Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

We are pleased to announce the 12th International Electronic Conference on Sensors and Applications (ECSA-12), which will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani, Prof. Dr. Stefan Bosse, Prof. Dr. Francisco Falcone and Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Laheurte. This event will be held virtually from 12 to 14 November 2025, with participation completely free of charge.

This event aims to bring together leading experts in sensor research from around the world, providing a dynamic platform with which to share cutting-edge knowledge and present recent advancements. Building on the success of the past ten editions (2014–2023), this year’s edition will focus on eight thematic areas where sensors are changing science.

Topics of Interest:

• S1. Chemo- and Biosensors
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani;

• S2. Physical Sensors
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Laheurte, Université Gustave Eiffel, France;

• S3. Sensor Networks, the IoT, Smart Cities, and Health Monitoring
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Francisco Falcone, Public University of Navarre, Spain; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico;

• S4. Sensors and Artificial Intelligence
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Stefan Bosse, University of Koblenz, Germany;

• S5. Smart Agriculture Sensors
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani, Politecnico di Milano, Italy;

• S6. Electronic Sensors, Devices, and Systems
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Stefan Bosse, University of Koblenz, Germany;

• S7. Wearable Sensors and Healthcare Applications
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Laheurte, Université Gustave Eiffel, France;

• S8. Robotics, Sensors, and Industry 4.0
  Session Chair: Prof. Dr. Francisco Falcone, Public University of Navarre, Spain; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico.

Important Dates:
Abstract submission deadline: 4 June 2025;
Abstract acceptance notification: 18 June 2025;
Full file submission deadline: 12 August 2025;
Registration deadline: 7 November 2025.

Instructions for Authors and Publication Opportunities:
To participate in the conference, please first submit your abstract before 4 June 2025 via the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1362. Once your abstract is accepted, you will be requested to submit proceedings papers or posters before 12 August 2025. Authors are also encouraged to submit video presentations (maximum of 3–5 min) after the acceptance of their abstracts and proceedings papers or posters as supplementary materials.

All accepted submissions will be published on Sciforum. Proceedings papers (minimum of 4 pages) are eligible for free publication with DOI in MDPI’s Engineering Proceedings (indexed within Scopus, ISSN: 2673-4591).

In addition, a Special Issue will be launched in the open access journal Sensors (ISSN: 1424-8220, impact factor: 3.4, and CiteScore: 7.3), and participants are encouraged to submit a full manuscript for peer review and potential publication with a 20% discount on the article processing charge (APC).

For detailed submission guidelines, please refer to the Instructions for Authors.
To register for free, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/ECSA-12?section=#registration.

Conference Awards:
Two winners will be selected for the Best Contribution Awards and one winner will be selected for the Student Award. Each winner will receive a certificate and a prize of CHF 500.

We look forward to receiving your abstracts and invite you to register for this conference.

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact ecsa@mdpi.com.

Conference Chairs:
Prof. Dr. Stefano Mariani
Prof. Dr. Stefan Bosse
Prof. Dr. Francisco Falcone
Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Laheurte

ECSA-12 Organizing Team

World Food Safety Day 2025  is a global initiative that highlights the importance of safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all. It raises awareness of the risks posed by unsafe food and the collective responsibility we share in ensuring food safety across every stage of the supply chain—from production to consumption. On this World Food Safety Day, let us come together to promote better food practices, strengthen food safety systems, and help build a healthier, more resilient global food supply for present and future generations.

We hope that you will join us in recognizing the importance of safe and nutritious food this World Food Safety Day on 7 June. The 2025 theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action,” highlights the need for robust food safety systems to prevent, detect, and respond to foodborne risks. Safe food is essential not only for good health but also for sustainable development, economic growth, and global food security. At MDPI, we are proud to support this mission through our open access journals, which provide a platform for sharing research, innovation, and best practices to ensure food safety from farm to fork.

