ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: Part 1 Global gravity field modelling -- Rigorous evaluation of gravity field functionals from satellite-only gravitational models within topography -- Application of the Recursive Least-Squares adaptive filter on simulated satellite gravity gradiometry data -- Part 2 Local/regional geoid determination methods and models -- Accuracy of regional geoid modelling with GOCE -- The effect of noise on geoid height in Stokes-Helmert method -- Approximation of local quasi-geoid using point mass method based on Bjerhammar theory -- Optimal combination of satellite and terrestrial gravity data for regional geoid determination using Stokes-Helmert’s method, the Auvergne test case -- New modifications of Stokes’ Integral -- Gravimetric investigations at Vernagtferner -- Analysis of the GRAV-D airborne gravity data for geoid modelling -- The African 300”x300” DTM and its validation -- Evaluation of the African Gravity Database AFRGDB V1.0 -- Part 3 Absolute and relative gravity: observations and methods -- New absolute gravity measurements in New Zealand -- Strapdown airborne gravimetry using a combination of commercial software and stable-platform gravity estimates -- First six months of superconducting gravimetry in Argentina -- Tilt susceptibility of the Scintrex CG-5 Autograv gravity meter revisited -- Gravity calibration baseline between Jeddah and Taif in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- Part 4 Height systems and vertical datum unification -- Investigation of geoid height variations and vertical displacements of the Earth surface in the context of the realization of a modern vertical reference system - A case study for Poland -- Analysis of GOCE omission error and its contribution to vertical datum offsets in Greece and its Islands -- Quality control of height benchmarks in Attica, Greece, combining GOCE/GRACE satellite data, global geopotential models and detailed terrain information -- GOCE variance and covariance contribution to height system unification -- The use of GNSS/levelling and gravity data for the Spanish height system unification -- Comparison of different approaches to gravity determination and their utilization for calculation of geopotential numbers in the Slovak national levelling network -- Assessment of the Greek Vertical Datum - A case study in central Greece -- Evaluation of NRTK-based heighting techniques from different continuously operating GNSS reference networks in Greece -- Part 5 Satellite altimetry and climate-relevant processes -- SLA determination in coastal areas using Least-Squares Collocation and Cryosat-2 data -- Spectral analysis and validation of Multiple Input / Multiple Output DOT estimation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea -- Preliminary Results on the Estimation of Ground Water in Africa using GRACE and Hydrological Models

Description / Table of Contents: These proceedings contain 27 papers, which are the peer-reviewed versions of presentations made at the International Association of Geodesy (IAG) symposium “Gravity, Geoid and Height Systems 2016” (GGHS2016). GGHS2016 was the first Joint international symposium organized by IAG Commission 2 “Gravity Field”, the International Gravity Field Service (IGFS) and the GGOS Focus Area “Unified Height System”. It took place in Thessaloniki, Greece, in September 19-23, 2016 at the premises of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The symposium was organized by the Department of Geodesy and Surveying of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, which presently hosts the IGFS Central Bureau. The focus of the Symposium was on methods for observing, estimating and interpreting the Earth gravity field as well as its applications. GGHS2016 continued the long and successful history of IAG’s Commission 2 Symposia

Description / Table of Contents: This book aims to identify, present and discuss key driving forces and pressures on ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are the contributions that ecosystems provide to human well-being. The scope of this atlas is on identifying solutions and lessons to be applied across science, policy and practice. The atlas will address different components of ecosystem services, assess risks and vulnerabilities, and outline governance and management opportunities. The atlas will therefore attract a wide audience, both from policy and practice and from different scientific disciplines. The emphasis will be on ecosystems in Europe, as the available data on service provision is best developed for this region and recognizes the strengths of the contributing authors. Ecosystems of regions outside Europe will be covered where possible.

Description / Table of Contents: Human well-being is significantly affected by the contributions provided by ecosystems, or ecosystem services. In this well-illustrated atlas, world-class experts identify and discuss key driving forces, trade-offs, and synergies of ecosystem services. Through interdisciplinary case studies varying across ecosystems and scales, this atlas narrows the knowledge gap between ecosystem services management and related fields of study. This atlas begins with conceptual background and proceeds to present drivers and their risks for ecosystems, their functions and services, and biodiversity. Trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services and societal responses to the drivers and trade-offs are discussed. Sustainable land management and governance concepts are demonstrated throughout the atlas. Environmental scientists, practitioners and policy makers worldwide will appreciate the solutions and best practices identified throughout the chapters. Students of environmental sciences, socio-economics and landscape planning will find this atlas to be a valuable read, as well

Description / Table of Contents: Due to steadily improving experimental accuracy, relativistic concepts - based on Einstein’s theory of Special and General Relativity - are playing an increasingly important role in modern geodesy. This book offers an introduction to the emerging field of relativistic geodesy, and covers topics ranging from the description of clocks and test bodies, to time and frequency measurements, to current and future observations. Emphasis is placed on geodetically relevant definitions and fundamental methods in the context of Einstein’s theory (e.g. the role of observers, use of clocks, definition of reference systems and the geoid, use of relativistic approximation schemes). Further, the applications discussed range from chronometric and gradiometric determinations of the gravitational field, to the latest (satellite) experiments. The impact of choices made at a fundamental theoretical level on the interpretation of measurements and the planning of future experiments is also highlighted. Providing an up-to-the-minute status report on the respective topics discussed, the book will not only benefit experts, but will also serve as a guide for students with a background in either geodesy or gravitational physics who are interested in entering and exploring this emerging field

