Perpustakaan Digital

We have organized this Special Issue to discuss the appropriate possibilities for skin reconstruction and regeneration. Luze et al. explained how antiseptic-loaded BNC represents a promising and effective approach for the treatment of biofilms. Korzeniowski et al. demonstrated how a bromelain-based enzymatic method offers a good, safe debridement option to improve the life quality of children with severe burns. Martinovic et al. wrote a paper titled “Objective Skin Quality Assessment after Reconstructive Procedures for Facial Skin Defects”. An interesting technique was introduced by Woo Yoo et al.—a modified mini-keystone flap technique for covering tiny volar pulp defects of the fingertip, with few complications and favorable outcomes. Russo et al. conducted a comparative study between Connettivina Bio Plus and Fitostimoline Plus. They showed that both were secure and effective for treating acute superficial skin lesions. Hwan Kim et al. published “A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Paste-Type Acellular Dermal Matrix to Standard Care for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds”. Korzeniowski et al. enriched the Special Issue with a systematic review titled “The Role of the Immune System in Pediatric Burns”.  Finally we presented the paper “Collection of Key Surgical Techniques for the Reconstruction of Midface Skin Defects” for the midface’s significant role in defining important facial traits. Finally, I would like to express my sincere respect to all authors for submitting excellent papers, and to reviewers for taking the time to review them.

Fish oil is considered a healthy food due to the presence of large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA. Fish oil dietary supplements are usually in triacylglycerol (TAG) and ethyl ester (EE) forms. The main forms of EPA/DHA in marine foods are TAGs and phospholipids (PLs). PL forms and traditional fish oil supplements have different nutritional functions and constitute the most popular research topics within EPA/DHA-enriched structural lipids. Moreover, there is an increasing number of high-purity DHA or EPA products; therefore, it is essential to clarify the differences in physiological activity between DHA and EPA, as well as the differences in disease treatment and prevention, exploring new physiological regulatory functions and analyzing their molecular mechanisms. In recent years, researchers have also focused on the structural modification and derivatives of EPA/DHA. Such studies will contribute to the development and applications of fish oils as func

This reprint covers 27 papers published in the Special Issue entitled “Corporate Finance, Governance, and Social Responsibility,” which examines several topics related to corporate finance, financial modeling, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility. Corporate finance-related articles (Anton and Afloarei Nucu, 2021; Bae et al., 2023; Kedzior et al., 2020; Lääts and Lukason, 2022; Miglo, 2020; Mihail et al., 2021; Mota and Moreira, 2023; Tsolas, 2021; Tudose et al., 2021; and Wen et al., 2021) focus on the drivers of the capital structure and firm performance, the effect of working capital management on profitability, and the link between derivative use and profitability. Regarding financial modeling, stock market volatility was explored during COVID-19 (Gherghina et al., 2021). Corporate governance studies (Aluchna and Kuszewski, 2020; Ararat et al., 2021; Ding and Chea, 2021; Kjærland et al., 2020; Lourenço et al., 2021; Lukason and Camacho-Miñano, 2020; Maier and

It is important to prevent and manage the frailty of the elderly because their muscle strength and physical activity decrease in old age, making them prone to falling, depression, and social isolation. In the end, they need to be admitted to a hospital or a nursing home. When successful aging fails and motor ability declines due to illness, malnutrition, or reduced activity, frailty eventually occurs. Once frailty occurs, people with frailty do not have the power to exercise or the power to move. The functions of the heart and muscles are deteriorated more rapidly when they are not used. Consequently, frailty goes through a vicious cycle. As one’s physical fitness is deteriorated, the person has less power to exercise, poorer cognitive functions, and inferior nutrition intake. Consequently, the whole body of the person deteriorates. Therefore, in addition to observational studies to identify risk factors for preventing aging, various intervention studies have been conducted to devel

