Books published by Mdpi AG

An important, open research topic today is to understand the relevance that dark matter halo substructure may have for dark matter searches. In the standard cosmological model, halo substructure or subhalos are predicted to be largely abundant inside larger halos, for example, galaxies such as ours, and are thought to form first and later merge to form larger structures. Dwarf satellite galaxies-the most massive exponents of halo substructure in our own galaxy-are already known to be excellent targets for dark matter searches, and indeed, they are constantly scrutinized by current gamma-ray experiments in the search for dark matter signals. Lighter subhalos not massive enough to have a visible counterpart of stars and gas may be good targets as well, given their typical abundances and distances. In addition, the clumpy distribution of subhalos residing in larger halos may boost the dark matter signals considerably. In an era in which gamma-ray experiments possess, for the first time, the exciting potential to put to test the preferred dark matter particle theories, a profound knowledge of dark matter astrophysical targets and scenarios is mandatory should we aim for accurate predictions of dark matter-induced fluxes for investing significant telescope observing time on selected targets and for deriving robust conclusions from our dark matter search efforts. In this regard, a precise characterization of the statistical and structural properties of subhalos becomes critical. In this Special Issue, we aim to summarize where we stand today on our knowledge of the different aspects of the dark matter halo substructure; to identify what are the remaining big questions, and how we could address these; and, by doing so, to find new avenues for research.

Bone tissue engineering aims to develop artificial bone substitutes that partially or totally restore the natural regeneration capability of bone tissue lost under circumstances of injury, significant defects, or diseases such as osteoporosis. In this context, biomaterials are the keystone of the methodology. Biomaterials for bone tissue engineering have evolved from biocompatible materials that mimic the physical and chemical environment of bone tissue to a new generation of materials that actively interacts with the physiological environment, accelerating bone tissue growth. Mathematical modelling and simulation are important tools in the overall methodology. This book presents an overview of the current investigations and recent contributions in the field of bone tissue engineering. It includes several successful examples of multidisciplinary collaboration in this transversal area of research. The book is intended for students, researchers, and professionals of a number of disciplines, such as engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biomedicine, biology, and veterinary. The book is composed of an editorial section and 16 original research papers authored by leading researchers of this discipline from different laboratories across the world

Wind turbines are one of the most promising renewable energy technologies, and this motivates fertile research activity about developments in power optimization. This topic covers a wide range of aspects, from the research on aerodynamics and control design to the industrial applications about on-site wind turbine performance control and monitoring. This Special Issue collects seven research papers about several innovative aspects of the multi-faceted topic of wind turbine power optimization technology. The seven research papers deal respectively with the aerodynamic optimization of wind turbine blades through Gurney flaps; optimization of blade design for large offshore wind turbines; control design optimization of large wind turbines through the analysis of the competing objectives of energy yield maximization and fatigue loads minimization; design optimization of a tension leg platform for floating wind turbines; innovative methods for the assessment of wind turbine optimization technologies operating on site; optimization of multiple wake interactions modeling through the introduction of a mixing coefficient in the energy balance method; and optimization of the dynamic stall control of vertical-axis wind turbines through plasma actuators. This Special Issue presents remarkable research activities in the timely subject of wind turbine power optimization technology, covering various aspects. The collection is believed to be beneficial to readers and contribute to the wind power industry.

Airworthiness, as a field, encompasses the technical and non-technical activities required to design, certify, produce, maintain, and safely operate an aircraft throughout its lifespan. The evolving technology, science, and engineering methods and, most importantly, aviation regulation, offer new opportunities and create, new challenges for the aviation industry. This book assembles review and research articles across a variety of topics in the field of airworthiness: aircraft maintenance, safety management, human factors, cost analysis, structures, risk assessment, unmanned aerial vehicles and regulations. This selection of papers informs the industry practitioners and researchers on important issues.

Breastfeeding is the preferred method of feeding in early life. It is also one of the most cost-effective childhood survival interventions. Breastfeeding practices are important for preventing child mortality and morbidity, as well as ensuring the optimal growth, health, and development of infants. The public health benefits of breastfeeding have been well documented in the medical literature, and include the following: associations with decreased risk for early-life diseases such as otitis media, respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, and early childhood obesity (to name but a few). This Special Issue book includes a collection of studies on the use of novel methods to improve breastfeeding rates, and research exploring the short- and long-term benefits of breastfeeding for both the infant and mother, including technology-based approaches.

The microstructures of both martensite and bainite, although sharing some common features, depict a plethora of subtle differences that made them unique when studied in further detail. Tailoring the final properties of a microstructure based on one or the other as well as in combination with others and exploring more sophisticated concepts, such as Q&P and nanostructured bainite, are the topics which are the focus of research around the world. In understanding the key microstructural parameters controlling the final properties as well as definition of adequate process parameters to attain the desired microstructures requires that a proper understanding of the mechanism ruling their transformation and a detailed characterization first be acheived. The development of new and powerful scientific techniques and equipment (EBSD, APT, HRTEM, etc.) allow us to gain fundamental insights that help to establish some of the principles by which those microstructures are known. The developments accompanying such findings lead to further developments and intensive research providing the required metallurgical support.

This Special Issue on molecular genetics, genomics, and biotechnology in crop plant breeding seeks to encourage the use of the tools currently available. It features nine research papers that address quality traits, grain yield, and mutations by exploring cytoplasmic male sterility, the delicate control of flowering in rice, the removal of anti-nutritional factors, the use and development of new technologies for non-model species marker technology, site-directed mutagenesis and GMO regulation, genomics selection and genome-wide association studies, how to cope with abiotic stress, and an exploration of fruit trees adapted to harsh environments for breeding purposes. A further four papers review the genetics of pre-harvest spouting, readiness for climate-smart crop development, genomic selection in the breeding of cereal crops, and the large numbers of mutants in straw lignin biosynthesis and deposition.

Wine is a widely consumed beverage due to its unique and pleasant sensory properties. Wine is composed of more than one thousand chemical compounds (e.g., alcohols, esters, acids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, minerals, and vitamins, among others) resulting from several chemical and biochemical processes. Microextraction techniques in tandem with high-resolution analytical instruments have been applied by wine researchers to expand the knowledge of wine''s chemical composition with the purposes of improving wine quality, supporting winemaker decisions related to the winemaking process, and guaranteeing the authenticity of wine. As a result, we proposed "Chemical/Instrumental Approaches to the Evaluation of Wine Chemistry" as a topic for a Special Issue in Molecules. This Special Issue aims to provide an update on state-of-the-art extraction procedures (e.g., solid-phase microextraction (SPME)) and analytical tools (e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)), emphasizing their use as suitable platforms for the establishment of the chemical composition of wine (volatomic profile, antioxidants, phenolic pattern, and elemental composition, among others). Information related to wine sensorial properties, contaminants, authenticity, and chemometric tools used for data treatment are described in this Issue.