“Food Insecurity across Age Groups in the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic”
by Zhongqi Fan, Amy M. Yang, Marcus Lehr, Ana B. Ronan, Ryan B. Simpson, Kimberly H. Nguyen, Elena N. Naumova and Naglaa H. El-Abbadi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081078

“The Role of Fungi in Food Production and Processing”
by John Pouris, Foteini Kolyva, Spyridoula Bratakou, Chrysovalantou Argyro Vogiatzi, Dimitrios Chaniotis and Apostolos Beloukas
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 5046; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14125046

“Specific Personal Hygiene Procedures and Practices in Food Handlers—A Cross-Sectional Study in Butcher and Fishmonger Shops in Almada”
by Inês Oliveira, Miguel Almeida, João J. Ferreira Gomes and Ana Rita Henriques
Hygiene 2024, 4(2), 207-220; https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene4020017

“Next-Generation Probiotics as Novel Therapeutics for Improving Human Health: Current Trends and Future Perspectives”
by Mohamed E. Abouelela and Yosra A. Helmy
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030430

“Global Food Security and Sustainability Issues: The Road to 2030 from Nutrition and Sustainable Healthy Diets to Food Systems Change”
by Theodoros Varzakas and Slim Smaoui
Foods 2024, 13(2), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13020306

“Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) Method for Determination of Total Fluorine and Total Organic Fluorine in Packaging Substrates”
by Ma Cristine Concepcion D. Ignacio, Greg W. Curtzwiler, Mark R. Early, Katie M. Updegraff and Keith L. Vorst
Methods Protoc. 2023, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/mps6010010

“Research on Food Chemical Safety” Guest Editors: Dr. Efrén Pérez Santín and Dr. José Ignacio López Sánchez Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025	“Advanced in Safety Detection and Quality Control of Food” Guest Editors: Dr. Natalia Casado Navas, Prof. Dr. Isabel Sierra Alonso and Prof. Dr. Sonia Morante Zarcero Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025
“Consumer Behavior Research in Food: A Focus on Health, Safety, and Sustainability, 2nd Edition” Guest Editors: Dr. Pei Liu and Dr. Yee Ming Lee Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025	“Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition and Health, and Food Safety” Guest Editor: Dr. María Esther Ortega-Cerrilla Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026

World Environment Day is an urgent call to action as nature suffers from the devastating impacts of human activity. Annual plastic production exceeds 400 million tons, half of which is single-use plastic, with under 10% recycled. 11 million tons of plastic (equal to 2,200 Eiffel Towers) pollute waterways yearly. Microplastics contaminate our food, water, and air, with humans ingesting over 50,000 particles annually. This pollution harms health and ecosystems globally. A solution does exist, however. Governments, businesses, and individuals must adhere to the 5Rs—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink. Join #BeatPlasticPollution this World Environment Day to create a sustainable future.

On this significant day, we are proud to present a curated collection of articles and initiatives dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions for protecting the environment and beating plastic pollution. We invite readers to explore these resources and join us in our shared mission of a sustainable vision of the future. Together, we can pave the way for a cleaner, healthier planet.

“Enhanced Separation of Palladium from Nuclear Wastewater by the Sulfur-Rich Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework”
by Junli Wang, Chen Luo, Wentao Wang, Hui Wang, Yao Liu, Jianwei Li and Taihong Yan
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(10), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15100714

“Prevention of Biofouling Due to Water Absorption of Natural Fiber Composites in the Aquatic Environment: A Critical Review”
by Cristiano Fragassa, Sara Mattiello, Martina Fronduti, Jo’ Del Gobbo, Radmila Gagic and Carlo Santulli
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120532

“Testing the Effectiveness of an Ecomedia Literacy Environmental Education Lesson”
by Ludovica Lo Iacono, Ludovica Lo Iacono and Emilio Paolo Visintin
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120645

“Airborne Microplastics: Challenges, Prospects, and Experimental Approaches”
by Alexey R. Rednikin, Yulia A. Frank, Artem O. Rozhin, Danil S. Vorobiev and Rawil F. Fakhrullin
Atmosphere 2024, 15(11), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111380

