal structures, enabling the creation of zones where conventional controls lose their grip. It also reflects on the inherent tension between spontaneity and permanence, showing how fixed structures risk suppressing the very creativity they aim to support. Offering a provocative reflection on autonomy, presence and imaginative possibility, this book reveals how brief, self-defined spaces can illuminate alternative ways of living and relating.
Food Chemistry and Bioactive Compounds in Relation to Health
The global rise in life expectancy has brought increased attention to age-related health challenges, particularly those associated with oxidative stress. As a result, bioactive compounds have emerged as key components in the promotion of health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Numerous epidemiological studies suggest that a diet rich in antioxidant bioactive compounds can have beneficial effects on human health, potentially reducing the risk of diseases linked to oxidative stress, metabolic imbalance, and age-related functional decline. The current Reprint Edition of the Special Issue focuses on several key areas: the extraction, purification, and structural elucidation of novel bioactive compounds from natural sources; the characterization of these compounds for potential use in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications; and the investigation of their metabolic pathways and biological activities using advanced analytical techniques, including metabolomics. These studies contribute to a deeper understanding of how bioactive compounds support health and help mitigate the effects of aging and disease.
Treatment Strategy and Mechanism of Acute Ischemic Stroke
This Special Issue of Neurology International, titled Treatment Strategy and Mechanism of Acute Ischemic Stroke, presents a curated collection of original research and reviews addressing the multifaceted challenges and advancements in ischemic stroke management. The Reprint spans the entire continuum of stroke care-from early diagnosis and acute intervention to recovery, rehabilitation, and secondary prevention. It features cutting-edge studies on multimodal imaging, reperfusion therapies, functional outcomes, and the role of inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and genetic factors in stroke pathogenesis. Emphasis is placed on real-world clinical applications, health system considerations, and bridging the translational gap between laboratory discoveries and bedside practice. Several contributions explore emerging tools such as paired associative stimulation, muscle synergy models, and remote ischemic conditioning. Others delve into prognostic biomarkers, cerebrovascular physiology, and the significance of structural and functional neuroimaging in post-stroke outcomes. Guest edited by Prof. Dr. Sonu M. M. Bhaskar, this Special Issue offers a timely and integrated perspective on acute ischemic stroke, with relevance for clinicians, neuroscientists, and healthcare professionals committed to improving patient care through evidence-based strategies.
Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Materials for Water Treatment
This SI presents a platform for researchers to disseminate recent advances in the fundamentals, science, and technology of functional polymeric materials for use in water treatment. High-quality original articles, review articles, case studies, and short communications in this Special Issue cover topics such as: Polymeric coagulants and adsorbents for water purification;Polymeric separation membranes and ion-exchange resins for water treatment and reuse;Polymeric materials for enhancing biological water treatment (filler, bioaugmentation agents, etc.);Polymeric materials for use in water treatment, anti-scaling, scale removal, corrosion inhibition, and the suppression of bacteria and algae;Fabrication, modification, and characterization of polymeric materials for water treatment;Other polymeric material-related applications for pollutant detection in and removal from water (filtration, catalytic oxidation, electrode, sensors, etc.).
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs)
Prof. Walter Wahli devoted much of his career to exploring and defining the functions of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs). More than 25 years ago, his group began searching for new members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily using the DNA-binding domain of the estrogen receptor as a probe. This led to the discovery of novel receptors, now known as PPARα, β, and γ. While PPARα was independently first published by Isabelle Issemann and Stephen Green, Prof. Wahli and colleagues went on to characterize all three isotypes of this receptor family.Building on this pioneering work, Prof. Wahli and his collaborators revealed how PPARs are activated by fatty acids and regulate gene expression in metabolic and physiological pathways. Their findings, notably that fatty acids can act via nuclear receptor-mediated mechanisms similar to hormones, reshaped the understanding of metabolism and opened new therapeutic possibilities using synthetic compounds.Prof. Wahli's vision and scientific rigor greatly enriched the knowledge of PPAR biology and inspired many researchers worldwide. His enduring legacy illustrates the transformative power of scientific inquiry and its potential to improve human health.
Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Vaccine Development of Swine Viral Diseases
Pigs are one of the most commonly reared livestock in the world for meat, and the success of contemporary swine farming depends significantly on safeguarding them from viral infections such as African swine fever virus (ASFV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), porcine circovirus (PCV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), swine influenza virus (SIV), and other swine viruses. This Reprint explores various aspects of these viruses, especially focused on the field of diagnosis, epidemiology, and vaccine development against swine viral diseases. The following topics have been included: Vaccine development for swine viral diseases. Epidemiology studies on swine viruses. Diagnostic methods for swine viral diseases. Isolation and characterization of swine viruses.
Scientific Machine Learning for Polymeric Materials
Polymeric materials play a key role in supporting the ever-increasing demand for electronics, medicines, plastics, sensors, and the transition to renewable energy sources. This is achieved through polymers' distinct features at different structural and temporal scales (i.e., a subtle change in their atomic or mesoscopic structures leads to a totally emergent functionality). However, the design of new polymeric materials is still a lengthy process. This major challenge is related to their inability to comprehensively bridge phenomena that occur at temporal scales from tens of nanoseconds to seconds or spatial scales from nanometers to meters. Indeed, scientific datasets in this field are sparse and include only directly observable quantities, while the underlying processes are either too complex to observe directly or are completely unknown. To move towards an accelerated on-demand design for polymeric materials, recent breakthroughs in scientific machine learning (SciML) can be leveraged to explore the interactions of physics at different spatial and temporal scales. This reprint presents scientific works on SciML-e.g., physics-guided neural networks, physics-informed neural networks, physics-encoded neural networks, and neural operators-for multi-scale multi-temporal structures and mechanisms with polymer behaviors (rheology, self-assembly, phase transition, etc.).
