ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: 'Mass Exodus' is the first serious historical and sociological study of Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation. Drawing on a wide range of theological, historical and sociological sources, Bullivant offers a comparative study of secularization across two famously contrasting religious cultures: Britain and the USA.

Description / Table of Contents: Deliberative democracy has challenged two widely-accepted nostrums about democratic politics: that people lack the capacities for effective self-government; and that democratic procedures are arbitrary and do not reflect popular will; indeed, that the idea of popular will is itself illusory. On the contrary, deliberative democrats have shown that people are capable of being sophisticated, creative problem solvers, given the right opportunities in the right kinds of democratic institutions. But deliberative empirical research has its own problems. In this text two leading deliberative scholars review decades of that research and reveal three important issues.

Description / Table of Contents: Origins -- Earth system -- Geologic time -- The great acceleration -- Anthropos -- Oikos -- Politikos -- Prometheus

Description / Table of Contents: Deliberative democracy has been the main game in contemporary political theory for two decades and has grown enormously in size and importance in political science and many other disciplines, and in political practice. The Oxford Handbook of Deliberative Democracy takes stock of deliberative democracy as a research field, as well as exploring and creating links with multiple disciplines and policy practice around the globe. It provides a concise history of deliberative ideals in political thought while also discussing their philosophical origins. It locates deliberation in a political system with different spaces, publics, and venues, including parliament and courts but also governance networks, protests, mini-publics, old and new media, and everyday talk. It documents the intersections of deliberative ideals with contemporary political theory.

Description / Table of Contents: Experimental Tests on a Dowel-Type Timber Connection and Validation of Numerical Models. Buildings 2017, 7(4), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7040116 --- Multi-Directional Seismic Assessment of Historical Masonry Buildings by Means of Macro-Element Modelling: Application to a Building Damaged during the L’Aquila Earthquake (Italy). Buildings 2017, 7(4), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7040106 --- Nonlinear Modelling of Curved Masonry Structures after Seismic Retrofit through FRP Reinforcing. Buildings 2017, 7(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7030079 --- Assessment Method for Combined Structural and Energy Retrofitting in Masonry Buildings. Buildings 2017, 7(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7030071 --- Rocking and Kinematic Approaches for Rigid Block Analysis of Masonry Walls: State of the Art and Recent Developments. Buildings 2017, 7(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7030069 --- Effect of Material Variability and Mechanical Eccentricity on the Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Buildings. Buildings 2017, 7(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7030066 --- Analysis of Cylindrical Granular Material Silos under Seismic Excitation. Buildings 2017, 7(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7030061 --- Seismic Reinforcement of a R.C. School Structure with Strength Irregularities throughout External Bracing Walls. Buildings 2017, 7(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7030058 --- The TVT Glass Pavilion: Theoretical Study on a Highly Transparent Building Made with Long-Spanned TVT Portals Braced with Hybrid Glass-Steel Panels. Buildings 2017, 7(2), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7020050 --- Strengthening Masonry Arches with Lime-Based Mortar Composite. Buildings 2017, 7(2), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings7020049

Description / Table of Contents: The goal of this Special Issue of Geosciences is to gather high-quality original research articles and reviews on the use of Earth Observation (EO) data and technologies to image and monitor geohazards from space. Geohazards, such as landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, ground subsidence and heave, pose significant risks to human life and property. Even when not with catastrophic consequences, or when characterised by relatively slow onset and evolution, these processes may be damaging over long time periods. Human interaction with the environment may also combine with natural processes, and thus trigger, induce acceleration or exacerbate the impacts of geohazards on built environment. With a wide spectrum of imaging capabilities—from optical to radar sensors, low to very high resolution, continental to local scale, single-image to multi-temporal approaches, yearly to sub-daily acquisition repeat cycles—nowadays, EO offers several opportunities for the geoscience community to map and monitor geohazards from space. Topics of interest of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to: development, validation and implementation of satellite EO data processing methods and applications for geohazards mapping and monitoring; radar interferometry (InSAR), object-based image analysis (OBIA), multi-spectral data analysis, feature extraction, time series analysis, photo-interpretation, and digital fieldwork.

Description / Table of Contents: Biopolymers, as natural polysaccharides, are considered benign polymers for what concerns the environment. This is not a new invention, but at best a renaissance: the first type of polymers used by human kind were animal hides, cellulose, silk, wool. Among benefits of natural occurring biopolymers there are potential biocompatibility, renewable resources, low processing costs, tailoring of structure by genetic manipulation, and, as said, environmentally compatibility. Limits are, sometimes, premature degradation and high production costs due to the very high purity required for medical uses. Polysaccharides are not drugs by themselves, but their use in pharmaceutical field, for example as drug carriers or antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant agents, is increasingly promising. Marine polysaccharides include chitin, chitosan, alginate, agar and carrageenans. Chitosan is a cationic carbohydrate biopolymer derived from chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharides present in nature after cellulose. The main sources of chitin are the shell wastes of shrimps, lobsters and crabs. For its characteristics, chitosan founds particular application as non viral vector in gene delivery. Films from chitosan are very tough and long lasting. Alginates derive from seaweed extraction (pheophyceae), and are mainly used in drug delivery and as hydrogels for immobilizing cells and enzymes, due to the mild conditions of cross-linking through bivalent cations (Ca2+). Agar (or agar-agar) and carrageenans are linear polysaccharides from red seaweeds. They are highly reactive chemically and are peculiar for thermoreversible gel formation. Exopolysaccharides (EPS), substantial components of the extracellular matrix of many cells of marine origin, also have to be mentioned for their potential interest in pharmaceuticals, and new EPS producing bacteria, particularly from extreme marine environments, are being isolated. The possibility of chemical modification, blending and addition of biodegradable additives allows to tailor the final properties of polysaccharides and opens the doors to wider applications, particularly in pharmaceutical area. This issue is intended to explore any new potentiality of marine polysaccharides, as those above mentioned, deriving from chemical or chemical-physical modifications, and the scaling-up of their pharmaceutical applications.

Description / Table of Contents: There is ample evidence that the push for biomass as an alternative source of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels for heating and power generation is much greater than expected. There is a huge gap between the present contribution and the committed part of renewables for the majority of world countries. The uptake of renewables in general, and biomass in particular, is still considered somewhat risky due to the lack of best practice examples to demonstrate how efficient the technology is today.

Description / Table of Contents: Taravat, A.; Rajaei, M.; Emadodin, I.; Hasheminejad, H.; Mousavian, R.; Biniyaz, E. A Spaceborne Multisensory, Multitemporal Approach to Monitor Water Level and Storage Variations of Lakes. Water 2016, 8(11), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110478 --- Paillou, P. Mapping Palaeohydrography in Deserts: Contribution from Space-Borne Imaging Radar. Water 2017, 9(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030194 --- Jiang, L.; Schneider, R.; Andersen, O.; Bauer-Gottwein, P. CryoSat-2 Altimetry Applications over Rivers and Lakes. Water 2017, 9(3), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030211 --- Polishchuk, Y.; Bogdanov, A.; Polishchuk, V.; Manasypov, R.; Shirokova, L.; Kirpotin, S.; Pokrovsky, O. Size Distribution, Surface Coverage, Water, Carbon, and Metal Storage of Thermokarst Lakes in the Permafrost Zone of the Western Siberia Lowland. Water 2017, 9(3), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030228 --- Salameh, E.; Frappart, F.; Papa, F.; Güntner, A.; Venugopal, V.; Getirana, A.; Prigent, C.; Aires, F.; Labat, D.; Laignel, B. Fifteen Years (1993–2007) of Surface Freshwater Storage Variability in the Ganges-Brahmaputra River Basin Using Multi-Satellite Observations. Water 2017, 9(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040245 --- Springer, A.; Eicker, A.; Bettge, A.; Kusche, J.; Hense, A. Evaluation of the Water Cycle in the European COSMO-REA6 Reanalysis Using GRACE. Water 2017, 9(4), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040289 --- Parrens, M.; Al Bitar, A.; Frappart, F.; Papa, F.; Calmant, S.; Crétaux, J.; Wigneron, J.; Kerr, Y. Mapping Dynamic Water Fraction under the Tropical Rain Forests of the Amazonian Basin from SMOS Brightness Temperatures. Water 2017, 9(5), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9050350 --- Pham-Duc, B.; Prigent, C.; Aires, F. Surface Water Monitoring within Cambodia and the Vietnamese Mekong Delta over a Year, with Sentinel-1 SAR Observations. Water 2017, 9(6), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060366 --- Nielsen, K.; Stenseng, L.; Andersen, O.; Knudsen, P. The Performance and Potentials of the CryoSat-2 SAR and SARIn Modes for Lake Level Estimation. Water 2017, 9(6), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060374 --- Nguyen, D.; Wagner, W. European Rice Cropland Mapping with Sentinel-1 Data: The Mediterranean Region Case Study. Water 2017, 9(6), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060392 --- Ferrara, C.; Lega, M.; Fusco, G.; Bishop, P.; Endreny, T. Characterization of Terrestrial Discharges into Coastal Waters with Thermal Imagery from a Hierarchical Monitoring Program. Water 2017, 9(7), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070500 --- Shen, H.; Leblanc, M.; Frappart, F.; Seoane, L.; O’Grady, D.; Olioso, A.; Tweed, S. A Comparative Study of GRACE with Continental Evapotranspiration Estimates in Australian Semi-Arid and Arid Basins: Sensitivity to Climate Variability and Extremes. Water 2017, 9(9), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9090614 --- Erazo, B.; Bourrel, L.; Frappart, F.; Chimborazo, O.; Labat, D.; Dominguez-Granda, L.; Matamoros, D.; Mejia, R. Validation of Satellite Estimates (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, TRMM) for Rainfall Variability over the Pacific Slope and Coast of Ecuador. Water 2018, 10(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10020213

Description / Table of Contents: Barr, B. “An ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”: Adopting Landscape-Level Precautionary Approaches to Preserve Arctic Coastal Heritage Resources. Resources 2017, 6(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6020018 --- Bickford, N.; Smith, L.; Bickford, S.; Bice, M.; Ranglack, D.H. Evaluating the Role of CSR and SLO in Ecotourism: Collaboration for Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Arctic Resources. Resources 2017, 6(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6020021 --- Manley, B.; Elliot, S.; Jacobs, S. Expedition Cruising in the Canadian Arctic: Visitor Motives and the Influence of Education Programming on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours. Resources 2017, 6(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030023 --- Johnston, M.; Dawson, J.; Maher, P. Strategic Development Challenges in Marine Tourism in Nunavut. Resources 2017, 6(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030025 --- Bystrowska, M.; Wigger, K.; Liggett, D. The Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Managing High Arctic Tourism Sites: A Collective Action Perspective. Resources 2017, 6(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030033 --- Aase, J. The Ortelius Incident in the Hinlopen Strait—A Case Study on How Satellite-Based AIS Can Support Search and Rescue Operations in Remote Waters. Resources 2017, 6(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030035 --- Stewart, E.; Espiner, S.; Liggett, D.; Taylor, Z. The Forgotten Islands: Monitoring Tourist Numbers and Managing Tourism Impacts on New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands. Resources 2017, 6(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030038 --- Huijbens, E.; Lamers, M. Sustainable Tourism and Natural Resource Conservation in the Polar Regions: An Editorial. Resources 2017, 6(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030045

Description / Table of Contents: Preface: Morphology and Internal Mixing of Atmospheric Particles / Atmosphere 2018, 9(7), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9070249 --- PDF Full-text (692 KB) | HTML Full-text | XML Full-text / Immersion Freezing of Total Ambient Aerosols and Ice Residuals / Atmosphere 2018, 9(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9020055 --- Influence of Common Assumptions Regarding Aerosol Composition and Mixing State on Predicted CCN Concentration / Atmosphere 2018, 9(2), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9020054 --- Physicochemical Characteristics of Individual Aerosol Particles during the 2015 China Victory Day Parade in Beijing / Atmosphere 2018, 9(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9020040 --- Quantifying Impacts of Aerosol Mixing State on Nucleation-Scavenging of Black Carbon Aerosol Particles / Atmosphere 2018, 9(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9010017 --- Machine Learning to Predict the Global Distribution of Aerosol Mixing State Metrics / Atmosphere 2018, 9(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9010015 --- Elemental Mixing State of Aerosol Particles Collected in Central Amazonia during GoAmazon2014/15 / Atmosphere 2017, 8(9), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8090173 --- Effect of Thermodenuding on the Structure of Nascent Flame Soot Aggregates / Atmosphere 2017, 8(9), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8090166 --- The Impact of Sampling Medium and Environment on Particle Morphology / Atmosphere 2017, 8(9), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8090162 --- Temperature-Dependent Diffusion of H2SO4 in Air at Atmospherically Relevant Conditions: Laboratory Measurements Using Laminar Flow Technique / Atmosphere 2017, 8(7), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8070132 --- Monthly and Diurnal Variation of the Concentrations of Aerosol Surface Area in Fukuoka, Japan, Measured by Diffusion Charging Method / Atmosphere 2017, 8(7), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8070114 --- Q-Space Analysis of the Light Scattering Phase Function of Particles with Any Shape / Atmosphere 2017, 8(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8040068 --- Morphology, Composition, and Mixing State of Individual Aerosol Particles in Northeast China during Wintertime / Atmosphere 2017, 8(3), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos8030047

Description / Table of Contents: Biopolymers, as natural polysaccharides, are considered benign polymers for what concerns the environment. This is not a new invention, but at best a renaissance: the first type of polymers used by human kind were animal hides, cellulose, silk, wool. Among benefits of natural occurring biopolymers there are potential biocompatibility, renewable resources, low processing costs, tailoring of structure by genetic manipulation, and, as said, environmentally compatibility. Limits are, sometimes, premature degradation and high production costs due to the very high purity required for medical uses. Polysaccharides are not drugs by themselves, but their use in pharmaceutical field, for example as drug carriers or antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant agents, is increasingly promising. Marine polysaccharides include chitin, chitosan, alginate, agar and carrageenans. Chitosan is a cationic carbohydrate biopolymer derived from chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharides present in nature after cellulose. The main sources of chitin are the shell wastes of shrimps, lobsters and crabs. For its characteristics, chitosan founds particular application as non viral vector in gene delivery. Films from chitosan are very tough and long lasting. Alginates derive from seaweed extraction (pheophyceae), and are mainly used in drug delivery and as hydrogels for immobilizing cells and enzymes, due to the mild conditions of cross-linking through bivalent cations (Ca2 ). Agar (or agar-agar) and carrageenans are linear polysaccharides from red seaweeds. They are highly reactive chemically and are peculiar for thermoreversible gel formation. Exopolysaccharides (EPS), substantial components of the extracellular matrix of many cells of marine origin, also have to be mentioned for their potential interest in pharmaceuticals, and new EPS producing bacteria, particularly from extreme marine environments, are being isolated.The possibility of chemical modification, blending and addition of biodegradable additives allows to tailor the final properties of polysaccharides and opens the doors to wider applications, particularly in pharmaceutical area. This issue is intended to explore any new potentiality of marine polysaccharides, as those above mentioned, deriving from chemical or chemical-physical modifications, and the scaling-up of their pharmaceutical applications.

