Announcements

The journal Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417) is currently recruiting a Section Editor-in-Chief for the Section “Applied Thermal Engineering”.

The Section “Applied Thermal Engineering” aims to publish high-quality, state-of-the-art reviews, original full research, short communications, and case studies, covering all technologies based on heat transfer processes. Therefore, challenging works dealing with applied thermodynamic problems up to real applications are welcomed in this Section. Both theoretical and experimental works with rigorous and replicable methodology can be submitted in this Section.

Both basic and applied research and anything in between is acceptable in this Section, and many different applications can be covered, such as domestic, commercial, industrial, marine, aeronautics, aerospatial, transport, primary/secondary/tertiary sector, and clean energy.

Further information about the Section may be found via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/sections/ATE.

The Section Editor-in-Chief is responsible for the following:

• Defining the aims and scope of the Section;
• Advising on the strategic development of the Section;
• Ensuring that the published content is of high quality;
• Nominating/inviting Guest Editors and optionally providing them with the authority to make final acceptance decisions about submitted articles;
• Nominating/inviting contributors;
• Nominating and leading the Section Editorial Board;
• Promoting the journal at scientific conferences or through other venues;
• Conducting preliminary checks of submissions and making the final decision as to whether a paper can be accepted for publication following peer review and author revisions (when it suits your schedule).

To apply for this position, please contact the Applied Sciences Editorial Office (applsci@mdpi.com) with the following two files attached:

• A full academic CV;
• A short cover letter that details your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Applied Sciences Editorial Office

A range of MDPI journals will be attending the 11th National Conference on Environmental Chemistry as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Harbin, China, from 25 to 29 July 2022.

The theme of this conference will be “Innovating Environmental Sciences, Low-Carbon Protecting Environment and Health”, which fully reflects the conference’s purpose of innovation, participation, cooperation, and foresight. More than 50 branches have been set up in the fields of interface process, toxicology and health, public health, environmental safety, pollution control, remediation technology, green and low-carbon, and environmental policy, and various well-known experts at home and abroad have been invited to produce conference and branch reports and deliver speeches. We invite experts in the field and environmental protection companies to participate in the exhibition, for which academic activities such as paper exhibitions, postgraduate forums, and Editor-in-Chief meetings have been organized.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Toxics (leading);
• Water (leading);
• Sustainability (leading);
• Applied Sciences;
• JoX;
• Nanomaterials;
• Soil Systems;
• Sustainable Chemistry;
• IJERPH;
• Pollutants;
• Environments.

If you are 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 and our booth, please visit the following link: https://www.ncec2021.com/Home/Default.

We would like to invite you to join the 3rd International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences (ASEC 2022), which will be hosted online from 1 to 15 December 2022. ASEC 2022 will be free of charge for presenters and visitors.

This event will take place entirely online, enabling participation from all over the world with no concerns regarding travel and related expenditures. An electronic conference provides a platform for rapid and direct exchange of the latest research findings and novel ideas.

ASEC 2022 aims to promote and advance the exciting and rapidly changing fields representing all aspects of applied sciences. The topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering (Session A);
• Chemistry and Materials Science (Session B);
• Computing and Artificial Intelligence (Session C);
• Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Session D);
• Energy Science and Technology (Session E);
• Environmental and Earth Sciences (Session F);
• Mechanical Engineering (Session G);
• Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences (Session H);
• Optics and Lasers (Session I);
• Sensors, Instrumentation and Measurement Science (Session J).

Paper submission guidelines:
For information about the procedure for submission, peer review, revision, and acceptance of conference proceedings papers, please refer to the instructions for authors. There will be an opportunity to publish papers that have been peer reviewed and accepted for a Special Issue of Applied Sciences. MDPI offers a 20% discount on the fees for publication in this Special Issue.

Important dates:
Abstract submission: 25 August 2022;
Notification of acceptance: 15 September 2022;
Proceedings paper submission deadline: 13 October 2022;
Conference: 1–15 December 2022.

We look forward to receiving your research papers and to welcoming you to ASEC 2022.

The 2021 citation metrics have been released in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR), and we’re pleased to announce the following results for MDPI journals:

For more information on Impact Factors and what it means to index academic journals, please visit our related blog posts.

