Announcements

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. They are the leading killer of young people aged 5–29 years. Globally, more than one of every four deaths occurs among pedestrians and cyclists.

The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week offers an opportunity to spur action at national and local levels to make walking and cycling safe, by highlighting concrete and specific interventions that can be taken by different stakeholders: governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses, and schools.

MDPI believes these actions will help promote and facilitate a shift to walking and cycling, which are more healthy, green, sustainable, and economically advantageous modes of transport. This will also contribute, directly and indirectly, to the attainment of many Sustainable Development Goals. As a global enterprise, it is our duty to advance responsible practices that will ensure a bright future for our planet.

“Advances in Traffic Congestion Prediction: An Overview of Emerging Techniques and Methods”
by Aristeidis Mystakidis, Paraskevas Koukaras and Christos Tjortjis
Smart Cities 2025, 8(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8010025

“Advancing Road Safety: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Object Detection Models for Commercial Driver Monitoring Systems”
by Huma Zia, Imtiaz ul Hassan, Muhammad Khurram, Nicholas Harris, Fatima Shah and Nimra Imran
Future Transp. 2025, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5010002

“Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Characterization of Pervious Concrete Incorporating Polypropylene Fibers and Fly Ash/Silica Fume”
by Hassan Bilal, Xiaojian Gao, Liborio Cavaleri, Alamgir Khan and Miao Ren
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(11), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8110456

“Spatial Cluster Analysis of the Social Determinants of Health and Fatal Crashes Involving US Geriatric and Non-Geriatric Road Users”
by Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Charles DiMaggio, Corita Grudzen, Sanjit Konda, Erin Rogers, Saul Blecker, JohnRoss Rizzo and Joshua Chodosh
Trauma Care 2024, 4(4), 266–281; https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare4040023

“Impact of Mixed-Vehicle Environment on Speed Disparity as a Measure of Safety on Horizontal Curves”
by Tahmina Sultana and Yasser Hassan
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(10), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15100456

“Enhancing Road Safety Strategies through Applying Combined Treatments for Different Crash Severity”
by Mohammad Nour Al-Marafi, Taqwa I. Alhadidi, Mohammad Alhawamdeh and Ahmed Jaber
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(3), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030109

“Safety Impact Prediction of Redesigning National Roads Crossing Residential Areas: An Italian Case Study”
by Maurizio Crispino, Kevin Camozzi, Misagh Ketabdari, Arianna Antoniazzi and Emanuele Toraldo
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 4984; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14124984

“An Overview of the Efficiency of Roundabouts: Design Aspects and Contribution toward Safer Vehicle Movement”
by Konstantinos Gkyrtis and Alexandros Kokkalis
Vehicles 2024, 6(1), 433–449; https://doi.org/10.3390/vehicles6010019

“Properties and Characterization Techniques of Graphene Modified Asphalt Binders”
by Rodrigo Polo-Mendoza, Tatiana Navarro-Donado, Daniela Ortega-Martinez, Emilio Turbay, Gilberto Martinez-Arguelles and Rita Peñabaena-Niebles
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(5), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13050955

“Reconstruction of Asphalt Pavements with Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Mixture in Cold Region: Material Characterization, Construction, and Performance”
by Dongzhao Jin, Dongdong Ge, Jiaqing Wang, Lance Malburg and Zhanping You
Materials 2023, 16(5), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16051874

“Vehicle Dynamics and Control: Advanced Mobility Technologies and Transportation Safety” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Nadir Yilmaz Submission deadline: 20 September 2025	“Advanced Road Materials and Pavement Engineering: Design, Structure, Performance and Characterization” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Shihui Shen Submission deadline: 20 October 2025
“Vehicle Safe Motion in Mixed Vehicle Technologies Environment” Guest Editors: Dr. Stergios Mavromatis, Prof. Dr. Yasser Hassan and Prof. Dr. George Yannis Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Autonomous Vehicles and Urban Evolution: Technological, Social and Environmental Perspectives” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Luigi dell’Olio, Dr. Andres Rodriguez and Dr. Silvia SIpone Submission deadline: 31 December 2025
“Innovative Transportation Systems: Shaping Smart and Sustainable Urban Mobility” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Maria Nadia Postorino and Dr. Caterina Malandri Submission deadline: 31 January 2026