Description / Table of Contents: A Guideline for Successful Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis for Soil and Water Assessment: A Review of Papers from the 2016 International SWAT Conference / Water 2018, 10(1), 6; doi:10.3390/w10010006 --- Assessing the Water-Resources Potential of Istanbul by Using a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Hydrological Model / Water 2017, 9(10), 814; doi:10.3390/w9100814 --- Simulating Climate Change Induced Thermal Stress in Coldwater Fish Habitat Using SWAT Model / Water 2017, 9(10), 732; doi:10.3390/w9100732 --- Assessing the Uncertainty of Multiple Input Datasets in the Prediction of Water Resource Components / Water 2017, 9(9), 709; doi:10.3390/w9090709 --- Assessment of the Combined Effects of Threshold Selection and Parameter Estimation of Generalized Pareto Distribution with Applications to Flood Frequency Analysis / Water 2017, 9(9), 692; doi:10.3390/w9090692 --- Assessing Thermally Stressful Events in a Rhode Island Coldwater Fish Habitat Using the SWAT Model / Water 2017, 9(9), 667; doi:10.3390/w9090667 --- Assessment of Nitrogen Inputs into Hunt River by Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems via SWAT Simulation / Water 2017, 9(8), 610; doi:10.3390/w9080610 --- Water Resources of the Black Sea Catchment under Future Climate and Landuse Change Projections / Water 2017, 9(8), 598; doi:10.3390/w9080598 --- Comparison of SWAT and GWLF Model Simulation Performance in Humid South and Semi-Arid North of China / Water 2017, 9(8), 567; doi:10.3390/w9080567 --- Modeling the Fate and Transport of Malathion in the Pagsanjan-Lumban Basin, Philippines / Water 2017, 9(7), 451; doi:10.3390/w9070451 --- Development of a Station Based Climate Database for SWAT and APEX Assessments in the US / Water 2017, 9(6), 437; doi:10.3390/w9060437 --- Using Modeling Tools to Better Understand Permafrost Hydrology / Water 2017, 9(6), 418; doi:10.3390/w9060418 --- Sensitivity of Calibrated Parameters and Water Resource Estimates on Different Objective Functions and Optimization Algorithms / Water 2017, 9(6), 384; doi:10.3390/w9060384 --- Evaluating Various Low-Impact Development Scenarios for Optimal Design Criteria Development / Water 2017, 9(4), 270; doi:10.3390/w9040270 --- Assessment of Flood Frequency Alteration by Dam Construction via SWAT Simulation / Water 2017, 9(4), 264; doi:10.3390/w9040264 --- Effects of Urban Non-Point Source Pollution from Baoding City on Baiyangdian Lake, China / Water 2017, 9(4), 249; doi:10.3390/w9040249 --- Multilevel Drought Hazard Assessment under Climate Change Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions—A Case Study of the Karkheh River Basin in Iran / Water 2017, 9(4), 241; doi:10.3390/w9040241 --- Assessment of Three Long-Term Gridded Climate Products for Hydro-Climatic Simulations in Tropical River Basins / Water 2017, 9(3), 229; doi:10.3390/w9030229 --- Evaluating the Impact of Low Impact Development (LID) Practices on Water Quantity and Quality under Different Development Designs Using SWAT / Water 2017, 9(3), 193; doi:10.3390/w9030193 --- Influence Mechanisms of Rainfall and Terrain Characteristics on Total Nitrogen Losses from Regosol / Water 2017, 9(3), 167; doi:10.3390/w9030167 --- Modeling Crop Water Productivity Using a Coupled SWAT–MODSIM Model / Water 2017, 9(3), 157; doi:10.3390/w9030157 --- Effect of Climate Change on Hydrology, Sediment and Nutrient Losses in Two Lowland Catchments in Poland / Water 2017, 9(3), 156; doi:10.3390/w9030156 --- Using SWAT and Fuzzy TOPSIS to Assess the Impact of Climate Change in the Headwaters of the Segura River Basin (SE Spain) / Water 2017, 9(2), 149; doi:10.3390/w9020149 --- Water Leakage and Nitrate Leaching Characteristics in the Winter Wheat–Summer Maize Rotation System in the North China Plain under Different Irrigation and Fertilization Management Practices / Water 2017, 9(2), 141; doi:10.3390/w9020141 --- Climate Change Impacts on US Water Quality Using Two Models: HAWQS and US Basins / Water 2017, 9(2), 118; doi:10.3390/w9020118 --- Testing the SWAT Model with Gridded Weather Data of Different Spatial Resolutions / Water 2017, 9(1), 54; doi:10.3390/w9010054 --- The Impact of Para Rubber Expansion on Streamflow and Other Water Balance Components of the Nam Loei River Basin, Thailand / Water 2017, 9(1), 1; doi:10.3390/w9010001 --- The Mitigation Potential of Buffer Strips for Reservoir Sediment Yields: The Itumbiara Hydroelectric Power Plant in Brazil / Water 2016, 8(11), 489; doi:10.3390/w8110489

Description / Table of Contents: Over the last few decades, artificial neural networks, such as in data mining and machine learning technology, are being successfully applied across a wide range of science and engineering areas. In addition, according to the development of computer and space technologies, geoinformatics, as science and technology dealing with spatial information, are growing rapidly. Thus, recently, artificial neural networks have been widely applied in geoinformatics and have produced valuable results in geoscience, environment, natural hazards, and natural resources areas. This Special Issue of the journal Applied Sciences, “Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Geoinformatics”, aims to attract novel contributions covering a wide range of applications in artificial neural networks in geoinformatics.

Description / Table of Contents: Perea-Moreno, A.; Aguilera-Ureña, M.; Meroño-De Larriva, J.; Manzano-Agugliaro, F. Assessment of the Potential of UAV Video Image Analysis for Planning Irrigation Needs of Golf Courses. Water 2016, 8(12), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8120584 --- Frappart, F.; Bourrel, L.; Brodu, N.; Riofrío Salazar, X.; Baup, F.; Darrozes, J.; Pombosa, R. Monitoring of the Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of the Floods in the Guayas Watershed (Ecuadorian Pacific Coast) Using Global Monitoring ENVISAT ASAR Images and Rainfall Data. Water 2017, 9(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9010012 --- Li, Y.; Gong, H.; Zhu, L.; Li, X. Measuring Spatiotemporal Features of Land Subsidence, Groundwater Drawdown, and Compressible Layer Thickness in Beijing Plain, China. Water 2017, 9(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9010064 --- Yang, F.; Guo, J.; Tan, H.; Wang, J. Automated Extraction of Urban Water Bodies from ZY‐3 Multi‐Spectral Imagery. Water 2017, 9(2), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020144 --- Lee, J.; Choi, H. Improvements to Runoff Predictions from a Land Surface Model with a Lateral Flow Scheme Using Remote Sensing and In Situ Observations. Water 2017, 9(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020148 --- Sharif, H.; Al-Zahrani, M.; Hassan, A. Physically, Fully-Distributed Hydrologic Simulations Driven by GPM Satellite Rainfall over an Urbanizing Arid Catchment in Saudi Arabia. Water 2017, 9(3), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030163 --- Wang, X.; Chen, H.; Chen, Y. Large Differences between Glaciers 3D Surface Extents and 2D Planar Areas in Central Tianshan. Water 2017, 9(4), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040282 --- Wang, R.; Chen, J.; Wang, X. Comparison of IMERG Level-3 and TMPA 3B42V7 in Estimating Typhoon-Related Heavy Rain. Water 2017, 9(4), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040276 --- Pan, C.; Wang, X.; Liu, L.; Huang, H.; Wang, D. Improvement to the Huff Curve for Design Storms and Urban Flooding Simulations in Guangzhou, China. Water 2017, 9(6), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060411 --- Ouyang, H.; Shih, S.; Wu, C. Optimal Combinations of Non-Sequential Regressors for ARX-Based Typhoon Inundation Forecast Models Considering Multiple Objectives. Water 2017, 9(7), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070519 --- Lu, Y.; Song, W.; Lu, J.; Wang, X.; Tan, Y. An Examination of Soil Moisture Estimation Using Ground Penetrating Radar in Desert Steppe. Water 2017, 9(7), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070521 --- Tekeli, A. Exploring Jeddah Floods by Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Analysis. Water 2017, 9(8), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9080612 --- Wang, X.; Xie, H. A Review on Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Water Resources and Flood Risk Management. Water 2018, 10(5), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10050608

Description / Table of Contents: Mechanisms of SAR Imaging of Shallow Water Topography of the Subei Bank / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(11), 1203; doi:10.3390/rs9111203 --- Detection of Bivalve Beds on Exposed Intertidal Flats Using Polarimetric SAR Indicators / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(10), 1047; doi:10.3390/rs9101047 --- Exploring the Potential of Active Learning for Automatic Identification of Marine Oil Spills Using 10-Year (2004–2013) RADARSAT Data / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(10), 1041; doi:10.3390/rs9101041 --- Assimilation of Typhoon Wind Field Retrieved from Scatterometer and SAR Based on the Huber Norm Quality Control / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(10), 987; doi:10.3390/rs9100987 --- Performance Analysis of Ocean Surface Topography Altimetry by Ku-Band Near-Nadir Interferometric SAR / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(9), 933; doi:10.3390/rs9090933 --- Satellite Survey of Internal Waves in the Black and Caspian Seas / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(9), 892; doi:10.3390/rs9090892 --- Contextual Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network with Multilayer Fusion for SAR Ship Detection / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(8), 860; doi:10.3390/rs9080860 --- Refocusing of Moving Targets in SAR Images via Parametric Sparse Representation / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(8), 795; doi:10.3390/rs9080795 --- Modulation Model of High Frequency Band Radar Backscatter by the Internal Wave Based on the Third-Order Statistics / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 501; doi:10.3390/rs9050501 --- Ku-Band Sea Surface Radar Backscatter at Low Incidence Angles under Extreme Wind Conditions / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 474; doi:10.3390/rs9050474 --- Doppler Spectrum-Based NRCS Estimation Method for Low-Scattering Areas in Ocean SAR Images / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(3), 219; doi:10.3390/rs9030219 --- An Improved Shape Contexts Based Ship Classification in SAR Images / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(2), 145; doi:10.3390/rs9020145 --- GF-3 SAR Ocean Wind Retrieval: The First View and Preliminary Assessment / Remote Sens. 2017, 9(7), 694; doi:10.3390/rs9070694

Description / Table of Contents: The study of vibrations and the control of vibrations has been a fundamental cornerstone of engineering. Problems related to vibrations are ubiquitous, from the study of fatigue of airplane wings in turbulent flow to the suppression of vibrations in subsea structures. The breadth of vibration engineering is matched by the depth of field. Numerous methods have been used to understand vibrations, and a wide range of devices have been developed to control vibrations. Many vibration control problems can be considered as a problem of energy dissipation and vibration damping. The problem encompasses multiple interdependent aspects of research and engineering, including the development of models, implementation of algorithms, and design of devices based on data. Discoveries made in one aspect can lead to breakthroughs in other aspects. Thus, the scope and aims of this Special Issue are to receive and accumulate new knowledge about vibration control, especially for topics related to energy dissipation methods for vibration damping. Desired topics include but are not limited to vibration modeling, algorithms for active vibration control, passive damping methods, vibration damping devices, new materials for energy dissipation, etc.

Description / Table of Contents: Dostal, J. Rare Earth Element Deposits of Alkaline Igneous Rocks. Resources 2017, 6(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030034 --- Catlos, E.; Miller, N. Speculations Linking Monazite Compositions to Origin: Llallagua Tin Ore Deposit (Bolivia). Resources 2017, 6(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030036 --- Smith, Y.; Kumar, P.; McLennan, J. On the Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Geothermal Brines. Resources 2017, 6(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030039 --- McLeod, C.; Krekeler, M. Sources of Extraterrestrial Rare Earth Elements: To the Moon and Beyond. Resources 2017, 6(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030040 --- Chen, W.; Honghui, H.; Bai, T.; Jiang, S. Geochemistry of Monazite within Carbonatite Related REE Deposits. Resources 2017, 6(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6040051 --- Machacek, E.; Richter, J.; Lane, R. Governance and Risk–Value Constructions in Closing Loops of Rare Earth Elements in Global Value Chains. Resources 2017, 6(4), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6040059 --- McLemore, V. Rare Earth Elements (REE) Deposits Associated with Great Plain Margin Deposits (Alkaline-Related), Southwestern United States and Eastern Mexico. Resources 2018, 7(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources7010008 --- Jowitt, S. Introduction to a Resources Special Issue on Criticality of the Rare Earth Elements: Current and Future Sources and Recycling. Resources 2018, 7(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources7020035

Description / Table of Contents: Ou, X.; Yuan, Z.; Peng, T.; Sun, Z.; Zhou, S. The Low-Carbon Transition toward Sustainability of Regional Coal-Dominated Energy Consumption Structure: A Case of Hebei Province in China. Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071184 --- Ahmed, K. Designing Sustainable Urban Social Housing in the United Arab Emirates. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081413 --- Bhikhoo, N.; Hashemi, A.; Cruickshank, H. Improving Thermal Comfort of Low-Income Housing in Thailand through Passive Design Strategies. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081440 --- Pianella, A.; Aye, L.; Chen, Z.; Williams, N. Substrate Depth, Vegetation and Irrigation Affect Green Roof Thermal Performance in a Mediterranean Type Climate. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081451 --- Ozarisoy, B.; Altan, H. Adoption of Energy Design Strategies for Retrofitting Mass Housing Estates in Northern Cyprus. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081477 --- Nebia, B.; Tabet Aoul, K. Overheating and Daylighting; Assessment Tool in Early Design of London’s High-Rise Residential Buildings. Sustainability 2017, 9(9), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091544 --- Haggag, M.; Hassan, A.; Qadir, G. Energy and Economic Performance of Plant-Shaded Building Façade in Hot Arid Climate. Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2026; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112026 --- Mushtaha, E.; Ayssar Nahlé, R.; Bin Saifan, M.; Altan, H. The impact of Lighting on Vandalism in Hot Climates: The Case of the Abu Shagara Vandalised Corridor in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2040; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112040 --- Ma, N.; Chau, H.; Zhou, J.; Noguchi, M. Structuring the Environmental Experience Design Research Framework through Selected Aged Care Facility Data Analyses in Victoria. Sustainability 2017, 9(12), 2172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122172 --- Attoye, D.; Tabet Aoul, K.; Hassan, A. A Review on Building Integrated Photovoltaic Façade Customization Potentials. Sustainability 2017, 9(12), 2287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122287