“Emerging Technologies for Remote Sensing of Floating and Submerged Plastic Litter”
by Lonneke Goddijn-Murphy, Victor Martínez-Vicente, Heidi M. Dierssen, Valentina Raimondi, Erio Gandini, Robert Foster and Ved Chirayath
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101770

“The Other Side of Fire in a Changing Environment: Evidence from a Mediterranean Country”
by Dimitrios Kalfas, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Fotios Chatzitheodoridis and Nikolaos Margaritis
Fire 2024, 7(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7020036

“A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Technologies, Sustainability, and Open Issues”
by Alessandra Zanoletti, Eleonora Carena, Chiara Ferrara and Elza Bontempi
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010038

“A Comparative Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Methods and Their Environmental Impact”
by Somtochukwu Godfrey Nnabuife, Caleb Kwasi Darko, Precious Chineze Obiako, Boyu Kuang, Xiaoxiao Sun and Karl Jenkins
Clean Technol. 2023, 5(4), 1344-1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol5040067

“Screening of Microplastics in Aquaculture Systems (Fish, Mussel, and Water Samples) by FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopies”
by Kleopatra Miserli, Christos Lykos, Angelos G. Kalampounias and Ioannis Konstantinou
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(17), 9705; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179705

“Microplastics, Additives, and Plasticizers in Freshwater Bivalves: Preliminary Research of Biomonitoring”
by Giulia Cesarini, Fabiana Corami, Beatrice Rosso and Massimiliano Scalici
Water 2023, 15(14), 2647; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15142647

“Advancements and Applications of Nanomaterials for Removal of Organic Compounds in Aquatic Environment” Guest Editors: Dr. Ramona Riedel and Prof. Dr. Giulio Malucelli Submission deadline: 20 August 2025	“Novel Sources, Designs and After-Use Pathways for Plastics in a Circular Economy” Guest Editor: Dr. María José Arévalo-Caballero Submission deadline: 31 August 2025
“Airborne Micro and Nanoplastics: Detection, Dynamics, and Exposure Assessment” Guest Editor: Dr. Yangyang Liu Submission deadline: 30 September 2025	“Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal” Guest Editor: Dr. Lixin Zhu Submission deadline: 25 October 2025
“Innovative Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Mining” Topic Editors: Prof. Dr. Chongchong Qi, Dr. Qiusong Chen and Dr. Danial Jahed Armaghani Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Enabling Strategies and Policies Toward a Sustainable Environment, 2nd Edition” Topic Editors: Dr. Abdul Majeed, Prof. Dr. Yuantao Xie and Prof. Dr. Judit Oláh Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

The goal of the editor’s choice articles project is to promote high-quality articles published in Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417). Please find below the list of articles carefully handpicked by the scientific editors of the journal, which we believe will be of interest to you. The full list of editor’s choice articles can be viewed at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/editors_choice.

1. “Re-Thinking Data Strategy and Integration for Artificial Intelligence: Concepts, Opportunities, and Challenges”
by Abdulaziz Aldoseri, Khalifa N. Al-Khalifa and Abdel Magid Hamouda
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(12), 7082; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13127082
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/8/4742 

2. “Exploring the Potential Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on International Students in Higher Education: Generative AI, Chatbots, Analytics, and International Student Success”
by Ting Wang, Brady D. Lund, Agostino Marengo, Alessandro Pagano, Nishith Reddy Mannuru, Zoë A. Teel and Jenny Pange
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 6716; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116716
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/11/6716

3. “Countering the Novelty Effect: A Tutorial for Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environments”
by Ines Miguel-Alonso, Bruno Rodriguez-Garcia, David Checa and Andres Bustillo
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(1), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010593
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/1/593

4. “Machine Learning Methods in Weather and Climate Applications: A Survey”
by Liuyi Chen, Bocheng Han, Xuesong Wang, Jiazhen Zhao, Wenke Yang and Zhengyi Yang
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(21), 12019; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132112019
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/21/12019

5. “Anomaly Detection Method for Multivariate Time Series Data of Oil and Gas Stations Based on Digital Twin and MTAD-GAN”
by Yuanfeng Lian, Yueyao Geng and Tian Tian
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1891; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031891
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1891 