Eng. Proc., 2024, SMTS 2024 The Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Symposium 2024 Győr, Hungary | 14–16 October 2024 Volume Editors: András Lajos Nagy, Széchenyi István University, Hungary Boglárka Eisinger Balassa, Széchenyi István University, Hungary László Lendvai, Széchenyi István University, Hungary Szabolcs Kocsis-Szürke, Széchenyi István University, Hungary Gábor Dogossy, Széchenyi István University, Hungary Ferenc Szauter, Széchenyi István University, Hungary Full list of the conference proceedings

Conference: 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE)
Date: 22–27 June 2025
Location: Vancouver, Canada

MDPI will attend the 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Vancouver, Canada, from 22 to 27 June 2025.

The 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) is organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

OMAE is where researchers present new advances in offshore and ship structures, reliable production methods, ocean engineering technology, and arctic sciences. And recently, OMAE has expanded to highlight research on offshore wind and solar energy, digitalization in key offshore operations, incorporation of advanced analytical techniques, and successful implementation of new technologies in the field.

Topics include the following:

• Structural Reliability;
• Materials Technology;
• Offshore Wind;
• Carbon Capture and Storage;
• Hydrogen Storage and Transport;
• Climate Change Impacts;
• Sustainable Solutions.
  

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• JMSE;
• Oceans;
• Coasts;
• Energies;
• Applied Sciences;
• Applied Mechanics;
• JMMP;
• Wind;
• Machines;
• ESA;
• NDT;
• Hydrology.
  

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 at booth #5 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://event.asme.org/OMAE.

Conference: IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation
Date: 8–12 June 2025
Place: Hangzhou, China

MDPI will be attending the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Hangzhou, China, from 8 to 12 June 2025.

The annual IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation is a world-class event in the field of Evolutionary Computation. It provides a forum to bring together researchers and practitioners from all over the world to present and discuss their research findings on evolutionary computation. Topics include the following: algorithms, machine learning for optimization and evolutionary learning, optimization, related topics and theory.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• Mathematical and Computational Applications (MCA);
• AI;
• Algorithms;
• AppliedMath;
• Applied Sciences;
• BDCC;
• Biomimetics;
• Computers;
• Digital;
• Data;
• Games;
• Future Internet;
• Information;
• Mathematics;
• Robotics.

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.cec2025.org/.

Conference: The 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences

Date: 9–11 December 2025

Conference website: https://sciforum.net/event/ASEC2025

This conference is organized by the MDPI journal Applied Sciences (ISSN: 2076-3417; Impact Factor: 2.5) and will take place virtually from 9 to 11 December 2025 (Central European Time).

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Nunzio Cennamo, Professor of Electronics at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy;
• Dr. Stefano Toldo, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.

Topics of Interest:

1. Applied biosciences and bioengineering;
2. Nanosciences, chemistry and materials science;
3. Computing and artificial intelligence;
4. Electrical, electronics and communications engineering;
5. Mechanical and aerospace engineering;
6. Energy, environmental and earth science;
7. Food science and technology;
8. Applied physical science.

Important Dates:

Deadline for abstract submission: 25 July 2025;
Abstract acceptance notification: 22 September 2025;
Registration deadline: 5 December 2025.

Guide for Authors:

To submit your abstract, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1346.

To register for the event for free, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ASEC2025?section=#registration.

For more information, you may refer to the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/ASEC2025.

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact asec2025@mdpi.com. We look forward to seeing you at the 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences.

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

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

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

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.

Name: Dr. Jozef Krajňák
Affiliation: Technical University of Košice, Slovakia
Research interests: flexible coupling; vibrations; noisiness; gaseous medium 

The following is a short interview with Dr. Jozef Krajňák: 

1. Congratulations on being an outstanding reviewer for Q1! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your research interests?
Thank you for the award. I am currently researching flexible pneumatic couplings. I am studying mechanical systems and determining the impact of couplings on temperature, noise, and vibration. I am trying to find a way to reduce negative effects such as noise and vibration. My goal is also to provide sustainable methods, and I am doing research on this. 

2. What motivated you to become a reviewer?
I like to read new articles. I study new technologies, new inventions, and new things. 