Description / Table of Contents: Estimating River Depth from SWOT-Type Observables Obtained by Satellite Altimetry and Imagery / Water 2017, 9(10), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9100753 --- Local- and Plot-Scale Measurements of Soil Moisture: Time and Spatially Resolved Field Techniques in Plain, Hill and Mountain Sites / Water 2017, 9(9), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9090706 --- Snow Precipitation Measured by Gauges: Systematic Error Estimation and Data Series Correction in the Central Italian Alps / Water 2017, 9(7), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070461 --- Discharge Measurements of Snowmelt Flood by Space-Time Image Velocimetry during the Night Using Far-Infrared Camera / Water 2017, 9(4), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040269 --- Soil Moisture for Hydrological Applications: Open Questions and New Opportunities / Water 2017, 9(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020140 --- From Surface Flow Velocity Measurements to Discharge Assessment by the Entropy Theory / Water 2017, 9(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020120 --- Space–Time Characterization of Rainfall Field in Tuscany / Water 2017, 9(2), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020086 --- An Integrated Approach for Site Selection of Snow Measurement Stations / Water 2016, 8(11), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110539 --- Rainfall Characteristics and Regionalization in Peninsular Malaysia Based on a High Resolution Gridded Data Set / Water 2016, 8(11), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110500 --- Spatial Patterns and Influence Factors of Conversion Coefficients between Two Typical Pan Evaporimeters in China / Water 2016, 8(10), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8100422 --- Daily Precipitation Changes over Large River Basins in China, 1960–2013 / Water 2016, 8(5), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8050185

Description / Table of Contents: Editorial - Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies in Public Health / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2018, 7(8), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7080303 --- CALPUFF and CAFOs: Air Pollution Modeling and Environmental Justice Analysis in the North Carolina Hog Industry / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2015, 4(1), 150-171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi4010150 --- Analyzing the Correlation between Deer Habitat and the Component of the Risk for Lyme Disease in Eastern Ontario, Canada: A GIS-Based Approach / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2015, 4(1), 105-123; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi4010105 --- Geospatial Technology: A Tool to Aid in the Elimination of Malaria in Bangladesh / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2015, 4(1), 47-58; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi4010047 --- Examining Personal Air Pollution Exposure, Intake, and Health Danger Zone Using Time Geography and 3D Geovisualization / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2015, 4(1), 32-46; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi4010032 --- Use of the NASA Giovanni Data System for Geospatial Public Health Research: Example of Weather-Influenza Connection / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(4), 1372-1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3041372 --- Mapping Entomological Dengue Risk Levels in Martinique Using High-Resolution Remote-Sensing Environmental Data / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(4), 1352-1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3041352 --- Improving Inland Water Quality Monitoring through Remote Sensing Techniques / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(4), 1234-1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3041234 --- Impacts of Scale on Geographic Analysis of Health Data: An Example of Obesity Prevalence / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(4), 1198-1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3041198 --- Geographical Variation of Incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Manitoba, Canada / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(3), 1039-1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3031039 --- Holistics 3.0 for Health / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(3), 1023-1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3031023 --- Dasymetric Mapping and Spatial Modeling of Mosquito Vector Exposure, Chesapeake, Virginia, USA / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(3), 891-913; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3030891 --- Modeling Properties of Influenza-Like Illness Peak Events with Crossing Theory / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(2), 764-780; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3020764 --- Correlating Remote Sensing Data with the Abundance of Pupae of the Dengue Virus Mosquito Vector, Aedes aegypti, in Central Mexico / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(2), 732-749; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3020732 --- Canadian Forest Fires and the Effects of Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Hospitalizations among the Elderly / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(2), 713-731; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3020713 --- Nexus of Health and Development: Modelling Crude Birth Rate and Maternal Mortality Ratio Using Nighttime Satellite Images / ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2014, 3(2), 693-712; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi3020693

Description / Table of Contents: Watershed Hydrology: Scientific Advances and Environmental Assessments / Water 2018, 10(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10030288 --- Debris Flow Susceptibility Assessment in the Wudongde Dam Area, China Based on Rock Engineering System and Fuzzy C-Means Algorithm / Water 2017, 9(9), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9090669 --- Evaluating the Effects of Low Impact Development Practices on Urban Flooding under Different Rainfall Intensities / Water 2017, 9(7), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070548 --- Flooding in Delta Areas under Changing Climate: Response of Design Flood Level to Non-Stationarity in Both Inflow Floods and High Tides in South China / Water 2017, 9(7), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070471 --- Variability of Spatially Grid-Distributed Precipitation over the Huaihe River Basin in China / Water 2017, 9(7), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070489 --- Estimation of Active Stream Network Length in a Hilly Headwater Catchment Using Recession Flow Analysis / Water 2017, 9(5), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9050348 --- Hydrological Modeling of the Upper Indus Basin: A Case Study from a High-Altitude Glacierized Catchment Hunza / Water 2017, 9(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9010017 --- Characterizing Changes in Streamflow and Sediment Supply in the Sacramento River Basin, California, Using Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) / Water 2016, 8(10), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8100432 --- Assessment of the Impact of Subsurface Agricultural Drainage on Soil Water Storage and Flows of a Small Watershed / Water 2016, 8(8), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8080326 --- Effects of Model Spatial Resolution on Ecohydrologic Predictions and Their Sensitivity to Inter-Annual Climate Variability / Water 2016, 8(8), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8080321 --- Hydrologic Alteration Associated with Dam Construction in a Medium-Sized Coastal Watershed of Southeast China / Water 2016, 8(8), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8080317 --- Using High-Resolution Data to Test Parameter Sensitivity of the Distributed Hydrological Model HydroGeoSphere / Water 2016, 8(5), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8050202 --- Multi-Site Validation of the SWAT Model on the Bani Catchment: Model Performance and Predictive Uncertainty / Water 2016, 8(5), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8050178 --- An Eco-Hydrological Model-Based Assessment of the Impacts of Soil and Water Conservation Management in the Jinghe River Basin, China / Water 2015, 7(11), 6301-6320; https://doi.org/10.3390/w7116301

Description / Table of Contents: The Role of Respiration in Estimation of Net Carbon Cycle: Coupling Soil Carbon Dynamics and Canopy Turnover in a Novel Version of 3D-CMCC Forest Ecosystem Model / Forests 2017, 8(6), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8060220 --- Climate Impacts on Soil Carbon Processes along an Elevation Gradient in the Tropical Luquillo Experimental Forest / Forests 2017, 8(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8030090 --- Partitioning Forest‐Floor Respiration into Source Based Emissions in a Boreal Forested Bog: Responses to Experimental Drought / Forests 2017, 8(3), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8030075 --- Elevated CO2 and Tree Species Affect Microbial Activity and Associated Aggregate Stability in Soil Amended with Litter / Forests 2017, 8(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8030070 --- Effect of Soil Moisture on the Response of Soil Respiration to Open-Field Experimental Warming and Precipitation Manipulation / Forests 2017, 8(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8030056 --- Temporal Variability of Soil Respiration in Experimental Tree Plantations in Lowland Costa Rica / Forests 2017, 8(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8020040 --- Spatial Upscaling of Soil Respiration under a Complex Canopy Structure in an Old‐Growth Deciduous Forest, Central Japan / Forests 2017, 8(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8020036 --- Heterotrophic Soil Respiration Affected by Compound Fertilizer Types in Red Pine (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) Stands of Korea / Forests 2016, 7(12), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/f7120309 --- Optimization Forest Thinning Measures for Carbon Budget in a Mixed Pine-Oak Stand of the Qingling Mountains, China: A Case Study / Forests 2016, 7(11), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/f7110272 --- Mitigating the Stress of Drought on Soil Respiration by Selective Thinning: Contrasting Effects of Drought on Soil Respiration of Two Oak Species in a Mediterranean Forest / Forests 2016, 7(11), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/f7110263 --- Seasonal Variation in Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Three Age-Stages of Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) Stands in an Alluvial Island, Eastern China / Forests 2016, 7(11), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/f7110256 --- Erratum: Spatial Upscaling of Soil Respiration under a Complex Canopy Structure in an Old-Growth Deciduous Forest, Central Japan; Forests 2017, 8, 36 / Forests 2017, 8(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/f8030071

Description / Table of Contents: Kuwahara, Y.; Liu, W.; Makio, M.; Otsuka, K. In Situ AFM Study of Crystal Growth on a Barite (001) Surface in BaSO4 Solutions at 30 °C. Minerals 2016, 6(4), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/min6040117 --- Evans, J. Polymorphs, Proteins, and Nucleation Theory: A Critical Analysis. Minerals 2017, 7(4), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7040062 --- Ochiai, A.; Utsunomiya, S. Crystal Chemistry and Stability of Hydrated Rare-Earth Phosphates Formed at Room Temperature. Minerals 2017, 7(5), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7050084 --- Jones, F. Crystallization of Jarosite with Variable Al3+ Content: The Transition to Alunite. Minerals 2017, 7(6), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7060090 --- Bacsik, Z.; Zhang, P.; Hedin, N. Ammonium-Carbamate-Rich Organogels for the Preparation of Amorphous Calcium Carbonates. Minerals 2017, 7(7), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070110 --- Harris, J.; Wolf, S. Desiccator Volume: A Vital Yet Ignored Parameter in CaCO3 Crystallization by the Ammonium Carbonate Diffusion Method. Minerals 2017, 7(7), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070122 --- Burgos-Cara, A.; Putnis, C.; Rodriguez-Navarro, C.; Ruiz-Agudo, E. Hydration Effects on the Stability of Calcium Carbonate Pre-Nucleation Species. Minerals 2017, 7(7), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070126 --- Ross, J.; Gao, L.; Meouch, O.; Anthony, E.; Sutarwala, D.; Mamo, H.; Omelon, S. Carbonate Apatite Precipitation from Synthetic Municipal Wastewater. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080129 --- Kezuka, Y.; Kawai, K.; Eguchi, K.; Tajika, M. Fabrication of Single-Crystalline Calcite Needle-Like Particles Using the Aragonite–Calcite Phase Transition. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080133 --- Pastero, L.; Bruno, M.; Aquilano, D. About the Genetic Mechanisms of Apatites: A Survey on the Methodological Approaches. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080139 --- Ossorio, M.; Stawski, T.; Rodríguez-Blanco, J.; Sleutel, M.; García-Ruiz, J.; Benning, L.; Van Driessche, A. Physicochemical and Additive Controls on the Multistep Precipitation Pathway of Gypsum. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080140 --- Zeng, C.; Vitale-Sullivan, C.; Ma, X. In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy Studies on Nucleation and Self-Assembly of Biogenic and Bio-Inspired Materials. Minerals 2017, 7(9), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7090158 --- Gruber, D.; Wolf, S.; Hoyt, A.; Konsek, J.; Cölfen, H. A Micro-Comb Test System for In Situ Investigation of Infiltration and Crystallization Processes. Minerals 2017, 7(10), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7100187 --- Kröger, R.; Verch, A. Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy and the Impact of Confinement on the Precipitation from Supersaturated Solutions. Minerals 2018, 8(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8010021 --- Ibsen, C.; Birkedal, H. Pyrophosphate-Inhibition of Apatite Formation Studied by In Situ X-Ray Diffraction. Minerals 2018, 8(2), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8020065 --- Opel, J.; Kellermeier, M.; Sickinger, A.; Morales, J.; Cölfen, H.; García-Ruiz, J. Structural Transition of Inorganic Silica–Carbonate Composites Towards Curved Lifelike Morphologies. Minerals 2018, 8(2), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8020075 --- Gebauer, D.; Jansson, K.; Oliveberg, M.; Hedin, N. Indications that Amorphous Calcium Carbonates Occur in Pathological Mineralisation—A Urinary Stone from a Guinea Pig. Minerals 2018, 8(3), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8030084 --- Gebauer, D. Editorial for Special Issue “Nucleation of Minerals: Precursors, Intermediates and Their Use in Materials Chemistry”. Minerals 2018, 8(6), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8060239

Description / Table of Contents: Environmental quality is crucial to our health, our economy and our living. However, it faces several serious challenges, not least those of climate change, unsustainable consumption and production, as well as various forms of pollution. This Special Issue invites research papers aimed at a wide range of environmental issues: Water and wastewater management, water and sediment pollution control and remediation, soil degradation, conservation and remediation, waste management, landscape management, air quality and indoor environment, environmental impacts of buildings and materials, and LCA (Life-cycle assessment).