6. “Reinforcement Learning in Game Industry—Review, Prospects and Challenges”
by Konstantinos Souchleris, George K. Sidiropoulos and George A. Papakostas
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2443; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042443
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2443

7. “Is It Worth It? Comparing Six Deep and Classical Methods for Unsupervised Anomaly Detection in Time Series”
by Ferdinand Rewicki, Joachim Denzler and Julia Niebling
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1778; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031778
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1778

8. “A Secure and Decentralized Authentication Mechanism Based on Web 3.0 and Ethereum Blockchain Technology”
by Adrian Petcu, Bogdan Pahontu, Madalin Frunzete and Dan Alexandru Stoichescu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2231; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042231
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/4/2231

9. “Augmented Reality: Survey”
by Carlos E. Mendoza-Ramírez, Juan C. Tudon-Martinez, Luis C. Félix-Herrán, Jorge de J. Lozoya-Santos and Adriana Vargas-Martínez
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10491; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810491
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10491

10. “Ensemble-NQG-T5: Ensemble Neural Question Generation Model Based on Text-to-Text Transfer Transformer”
by Myeong-Ha Hwang, Jikang Shin, Hojin Seo, Jeong-Seon Im, Hee Cho and Chun-Kwon Lee
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13020903
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/2/903

11. “Comparative Analysis of Lithium-Ion and Lead–Acid as Electrical Energy Storage Systems in a Grid-Tied Microgrid Application”
by Cry S. Makola, Peet F. Le Roux and Jaco A. Jordaan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(5), 3137; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13053137
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/5/3137

12. “PV-Powered Charging Station with Energy Cost Optimization via V2G Services”
by Saleh Cheikh-Mohamad, Berk Celik, Manuela Sechilariu and Fabrice Locment
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5627; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095627
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/9/5627

13. “Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Spatial Aspects in the Selection of Wind Farm Locations: Integrating the GIS and PROMETHEE Methods”
by Boško Josimović 1, Danijela Srnić, Božidar Manić and Ivana Knežević
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5332; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095332
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/9/5332

14. “Short-Term Power Prediction of Wind Turbine Applying Machine Learning and Digital Filter”
by Shujun Liu, Yaocong Zhang, Xiaoze Du, Tong Xu and Jiangbo Wu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031751
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1751

15. “Comprehensive Energy Analysis of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration with the Power Grid: A Systemic Approach Incorporating Integrated Resource Planning Methodology”
by Marcos Frederico Bortotti, Pascoal Rigolin, Miguel Edgar Morales Udaeta and José Aquiles Baesso Grimoni
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(20), 11119; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011119
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/20/11119

16. “Multi-Objective Routing Optimization in Electric and Flying Vehicles: A Genetic Algorithm Perspective”
by Muhammad Alolaiwy, Tarik Hawsawi, Mohamed Zohdy, Amanpreet Kaur and Steven Louis
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10427; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810427
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10427

17. “The Role of Renewable Energy Sources and Industry 4.0 Focus for Africa: A Review”
by Kingsley Ukoba, Thokozani Justin Kunene, Pieter Harmse, Valantine Takwa Lukong and Tien Chien Jen
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1074; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13021074
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/2/1074

18. “Remaining Useful Life Prediction of Aircraft Turbofan Engine Based on Random Forest Feature Selection and Multi-Layer Perceptron”
by Hairui Wang, Dongwen Li, Dongjun Li, Cuiqin Liu, Xiuqi Yang and Guifu Zhu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(12), 7186; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13127186
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/12/7186 

19. “Icing Wind Tunnel Test Campaign on a Nacelle Lip-Skin to Assess the Effect of a Superhydrophobic Coating on Ice Accretion”
by Filomena Piscitelli, Salvatore Palazzo and Felice De Nicola
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 5183; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13085183
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/8/5183

20. “Design and Validation of a U-Net-Based Algorithm for Star Sensor Image Segmentation”
by Marco Mastrofini, Ivan Agostinelli and Fabio Curti
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(3), 1947; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031947
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1947