3. How do you approach the peer review process to ensure fairness and constructive feedback?
I read each article in detail. I try to point out any shortcomings to the authors of the article, or I give the authors of the article comments on how to improve the article. Some articles are very interesting. 

4. What are the biggest challenges you face as a reviewer, and how do you handle them?
The articles that I review are of good quality. Sometimes, I have a minor problem when the title of the article is interesting, but after opening the article, I find out that there are only formulas and very complicated and intricate mathematics and mathematical formulas. Checking such formulas is very difficult and complicated. If I knew that there were so many mathematical formulas, I would refuse to review such an article. However, I didn’t know this before accepting the review. 

5. What advice would you give to aspiring researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields?
I would advise beginning researchers to read a few professional articles in their field and get inspired. Every beginning expert must pay special attention to the conclusion of the article, where the importance of the article for practice or the future of the field should be emphasized. 

6. Applied Sciences is an open access journal. How do you think open access publishing benefits authors and the broader research community?
It’s very good. Everyone has access to the article, which is positive, especially for young researchers. 

Name: Prof. Dr. Giorgio Sonnino

Affiliation: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

Research interests: thermodynamics of irreversible processes; thermodynamical field theory; complex phenomena; plasma physics; thermonuclear fusion; physics of dynamical systems; fluid mechanics; population dynamics; cryptography; information theory; cosmology

The following is a short interview with Prof. Dr. Giorgio Sonnino:

1. Congratulations on being an outstanding reviewer for Q4! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and share a bit about your research interests?

I work in theoretical physics, with a focus on thermodynamics of irreversible processes. I began my research under the guidance of Prof. Ilya Prigogine, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1977. I earned my doctorate in his research group, specializing in thermodynamic processes.

This background allowed me to explore various fields, particularly nuclear and thermonuclear physics, where I spent nearly ten years. Later, I pursued another doctorate in hydrodynamics, focusing on hydrodynamical fluctuations, nonlinear systems, and complex phenomena—core topics within Prof. Prigogine’s research group.

More recently, I have expanded my research to cryptography, astrophysics, and cosmology, working with Prof. Remo Ruffini, who is well known for his contributions to the Einstein–Wheeler research group. I have also conducted studies in population dynamics, particularly on modeling the spread of COVID-19, and published a series of works with Oxford University Press and the European Medical Society.

For the past ten years, I have served as a certified scientific advisor to the European Union, working within its Central Advisory Board. My current research focuses on the thermodynamics of variable processes. Additionally, I have recently started a collaboration with the University of Nice on nanolasers, leading to the publication of two papers in Nanomaterials. My research interests are diverse, covering multiple disciplines within theoretical and applied physics.

2. What motivated you to become a reviewer?

I have been reviewing various scientific journals for many years, including Physical Review, The European Journal of Physics, and other publications under Springer Nature. My involvement with these journals has been occasional, but each experience has contributed to my growth as a reviewer.

What truly motivates me to work with MDPI is the dynamic and proactive nature of its editorial team. I appreciate that MDPI editors are committed to improving the quality of published papers, and I feel aligned with this mission. In my view, the role of a reviewer is not to judge authors but to help them enhance their work by offering constructive feedback and valuable insights.

When I review papers, I focus on providing meaningful suggestions rather than simply rejecting submissions. I always request revisions if I find areas that need improvement, question calculations and offer alternative perspectives to ensure accuracy. This approach reflects my dedication to maintaining high academic standards.

Working with MDPI has been particularly rewarding because I see the same level of motivation and dedication from its editors. Their commitment to quality and their willingness to engage with reviewers make MDPI an ideal place for me to contribute to the academic community.

3. How do you approach the peer review process to ensure fairness and constructive feedback?

My review process begins with a fundamental question: “Can I contribute constructively to this paper?” The first step is to carefully read the manuscript and determine whether I fully understand what the author aims to convey. I assess the key findings and the novelty of the paper, ensuring I grasp its contribution to the state of the art. If I can clearly identify these aspects, I proceed with the review.

The next step involves verifying the accuracy of the calculations. In some cases, I perform independent numerical checks to see if I can reproduce the reported results. This is not done to challenge the author’s correctness but rather to evaluate the ease of reproducing their findings. I then cross-check the results with existing literature to determine whether they are new or have already been addressed elsewhere.