The concept of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) encompasses novel kinds of medicines for human use that are based on genes, cells or tissues. These intend to offer not only regeneration, but complete functional recovery of diseased tissues and organs using different strategies. Gene therapy, cell therapy and tissue engineering are the main areas in which promising advanced therapies are emerging. The eye is a very complex organ whose main structures, the cornea and the retina, play a pivotal role in maintaining normal vision, as severe alterations in these tissues can lead to blindness. Ocular tissues are starting to benefit from ATMPs by fighting against the enormous complexity and devastating potential of many ocular diseases. However, developments arising from this field of work face important challenges related to vectors to deliver drugs and genetic material to target tissues, suitable biomaterials to prepare cell scaffolds and cell stemness, among others—not to menti

Arboviruses have become global threats. Common to Dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Mayaro viruses is their ability to be transmitted by mosquitoes. Several strategies based on transgenics or microbiology are currently being field-tested. While this approach seems hopeful, the research community needs to focus on potential backlash from these technologies to prevent failure. The aim of the Special Issue is to cover different transmission routes that are untargeted by the newly developed strategies to foresee limitations. Here, Fontenille & Powell gave their insights on how a mosquito species becomes a global vector, Yen & Failloux presented the limitations of Wolbachia-based population replacement, Pereira-dos-Santos et al. reviewed the evidence that Aedes albopictus is an important vector, and Diagne et al. gathered information about the latest emerging arbovirus: Mayaro. Manuel et al. demonstrated that in certain conditions mosquitoes efficiently transmit Zika viruses and

Natural bioactive compounds remain a major foundation of drug discovery due to their structural diversity and ability to regulate multiple disease-relevant pathways. These molecules influence key biological processes, including inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress, hypoxia, metabolic imbalance, angiogenesis, and dysregulated cell proliferation and migration, all of which contribute to the development and progression of human diseases. Advances in extraction, purification, and analytical technologies have reshaped the study of natural bioactives. Traditional methods are increasingly complemented by innovative and sustainable approaches, such as green and solvent-free techniques, which improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. In parallel, omics-based strategies—including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—have become essential tools for identifying molecular targets, defining mechanisms of action, and accelerating the translation of bioactive compounds toward therapeutic applications. This Special Issue focuses on recent progress in the discovery, characterization, and development of natural bioactives as drug candidates. Topics include novel methodologies for compound isolation and identification, mechanistic and functional evaluation of bioactivities, and integrated analytical frameworks that combine omics technologies with conventional biochemical and pharmacological assays to provide a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic potential.

The Special Issue, "Advanced Thin Films and 2D Materials: Mechanism, Fabrication, Characterization and Application," delves into the intricate world of cutting-edge materials science. This collection of research articles and reviews explores the latest advancements in thin films and two-dimensional (2D) materials, focusing on their mechanisms, fabrication techniques, methods of characterization, and wide-ranging applications. Thin films and 2D materials are pivotal in the development of innovative technologies due to their unique physical and chemical properties. This Special Issue highlights breakthroughs in understanding the fundamental mechanisms that govern the behavior of these materials, enabling precise control over their properties during fabrication. It also examines state-of-the-art fabrication methods and techniques that have revolutionized the production of high-quality thin films and 2D materials. Advanced characterization techniques, such as atomic force microscopy and X-rays, are discussed, providing insights into the structural and electronic properties of these materials. This Special Issue also showcases the diverse applications of thin films and 2D materials in fields such as electronics, photonics, energy storage, and sensing, illustrating their potential to drive technological innovation and address contemporary challenges.

This Special Issue focuses on the impacts of climate change on regional hydrological resources, further improving simulation accuracy and the research system related to the impacts of climate change on water resources. High-quality research studies on observed and projected changes during the 21st century in the different components of the hydrological cycle affecting water resources such as precipitation, evapotranspiration and streamflow in different geographical regions take into account various spatial scales and methodological approaches. Related Books Climate Variability and Climate Change Impacts on Land Surface, Hydrological Processes and Water Management Environmental & Earth Sciences Climate Change and Hydrological Processes Environmental & Earth Sciences Impact of Climate-Change on Water Resources Environmental & Earth Sciences Hydrological Extremes in a Warming Climate: Nonstationarity, Uncertainties and Impacts Physical Sciences Climate Change and Hydrological Processes