* Journals given their first Impact Factor in 2022

Source: 2021 Journal Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports ^TM (Clarivate, 2022)

1. “Feasibility of LoRa for Smart Home Indoor Localization”
by Kim, K.; Li, S.; Heydariaan, M.; Smaoui, N.; Gnawali, O.; Suh, W.; Suh, M.; Kim, J.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010415

2. “Predicting Compressive Strength of Concrete Containing Recycled Aggregate Using Modified ANN with Different Optimization Algorithms”
by Kandiri, A.; Sartipi, F.; Kioumarsi, M.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020485

3. “Concrete Crack Detection Based on Well-Known Feature Extractor Model and the YOLO_v2 Network”
by Teng, S.; Liu, Z.; Chen, G.; Cheng, L.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020813 

4. “Deep Learning-Based Applications for Safety Management in the AEC Industry: A Review”
by Hou, L.; Chen, H.; Zhang, G.; Wang, X.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020821 

5. “Mechanical Strength Characterization of Plastic Fiber Reinforced Cement Concrete Composites”
by Anandan, S.; Alsubih, M.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020852 

6. “Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Seismically Base-Isolated Structures by a Novel OpenSees Hysteretic Material Model”
by Vaiana, N.; Capuano, R.; Sessa, S.; Marmo, F.; Rosati, L.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11030900 

7. “A Tool for the Rapid Seismic Assessment of Historic Masonry Structures Based on Limit Analysis Optimisation and Rocking Dynamics”
by Funari, M.; Mehrotra, A.; Lourenço, P.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11030942 

8. “A Multi-Criteria Decision Support Concept for Selecting the Optimal Contractor”
by Marović, I.; Perić, M.; Hanak, T.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1660; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041660 

9. “Advanced Modelling and Risk Analysis of RC Buildings with Sliding Isolation Systems Designed by the Italian Seismic Code”
by Ponzo, F.; Di Cesare, A.; Telesca, A.; Pavese, A.; Furinghetti, M.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041938 

10. “Influence of Additional Bracing Arms as Reinforcement Members in Wooden Timber Cross-Arms on Their Long-Term Creep Responses and Properties”
by Asyraf, M.; Ishak, M.; Sapuan, S.; Yidris, N.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2061; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052061 

11. “Extending 3D-GIS District Models and BIM-Based Building Models into Computer Gaming Environment for Better Workflow of Cultural Heritage Conservation”
by Ma, Y.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2101; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052101 

12. “Evaluation of the Seismic Capacity of Existing Moment Resisting Frames by a Simplified Approach: Examples and Numerical Application”
by Montuori, R.; Nastri, E.; Piluso, V.; Todisco, P.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2594; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062594 

13. “Exploring 3D Wave-Induced Scouring Patterns around Subsea Pipelines with Artificial Intelligence Techniques”
by Najafzadeh, M.; Oliveto, G.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3792; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093792 

14. “An ANN Model for Predicting the Compressive Strength of Concrete”
by Lin, C.; Wu, N.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 3798; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093798 

15. “Railway Vehicle Wheel Flat Detection with Multiple Records Using Spectral Kurtosis Analysis”
by Mosleh, A.; Montenegro, P.; Costa, P.; Calçada, R.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4002; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094002 

16. “SVM Performance for Predicting the Effect of Horizontal Screen Diameters on the Hydraulic Parameters of a Vertical Drop”
by Daneshfaraz, R.; Aminvash, E.; Ghaderi, A.; Abraham, J.; Bagherzadeh, M.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4238; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094238 

17. “Development of Prediction Models for Shear Strength of Rockfill Material Using Machine Learning Techniques”
by Ahmad, M.; Kamiński, P.; Olczak, P.; Alam, M.; Iqbal, M.; Ahmad, F.; Sasui, S.; Khan, B.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 6167; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11136167 

18. “Machine-Learning-Aided Prediction of Flexural Strength and ASR Expansion for Waste Glass Cementitious Composite”
by Sun, J.; Wang, Y.; Yao, X.; Ren, Z.; Zhang, G.; Zhang, C.; Chen, X.; Ma, W.; Wang, X.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 6686; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156686 

19. “BIM-Based Digital Twin and XR Devices to Improve Maintenance Procedures in Smart Buildings: A Literature Review”
by Coupry, C.; Noblecourt, S.; Richard, P.; Baudry, D.; Bigaud, D.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 6810; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156810 

20. “Stability Analysis of Roadway Groups under Multi-Mining Disturbances”
by Sun, Y.; Bi, R.; Chang, Q.; Taherdangkoo, R.; Zhang, J.; Sun, J.; Huang, J.; Li, G.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7953; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11177953

Conference: The 5th International Conference on Building Energy and Environment (COBEE 2022)
Date: 25–29 July 2022
Place: Montréal, Canada + Online

Buildings (ISSN: 2075-5309) will be attending the 5th International Conference on Building Energy and Environment as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Canada and online from 25 to 29 July 2022.