21. “Superhydrophobic Coating Solutions for Deicing Control in Aircraft”
by Michele Ferrari and Francesca Cirisano
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(21), 11684; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132111684
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/21/11684

22. “Production of Biogas and Biomethane as Renewable Energy Sources: A Review”
by Debora Mignogna, Paolo Ceci, Claudia Cafaro, Giulia Corazzi and Pasquale Avino
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(18), 10219; https://doi.org/10.3390/app131810219
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10219

23. “Assessment and Review of Heavy Metals Pollution in Sediments of the Mediterranean Sea”
by Pedro Agustín Robledo Ardila, Rebeca Álvarez-Alonso, Flor Árcega-Cabrera, Juan José Durán Valsero, Raquel Morales García, Elizabeth Lamas-Cosío, Ismael Oceguera-Vargas and Angel DelValls
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(4), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14041435
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/4/1435 

24. “Assessing Vulnerability in Flood Prone Areas Using Analytic Hierarchy Process—Group Decision Making and Geographic Information System: A Case Study in Portugal”
by Sandra Mourato, Paulo Fernandez, Luísa Gomes Pereira and Madalena Moreira
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(8), 4915; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13084915
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/8/4915 

25. “Removal of Antibiotics by Biochars: A Critical Review”
by Umut Sen, Bruno Esteves, Terencio Aguiar and Helena Pereira
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(21), 11963; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132111963
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/21/11963

26. “Hemp Biomass as a Raw Material for Sustainable Development”
by Dominika Sieracka, Jakub Frankowski, Stanisław Wacławek and Wojciech Czekała
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(17), 9733; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179733
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/17/9733

We would like to thank all of the research groups that authored these exceptional papers for their contribution. We sincerely hope you find these articles of Applied Sciences as useful and insightful as we have found them.

Applied Sciences Editorial Office

From 27 April to 2 May 2025, MDPI joined the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, welcoming over 20,984 attendees from 120+ countries at booth 02 in the Entrance Hall. This landmark event featured 18,934 presentations across 1,102 sessions, with 56% of abstracts contributed by Early Career Scientists (ECSs)—a testament to the vibrant future of geosciences.

Academic Engagement: Dialogue and Collaboration

Meet the Editors-in-Chief
We hosted two insightful sessions with editorial leaders from top journals:

• April 28: Prof. Dr. Stephen Macko (Editor-in-Chief of Nitrogen) and Prof. Dr. Zhong Lu (Editor-in-Chief of GeoHazards);
• April 29: Dr. Tommaso Caloiero (Section Editor-in-Chief of Hydrology) and Prof. Dr. Rui A. P. Perdigão (Section Editor-in-Chief of Climate).

These discussions fostered meaningful connections between attendees and editors, strengthening our commitment to supporting scholarly exchange.

Environmental and Earth Sciences Journals Editorial Board Meeting

Award Ceremonies: Honoring Innovation

Remote Sensing Travel Award
On April 30, Dr. Nicola Nocentini (University of Padua and University of Florence) received the award from Associate Editor Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti. Following the ceremony, Dr. Nocentini shared insights into an exclusive booth interview.

Geosciences Best Paper Award

Prof. Dr. Olivier Lacombe (Section Editor-in-Chief of Geosciences) presented the award for the paper “Improving the Estimation of the Occurrence Time of an Impending Major Earthquake Using the Entropy Change of Seismicity in Natural Time Analysis”—a groundbreaking study on earthquake prediction.

Interactive Highlights: Fun and Engagement

Raffle Games
Attendees enjoyed lively prize draws, with customized gifts adding a playful touch to scientific networking.

Quick Q&A Sessions
Topic-based quizzes sparked friendly competition, turning academic curiosity into interactive fun—even hesitant scholars joined the excitement!