Description / Table of Contents: Zambon, I.; Colosimo, F.; Monarca, D.; Cecchini, M.; Gallucci, F.; Proto, A.; Lord, R.; Colantoni, A. An Innovative Agro-Forestry Supply Chain for Residual Biomass: Physicochemical Characterisation of Biochar from Olive and Hazelnut Pellets. Energies 2016, 9(7), 526; doi:10.3390/en9070526. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/7/526 --- Liu, P.; Wang, Q.; Yan, D.; Fang, W.; Mao, L.; Wang, D.; Li, Y.; Ouyang, C.; Guo, M.; Cao, A. Effects of Biochar Amendment on Chloropicrin Adsorption and Degradation in Soil. Energies 2016, 9(11), 869; doi:10.3390/en9110869. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/11/869 --- Fang, W.; Cao, A.; Yan, D.; Han, D.; Huang, B.; Li, J.; Liu, X.; Guo, M.; Wang, Q. The Effect of Two Types of Biochars on the Efficacy, Emission, Degradation, and Adsorption of the Fumigant Methyl Isothiocyanate. Energies 2017, 10(1), 16; doi:10.3390/en10010016. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/1/16 --- Long, J.; Boyette, M. Analysis of Micronized Charcoal for Use in a Liquid Fuel Slurry. Energies 2017, 10(1), 25; doi:10.3390/en10010025. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/1/25 --- Fuente-Hernández, A.; Lee, R.; Béland, N.; Zamboni, I.; Lavoie, J. Reduction of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol in Liquid Phase over a Biochar-Supported Platinum Catalyst. Energies 2017, 10(3), 286; doi:10.3390/en10030286. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/3/286 --- Brassard, P.; Godbout, S.; Raghavan, V.; Palacios, J.; Grenier, M.; Zegan, D. The Production of Engineered Biochars in a Vertical Auger Pyrolysis Reactor for Carbon Sequestration. Energies 2017, 10(3), 288; doi:10.3390/en10030288. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/3/288 --- González-Vázquez, M.; García, R.; Pevida, C.; Rubiera, F. Optimization of a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Plant for Low-Temperature Gasification of Biomass. Energies 2017, 10(3), 306; doi:10.3390/en10030306. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/3/306 --- Yang, X.; Wang, H.; Strong, P.; Xu, S.; Liu, S.; Lu, K.; Sheng, K.; Guo, J.; Che, L.; He, L.; Ok, Y.; Yuan, G.; Shen, Y.; Chen, X. Thermal Properties of Biochars Derived from Waste Biomass Generated by Agricultural and Forestry Sectors. Energies 2017, 10(4), 469; doi:10.3390/en10040469. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/4/469 --- Ellison, C.; McKeown, M.; Trabelsi, S.; Boldor, D. Dielectric Properties of Biomass/Biochar Mixtures at Microwave Frequencies. Energies 2017, 10(4), 502; doi:10.3390/en10040502. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/4/502 --- Kang, S.; Sim, B.; Kim, J. Volume and Mass Measurement of a Burning Wood Pellet by Image Processing. Energies 2017, 10(5), 603; doi:10.3390/en10050603. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/5/603 --- Tamošiūnas, A.; Chouchène, A.; Valatkevičius, P.; Gimžauskaitė, D.; Aikas, M.; Uscila, R.; Ghorbel, M.; Jeguirim, M. The Potential of Thermal Plasma Gasification of Olive Pomace Charcoal. Energies 2017, 10(5), 710; doi:10.3390/en10050710. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/5/710 --- Guizani, C.; Jeguirim, M.; Valin, S.; Limousy, L.; Salvador, S. Biomass Chars: The Effects of Pyrolysis Conditions on Their Morphology, Structure, Chemical Properties and Reactivity. Energies 2017, 10(6), 796; doi:10.3390/en10060796. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/6/796 --- Zhao, S.; Ta, N.; Wang, X. Effect of Temperature on the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Biochar with Apple Tree Branches as Feedstock Material. Energies 2017, 10(9), 1293; doi:10.3390/en10091293. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/9/1293 --- Wanassi, B.; Hariz, I.; Ghimbeu, C.; Vaulot, C.; Jeguirim, M. Green Carbon Composite-Derived Polymer Resin and Waste Cotton Fibers for the Removal of Alizarin Red S Dye. Energies 2017, 10(9), 1321; doi:10.3390/en10091321. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/9/1321 --- Ghouma, I.; Jeguirim, M.; Sager, U.; Limousy, L.; Bennici, S.; Däuber, E.; Asbach, C.; Ligotski, R.; Schmidt, F.; Ouederni, A. The Potential of Activated Carbon Made of Agro-Industrial Residues in NOx Immissions Abatement. Energies 2017, 10(10), 1508; doi:10.3390/en10101508. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/10/1508 --- Jeguirim, M.; Limousy, L. Biomass Chars: Elaboration, Characterization and Applications. Energies 2017, 10(12), 2040; doi:10.3390/en10122040. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/12/2040

Description / Table of Contents: Biopolymers, as natural polysaccharides, are considered benign polymers for what concerns the environment. This is not a new invention, but at best a renaissance: the first type of polymers used by human kind were animal hides, cellulose, silk, wool. Among benefits of natural occurring biopolymers there are potential biocompatibility, renewable resources, low processing costs, tailoring of structure by genetic manipulation, and, as said, environmentally compatibility. Limits are, sometimes, premature degradation and high production costs due to the very high purity required for medical uses. Polysaccharides are not drugs by themselves, but their use in pharmaceutical field, for example as drug carriers or antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant agents, is increasingly promising. Marine polysaccharides include chitin, chitosan, alginate, agar and carrageenans. Chitosan is a cationic carbohydrate biopolymer derived from chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharides present in nature after cellulose. The main sources of chitin are the shell wastes of shrimps, lobsters and crabs. For its characteristics, chitosan founds particular application as non viral vector in gene delivery. Films from chitosan are very tough and long lasting. Alginates derive from seaweed extraction (pheophyceae), and are mainly used in drug delivery and as hydrogels for immobilizing cells and enzymes, due to the mild conditions of cross-linking through bivalent cations (Ca2 ). Agar (or agar-agar) and carrageenans are linear polysaccharides from red seaweeds. They are highly reactive chemically and are peculiar for thermoreversible gel formation. Exopolysaccharides (EPS), substantial components of the extracellular matrix of many cells of marine origin, also have to be mentioned for their potential interest in pharmaceuticals, and new EPS producing bacteria, particularly from extreme marine environments, are being isolated.The possibility of chemical modification, blending and addition of biodegradable additives allows to tailor the final properties of polysaccharides and opens the doors to wider applications, particularly in pharmaceutical area. This issue is intended to explore any new potentiality of marine polysaccharides, as those above mentioned, deriving from chemical or chemical-physical modifications, and the scaling-up of their pharmaceutical applications.

Description / Table of Contents: Remote Sensing and Geosciences for Archaeology / Geosciences 2018, 8(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8020041 --- Landscape Pattern Detection in Archaeological Remote Sensing / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040128 --- Semi-Automatic Detection of Indigenous Settlement Features on Hispaniola through Remote Sensing Data / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040127 --- SARchaeology—Detecting Palaeochannels Based on High Resolution Radar Data and Their Impact of Changes in the Settlement Pattern in Cilicia (Turkey) / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040109 --- Detecting Landscape Disturbance at the Nasca Lines Using SAR Data Collected from Airborne and Satellite Platforms / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040106 --- SAR Imaging of Archaeological Sites on Intertidal Flats in the German Wadden Sea / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040105 --- Geoarchaeological Core Prospection as a Tool to Validate Archaeological Interpretation Based on Geophysical Data at the Roman Settlement of Auritz/Burguete and Aurizberri/Espinal (Navarre) / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040104 --- Geometric Analysis on Stone Façades with Terrestrial Laser Scanner Technology / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040103 --- From Above and on the Ground: Geospatial Methods for Recording Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040100 --- Optical Remote Sensing Potentials for Looting Detection / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040098 --- How Can Remote Sensing Help in Detecting the Threats to Archaeological Sites in Upper Egypt? / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040097 --- 3D Point Clouds in Archaeology: Advances in Acquisition, Processing and Knowledge Integration Applied to Quasi-Planar Objects / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040096 --- The American Schools of Oriental Research Cultural Heritage Initiatives: Monitoring Cultural Heritage in Syria and Northern Iraq by Geospatial Imagery / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040095 --- Using Ontology-Based Photogrammetry Survey for Medieval Archaeology: Toward a 3D Geographic Information System (GIS) / Geosciences 2017, 7(4), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7040093 --- Accurate Reconstruction of the Roman Circus in Milan by Georeferencing Heterogeneous Data Sources with GIS / Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030091 --- Are We There Yet? A Review and Assessment of Archaeological Passive Airborne Optical Imaging Approaches in the Light of Landscape Archaeology / Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030086 --- Comparison Study to the Use of Geophysical Methods at Archaeological Sites Observed by Various Remote Sensing Techniques in the Czech Republic / Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030081 --- Analysis and Processing of Nadir and Stereo VHR Pleiadés Images for 3D Mapping and Planning the Land of Nineveh, Iraqi Kurdistan / Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030080 --- A Manifold Approach for the Investigation of Early and Middle Neolithic Settlements in Thessaly, Greece / Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030079 --- Fusion of Satellite Multispectral Images Based on Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) Data for the Investigation of Buried Concealed Archaeological Remains / Geosciences 2017, 7(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7020040 --- Quantitative Examination of Piezoelectric/Seismoelectric Anomalies from Near-Surface Targets / Geosciences 2017, 7(3), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences7030090

Description / Table of Contents: Forecasting is a vital tool for local health and air quality managers to make informed short-term decisions on remedial and mitigation measures to reduce exposure risks for their residents. Forecasting tools enable them to issue air quality advisories to curb pollution by limiting vehicular traffic by encouraging car-pooling and offering free public transportation. Air quality monitoring from the perspective of air managers serves a dual purpose of evaluating the skill of their forecasting tools and deriving long-term trends of major air pollutants that impact their constituents. Epidemiologists also use long term monitored data to understand air pollution related diseases and mortality rates to support public health policy decisions. This Special Issue reinforces the importance of these tools by leveraging their collective strengths. Public health is under a constant threat by air pollution across the world in various degrees and manifestations. In some countries with rapid economic growth the abrupt increased occurrences of poor air quality over cities and their downwind regions are attracting worldwide attention. The adverse health effects suffered by the public are reflected in billions of dollars in lost productivity, hospital admissions due to contraction and exacerbation of respiratory, asthmatic and cardiovascular diseases, and increases in mortality rates. This is especially true in rapidly developing countries. On the other hand, many cities in developed countries are seeing changes in their atmospheric chemical regimes from nitrogen oxide (NOx) saturated regimes towards NOx limiting regimes. Furthermore, ozone and ozone precursors transported from areas upwind become important source of “background ozone” as local generation of ozone plays a lesser role due to reduced NOx emissions in the developed countries. It is now clear that air pollution is a global problem and that air quality monitoring, forecasting and mitigation should be a local effort conducted in concert with global partners.

Description / Table of Contents: Part I. Introductory chapters -- Introduction: Scientific and political drivers for the Paris Agreement / Andreas Fischlin, Maria Ivanova -- Foundations for the Paris Agreement / Joanna Depledge, Andrew Higham -- Negotiating history of the Paris Agreement / Jane Bulmer, Meinhard Doelle, and Daniel Klein -- Central concepts in the Paris Agreement and how they evolved / Lavanya Rajamani and Emmanuel Guérin -- Legal form of the Paris Agreement and nature of its obligations / Ralph Bodle and Sebastian Oberthür -- Part II. Analysis of the provisions of the agreement -- Contextual provisions (Preamble and Article 1) / María Pía Carazo-- Objective (Article 2.1) / Halldór Thorgeirsson -- Guiding principles and general obligation (Article 2.2 and Article 3) / Lavanya Rajamani -- Mitigation (Article 4) / Harald Winkler -- Conserving and enhancing sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, including forests (Article 5) / Antonio G M La Viña and Alaya de Leon -- Voluntary cooperation (Article 6) / Andrew Howard -- Adaptation (Article 7) / Irene Suárez Pérez and Angela Churie Kallhauge -- Loss and damage (Article 8) / Linda Siegele -- Climate finance (Article 9) / Jorge Gastelumendi and Inka Gnittke -- Technology development and transfer (Article 10) / Heleen de Conick and Ambuj Sagar -- Capacity-building (Article 11) / Crispin d'Auvergne and Matti Nummelin -- Education, training, public awareness participation and access to information (Article 12) / Jeniffer Hanna Collado -- Transparency (Article 13) / Yamide Dagnet and Kelly Levin -- Global stocktake (Article 14) / Jürgen Friedrich -- Facilitating implementation and promoting compliance (Article 15) / Yamide Dagnet and Eliza Northrop -- Institutional arrangements and final clauses (Articles 16-29) / Christina Voigt -- Part III. Concluding reflections -- Assessment of strengths and weaknesses / Meinhard Doelle -- Implications for public international law : initial considerations / María Pía Carazo -- Epilogue: Making the transition from an international agreement to a new epoch of human prosperity in one generation / Andrew Higham

Description / Table of Contents: The most important climate agreement in history, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change represents the commitment of the nations of the world to address and curb climate change. Signed in December 2015, it will come into force on the 4th November, and efforts toward fulfilling its ambitious goals are already under way. The Paris Climate Agreement: Commentary and Analysis combines a comprehensive legal appraisal and critique of the new Agreement with a practical and structured commentary to all its Articles. Part I discusses the general context for the Paris Agreement, detailing the scientific, political, and social drivers behind it, providing an overview of the pre-existing regime, and tracking the history of the negotiations. It examines the evolution of key concepts such as common but differentiated responsibilities, and analyses the legal form of the Agreement and the nature of its provisions. Part II comprises individual chapters on each Article of the Agreement, with detailed commentary of the provisions which highlights central aspects from the negotiating history and the legal nature of the obligations. It describes the institutional arrangements and considerations for national implementation, providing practical advice and prospects for future development. Part III reflects on the Paris Agreement as a whole: its strengths and weaknesses, its potential for further development, and its relationship with other areas of public international law and governance. The book is an invaluable resource for academics and practitioners, policy makers, and actors in the private sector and civil society, as they negotiate the implementation of the Agreement in domestic law and policy

Description / Table of Contents: This textbook, by three experts in the field, provides a comprehensive overview of international climate change law. Climate change is one of the fundamental challenges facing the world today, and is the cause of significant international concern. In response, states have created an international climate regime. The treaties that comprise the regime - the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement establish a system of governance to address climate change and its impacts. This book provides a clear analytical guide to the climate regime, as well as other relevant international legal rules. The book begins by locating international climate change law within the broader context of international law and international environmental law. It considers the evolution of the international climate change regime, and the process of law-making that has led to it. It examines the key provisions of the Framework Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. It analyses the principles and obligations that underpin the climate regime, as well as the elaborate institutional and governance architecture that has been created at successive international conferences to develop commitments and promote transparency and compliance. The final two chapters address the polycentric nature of international climate change law, as well as the intersections of international climate change law with other areas of international regulation. This book is an essential introduction to international climate change law for students, scholars and negotiators.--

Description / Table of Contents: Why are some nations wealthy and others poor? How did the wealthy nations become rich? What are the components of wealth? How should nations manage their wealth for the future? These are among the most important questions in economics. They are also impossible to answer without defining wealth, and understanding how it can be created, destroyed, stored, and managed. National Wealth: What is Missing, Why it Matters assembles a collection of high-quality contributions to define the key concepts and address the economic and policy issues around national wealth. It considers insights from economic history, addresses the impacts of the changes to national accounting, and teases out the policy implications for both rich and poor countries and the institutions within them. Using expert analysis and theoretically grounded empirical work, this book evaluates the progress that has been made in measuring national wealth, as well as the recent developments in theory and practice which show that the change in real wealth is an essential indicator of economic progress and future well-being. Measuring the change in real wealth answers the fundamental question: How much does the stream of future well-being of the population rise or fall as a result of policy actions today? Organized into four parts, National Wealth defines the key political and economic concepts of wealth. examines the history of wealth creation and destruction, and provides a detailed analysis of the individual components of wealth before finally examining the lessons for managing wealth for sustainable national prosperity.