Throughout my review, I aim to provide structured and constructive feedback. I identify vulnerable points, highlight areas that require clarification or improvement, and suggest additional citations when relevant. My focus is on helping authors refine their work rather than merely critiquing it.

In most cases, authors appreciate this collaborative approach, as it fosters a constructive dialog rather than a purely evaluative process. My ultimate goal is not to judge but to act as an interlocutor, working alongside the author to enhance the quality of their paper. Once all necessary improvements have been made, I submit my final approval to the editor, confident that the manuscript has been strengthened and the gaps have been addressed.

4. What are the biggest challenges you face as a reviewer, and how do you handle them?

The review process varies depending on the type of paper under evaluation. There are different categories of manuscripts, each requiring a distinct approach: review papers, top-level research papers, and more unconventional or “exotic” papers.

For review papers, the primary challenge is determining whether the author has successfully covered a broad range of relevant information. The key question I ask is: “What new insights does this review provide compared to existing literature?” While this process requires time, it is generally straightforward.

Top-level research papers demand greater caution, as the accuracy and validity of their findings must be rigorously verified. There is a significant risk in publishing work that is not yet well-established or contains errors. To ensure reliability, I often redo calculations independently and thoroughly check the methodology.

Exotic papers present a unique challenge. In some cases, they introduce novel and promising ideas; in others, they may not yet be ready for publication. It is not necessarily that the research is incorrect, but rather that it may be premature and require further study. In such cases, I prepare a detailed report for the editor and authors, providing constructive feedback in a professional and encouraging manner. I highlight the strengths of the paper while also specifying areas that need further development or additional evidence.

Given these varying approaches, the time required for a review can differ significantly. Some papers may take only a short time to evaluate, while others require extensive analysis, sometimes spanning several days. My goal is always to provide a thorough, fair, and constructive review to help improve the quality of the manuscript before publication.

5. What is your experience with our service from the point of view of a reviewer?

Throughout my academic career, I have had the opportunity to personally meet and interact with several editors, many of whom are highly motivated and dedicated to their work. A notable example is the Editor-in-Chief of Entropy, whom I know personally from attending the same workshops, such as those on entropy and related topics at the Max Planck Institutes.

These editors have been deeply committed to improving their journals from the very beginning. I have observed their efforts firsthand, particularly in increasing the impact factor of their journals. For instance, Entropy started with a modest impact factor of around 0.5, which gradually increased to 1.0, then 2.0, and later 2.5. Today, some MDPI review journals have impact factors exceeding 6, and several of their top-tier reviews are ranked in Q1.

This level of dedication is what drives me to actively contribute as a reviewer. I appreciate the rigorous editorial process at MDPI, and I feel a strong sense of commitment toward supporting its development. When I receive review invitations from MDPI, I am always inclined to accept, as I recognize the value of their work and want to contribute to maintaining and enhancing the quality of their publications. In contrast, I sometimes decline reviewing invitations from other publishers, as I do not feel the same level of engagement or motivation.

Ultimately, my decision to review is not just a professional responsibility but also a personal commitment to supporting a community that values quality, progress, and academic integrity.

6. What advice would you give to aspiring researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their fields?

To stay at the forefront of scientific advancements, it is essential to follow emerging research fields. A notable example is the ongoing research on the quantization of entropy production in small systems. Currently, researchers are exploring new materials by incorporating quantum information principles into nanomaterials design. This represents a significant shift in the field, highlighting the importance of staying informed about novel developments.

A key recommendation is to actively participate in relevant workshops and conferences. These events provide valuable insights into the latest research trends and allow for direct engagement with experts. By attending such gatherings, one can better understand emerging topics and strategically invest time and energy in areas with significant future potential.

While publishing research within established domains remains important, it is equally crucial to explore and contribute to new and evolving fields. Those involved in journal management and academic publishing should consider attending workshops, not only to stay informed but also to identify promising research directions and opportunities for collaboration. Investing in these areas—through time, effort, and intellectual engagement—can help ensure that research remains relevant and impactful in an ever-evolving scientific landscape.

7. Applied Sciences is an open access journal. How do you think open access publishing benefits authors and the broader research community?