This reprint includes papers from different research fields, reflecting the sectional talks presented at the 10th edition of the Scientific Conference of the Doctoral Schools of “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi, which took place in June 2022. The objective of the 2022 Conference was to bring together perspectives and challenges in doctoral research in a common forum and to provide a platform enabling doctoral researchers to meet and share state-of-the-art developments in their fields. It comprises 13 papers presented at the conference from several fields, including mechanical and industrial engineering, food science and biotechnology, electrical/electronic engineering, systems engineering and information technologies, chemistry, electrochemistry, and economic models and strategies. Related Books Perspectives and Challenges in Doctoral Research Selected Papers from the 9th Edition of the Scientific Conference of the Doctoral Schools from the “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi

This book covers the latest developments in the field of rheology and polymer processing, highlighting cutting-edge research focusing on the processing of advanced polymers and their composites. It demonstrates that the field of rheology and polymer processing is still gaining increased attention. Presented within are cutting-edge research results and the latest developments in the field of polymer science and engineering, innovations in the processing and characterization of biopolymers and polymer-based products, polymer physics, composites, modeling and simulations, and rheology. Related Books Polymer Processing and Surfaces Chemistry & Materials Science Advances in the Processing and Application of Polymer and Its Composites Chemistry & Materials Science ... Recent Advances in Polymer Processing Engineering Advances in Experimental and Computational Rheology, Volume II Biology & Life Sciences ... Recent Researches in Polymer and Plastic Processing Chemistry & Materials Science .

Vision is the most important sense in higher mammals. The retina is the first step in visual processing and the window to the brain. It is not surprising that problems arising in the retina lead to moderate to severe visual impairments. We offer here a collection of reviews as well as original papers dealing with various aspects of retinal function as well as dysfunction. New approaches in retinal research are described, such as the expression and localization of the endocannabinoid system in the normal retina and the role of cannabinoid receptors that could offer new avenues of research in the development of potential treatments for retinal diseases. Moreover, new insights are offered in advancing knowledge towards the prevention and cure of visual pathologies, mainly AMD, RP, and diabetic retinopathy. Related Books Retinal Diseases Biology & Life Sciences The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Retinal Diseases Biology & Life Sciences Retinal Cell Biology in Health and Disease Biology

The first nonlinear optical effect was observed in the 19th century by John Kerr. Nonlinear optics, however, started to grow up only after the invention of the laser, when intense light sources became easily available. The seminal studies by Peter Franken and Nicolaas Bloembergen, in the 1960s, paved the way for the development of today’s nonlinear photonics, the field of research that encompasses all the studies, designs, and implementations of nonlinear optical devices that can be used for the generation, communication, and processing of information. This field has attracted significant attention, partly due to the great potential of exploiting the optical nonlinearities of new or advanced materials to induce new phenomena and achieve new functions. According to Clarivate Web of Science, almost 200,000 papers were published that refer to the topic “nonlinear optic*”. Over 36,000 papers were published in the last four years (2015–2018) with the same keyword, and over 17,000 used the

This Reprint presents a collection of cutting-edge research and review articles focusing on the integration of machine learning and deep learning theories for intelligent fault diagnosis in industrial and engineering systems. With the rapid advancement of computational intelligence, data-driven fault diagnosis has become a cornerstone of modern Prognostics and Health Management (PHM), enabling early detection, prediction, and mitigation of system failures. The contributions in this Reprint highlight innovative applications of artificial neural networks, convolutional and recurrent neural architectures, transfer learning, and hybrid intelligent systems for diagnosing faults in rotating machinery, robotic systems, power plants, and manufacturing processes. In addition, the included studies explore explainable AI models, data augmentation, and sensor fusion methods that enhance model interpretability and robustness under real-world operating conditions. By bringing together theoretical insights and practical implementations, this Reprint aims to serve as a valuable reference for researchers, engineers, and practitioners engaged in machine learning–based condition monitoring and intelligent fault diagnosis. It reflects recent trends shaping the future of autonomous and resilient industrial systems within the framework of Industry 4.0.