Description / Table of Contents: The financial crisis of 2007 and the following recession present a major challenge to macroeconomic theory. The same holds true for exceptionally low interest rates during the recent years and for the puzzle that super-expansive monetary policies failed to produce high inflation. Approaches that focus on steady states, rational expectations, and individuals planning over infinite horizons, are not suitable for analysing such abnormal situations. 'A Study in Monetary Macroeconomics' refines and improves mainstream approaches to resolve these puzzles and to contribute to a better understanding of monetary and fiscal policies. Using a rich institutional structure that includes features such as credit money, external finance, borrowing constraints, net worth, real estate and commercial banks, this timely study reduces rationality requirements to cope with its complex setting. It starts with a simple baseline model, deriving results from mathematical reasoning and simulations whilst adhering to the method of dynamic general equilibrium (DGE) with optimizing agents and fully specified models. Highly topical, 'A Study in Monetary Macroeconomics' uses a unified theoretical framework to demonstrate that a DGE approach makes it possible to develop clean models that work outside steady states and are appropriate for answering macroeconomic questions of actual interest

Description / Table of Contents: A critical reflection on ICTs and 'development' -- Understanding the technologies -- The international policy arena: ICTs and Internet governance -- Partnerships in ICT4D: rhetoric and reality -- From regulation to facilitation: the role of ICT and telecommunication regulators in a converging world -- Reflections on the dark side of ICT4D -- ...In the interests of the poorest and most marginalized

Description / Table of Contents: This book draws on the author's 15 years of practical and conceptual experience of research and practice in delivering development initiatives that effectively use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to empower some of the world's poorest and most marginalized people

Description / Table of Contents: As the fields of organometallic and coordination chemistry of the transition metals has grown more mature, the under-explored chemistry of the rare-earths and actinides has drawn the attention of research groups from across the globe looking for new fundamental discoveries and access to compounds with unique properties. The rare earths – the group 3 metals and the 4f lanthanide series – have long shown many interesting properties in the solid state which exploit their unique electronic configurations. However, it is the molecular chemistry of these metals that has expanded dramatically in recent years as researchers identify the differences between – and unique features of – their molecular compounds. Recent highlights include the identification of new oxidation states and patterns of reactivity as well as applications in medical imaging and health care which represent new and exciting areas of research. The actinides show a wide range of different properties as a consequence of their radioactivity and radiochemistry, but this has not stopped recent rapid progress into the exploration of their unique chemistry. Uranium, in particular, shows huge potential with its transition metal like range of oxidation states (+2 to +6), and in specialised laboratories, the heavier actinides are also beginning to show their unique chemistry as well. This Special Issue aims to bring together these strands of research in an openly-accessible way to allow better communication of these advances to a wider audience. This is necessary as despite these exciting advances, the rare earths and actinides are still much neglected topics in both school and undergraduate curriculums.

Description / Table of Contents: The present Special Issue intends to explore new directions in the field of acoustics and ultrasonics. The interest includes, but is not limited to, the use of acoustic technology for condition monitoring of materials and structures. (The basis of this issue comes from selected papers of the 6th International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Non-destructive Testing, ETNDT6 held in Brussels May 27-29th, 2015).

Description / Table of Contents: The success of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) brings us into a new era of global daily Earth observations, ranging from the faintest light of human settlements and air glows to the dramatic events of hurricanes and forest fires, as well as the subtle changes in the planet Earth which we call home. At the heart of all satellite applications, calibration/validation of the measurements and derived products is the key. Satellite product calibration and validation have become increasingly more important and challenging in order to meet the stringent requirements for accurate quantitative data for climate change detection, numerical weather prediction, and environmental intelligence. Validation is required not only for the satellite measurements, but also for all geophysical retrievals, including aerosols, cloud properties, radiation budget, sea surface temperature, ocean color, active fire, albedo, snow and ice, vegetation, as well as nightlights from human settlements. Active validation research includes but not limited to, comparisons with similar products from other satellites, with in situ, aircraft measurements, or observations from other platforms. Validation results not only help users and decision makers but also serve as feedback to calibration, which in turn improves the products. This Special Issue of Remote Sensing aims at exploring recent results in the calibration and validation of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite (Suomi NPP)/JPSS radiometers.

Description / Table of Contents: The pulse width of an electromagnetic wave is determined by the frequency band width of the wave used. Therefore, one femtosecond is the ultimate in pulse width for an “optical” wave. For this reason, several methods have been proposed for the generation of an ultrashort optical pulse. For example, resonance/non-resonance four-wave mixing would be one of the candidates for generating multi-color laser emission in an extremely wide spectral region, thus breaking the 1-fs barrier. To date, numerous emission lines have been generated from the deep-ultraviolet to the near-infrared region (〈45,000 cm−1). Such generations use a variety of techniques, such as four-wave Raman mixing in molecular hydrogen. This type of technique is promising for the generation of 1-fs optical pulses via phase locking and the Fourier synthesis of the emission lines. For verification, it would be necessary to develop a new method for measuring the pulse width, since the spectral band width approaches or is beyond one octave. Ultrashort optical pulses can be utilized in a variety of applications in science and technology. For example, an ultrashort optical pulse can be used in the studies of ultrafast phenomena. More practically, a laser pulse shorter than 100 fs is reported to be useful in mass spectrometry for observing a molecular ion of triacetone triperoxide, an explosive used in terrorist attacks. A train of ultrashort optical pulses in the terahertz region, which has been generated in the optical cavity to enhance the nonlinear optical effect, would be employed as a clock pulse in optical computation/communication in future advanced industries.

Description / Table of Contents: In the face of climate change and resource scarcity, energy supply systems are on the verge of a major transformation, which mainly includes the introduction of new components and their integration into the existing infrastructures, new network configurations and reliable topologies, optimal design and novel operation schemes, and new incentives and business models. This revolution is affecting the current paradigm and demanding that energy systems be integrated into multi-carrier energy hubs. It is greatly increasing the interactions between today’s energy systems at various scales (ranging from the multinational, national, community scales down to the building level) and future intelligent energy systems, which are able to incorporate an increasing amount of often fluctuating, renewable energy sources (RESs). It is also increases the need for the integration of energy storage options into the energy mix, not only to reduce the need for increased peak generation capacity, but also to enhance grid reliability and support higher penetration of RESs. Moreover, this transformation is accommodating active participation of end-users as responsive prosumers at different scales, which in turn help to reduce energy costs to all consumers, increase reliability of service and mitigate carbon footprints. However, this plan of action necessitates regulatory frameworks, strategic incentives and business models for efficient deployment. This Special Issue will cover these promising and dynamic areas of research and development, and will allow gathering of contributions in design, control and optimization of integrated energy systems. This Special Issue also seeks papers to report advances in any aspect of these developments. The manuscripts should be unpublished and report significant advancement.

Description / Table of Contents: The “landscape Approach” is widely promoted as a way to reconcile biodiversity conservation with both commercial agriculture and local peoples’ demands for land. Landscape approaches imply a strong role for local communities in decision making and, therefore, local citizen science plays a role in determining landscape outcomes (Sayer et al., under review). Many claims and counter claims are made about the success and failure of local management in achieving good forest outcomes. There is significant uncertainty about the incentives for local people to manage forests for their global carbon storage and biodiversity values. Local people may be more concerned about immediate economic returns and less about the long term global environmental values of their forests. This Special Issue seeks to assemble papers that provide empirical evidence for the success of landscape and community managed initiatives to conserve biodiversity. We are seeking papers that report upon successful biodiversity conservation projects that have operated at a landscape scale and those that have been led by local communities. We are also interested in cases where these approaches were attempted but were less successful. Our ultimate goals is to identify the conditions under which these approaches have succeeded and those where they have been less successful.

Description / Table of Contents: Nishimura, T. Rust Formation Mechanism on Low Alloy Steels after Exposure Test in High Cl− and High SOx Environmen. Materials 2017, 10(2), 199; doi:10.3390/ma10020199. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/2/199 --- Chang, T.; Odnevall Wallinder, I.; de la Fuente, D.; Chico, B.; Morcillo, M.; Welter, J.; Leygraf, C. Analysis of Historic Copper Patinas. Influence of Inclusions on Patina Uniformity. Materials 2017, 10(3), 298; doi:10.3390/ma10030298. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/3/298 --- Na, O.; Cai, X.; Xi, Y. Corrosion Prediction with Parallel Finite Element Modeling for Coupled Hygro-Chemo Transport into Concrete under Chloride-Rich Environment. Materials 2017, 10(4), 350; doi:10.3390/ma10040350. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/350 --- Kreislova, K.; Knotkova, D. The Results of 45 Years of Atmospheric Corrosion Study in the Czech Republic. Materials 2017, 10(4), 394; doi:10.3390/ma10040394. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/394 --- Alcántara, J.; Fuente, D.; Chico, B.; Simancas, J.; Díaz, I.; Morcillo, M. Marine Atmospheric Corrosion of Carbon Steel: A Review. Materials 2017, 10(4), 406; doi:10.3390/ma10040406. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/406 --- Hosseinpour, S.; Johnson, M. Vibrational Spectroscopy in Studies of Atmospheric Corrosion. Materials 2017, 10(4), 413; doi:10.3390/ma10040413. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/413 --- Panchenko, Y.; Marshakov, A. Prediction of First-Year Corrosion Losses of Carbon Steel and Zinc in Continental Regions. Materials 2017, 10(4), 422; doi:10.3390/ma10040422. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/422 --- Chico, B.; de la Fuente, D.; Díaz, I.; Simancas, J.; Morcillo, M. Annual Atmospheric Corrosion of Carbon Steel Worldwide. An Integration of ISOCORRAG, ICP/UNECE and MICAT Databases. Materials 2017, 10(6), 601; doi:10.3390/ma10060601. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/6/601 --- Bouchar, M.; Dillmann, P.; Neff, D. New Insights in the Long-Term Atmospheric Corrosion Mechanisms of Low Alloy Steel Reinforcements of Cultural Heritage Buildings. Materials 2017, 10(6), 670; doi:10.3390/ma10060670. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/6/670 --- Tidblad, J.; Kreislová, K.; Faller, M.; de la Fuente, D.; Yates, T.; Verney-Carron, A.; Grøntoft, T.; Gordon, A.; Hans, U. ICP Materials Trends in Corrosion, Soiling and Air Pollution (1987–2014). Materials 2017, 10(8), 969; doi:10.3390/ma10080969. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/8/969 --- Cole, I. Recent Progress and Required Developments in Atmospheric Corrosion of Galvanised Steel and Zinc. Materials 2017, 10(11), 1288; doi:10.3390/ma10111288. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/11/1288

Description / Table of Contents: Governments play a major role in the development process, and constantly introduce reforms and policies to achieve developmental objectives. Many of these interventions have limited impact, however; schools get built but kids don’t learn, IT systems are introduced but not used, plans are written but not implemented. These achievement deficiencies reveal gaps in capabilities, and weaknesses in the process of building state capability. This book addresses these weaknesses and gaps. It starts by providing evidence of the capability shortfalls that currently exist in many countries, showing that many governments lack basic capacities even after decades of reforms and capacity-building efforts. The book then analyzes this evidence, identifying capability traps that hold many governments back—particularly related to isomorphic mimicry (where governments copy best practice solutions from other countries that make them look more capable even if they are not more capable) and premature load bearing (where governments adopt new mechanisms that they cannot actually make work, given weak extant capacities). The book then describes a process that governments can use to escape these capability traps. Called PDIA (problem-driven iterative adaptation), this process empowers people working in governments to find and fit solutions to the problems they face. The discussion about this process is structured in a practical manner so that readers can actually apply tools and ideas to the capability challenges they face in their own contexts. These applications will help readers devise policies and reforms that have more impact than those of the past. | Table of Contents Introduction: "The Long Voyage of Discovery" Part 1. The Problem: The Creation and Consolidation of Capability Traps 1: The Big Stuck in State Capability 2: Looking Like a State: The Seduction of Isomorphic Mimicry 3: Premature Load Bearing: Doing Too Much Too Soon 4: Capability for Policy Implementation 5: What Type of Organization Capability is Needed? Part 2. A Strategy for Action: Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) 6: The Challenge of Building (Real) State Capability for Implementation 7: Doing Problem-Driven Work 8: The Searchframe: Doing Experimental Iterations 9: Managing Your Authorizing Environment 10: Building State Capability at Scale Through Groups

Description / Table of Contents: According to the 2014 revision of the World Urbanization Prospects by UN DESA, urbanization could add another 2.5 billion people to the urban population by 2050, with close to 90 percent of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. The largest urban growth will take place in India, China and Nigeria. This unprecedented increase in urban population not only poses challenges to providing urban jobs, housing, and infrastructure, but also exerts an increased pressure on urban land and sustainability. As land is a vital yet limited resource, sustainable management of urban land to cater to the needs of this growing urban population is seen as one of the key challenges for achieving an economically efficient, socially equitable, and environmentally safe society. A key tenet for sustainable economic development and smart growth is promoting sustainable urban land development and mitigating land use conflicts. While a large body of literature has dealt with both land use and sustainable development, the study of the interactive effects of these two remains limited. We also need more sophisticated empirical studies examining processes, mechanisms, institutions, equity, and sustainability of urban land use. We also encourage efforts to develop new theories, new concepts and new methods to understand the myriad ways in which urban land and sustainable development correlate each other. This special issue examines patterns, structure, and dynamics of urban land development and sustainability from multiple perspectives, in various contexts and at multiple dimensions (economic, social, political, developmental, environmental, etc.).