Looking Ahead: Advancing Open Science

Participating in the EGU General Assembly constituted a profoundly enriching experience. Through this engagement, we engaged in profound dialogues not only with authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Boards associated with MDPI, but also were afforded the invaluable opportunity to disseminate our institutional mission to emerging scholars.
As an entity steadfastly committed to fostering open scientific exchange across all academic disciplines, MDPI reaffirms its unwavering dedication to advancing global scholarship. We earnestly look forward to prospects of connecting with researchers from around the world, collaborating in unison to expand the frontiers of knowledge and advocate for the practices of open science.

MDPI will be attending the 2025 American Control Conference (ACC) in Denver, USA, which will take place from 8 to 10 July 2025. The ACC is hosted annually by the American Automatic Control Council (AACC), the U.S. national member organization of the International Federation for Automatic Control (IFAC). The conference has numerous national and international society co-sponsors, including the following: the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE); American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); IEEE Control Systems Society (IEEE-CSS); Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS); International Society of Automation (ISA); Society for Modeling & Simulation International (SCS); and Society for Industrial & Applied Mathematics (SIAM).

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Applied Sciences;
• Electronics;
• Robotics;
• Drones;
• Inventions;
• Telecom;
• Actuators;
• Applied System Innovation;
• Automation;
• Eng;
• Machines;
• Processes;
• Technologies;
• Vehicles;
• Modelling;
• World Electric Vehicle Journal.

MDPI will be attending the International Conference on Neutron Scattering (ICNS) as an exhibitor, and we warmly invite researchers from diverse backgrounds to visit our booth and share their latest ideas.

The conference serves as a valuable platform for anyone who uses neutrons as a tool for scientific research and development to share their findings and engage in insightful discussions. The scientific program will cover a wide range of disciplines, including neutron facilities, instrumentation, and software. The event will feature a mix of plenary sessions, parallel sessions, poster sessions, and sponsor presentations. In addition, several prizes will be awarded during the conference.

The organizers of ICNS 2025 are dedicated to promoting equity and inclusivity. Both the local organizing committee and the international program committee are committed to fostering an environment where everyone is welcome, respected, and valued, regardless of gender, nationality, or any other identity.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Quantum Beam Science;
• Applied Sciences;
• Atoms;
• Instruments;
• Materials;
• Plasma;
• Quantum Reports;
• Surfaces;
• Nanomaterials;
• Condensed Matter;
• Foundations.

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.icns2025.dk/.

The following is an interview with Dr. Igor Vujović:

Congratulations on being an outstanding reviewer for the year 2024! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your research interests? 
Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Igor Vujović, and I am an electrical engineer and full professor at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Croatia. I obtained my Ph.D. in 2011 from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture at the University of Split. Throughout my career, I have participated in several research projects and currently serve as the project leader for two of them. I am also involved in a project funded by the European Space Agency, as well as another project managed at the faculty level. I am a member of several Editorial Boards, including those of the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (MDPI), Electronics (MDPI), and Editor-in-Chief of Transactions on Maritime Science, which is our faculty’s journal indexed in both Web of Science and Scopus. In addition, I am serving as a Guest Editor for a Special Issue in Applied Sciences, focusing on biomedical signal processing and machine learning techniques. I have received the Rector’s Award for Science from the University of Split. I currently head two laboratories: the Signal Processing Analysis and Advanced Diagnostics Research Laboratory (SPADRAL) and the Laboratory for Electrical Engineering. I also lead the scientific research group New Technologies in Maritime. Previously, I was the head of the Ph.D. study program, and I am now the head of the Department for Marine Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies. Over the years, I have published more than 200 scientific papers, including journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, and textbooks. I have also conducted over 700 peer reviews for journals, conferences, books, and research projects. My primary research interests lie in signal processing and analysis, with applications in biomedical engineering, video surveillance, and other advanced technologies relevant to the maritime field.