The rapid development of computers has stimulated growing interest in the physical foundations of computation. This interest arises from both applicative and fundamental aspects of computation. In the most general terms, computation involves transforming inputs into outputs using a specific set of instructions. The necessary questions include the following: What are the physical limitations of computation? What are the minimal energy costs of computation, and what is the maximal possible velocity of computation? The Landauer principle, addressed in this Special Issue, is one of the limiting physical principles that constrain the behavior of computing systems. The Landauer principle restricts the minimal energy necessary for the erasure of one bit of information. Rolf Landauer adopted the notion that computation is a physical process; thus, it must obey the laws of physics, and first and foremost, the laws of thermodynamics. This thinking led to a new limiting physical principle, establishing minimal energy costs for the erasure of a single memory bit for a system operating at equilibrium temperature T. According to Landauer, this energy is E=kBTln2. This Special Issue discusses the Landauer principle in the context of other physical limiting principles, such as the Mandelstam–Tamm and Margolus–Levitin limiting principles. The Special Issue addresses a diversity of problems related to the meaning and applications of the Landauer principle. It discusses the interrelation between logical and thermodynamic irreversibility and precise links between energy and information.

Food products are becoming increasingly affected by the use of antibiotics, as the transfer of residual veterinary drugs, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its genes (ARGs) occurs through unexplained mechanisms, representing a public health threat. As part of the framework proposed by One Health, it is essential to include information on animal and food chain pathogens in AMR surveillance programs, since human and animal health are interconnected. Therefore, this Special Issue will pay specific attention to human, animal, plant, food, and environment interfaces, and will try to explore intervention strategies against foodborne pathogens. Furthermore, it will characterize the variation in the composition of a healthy human gut microbiome in correlation with antibiotic usage and yoghurt consumption. The Special Issue focus on intervention strategies and food safety in light of antibiotic usage in animal and plants, and discuss ARB and ARG in fu

In Canada, survival from breast cancer has steadily increased since 1989, and breast cancer mortality has decreased by 48\%. While 82\% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, there are still 18\% who present at a late stage and 25\% who develop metastatic disease. Improved survival has been achieved through early diagnosis of breast cancer with screening, allowing for more effective and targeted treatments. This reprint summarizes the latest evidence on the early detection of breast cancer and highlights areas where this may be improved. Related Books Treatment Strategies and Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer Medicine & Pharmacology Innovations in the Integrated Management of Breast Cancer Medicine & Pharmacology Breast Cancer—Therapeutic Challenges, Research Strategies and Novel Diagnostics Medicine & Pharmacology Breast Cancer: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach from Imaging to Therapy Medicine & Pharmacology Advances in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Biology & L

Birth and death are both profound life transitions, revealing deeply existential, social, and spiritual questions in addition to various forms of ritual and ritualizing. While birth and death are often seen as opposites, this edited volume shows that the start and end of life share many ambiguities. They represent a beginning and an end, and lead to ritualizing as well as embodied forms of spirituality. Throughout the book, the authors discuss theoretical and empirical perspectives on rituals at birth and death from multidisciplinary perspectives, such as religious studies, anthropology, philosophy, and sociology. By doing so, they shed light on new forms of ritualizing, as well as on traditional rituals. Related Books Arts, Spirituality, and Religion Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Religion, Ritual and Ritualistic Objects Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Exploring Ritual Fields Today Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities Material Culture and Religion: Perspectives over Time Socia

Local communities are increasingly taking on active roles and emerging as new actors in energy systems. Community energy and energy storage may enable effective energy system integration and ensure maximum benefits of local generation, leading to more flexible and resilient energy supply systems and playing an important role in achieving renewable energy and climate policy objectives. In this book, we summarize the different topics covered in the international conference on new pathways for community energy and storage in the form of the 14 articles published in this Special Issue on the same topic. It addresses important developments and challenges related to local energy transitions and the role of community energy and energy storage therein. Related Books Advances in Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Engineering Microgrids and the Integration of Energy Storage Systems Engineering Energy Storage and Electric Power Systems Engineering Energy Management of Prosumer Communities Eng