Description / Table of Contents: Wang, X.; Wang, R.; Wei, Q.; Wang, P.; Wei, J. Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of Late Permian Coals from the Mahe Mine, Zhaotong Coalfield, Northeastern Yunnan, China. Minerals 2015, 5(3), 380-396; doi:10.3390/min5030380. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/3/380 --- Hower, J.; Eble, C.; O'Keefe, J.; Dai, S.; Wang, P.; Xie, P.; Liu, J.; Ward, C.; French, D. Petrology, Palynology, and Geochemistry of Gray Hawk Coal (Early Pennsylvanian, Langsettian) in Eastern Kentucky, USA. Minerals 2015, 5(3), 592-622; doi:10.3390/min5030511. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/3/0511 --- Devasahayam, S.; Ameen, M.; Verheyen, T.; Bandyopadhyay, S. Brown Coal Dewatering Using Poly (Acrylamide-Co-Potassium Acrylic) Based Super Absorbent Polymers. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 623-636; doi:10.3390/min5040512. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0512 --- Wang, X.; Feng, Q.; Sun, R.; Liu, G. Radioactivity of Natural Nuclides (40K, 238U, 232Th, 226Ra) in Coals from Eastern Yunnan, China. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 637-646; doi:10.3390/min5040513. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0513 --- Yang, N.; Tang, S.; Zhang, S.; Chen, Y. Mineralogical and Geochemical Compositions of the No. 5 Coal in Chuancaogedan Mine, Junger Coalfield, China. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 788-800; doi:10.3390/min5040525. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0525 --- Jia, J.; Li, X.; Wu, P.; Liu, Y.; Han, C.; Zhou, L.; Yang, L. Human Health Risk Assessment and Safety Threshold of Harmful Trace Elements in the Soil Environment of the Wulantuga Open-Cast Coal Mine. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 837-848; doi:10.3390/min5040528. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0528 --- Wang, G.; Luo, Z.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Y. Modes of Occurrence of Fluorine by Extraction and SEM Method in a Coal-Fired Power Plant from Inner Mongolia, China. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 863-869; doi:10.3390/min5040530. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0530 --- Zhao, L.; Ward, C.; French, D.; Graham, I. Major and Trace Element Geochemistry of Coals and Intra-Seam Claystones from the Songzao Coalfield, SW China. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 870-893; doi:10.3390/min5040531. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0531 --- Johnston, M.; Hower, J.; Dai, S.; Wang, P.; Xie, P.; Liu, J. Petrology and Geochemistry of the Harlan, Kellioka, and Darby Coals from the Louellen 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Harlan County, Kentucky. Minerals 2015, 5(4), 894-918; doi:10.3390/min5040532. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/5/4/0532 --- Liu, S.; Qi, C.; Zhang, S.; Deng, Y. Minerals in the Ash and Slag from Oxygen-Enriched Underground Coal Gasification. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 27; doi:10.3390/min6020027. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/27 --- Xiao, L.; Zhao, B.; Duan, P.; Shi, Z.; Ma, J.; Lin, M. Geochemical Characteristics of Trace Elements in the No. 6 Coal Seam from the Chuancaogedan Mine, Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, China. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 28; doi:10.3390/min6020028. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/28 --- Xie, P.; Song, H.; Wei, J.; Li, Q. Mineralogical Characteristics of Late Permian Coals from the Yueliangtian Coal Mine, Guizhou, Southwestern China. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 29; doi:10.3390/min6020029. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/29 --- Hower, J.; Granite, E.; Mayfield, D.; Lewis, A.; Finkelman, R. Notes on Contributions to the Science of Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Coal and Coal Combustion Byproducts. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 32; doi:10.3390/min6020032. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/32 --- Liu, H.; Sun, Q.; Wang, B.; Wang, P.; Zou, J. Morphology and Composition of Microspheres in Fly Ash from the Luohuang Power Plant, Chongqing, Southwestern China. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 30; doi:10.3390/min6020030. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/30 --- Dang, J.; Xie, Q.; Liang, D.; Wang, X.; Dong, H.; Cao, J. The Fate of Trace Elements in Yanshan Coal during Fast Pyrolysis. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 35; doi:10.3390/min6020035. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/35 --- Yang, N.; Tang, S.; Zhang, S.; Chen, Y. Modes of Occurrence and Abundance of Trace Elements in Pennsylvanian Coals from the Pingshuo Mine, Ningwu Coalfield, Shanxi Province, China. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 40; doi:10.3390/min6020040. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/40 --- Zhao, L.; Dai, S.; Graham, I.; Wang, P. Clay Mineralogy of Coal-Hosted Nb-Zr-REE-Ga Mineralized Beds from Late Permian Strata, Eastern Yunnan, SW China: Implications for Paleotemperature and Origin of the Micro-Quartz. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 45; doi:10.3390/min6020045. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/45 --- Zou, J.; Tian, H.; Li, T. Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Tuff in Zhongliangshan Mine, Chongqing, Southwestern China. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 47; doi:10.3390/min6020047. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/47 --- Yang, L.; Song, J.; Bai, X.; Song, B.; Wang, R.; Zhou, T.; Jia, J.; Pu, H. Leaching Behavior and Potential Environmental Effects of Trace Elements in Coal Gangue of an Open-Cast Coal Mine Area, Inner Mongolia, China. Minerals 2016, 6(2), 50; doi:10.3390/min6020050. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/2/50 --- Wang, X.; Zhang, L.; Jiang, Y.; Wei, J.; Chen, Z. Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of the Early Permian Upper No. 3 Coal from Southwestern Shandong, China. Minerals 2016, 6(3), 58; doi:10.3390/min6030058. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/3/58 --- Giménez-García, R.; Vigil de la Villa Mencía, R.; Rubio, V.; Frías, M. The Transformation of Coal-Mining Waste Minerals in the Pozzolanic Reactions of Cements. Minerals 2016, 6(3), 64; doi:10.3390/min6030064. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/3/64 --- Wang, R. Geological Controls on Mineralogy and Geochemistry of an Early Permian Coal from the Songshao Mine, Yunnan Province, Southwestern China. Minerals 2016, 6(3), 66; doi:10.3390/min6030066. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/3/66 --- Luo, Y.; Zheng, M. Origin of Minerals and Elements in the Late Permian Coal Seams of the Shiping Mine, Sichuan, Southwestern China. Minerals 2016, 6(3), 74; doi:10.3390/min6030074. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/6/3/74

Description / Table of Contents: Fu, R.; Wu, Y.; Wang, H.; Xie, J. A Distributed Control Strategy for Frequency Regulation in Smart Grids Based on the Consensus Protocol. Energies 2015, 8(8), 7930-7944; doi:10.3390/en8087930. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/8/7930 --- Chae, W.; Lee, H.; Won, J.; Park, J.; Kim, J. Design and Field Tests of an Inverted Based Remote MicroGrid on a Korean Island. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8193-8210; doi:10.3390/en8088193. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/8/8193 --- Nguyen, T.; Yoo, H.; Kim, H. Application of Model Predictive Control to BESS for Microgrid Control. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8798-8813; doi:10.3390/en8088798. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/8/8798 --- Jung, S.; Jang, G. Development of an Optimal Power Control Scheme for Wave-Offshore Hybrid Generation Systems. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9009-9028; doi:10.3390/en8099009. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/9/9009 --- Yang, Y.; Zhang, W.; Jiang, J.; Huang, M.; Niu, L. Optimal Scheduling of a Battery Energy Storage System with Electric Vehicles’ Auxiliary for a Distribution Network with Renewable Energy Integration. Energies 2015, 8(10), 10718-10735; doi:10.3390/en81010718. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/10/10718 --- Xia, H.; Chen, H.; Yang, Z.; Lin, F.; Wang, B. Optimal Energy Management, Location and Size for Stationary Energy Storage System in a Metro Line Based on Genetic Algorithm. Energies 2015, 8(10), 11618-11640; doi:10.3390/en81011618. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/10/11618 --- Telaretti, E.; Ippolito, M.; Dusonchet, L. A Simple Operating Strategy of Small-Scale Battery Energy Storages for Energy Arbitrage under Dynamic Pricing Tariffs. Energies 2016, 9(1), 12; doi:10.3390/en9010012. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/1/12 --- Gelažanskas, L.; Gamage, K. Distributed Energy Storage Using Residential Hot Water Heaters. Energies 2016, 9(3), 127; doi:10.3390/en9030127. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/3/127 --- Pietrosanti, S.; Holderbaum, W.; Becerra, V. Optimal Power Management Strategy for Energy Storage with Stochastic Loads. Energies 2016, 9(3), 175; doi:10.3390/en9030175. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/3/175 --- Lin, F.; Li, X.; Zhao, Y.; Yang, Z. Control Strategies with Dynamic Threshold Adjustment for Supercapacitor Energy Storage System Considering the Train and Substation Characteristics in Urban Rail Transit. Energies 2016, 9(4), 257; doi:10.3390/en9040257. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/4/257 --- Bruen, T.; Hooper, J.; Marco, J.; Gama, M.; Chouchelamane, G. Analysis of a Battery Management System (BMS) Control Strategy for Vibration Aged Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) Lithium-Ion 18650 Battery Cells. Energies 2016, 9(4), 255; doi:10.3390/en9040255. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/4/255 --- Chung, Y. A Novel Power-Saving Transmission Scheme for Multiple-Component-Carrier Cellular Systems. Energies 2016, 9(4), 265; doi:10.3390/en9040265. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/4/265 --- Zangs, M.; Adams, P.; Yunusov, T.; Holderbaum, W.; Potter, B. Distributed Energy Storage Control for Dynamic Load Impact Mitigation. Energies 2016, 9(8), 647; doi:10.3390/en9080647. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/8/647 --- Zhao, Z.; Sun, Y.; Hu, A.; Dai, X.; Tang, C. Energy Link Optimization in a Wireless Power Transfer Grid under Energy Autonomy Based on the Improved Genetic Algorithm. Energies 2016, 9(9), 682; doi:10.3390/en9090682. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/9/682 --- Gatta, F.; Geri, A.; Lamedica, R.; Lauria, S.; Maccioni, M.; Palone, F.; Rebolini, M.; Ruvio, A. Application of a LiFePO4 Battery Energy Storage System to Primary Frequency Control: Simulations and Experimental Results. Energies 2016, 9(11), 887; doi:10.3390/en9110887. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/11/887 --- Kies, A.; Schyska, B.; von Bremen, L. The Demand Side Management Potential to Balance a Highly Renewable European Power System. Energies 2016, 9(11), 955; doi:10.3390/en9110955. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/11/955 --- Yang, J.; Choi, J.; An, G.; Choi, Y.; Kim, M.; Won, D. Optimal Scheduling and Real-Time State-of-Charge Management of Energy Storage System for Frequency Regulation. Energies 2016, 9(12), 1010; doi:10.3390/en9121010. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/12/1010 --- Gao, Z.; Chin, C.; Woo, W.; Jia, J. Integrated Equivalent Circuit and Thermal Model for Simulation of Temperature-Dependent LiFePO4 Battery in Actual Embedded Application. Energies 2017, 10(1), 85; doi:10.3390/en10010085. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/1/85 --- Yunusov, T.; Zangs, M.; Holderbaum, W. Control of Energy Storage. Energies 2017, 10(7), 1010; doi:10.3390/en10071010. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/7/1010