Concordia University is proud to host the 5th International Conference on Building Energy and Environment (COBEE 2022), providing a platform for discussing building energy and environmental issues in addition to initiating collaboration among researchers, environmental scientists, architects, facility managers, and policymakers. We look forward to welcoming you and having you experience the city’s unique culture and joie de vivre. There is a profusion of sights, sounds, and flavors to enjoy, all within reach of the convention venue. See you in Montréal!

The session topics covered will include the following:

• COVID-19, Pandemic, and Epidemic;
• Health and Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation;
• Thermal Comfort;
• Occupant-Centric Building Design and Controls;
• Building Renewables, Solar Buildings and Smart Grid;
• Urban Energy and Urban Microclimate;
• Wind Engineering, Aerodynamics and Urban Physics;
• Building Physics, Building Envelope and Materials;
• Thermal Storages;
• Smart Buildings and Smart Cities (Machine Learning, AI, IoT);
• Resilience and Climate Change;
• Building Mechanical System and Controls;
• Advanced Modeling and Building Simulations, CFD;
• Building Codes and Standards;
• Urban Green Infrastructure;
• Low / Zero Carbon Emission Buildings and Communities;
• Building Fire Safety.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Buildings;
• Energies;
• Atmosphere;
• Environments;
• Smart Cities;
• Applied Sciences;
• Climate;
• Computation.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

For more information about the conference and our booth, please visit the following link: https://www.cobee2022.org/index.html.

1. “Diarylureas as Antitumor Agents”
by Catalano, A.; Iacopetta, D.; Sinicropi, M.; Franchini, C.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11010374

2. “Deep Learning-Based Methods for Prostate Segmentation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging”
by Comelli, A.; Dahiya, N.; Stefano, A.; Vernuccio, F.; Portoghese, M.; Cutaia, G.; Bruno, A.; Salvaggio, G.; Yezzi, A.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020782

3. “Development of Inula graveolens (L.) Plant Extract Electrospun/Polycaprolactone Nanofibers: A Novel Material for Biomedical Application”
by Al-Kaabi, W.; Albukhaty, S.; Al-Fartosy, A.; Al-Karagoly, H.; Al-Musawi, S.; Sulaiman, G.; Dewir, Y.; Alwahibi, M.; Soliman, D.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020828

4. “Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Application of Machine Learning Classifiers in Biomedical Applications of Infrared Thermography”
by Magalhaes, C.; Mendes, J.; Vardasca, R.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020842

5. “ABACO: A New Model of Microalgae-Bacteria Consortia for Biological Treatment of Wastewaters”
by Sánchez-Zurano, A.; Rodríguez-Miranda, E.; Guzmán, J.; Acién-Fernández, F.; Fernández-Sevilla, J.; Molina Grima, E.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11030998

6. “Oil-In-Water Microemulsion Encapsulation of Antagonist Drugs Prevents Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats”
by Hasanein, P.; Rahdar, A.; Barani, M.; Baino, F.; Yari, S.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(3), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11031264

7. “Interactive Effects of Scion and Rootstock Genotypes on the Root Microbiome of Grapevines (Vitis spp. L.)”
by Vink, S.; Dini-Andreote, F.; Höfle, R.; Kicherer, A.; Salles, J.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1615; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041615

8. “Schiff Bases: Interesting Scaffolds with Promising Antitumoral Properties”
by Iacopetta, D.; Ceramella, J.; Catalano, A.; Saturnino, C.; Bonomo, M.; Franchini, C.; Sinicropi, M.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1877; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041877

9. “Data Mining Techniques for Early Diagnosis of Diabetes: A Comparative Study”
by Chaves, L.; Marques, G.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2218; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052218

10. “Identification and Application of Bioactive Compounds from Garcinia xanthochymus Hook. for Weed Management”
by Rob, M.; Hossen, K.; Khatun, M.; Iwasaki, K.; Iwasaki, A.; Suenaga, K.; Kato-Noguchi, H.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2264; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052264

11. “Recent Progress in Applications of Non-Thermal Plasma for Water Purification, Bio-Sterilization, and Decontamination”
by Barjasteh, A.; Dehghani, Z.; Lamichhane, P.; Kaushik, N.; Choi, E.; Kaushik, N.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(8), 3372; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11083372