Recently, stem cells have been drawing increasing interest in basic and translational research that aims to understand stem cell biology and generate new therapies for various disorders. Many stem cells can be cultured in 2D relatively easily using tissue culture plastic. However, many of these cultures do not represent the natural conditions of stem cells in the body. In the body, microenvironments include numerous supporting cells and molecules. Therefore, researchers and clinicians have sought ideal stem cell preparations for basic research and clinical applications, which may be attainable through 3D culture of stem cells. The 3D cultures mimic the conditions of the natural environment of stem cells better, as cells in 3D cultures exhibit many unique and desirable characteristics that could be beneficial for therapeutic interventions. 3D stem cell cultures may employ supporting structures, such as various matrices or scaffolds, in addition to stem cells, to support complex structu

This is a Special Issue of Metals devoted to aspects of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. It is the third in a series of Special Issues devoted to these topics, which discussed characterization along with recycling and waste minimization. Topics such as mineralogy, geometallurgy, thermodynamics, kinetics, comminution, classification, physical separations, liquid–solid separations, leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, activated carbon, precipitation, reduction, process economics, and process control were also considered. Specific suggested application areas were gold, silver, PGMs, aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, and titanium. Critical metal articles on topics such as lithium, antimony, tellurium, gallium, germanium, cobalt, graphite, indium, and rare earths were also welcomed. Both primary and recycled aspects were considered. In all, nine high quality articles were accepted and published. The focus of the submitted articles included indium, manganese, rare earths, nickel, slags, gold, tin, antimony, zinc, uranium, and thorium.

Rice is one of the major crops and feeds half of the population worldwide. Diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses seriously affect rice yield and quality. Breeding new resistant rice varieties is the simplest and most effective management for diseases.In recent years, rice has been recognized as a genetic model for molecular biology research aimed toward understanding mechanisms of disease resistance. Up until now, great progress has been made in the molecular genetics of rice disease resistance. Over 150 QTLs associated with rice disease resistance have been identified and more than 50 resistance genes have been cloned. This Special Issue of IJMS aims to highlight the following areas: Screening and improvement of rice-disease-resistant germplasms; Breeding of disease-resistant rice cultivars; Methods of inoculation and rating investigation; Mapping and cloning of resistance genes; Molecular genetics analysis of resistance (such as GWASs); Molecular biology research on resistance; Mechanisms of rice–pathogen interaction.

This Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine is dedicated to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It includes 12 interesting papers from all around the world that contribute important new information regarding the pathogenesis, clinical evaluation, and treatment of this very common disorder that affects about 10\% of all women during their adult life. The first paper presents an evolutionary model of PCOS that has profound consequences on the methods of preventing and treating this syndrome. Other papers describe problems related to differential diagnosis from hypothalamic amenorrhea and the use of questionnaires for detecting alterations in the quality of life of these women. Two papers are dedicated to sexual problems that may arise in these patients. Many papers analyze the actual treatment of PCOS, from the promotion of physical activity to the use of oral versus intravaginal contraceptives. Articles also investigate how to optimize the clomiphene induction of ovulation or

This reprint provides research on how technologies such as artificial intelligence-based machine learning and deep learning can be applied to remote sensing. Through this, we can see the process of solving the existing problems of image and image signal processing for remote sensing. These techniques are computationally intensive and require the help of high-performance computing devices. With the development of devices such as GPUs, remote sensing technology, and aerial sensing technology, it is possible to monitor the Earth with high-resolution images and to obtain vast amounts of Earth observation data. The papers published in this reprint describe recent advances in big data processing and artificial intelligence-based technologies for remote sensing technology. Related Books Advanced Machine Learning and Deep Learning Approaches for Remote Sensing II Environmental & Earth Sciences ... Artificial Intelligence-Based Learning Approaches for Remote Sensing Environmental & Earth Sci