Open access is increasingly becoming the dominant model for academic publishing. While traditional journals and peer-reviewed publications have played a crucial role in the past, open access now provides the most effective way to disseminate new research rapidly and widely. This model ensures that scientific advancements are accessible to a broader audience without the barriers imposed by subscription-based systems.

However, a key challenge associated with open access publishing is securing financial support. Sustainable funding sources must be identified to maintain the quality and accessibility of publications. Despite this financial challenge, open access remains the most efficient method for sharing novel research findings in a timely manner.

8. Do you have any suggestions on how our journal could further support researchers and the academic community?

Supporting academic communities can be achieved through active engagement in workshops and by organizing them. For example, if a new method or emerging field—such as the quantization of information in nanomaterials—is identified, it is important to initiate discussions and propose workshops on the subject. Attracting top experts and offering financial support for a select number of papers, in collaboration with universities or other key institutions, can foster valuable insights.

Additionally, involving enterprises in such initiatives can enhance the overall impact. Enterprises can play a pivotal role in supporting publications, particularly those that bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications. By combining theoretical and industrial research, workshops can foster collaboration between academic and business sectors, creating a valuable synergy.

In particular, in Europe, the financial contribution of enterprises is essential for overcoming funding challenges. Workshops that integrate both fundamental and industrial-oriented research will not only promote academic knowledge but also have significant practical value. These efforts can lead to greater collaboration between academia and industry, benefiting both fields and contributing to meaningful advancements in research and innovation.

Message from the conference chair Dr. Roberto Zivieri:

It is my great pleasure to welcome both speakers and attendees to this webinar titled “Introduction to Physics of Fission and Fusion Reactions and Applications to the Thermodynamics of Nuclear Power Plants”. The speakers are leading experts on the topic and will deliver talks on the fundamentals of fission and fusion processes, the related underlying thermodynamics, and the key engineering and technological applications. Recent advancements in nuclear fission technologies reflect growing global interest in safer, more flexible, and more sustainable nuclear energy systems.

The first talk will provide an accessible yet scientifically grounded overview of the fundamental principles of nuclear physics underlying fission processes. Key nuclear physics concepts relevant to fission, such as binding energy, neutron-induced reactions, and the mechanism of a self-sustaining chain reaction, will be introduced. Particular emphasis will be placed on how energy is released in nuclear fission and the physical conditions necessary for maintaining controlled reactions within power-generating systems.

The second talk introduces the topic of fusion reactions from an energetic perspective. In nuclear physics, the spontaneity analysis of these reactions relies on assessing their exothermicity (the amount of energy defined by the Q-value) and the reaction rate (the number of reactions per unit time and per unit volume). Particular emphasis will be placed on the main challenges for future research and the open questions across both physics and engineering.

In the third talk, nuclear processes will be discussed through a classical thermodynamic approach. Compared to the nuclear physics analysis, engineering thermodynamics considers the change in entropy, a parameter that has been neglected thus far. It is important to highlight that entropy plays a different role across fission (ΔS > 0) and fusion (ΔS < 0) reactions. While fission reactions are always spontaneous, regardless of the temperature, in fusion reactions, the temperature acts as a very powerful amplifier of the entropic term (- TΔS) that, at a very high temperature, may significantly reduce the thermodynamic spontaneity of these processes.

In general, in fusion reactions at very high temperatures (such as that adopted in the tokamaks, i.e., around 10⁸ K), a share of the Q-value is consumed to balance the entropic term (−T ΔS), thus reducing the enormous amount of energy made available by a nuclear fusion process. Such an aspect could have a non-negligible impact on the energy efficiency of the fusion systems and should be considered in future tokamak designs.

Keywords: fusion reactions; fission reactions; nuclear reaction entropy
Date: 28 April 2025 10:00 a.m. CEST | 4:00 p.m. CST Asia | 6:00 p.m. AEST
Webinar ID: 893 8595 5371

Register now for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to view.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Roberto Zivieri, Department of Engineering, University of Messina, Messina, Italy;
• Dr. Lina Quintieri, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon, UK;
• Dr. Giù Marcer, Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (ISTP) of the National Research Council (CNR), Italy;
• Dr. Silvano Tosti, Nuclear Department, ENEA, Frascati, Italy.