What motivated you to become a reviewer? 
I also serve as the Editor-in-Chief of my own journal. As I’ve mentioned before, I often face challenges when it comes to finding reviewers, as many of them decline the invitation to review. Because of this, I’m very sympathetic toward other editors who reach out to me for support. If someone believes I can help, and if I have the time and the topic is within my area of expertise, I always try to accept the invitation. Naturally, I won’t take on reviews in areas outside my field; for example, I wouldn’t review a paper in surgery. But if I feel confident in the subject matter, I do my best to contribute. My journey as a reviewer with MDPI started when I was first invited by the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. I believe they appreciated my performance, which led to further invitations from other MDPI journals. Ultimately, my motivation stems from my own experiences. Since I know how difficult it can be to find reliable reviewers, I try to support others in the same situation. In that sense, you could say it’s a bit of a sympathetic motivation.

How do you approach the peer review process to ensure fairness and constructive feedback? 
I’ve attended many seminars that discuss how to review scientific papers, but I often find that they drift into philosophy rather than practical advice. In reality, reviewing isn’t that abstract. I begin by scanning the manuscript to get a general impression. That first impression is important and in most cases, it turns out to be accurate. Of course, I’m not infallible, and there have been a few occasions where I’ve been mistaken. But generally, the initial feeling gives me a strong indication of the paper’s quality and relevance. Once I’ve formed that initial judgment, I try to verify it. I look through the paper to find evidence that either supports or contradicts my first impression. Sometimes, my assessment changes during this deeper review. For example, I might initially think the paper needs only minor revisions, but later decide that major revisions are necessary. There have even been cases where I’ve reconsidered a rejection and suggested a major revision instead. This process is far more complex than what can be explained in a single lecture or seminar. It requires a deep understanding of your own research area and a sensitivity to what the authors are trying to communicate. You need to develop a kind of intuition that only comes with experience. After reviewing more than 700 papers, I’ve learned to recognize the signs of a strong or weak manuscript very quickly, often at first glance. That doesn’t mean I skip the details, but rather that I’ve developed a sense for quality that helps guide the rest of the review process. Many younger colleagues ask me how to do this, and I try to explain it but it’s not something that can be easily taught. Reviewing is a nuanced, layered process. It’s about combining expertise, experience, and a careful reading of the manuscript to reach a fair and informed decision

What are the biggest challenges you face as a reviewer, and how do you handle them? 
One of the biggest challenges I face as a reviewer is dealing with the different review forms that journals use. Each journal tends to have its own format, with specific questions or notes they want addressed. While it's important to follow these structures, I sometimes find that they shift the focus away from the actual content and meaning of the paper. But the real emerging challenge is artificial intelligence. Right now, it's difficult, if not impossible, to be certain whether or not a manuscript was written, at least in part, using AI tools. Some authors might rely heavily on AI-generated content, while others may not use it at all. This isn’t a distant concern; it’s a near-future problem that we are already beginning to face. At the moment, I can often recognize AI-generated texts by certain patterns like excessive use of superlatives or oddly polished phrases that don’t match the rest of the paper. But AI is learning quickly. Eventually, it will adapt, and these cues may disappear. What then? Unfortunately, the tools we have for detecting AI-written content are still in the early stages of development. That, in my opinion, is one of the most urgent challenges we’ll need to address in the peer-review process. Of course, similarity detection remains a concern too. Different tools are excellent for spotting overlap, but even here, we need to be careful. A 20% similarity score doesn’t mean much without context. If that 20% comes from properly cited references, that’s perfectly fine. But if the overlap is found in the results or discussion sections, then there’s a serious issue. So, overall, I’d say the biggest challenges in peer review today are adapting to AI-generated content, interpreting similarity scores with care, and navigating the complexity of different journal review formats all while staying focused on the quality and originality of the science.