12. “Protective Effect of Emblica officinalis in Cyprinus carpio against Hepatotoxicity Induced by Malachite Green: Ultrastructural and Molecular Analysis”
by Sinha, R.; Jindal, R.; Faggio, C.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(8), 3507; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11083507

13. “Photodynamic Therapy—An Up-to-Date Review”
by Niculescu, A.; Grumezescu, A.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(8), 3626; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11083626

14. “Virtual Reality Rehabilitation and Exergames—Physical and Psychological Impact on Fall Prevention among the Elderly—A Literature Review”
by Piech, J.; Czernicki, K.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4098; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094098

15. “Decontamination of Food Packages from SARS-CoV-2 RNA with a Cold Plasma-Assisted System”
by Capelli, F.; Tappi, S.; Gritti, T.; de Aguiar Saldanha Pinheiro, A.; Laurita, R.; Tylewicz, U.; Spataro, F.; Braschi, G.; Lanciotti, R.; Gómez Galindo, F.; Siracusa, V.; Romani, S.; Gherardi, M.; Colombo, V.; Sambri, V.; Rocculi, P.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4177; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094177

16. “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Exercises: Could a Neuromuscular Warm-Up Improve Muscle Pre-Activation before a Soccer Game? A Proof-of-Principle Study on Professional Football Players”
by de Sire, A.; Demeco, A.; Marotta, N.; Moggio, L.; Palumbo, A.; Iona, T.; Ammendolia, A.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4958; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11114958

17. “Current Challenges and Future Opportunities for XAI in Machine Learning-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems: A Systematic Review”
by Antoniadi, A.; Du, Y.; Guendouz, Y.; Wei, L.; Mazo, C.; Becker, B.; Mooney, C.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 5088; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115088

18. “Experimental Analysis of Engine Performance and Exhaust Pollutant on a Single-Cylinder Diesel Engine Operated Using Moringa Oleifera Biodiesel”
by Soudagar, M.; Khan, H.; Khan, T.; Razzaq, L.; Asif, T.; Mujtaba, M.; Hussain, A.; Farooq, M.; Ahmed, W.; Shahapurkar, K.; Alwi, A.; Ibrahim, T.; Ishtiaq, U.; Elfasakhany, A.; Ali Baig, M.; Goodarzi, M.; Safaei, M.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7071; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157071

19. “Extraction of Antioxidant Compounds and Pigments from Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Assisted by Pulsed Electric Fields and the Binary Mixture of Organic Solvents and Water”
by Martí-Quijal, F.; Ramon-Mascarell, F.; Pallarés, N.; Ferrer, E.; Berrada, H.; Phimolsiripol, Y.; Barba, F.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7629; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167629

20. “Bioengineered Skin Substitutes: Advances and Future Trends”
by Tavakoli, S.; Klar, A.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(4), 1493; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041493

The goal of the “Editor’s Choice Articles” project is to promote high-quality articles published in Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417). Please find the list of articles carefully handpicked by the scientific editors of the journal, which we believe will be of interest to you.

We would like to thank all 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.

Conference: The 2022 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2022)
Date: 23–27 October 2022
Place: Kyoto, Japan

Machines (ISSN: 2075-1702) will be attending IROS 2022 as an exhibitor. This meeting will take place from 23 to 27 October in Kyoto, Japan.

IROS is one of the largest and most impactful robotics research conferences worldwide. It provides an international forum for the international robotics research community to explore the frontiers of science and technology in intelligent robots and smart machines. The theme of IROS 2022 is “Embodied AI for a Symbiotic Society”. In addition to technical sessions and multimedia presentations, IROS conferences also hold panel discussions, forums, workshops, tutorials, exhibits, and technical tours to encourage fruitful discussions among conference attendees.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Machines;
• Robotics;
• Sensors;
• Computers;
• Applied Sciences;
• Systems;
• Technologies;
• Inventions;
• JMMP;
• Fractal Fract;
• ASI;
• Smart Cities;
• AI;
• Automation.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference and virtual booth, please visit the following website: https://iros2022.org/.

The 2021 citation metrics have been officially released in Scopus!

We are pleased to announce that 182 MDPI journals are included, of which:

● 21 journals received their first CiteScore.
● 85% of journals increased their CiteScore from 2020.
● 155 journals (85%) ranked above average, in at least one category.

The following 65 MDPI journals (36%) ranked among the top 25% of journals, in at least one category:

Source: 2021 CiteScores™ (Elsevier)