Description / Table of Contents: Chen, K.; Zamora, N.; Babeyko, A.; Li, X.; Ge, M. Precise Positioning of BDS, BDS/GPS: Implications for Tsunami Early Warning in South China Sea. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 15955-15968; doi:10.3390/rs71215814 --- Cianflone, G.; Tolomei, C.; Brunori, C.; Dominici, R. InSAR Time Series Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Coastal Plain Subsidence: The Case of Sibari (Southern Italy). Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 16004-16023; doi:10.3390/rs71215812 --- Kropáček, J.; Vařilová, Z.; Baroň, I.; Bhattacharya, A.; Eberle, J.; Hochschild, V. Remote Sensing for Characterisation and Kinematic Analysis of Large Slope Failures: Debre Sina Landslide, Main Ethiopian Rift Escarpment. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 16183-16203; doi:10.3390/rs71215821 --- Pacheco-Martínez, J.; Cabral-Cano, E.; Wdowinski, S.; Hernández-Marín, M.; Ortiz-Lozano, J.; Zermeño-de-León, M. Application of InSAR and Gravimetry for Land Subsidence Hazard Zoning in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 17035-17050; doi:10.3390/rs71215868 --- Al-Rawabdeh, A.; He, F.; Moussa, A.; El-Sheimy, N.; Habib, A. Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Digital Imaging System to Derive a 3D Point Cloud for Landslide Scarp Recognition. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(2), 95; doi:10.3390/rs8020095 --- Zhai, W.; Shen, H.; Huang, C.; Pei, W. Building Earthquake Damage Information Extraction from a Single Post-Earthquake PolSAR Image. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 171; doi:10.3390/rs8030171 --- Jiang, Y.; Liao, M.; Zhou, Z.; Shi, X.; Zhang, L.; Balz, T. Landslide Deformation Analysis by Coupling Deformation Time Series from SAR Data with Hydrological Factors through Data Assimilation. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 179; doi:10.3390/rs8030179 --- He, M.; Zhu, Q.; Du, Z.; Hu, H.; Ding, Y.; Chen, M. A 3D Shape Descriptor Based on Contour Clusters for Damaged Roof Detection Using Airborne LiDAR Point Clouds. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 189; doi:10.3390/rs8030189 --- Hu, J.; Wang, Q.; Li, Z.; Zhao, R.; Sun, Q. Investigating the Ground Deformation and Source Model of the Yangbajing Geothermal Field in Tibet, China with the WLS InSAR Technique. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 191; doi:10.3390/rs8030191 --- Hsieh, Y.; Chan, Y.; Hu, J. Digital Elevation Model Differencing and Error Estimation from Multiple Sources: A Case Study from the Meiyuan Shan Landslide in Taiwan. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 199; doi:10.3390/rs8030199 --- Zhu, S.; Xu, C.; Wen, Y.; Liu, Y. Interseismic Deformation of the Altyn Tagh Fault Determined by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 233; doi:10.3390/rs8030233 --- Vetrivel, A.; Gerke, M.; Kerle, N.; Vosselman, G. Identification of Structurally Damaged Areas in Airborne Oblique Images Using a Visual-Bag-of-Words Approach. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 231; doi:10.3390/rs8030231 --- Bardi, F.; Raspini, F.; Ciampalini, A.; Kristensen, L.; Rouyet, L.; Lauknes, T.; Frauenfelder, R.; Casagli, N. Space-Borne and Ground-Based InSAR Data Integration: The Åknes Test Site. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 237; doi:10.3390/rs8030237 --- Liu, P.; Li, Q.; Li, Z.; Hoey, T.; Liu, G.; Wang, C.; Hu, Z.; Zhou, Z.; Singleton, A. Anatomy of Subsidence in Tianjin from Time Series InSAR. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 266; doi:10.3390/rs8030266 --- Ma, Y.; Chen, F.; Liu, J.; He, Y.; Duan, J.; Li, X. An Automatic Procedure for Early Disaster Change Mapping Based on Optical Remote Sensing. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 272; doi:10.3390/rs8040272 --- Yang, C.; Zhang, Q.; Xu, Q.; Zhao, C.; Peng, J.; Ji, L. Complex Deformation Monitoring over the Linfen–Yuncheng Basin (China) with Time Series InSAR Technology. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 284; doi:10.3390/rs8040284 --- Watanabe, M.; Thapa, R.; Shimada, M. Pi-SAR-L2 Observation of the Landslide Caused by Typhoon Wipha on Izu Oshima Island. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 282; doi:10.3390/rs8040282 --- Plank, S.; Twele, A.; Martinis, S. Landslide Mapping in Vegetated Areas Using Change Detection Based on Optical and Polarimetric SAR Data. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 307; doi:10.3390/rs8040307 --- Solaro, G.; De Novellis, V.; Castaldo, R.; De Luca, C.; Lanari, R.; Manunta, M.; Casu, F. Coseismic Fault Model of Mw 8.3 2015 Illapel Earthquake (Chile) Retrieved from Multi-Orbit Sentinel1-A DInSAR Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 323; doi:10.3390/rs8040323 --- Bai, L.; Jiang, L.; Wang, H.; Sun, Q. Spatiotemporal Characterization of Land Subsidence and Uplift (2009–2010) over Wuhan in Central China Revealed by TerraSAR-X InSAR Analysis. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 350; doi:10.3390/rs8040350 --- Xu, B.; Li, Z.; Feng, G.; Zhang, Z.; Wang, Q.; Hu, J.; Chen, X. Continent-Wide 2-D Co-Seismic Deformation of the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel, Chile Earthquake Derived from Sentinel-1A Data: Correction of Azimuth Co-Registration Error. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(5), 376; doi:10.3390/rs8050376 --- Chen, M.; Tomás, R.; Li, Z.; Motagh, M.; Li, T.; Hu, L.; Gong, H.; Li, X.; Yu, J.; Gong, X. Imaging Land Subsidence Induced by Groundwater Extraction in Beijing (China) Using Satellite Radar Interferometry. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 468; doi:10.3390/rs8060468 --- Ji, L.; Xu, J.; Zhao, Q.; Yang, C. Source Parameters of the 2003–2004 Bange Earthquake Sequence, Central Tibet, China, Estimated from InSAR Data. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 516; doi:10.3390/rs8060516 --- Li, Y.; Jiang, W.; Zhang, J.; Luo, Y. Space Geodetic Observations and Modeling of 2016 Mw 5.9 Menyuan Earthquake: Implications on Seismogenic Tectonic Motion. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 519; doi:10.3390/rs8060519 --- Trasatti, E.; Tolomei, C.; Pezzo, G.; Atzori, S.; Salvi, S. Deformation and Related Slip Due to the 2011 Van Earthquake (Turkey) Sequence Imaged by SAR Data and Numerical Modeling. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 532; doi:10.3390/rs8060532 --- Wang, C.; Mao, X.; Wang, Q. Landslide Displacement Monitoring by a Fully Polarimetric SAR Offset Tracking Method. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 624; doi:10.3390/rs8080624 --- Liu, Y.; Xu, C.; Li, Z.; Wen, Y.; Chen, J.; Li, Z. Time-Dependent Afterslip of the 2009 Mw 6.3 Dachaidan Earthquake (China) and Viscosity beneath the Qaidam Basin Inferred from Postseismic Deformation Observations. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 649; doi:10.3390/rs8080649 --- Xu, B.; Feng, G.; Li, Z.; Wang, Q.; Wang, C.; Xie, R. Coastal Subsidence Monitoring Associated with Land Reclamation Using the Point Target Based SBAS-InSAR Method: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 652; doi:10.3390/rs8080652 --- Sun, L.; Muller, J. Evaluation of the Use of Sub-Pixel Offset Tracking Techniques to Monitor Landslides in Densely Vegetated Steeply Sloped Areas. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 659; doi:10.3390/rs8080659 --- De Novellis, V.; Castaldo, R.; Lollino, P.; Manunta, M.; Tizzani, P. Advanced Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling of a Slow Landslide through the Exploitation of DInSAR Measurements and in Situ Surveys. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 670; doi:10.3390/rs8080670 --- Zhang, Y.; Wu, H.; Kang, Y.; Zhu, C. Ground Subsidence in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1992 to 2014 Revealed by Multiple SAR Stacks. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 675; doi:10.3390/rs8080675 --- Zhou, G.; Yue, T.; Shi, Y.; Zhang, R.; Huang, J. Second-Order Polynomial Equation-Based Block Adjustment for Orthorectification of DISP Imagery. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 680; doi:10.3390/rs8080680 --- Bonì, R.; Pilla, G.; Meisina, C. Methodology for Detection and Interpretation of Ground Motion Areas with the A-DInSAR Time Series Analysis. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 686; doi:10.3390/rs8080686 --- Xie, S.; Duan, J.; Liu, S.; Dai, Q.; Liu, W.; Ma, Y.; Guo, R.; Ma, C. Crowdsourcing Rapid Assessment of Collapsed Buildings Early after the Earthquake Based on Aerial Remote Sensing Image: A Case Study of Yushu Earthquake. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(9), 759; doi:10.3390/rs8090759 --- Fernández, T.; Pérez, J.; Cardenal, J.; Gómez, J.; Colomo, C.; Delgado, J. Analysis of Landslide Evolution Affecting Olive Groves Using UAV and Photogrammetric Techniques. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 837; doi:10.3390/rs8100837 --- Cignetti, M.; Manconi, A.; Manunta, M.; Giordan, D.; De Luca, C.; Allasia, P.; Ardizzone, F. Taking Advantage of the ESA G-POD Service to Study Ground Deformation Processes in High Mountain Areas: A Valle d’Aosta Case Study, Northern Italy. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 852; doi:10.3390/rs8100852 --- Cooner, A.; Shao, Y.; Campbell, J. Detection of Urban Damage Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Algorithms: Revisiting the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 868; doi:10.3390/rs8100868 --- Zhou, W.; Li, S.; Zhou, Z.; Chang, X. InSAR Observation and Numerical Modeling of the Earth-Dam Displacement of Shuibuya Dam (China). Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 877; doi:10.3390/rs8100877 --- Qu, T.; Lu, P.; Liu, C.; Wu, H.; Shao, X.; Wan, H.; Li, N.; Li, R. Hybrid-SAR Technique: Joint Analysis Using Phase-Based and Amplitude-Based Methods for the Xishancun Giant Landslide Monitoring. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 874; doi:10.3390/rs8100874 --- Gong, L.; Wang, C.; Wu, F.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, H.; Li, Q. Earthquake-Induced Building Damage Detection with Post-Event Sub-Meter VHR TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Imagery. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 887; doi:10.3390/rs8110887 --- Ding, C.; Feng, G.; Li, Z.; Shan, X.; Du, Y.; Wang, H. Spatio-Temporal Error Sources Analysis and Accuracy Improvement in Landsat 8 Image Ground Displacement Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 937; doi:10.3390/rs8110937 --- Ma, C.; Cheng, X.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, X.; Guo, Z.; Zou, Y. Investigation on Mining Subsidence Based on Multi-Temporal InSAR and Time-Series Analysis of the Small Baseline Subset—Case Study of Working Faces 22201-1/2 in Bu’ertai Mine, Shendong Coalfield, China. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 951; doi:10.3390/rs8110951 --- Caló, F.; Notti, D.; Galve, J.; Abdikan, S.; Görüm, T.; Pepe, A.; Balik Şanli, F. DInSAR-Based Detection of Land Subsidence and Correlation with Groundwater Depletion in Konya Plain, Turkey. Remote Sensing 2017, 9(1), 83; doi:10.3390/rs9010083 --- Tomás, R.; Li, Z. Earth Observations for Geohazards: Present and Future Challenges. Remote Sensing 2017, 9(3), 194; doi:10.3390/rs9030194

Description / Table of Contents: The reversible elimination of hydrogen from metal hydrides serves as the basis for unique methods of energy transformation. This technology has found widespread practical utilization in applications such as hydrogen compressors, storage, and sensors, as well as batteries. Moreover, it is plausible that metal hydride technology could be utilized to provide practically viable solutions to the challenges of energy storage. For nearly two decades, an extensive, worldwide research effort has been devoted to complex metal hydrides possessing high volumetric and/or gravimetric hydrogen densities with the goal of their practical utilization as onboard hydrogen storage materials. Additionally, a significant and growing number of efforts have been devoted to developing metal hydrides as advanced sensors and ionic conductors, and for electrochemical and stationary energy storage. This Special Issue will provide a sampling of on-going, state-of-art research on metal hydrides, ranging from fundamental investigations to practical applications with a concentration on topics which are currently of high interest.