What is your experience with our service from the point of view of a reviewer? 
That’s an interesting question. Honestly, I’ve had a very positive experience with your services. I collaborate with various journals, and I find yours to be particularly well organized and efficient.
The review forms are clear, with straightforward questions that are easy to address. I especially appreciate the flexibility to add comments where necessary without being required to justify every minor detail. For example, including state-of-the-art references in the motivation section is a standard expectation in scientific writing, and your system respects that by not demanding unnecessary explanations. This makes the review process much smoother. One of the greatest advantages you offer is the speed of your process. For researchers or project coordinators who need to plan publication timelines for instance, in line with funding or project deadlines predictability and quick decisions are essential. Your fast turnaround enables better planning and decision-making. Of course, I understand that such timelines can be demanding for reviewers, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. The review period is a little short, which can be challenging. However, from an author’s or project manager’s perspective, it’s extremely beneficial. Additionally, your online platform is very user-friendly. The ability to access the review directly through the email link without needing to log in each time makes the process even more convenient. I usually only log in when I need to claim vouchers or manage submissions. Overall, I greatly appreciate how seamless and efficient the entire process is.

What advice would you give to aspiring researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields? 
When it comes to general advice, one of the big challenges I see today is how we share information, especially between generations of researchers. I often talk to both younger and more experienced researchers about this. For Ph.D. students, things are very different now compared to when I was in their shoes. As soon as they publish a paper, it becomes immediately accessible to anyone in the world. That means they have to work faster, and most importantly, they have to be original. So, while sharing information can be a good thing, it can also pose a risk for younger researchers who are still developing their ideas and trying to stand out. At the same time, that openness allows them to benefit from the experience of other researchers. They can learn from what's already out there but they still have to find their own unique angle and move quickly. For senior researchers like myself, the challenge is different. I’ve noticed that older generations like Gen X or even early millennials are generally better at focusing on a specific research direction. We’re used to setting long-term goals and sticking to them. But when I work with younger generations, like Gen Z and even the emerging Gen Alpha, I see a different pattern. Many of them seem to struggle with focus; they want to try everything, and that can be a problem. As a Ph.D. advisor, part of my job is to help them channel that energy. I try to guide them toward defining their goals early on. Do they want to be outstanding researchers, pushing the boundaries of science? Or are they aiming to finish their Ph.D. and move into industry to make money? Both paths are valid, but they require different mindsets and strategies. It's important they understand what they really want from the start.

Applied Sciences is an open access journal. How do you think open access publishing benefits authors and the broader research community? 
Yes, open access is actually a requirement now in Europe, largely due to the Open Science policy. And honestly, I think it’s a great thing, especially from the perspective of a reader or a scientist who needs quick access to research. The ability to share knowledge instantly is a huge advantage. Think about it: if publishing takes months and then your paper ends up behind a paywall, you either have to buy it or go through some complicated subscription process. With open access, it's simple: you just click and read. No barriers. That’s incredibly useful, especially when you're actively working on something and need information fast. So, I’m definitely in favor of open access from the user's point of view. I really appreciate the openness and speed it brings to modern science. Things are evolving quickly these days, and we can’t afford to wait months or even weeks to access new knowledge. Of course, the publishing side of the equation is a different story. There are real challenges around how to finance open access. That’s a separate issue that needs to be addressed. But as a scientist and a reader, I absolutely support it.

Do you have any suggestions on how our journal could further support researchers and the academic community?
I’ve been thinking about your awards like the Ph.D. awards, travel grants, and so on. Honestly, they’re great initiatives, but I don’t think they’re visible enough. One idea that came to mind is that you could try coordinating with Erasmus coordinators at universities. That could be a great way to connect your European-based awards with existing international exchange programs, which would make the awards more visible and promote international cooperation as well. At the end of the day, increasing visibility, whether for young or senior researchers, means more opportunities, more collaboration, and more impact. I believe that could really help extend the reach of your programs. Of course, I know some people have already suggested using social networks, and that’s totally valid—LinkedIn, ResearchGate, even Instagram in some cases. Visibility through those channels is crucial nowadays. The argument regarding publication speed does not fully hold and can, in fact, be presented as a positive aspect. It is important to maintain active communication with scientific communities in different countries to help them better understand MDPI’s commitment to open access and transparency in publishing. The aim is to make science accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial background. Through initiatives such as reviewer vouchers, MDPI supports researchers who may not have access to funding, ensuring they still have opportunities to publish. While many traditional journals operate within closed networks, MDPI provides an open and inclusive platform—an approach that is valuable and deserves greater promotion.