Description / Table of Contents: Chen, K.; Zamora, N.; Babeyko, A.; Li, X.; Ge, M. Precise Positioning of BDS, BDS/GPS: Implications for Tsunami Early Warning in South China Sea. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 15955-15968; doi:10.3390/rs71215814 --- Cianflone, G.; Tolomei, C.; Brunori, C.; Dominici, R. InSAR Time Series Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Coastal Plain Subsidence: The Case of Sibari (Southern Italy). Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 16004-16023; doi:10.3390/rs71215812 --- Kropáček, J.; Vařilová, Z.; Baroň, I.; Bhattacharya, A.; Eberle, J.; Hochschild, V. Remote Sensing for Characterisation and Kinematic Analysis of Large Slope Failures: Debre Sina Landslide, Main Ethiopian Rift Escarpment. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 16183-16203; doi:10.3390/rs71215821 --- Pacheco-Martínez, J.; Cabral-Cano, E.; Wdowinski, S.; Hernández-Marín, M.; Ortiz-Lozano, J.; Zermeño-de-León, M. Application of InSAR and Gravimetry for Land Subsidence Hazard Zoning in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 17035-17050; doi:10.3390/rs71215868 --- Al-Rawabdeh, A.; He, F.; Moussa, A.; El-Sheimy, N.; Habib, A. Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Digital Imaging System to Derive a 3D Point Cloud for Landslide Scarp Recognition. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(2), 95; doi:10.3390/rs8020095 --- Zhai, W.; Shen, H.; Huang, C.; Pei, W. Building Earthquake Damage Information Extraction from a Single Post-Earthquake PolSAR Image. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 171; doi:10.3390/rs8030171 --- Jiang, Y.; Liao, M.; Zhou, Z.; Shi, X.; Zhang, L.; Balz, T. Landslide Deformation Analysis by Coupling Deformation Time Series from SAR Data with Hydrological Factors through Data Assimilation. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 179; doi:10.3390/rs8030179 --- He, M.; Zhu, Q.; Du, Z.; Hu, H.; Ding, Y.; Chen, M. A 3D Shape Descriptor Based on Contour Clusters for Damaged Roof Detection Using Airborne LiDAR Point Clouds. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 189; doi:10.3390/rs8030189 --- Hu, J.; Wang, Q.; Li, Z.; Zhao, R.; Sun, Q. Investigating the Ground Deformation and Source Model of the Yangbajing Geothermal Field in Tibet, China with the WLS InSAR Technique. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 191; doi:10.3390/rs8030191 --- Hsieh, Y.; Chan, Y.; Hu, J. Digital Elevation Model Differencing and Error Estimation from Multiple Sources: A Case Study from the Meiyuan Shan Landslide in Taiwan. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 199; doi:10.3390/rs8030199 --- Zhu, S.; Xu, C.; Wen, Y.; Liu, Y. Interseismic Deformation of the Altyn Tagh Fault Determined by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 233; doi:10.3390/rs8030233 --- Vetrivel, A.; Gerke, M.; Kerle, N.; Vosselman, G. Identification of Structurally Damaged Areas in Airborne Oblique Images Using a Visual-Bag-of-Words Approach. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 231; doi:10.3390/rs8030231 --- Bardi, F.; Raspini, F.; Ciampalini, A.; Kristensen, L.; Rouyet, L.; Lauknes, T.; Frauenfelder, R.; Casagli, N. Space-Borne and Ground-Based InSAR Data Integration: The Åknes Test Site. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 237; doi:10.3390/rs8030237 --- Liu, P.; Li, Q.; Li, Z.; Hoey, T.; Liu, G.; Wang, C.; Hu, Z.; Zhou, Z.; Singleton, A. Anatomy of Subsidence in Tianjin from Time Series InSAR. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 266; doi:10.3390/rs8030266 --- Ma, Y.; Chen, F.; Liu, J.; He, Y.; Duan, J.; Li, X. An Automatic Procedure for Early Disaster Change Mapping Based on Optical Remote Sensing. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 272; doi:10.3390/rs8040272 --- Yang, C.; Zhang, Q.; Xu, Q.; Zhao, C.; Peng, J.; Ji, L. Complex Deformation Monitoring over the Linfen–Yuncheng Basin (China) with Time Series InSAR Technology. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 284; doi:10.3390/rs8040284 --- Watanabe, M.; Thapa, R.; Shimada, M. Pi-SAR-L2 Observation of the Landslide Caused by Typhoon Wipha on Izu Oshima Island. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 282; doi:10.3390/rs8040282 --- Plank, S.; Twele, A.; Martinis, S. Landslide Mapping in Vegetated Areas Using Change Detection Based on Optical and Polarimetric SAR Data. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 307; doi:10.3390/rs8040307 --- Solaro, G.; De Novellis, V.; Castaldo, R.; De Luca, C.; Lanari, R.; Manunta, M.; Casu, F. Coseismic Fault Model of Mw 8.3 2015 Illapel Earthquake (Chile) Retrieved from Multi-Orbit Sentinel1-A DInSAR Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 323; doi:10.3390/rs8040323 --- Bai, L.; Jiang, L.; Wang, H.; Sun, Q. Spatiotemporal Characterization of Land Subsidence and Uplift (2009–2010) over Wuhan in Central China Revealed by TerraSAR-X InSAR Analysis. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 350; doi:10.3390/rs8040350 --- Xu, B.; Li, Z.; Feng, G.; Zhang, Z.; Wang, Q.; Hu, J.; Chen, X. Continent-Wide 2-D Co-Seismic Deformation of the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel, Chile Earthquake Derived from Sentinel-1A Data: Correction of Azimuth Co-Registration Error. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(5), 376; doi:10.3390/rs8050376 --- Chen, M.; Tomás, R.; Li, Z.; Motagh, M.; Li, T.; Hu, L.; Gong, H.; Li, X.; Yu, J.; Gong, X. Imaging Land Subsidence Induced by Groundwater Extraction in Beijing (China) Using Satellite Radar Interferometry. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 468; doi:10.3390/rs8060468 --- Ji, L.; Xu, J.; Zhao, Q.; Yang, C. Source Parameters of the 2003–2004 Bange Earthquake Sequence, Central Tibet, China, Estimated from InSAR Data. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 516; doi:10.3390/rs8060516 --- Li, Y.; Jiang, W.; Zhang, J.; Luo, Y. Space Geodetic Observations and Modeling of 2016 Mw 5.9 Menyuan Earthquake: Implications on Seismogenic Tectonic Motion. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 519; doi:10.3390/rs8060519 --- Trasatti, E.; Tolomei, C.; Pezzo, G.; Atzori, S.; Salvi, S. Deformation and Related Slip Due to the 2011 Van Earthquake (Turkey) Sequence Imaged by SAR Data and Numerical Modeling. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 532; doi:10.3390/rs8060532 --- Wang, C.; Mao, X.; Wang, Q. Landslide Displacement Monitoring by a Fully Polarimetric SAR Offset Tracking Method. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 624; doi:10.3390/rs8080624 --- Liu, Y.; Xu, C.; Li, Z.; Wen, Y.; Chen, J.; Li, Z. Time-Dependent Afterslip of the 2009 Mw 6.3 Dachaidan Earthquake (China) and Viscosity beneath the Qaidam Basin Inferred from Postseismic Deformation Observations. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 649; doi:10.3390/rs8080649 --- Xu, B.; Feng, G.; Li, Z.; Wang, Q.; Wang, C.; Xie, R. Coastal Subsidence Monitoring Associated with Land Reclamation Using the Point Target Based SBAS-InSAR Method: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 652; doi:10.3390/rs8080652 --- Sun, L.; Muller, J. Evaluation of the Use of Sub-Pixel Offset Tracking Techniques to Monitor Landslides in Densely Vegetated Steeply Sloped Areas. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 659; doi:10.3390/rs8080659 --- De Novellis, V.; Castaldo, R.; Lollino, P.; Manunta, M.; Tizzani, P. Advanced Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling of a Slow Landslide through the Exploitation of DInSAR Measurements and in Situ Surveys. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 670; doi:10.3390/rs8080670 --- Zhang, Y.; Wu, H.; Kang, Y.; Zhu, C. Ground Subsidence in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1992 to 2014 Revealed by Multiple SAR Stacks. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 675; doi:10.3390/rs8080675 --- Zhou, G.; Yue, T.; Shi, Y.; Zhang, R.; Huang, J. Second-Order Polynomial Equation-Based Block Adjustment for Orthorectification of DISP Imagery. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 680; doi:10.3390/rs8080680 --- Bonì, R.; Pilla, G.; Meisina, C. Methodology for Detection and Interpretation of Ground Motion Areas with the A-DInSAR Time Series Analysis. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 686; doi:10.3390/rs8080686 --- Xie, S.; Duan, J.; Liu, S.; Dai, Q.; Liu, W.; Ma, Y.; Guo, R.; Ma, C. Crowdsourcing Rapid Assessment of Collapsed Buildings Early after the Earthquake Based on Aerial Remote Sensing Image: A Case Study of Yushu Earthquake. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(9), 759; doi:10.3390/rs8090759 --- Fernández, T.; Pérez, J.; Cardenal, J.; Gómez, J.; Colomo, C.; Delgado, J. Analysis of Landslide Evolution Affecting Olive Groves Using UAV and Photogrammetric Techniques. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 837; doi:10.3390/rs8100837 --- Cignetti, M.; Manconi, A.; Manunta, M.; Giordan, D.; De Luca, C.; Allasia, P.; Ardizzone, F. Taking Advantage of the ESA G-POD Service to Study Ground Deformation Processes in High Mountain Areas: A Valle d’Aosta Case Study, Northern Italy. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 852; doi:10.3390/rs8100852 --- Cooner, A.; Shao, Y.; Campbell, J. Detection of Urban Damage Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Algorithms: Revisiting the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 868; doi:10.3390/rs8100868 --- Zhou, W.; Li, S.; Zhou, Z.; Chang, X. InSAR Observation and Numerical Modeling of the Earth-Dam Displacement of Shuibuya Dam (China). Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 877; doi:10.3390/rs8100877 --- Qu, T.; Lu, P.; Liu, C.; Wu, H.; Shao, X.; Wan, H.; Li, N.; Li, R. Hybrid-SAR Technique: Joint Analysis Using Phase-Based and Amplitude-Based Methods for the Xishancun Giant Landslide Monitoring. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 874; doi:10.3390/rs8100874 --- Gong, L.; Wang, C.; Wu, F.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, H.; Li, Q. Earthquake-Induced Building Damage Detection with Post-Event Sub-Meter VHR TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Imagery. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 887; doi:10.3390/rs8110887 --- Ding, C.; Feng, G.; Li, Z.; Shan, X.; Du, Y.; Wang, H. Spatio-Temporal Error Sources Analysis and Accuracy Improvement in Landsat 8 Image Ground Displacement Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 937; doi:10.3390/rs8110937 --- Ma, C.; Cheng, X.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, X.; Guo, Z.; Zou, Y. Investigation on Mining Subsidence Based on Multi-Temporal InSAR and Time-Series Analysis of the Small Baseline Subset—Case Study of Working Faces 22201-1/2 in Bu’ertai Mine, Shendong Coalfield, China. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 951; doi:10.3390/rs8110951 --- Caló, F.; Notti, D.; Galve, J.; Abdikan, S.; Görüm, T.; Pepe, A.; Balik Şanli, F. DInSAR-Based Detection of Land Subsidence and Correlation with Groundwater Depletion in Konya Plain, Turkey. Remote Sensing 2017, 9(1), 83; doi:10.3390/rs9010083 --- Tomás, R.; Li, Z. Earth Observations for Geohazards: Present and Future Challenges. Remote Sensing 2017, 9(3), 194; doi:10.3390/rs9030194

Description / Table of Contents: In 1692, Newton wrote: "That gravity should be innate inherent and essential to matter so that one body may act upon another at a distance through a vacuum without the mediation of anything else by and through which their action or force may be conveyed from one to another is to me so great an absurdity that I believe no man who has in philosophical matters any competent faculty of thinking can ever fall into it. Gravity must be caused by an agent acting constantly according to certain laws, but whether this agent be material or immaterial is a question I have left to the consideration of my readers". One of them who, just over 200 years later, picked up the baton of Newton was Albert Einstein. His General Theory of Relativity, which marks the centenary this year, opened up new windows on our comprehension of Nature, disclosed new, previously unpredictable, phenomena occurring when relative velocities dramatically change in intense gravitational fields reaching values close to the speed of light and, for the first time after millennia of speculations, put Cosmology on the firm grounds of empirically testable science. This Special Issue is dedicated to such a grandest achievement of the human thought.

Description / Table of Contents: Belle, J.; Liu, Y. Evaluation of Aqua MODIS Collection 6 AOD Parameters for Air Quality Research over the Continental United States. Remote Sens. 2016, 8(10), 815; doi:10.3390/rs8100815. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/8/10/815 --- Sun, K.; Chen, X.; Zhu, Z.; Zhang, T. High Resolution Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval Using Gaofen-1 WFV Camera Data. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(1), 89; doi:10.3390/rs9010089. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/1/89 --- Chen, X.; Yang, D.; Cai, Z.; Liu, Y.; Spurr, R. Aerosol Retrieval Sensitivity and Error Analysis for the Cloud and Aerosol Polarimetric Imager on Board TanSat: The Effect of Multi-Angle Measurement. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(2), 183; doi:10.3390/rs9020183. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/2/183 --- Jiang, M.; Sun, W.; Yang, G.; Zhang, D. Modelling Seasonal GWR of Daily PM2.5 with Proper Auxiliary Variables for the Yangtze River Delta. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(4), 346; doi:10.3390/rs9040346. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/4/346 --- Wang, Y.; Chen, L.; Li, S.; Wang, X.; Yu, C.; Si, Y.; Zhang, Z. Interference of Heavy Aerosol Loading on the VIIRS Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) Retrieval Algorithm. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(4), 397; doi:10.3390/rs9040397. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/4/397 --- Wang, W.; Mao, F.; Pan, Z.; Du, L.; Gong, W. Validation of VIIRS AOD through a Comparison with a Sun Photometer and MODIS AODs over Wuhan. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 403; doi:10.3390/rs9050403. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/403 --- Zhu, J.; Xia, X.; Wang, J.; Che, H.; Chen, H.; Zhang, J.; Xu, X.; Levy, R.; Oo, M.; Holz, R.; Ayoub, M. Evaluation of Aerosol Optical Depth and Aerosol Models from VIIRS Retrieval Algorithms over North China Plain. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 432; doi:10.3390/rs9050432. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/432 --- Dolgii, S.; Nevzorov, A.; Nevzorov, A.; Romanovskii, O.; Kharchenko, O. Intercomparison of Ozone Vertical Profile Measurements by Differential Absorption Lidar and IASI/MetOp Satellite in the Upper Troposphere–Lower Stratosphere. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 447; doi:10.3390/rs9050447. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/447 --- Liu, L.; Zhang, X.; Xu, W.; Liu, X.; Lu, X.; Wang, S.; Zhang, W.; Zhao, L. Ground Ammonia Concentrations over China Derived from Satellite and Atmospheric Transport Modeling. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 467; doi:10.3390/rs9050467. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/467 --- Chen, W.; Fan, A.; Yan, L. Performance of MODIS C6 Aerosol Product during Frequent Haze-Fog Events: A Case Study of Beijing. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 496; doi:10.3390/rs9050496. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/496 --- Osorio, M.; Casaballe, N.; Belsterli, G.; Barreto, M.; Gómez, Á.; Ferrari, J.; Frins, E. Plume Segmentation from UV Camera Images for SO2 Emission Rate Quantification on Cloud Days. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 517; doi:10.3390/rs9060517. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/517 --- Gu, J.; Chen, L.; Yu, C.; Li, S.; Tao, J.; Fan, M.; Xiong, X.; Wang, Z.; Shang, H.; Su, L. Ground-Level NO2 Concentrations over China Inferred from the Satellite OMI and CMAQ Model Simulations. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 519; doi:10.3390/rs9060519. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/519 --- Wang, Y.; Wang, J.; Levy, R.; Xu, X.; Reid, J. MODIS Retrieval of Aerosol Optical Depth over Turbid Coastal Water. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 595; doi:10.3390/rs9060595. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/595 --- Kim, D.; Lee, H.; Hong, H.; Choi, W.; Lee, Y.; Park, J. Estimation of Surface NO2 Volume Mixing Ratio in Four Metropolitan Cities in Korea Using Multiple Regression Models with OMI and AIRS Data. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 627; doi:10.3390/rs9060627. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/627 --- Qu, Y.; Han, Y.; Wu, Y.; Gao, P.; Wang, T. Study of PBLH and Its Correlation with Particulate Matter from One-Year Observation over Nanjing, Southeast China. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(7), 668; doi:10.3390/rs9070668. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/7/668 --- Tosca, M.; Campbell, J.; Garay, M.; Lolli, S.; Seidel, F.; Marquis, J.; Kalashnikova, O. Attributing Accelerated Summertime Warming in the Southeast United States to Recent Reductions in Aerosol Burden: Indications from Vertically-Resolved Observations. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(7), 674; doi:10.3390/rs9070674. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/7/674 --- Tao, M.; Wang, Z.; Tao, J.; Chen, L.; Wang, J.; Hou, C.; Wang, L.; Xu, X.; Zhu, H. How Do Aerosol Properties Affect the Temporal Variation of MODIS AOD Bias in Eastern China?. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(8), 800; doi:10.3390/rs9080800. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/8/800 --- Wang, W.; Mao, F.; Du, L.; Pan, Z.; Gong, W.; Fang, S. Deriving Hourly PM2.5 Concentrations from Himawari-8 AODs over Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei in China. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(8), 858; doi:10.3390/rs9080858. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/8/858 --- Yuchechen, A.; Lakkis, S.; Canziani, P. Linear and Non-Linear Trends for Seasonal NO2 and SO2 Concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere (2004−2016). Remote Sens. 2017, 9(9), 891; doi:10.3390/rs9090891. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/9/891 --- Qin, K.; Rao, L.; Xu, J.; Bai, Y.; Zou, J.; Hao, N.; Li, S.; Yu, C. Estimating Ground Level NO2 Concentrations over Central-Eastern China Using a Satellite-Based Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression Model. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(9), 950; doi:10.3390/rs9090950. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/9/950

Description / Table of Contents: The concept of the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, soil, and rocks operating as a closely interacting system has rapidly gained ground in science. This new field, involving geographers, geologists, biologists, oceanographers, and atmospheric physicists, is known as Earth system science. This introductory text considers how a world in which humans could evolve was created; how, as a species, we are now reshaping that world; and what a sustainable future for humanity within the Earth system might look like. Drawing on elements of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, it also asks whether Earth system science can help guide us onto a sustainable course before we alter the Earth system to the point where we destroy ourselves and our current civilisation.--

Description / Table of Contents: "Climate change is a pressing international political issue, for which a practical but principled solution is urgently required. Climate Justice in a Non-Ideal World aims to make normative theorising on climate justice more relevant and applicable to political realities and public policy. The motivation behind this edited collection is that normative theorising has something to offer even in an imperfect world mired by partial compliance and unfavourable circumstances. In the last years, a lively debate has sprung up in political philosophy about non-ideal theory and there has also been an upsurge of interest in the various normative issues raised by climate change such as intergenerational justice, transnational harm, collective action, or risk assessment. However, there has been little systematic discussion of the links between climate justice and non-ideal theory even though the former would seem like a paradigm example of the relevance of the latter. The aim of this edited volume is to address this. In doing so, the volume presents original work from leading experts on climate ethics, including several who have participated in climate policy. The first part of the book discusses those facets of the debate on climate justice that become relevant due to the shortcomings of current global action on climate change. The second part makes specific suggestions for adjusting current policies and negotiating procedures in ways that are feasible in the relatively short term while still decreasing the distance between current climate policy and the ideal. The chapters in the third and final part reflect upon how philosophical work can be brought to bear on the debates in climate science, communication, and politics."--