Description / Table of Contents: 1. Introduction.-2. Assessment of Warming Projections and Probabilities for Brazil -- 3. Agricultural Sector -- 4. Health Sector -- 5. Biodiversity Sector -- 6. Energy Sector -- 7. Final Remarks and Recommendations -- Glossary

Description / Table of Contents: This book maps extreme temperature increase under dangerous climate change scenarios in Brazil and their impacts on four key sectors: agriculture, health, biodiversity and energy. The book draws on a careful review of the literature and climate projections, including relative risk estimates. This synthesis summarizes the state-of-the-art knowledge and provides decision-makers with risk analysis tools, to be incorporated in public planning policy, in order to understand climate events which may occur and which may have significant consequences

Description / Table of Contents: This book provides an authoritative insight on the Loss and Damage discourse by highlighting state-of-the-art research and policy linked to this discourse and articulating its multiple concepts, principles and methods. Written by leading researchers and practitioners, it identifies practical and evidence-based policy options to inform the discourse and climate negotiations. With climate-related risks on the rise and impacts being felt around the globe has come the recognition that climate mitigation and adaptation may not be enough to manage the effects from anthropogenic climate change. This recognition led to the creation of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage in 2013, a climate policy mechanism dedicated to dealing with climate-related effects in highly vulnerable countries that face severe constraints and limits to adaptation. Endorsed in 2015 by the Paris Agreement and effectively considered a third pillar of international climate policy, debate and research on Loss and Damage continues to gain enormous traction. Yet, concepts, methods and tools as well as directions for policy and implementation have remained contested and vague. Suitable for researchers, policy-advisors, practitioners and the interested public, the book furthermore: • discusses the political, legal, economic and institutional dimensions of the issue • highlights normative questions central to the discourse • provides a focus on climate risks and climate risk management • presents salient case studies from around the world

Description / Table of Contents: Chapter 1. Overview: Climate risk management and justice for the L&D debate -- Chapter 2. History of debate: from climate justice to climate risk management.-Chapter 3. What is Loss & Damage? Perspectives & Concepts -- Chapter 4.Weather related losses and damages: what can we learn from disaster data? -- Chapter 5. Frontiers in science for supporting L&D decision making -- Chapter 6. Attribution -- Chapter 7. Legal liability -- Chapter 8. What does non-economic loss and damage mean and what challenge does it present to the L&D Mechanism? -- Chapter 9. Loss & Damage to ecosystem services -- Chapter 10. Technology Justice and Loss and damage -- Chapter 11. Integrated Management of Climate Risk -- Chapter 12. A Socio-Economic Climate Risk Management Framework to inform the Loss and Damage mechanism -- Chapter 13.Exploring adaptation frontiers with insurance: the role of risk transfer -- Chapter 14. Climate insurance and risk management: From AOSIS to MCII to InsuResilience -- Chapter 15. Climate insurance? Reviewing regional sovereign insurance pools -- Chapter 16.Balancing liability and needs - a principled approach for the L&D mechanism -- Chapter 17. The case for Loss and Damage in Bangladesh -- Chapter 18. Local-level Implementation of Loss and Damage: insights from the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance work in Peru & Nepal

Description / Table of Contents: Part I - The Polar code and Beyond -- Part II - Arctic Ship Monitoring/Tracking -- Part III - Arctic Governance -- Part IV - Protection and Response in the Arctic Marine Environment -- Part V - Training and Capacity Building -- Part VI - Sustainable Arctic Business Development -- Part VII - Conclusion

Description / Table of Contents: This volume brings together multiple perspectives on both the changing Arctic environment and the challenges and opportunities it presents for the shipping sector. It argues for the adoption of a forward-looking agenda that respects the fragile and changing Arctic frontier. With the accelerated interest in and potential for new maritime trade routes, commercial transportation and natural resource development, the pressures on the changing Arctic marine environment will only increase. The International Maritime Organization Polar Code is an important step toward Arctic stewardship. This new volume serves as an important guide to this rapidly developing agenda. Addressing a range of aspects, it offers a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, environmentalists and affected authorities in the shipping industry alike

Description / Table of Contents: This book addresses and reviews many of the still little understood questions related to the processes underlying planetary magnetic fields and their interaction with the solar wind. With focus on research carried out within the German Priority Program ”PlanetMag”, it also provides an overview of the most recent research in the field. Magnetic fields play an important role in making a planet habitable by protecting the environment from the solar wind. Without the geomagnetic field, for example, life on Earth as we know it would not be possible. And results from recent space missions to Mars and Venus strongly indicate that planetary magnetic fields play a vital role in preventing atmospheric erosion by the solar wind. However, very little is known about the underlying interaction between the solar wind and a planet’s magnetic field. The book takes a synergistic interdisciplinary approach that combines newly developed tools for data acquisition and analysis, computer simulations of planetary interiors and dynamos, models of solar wind interaction, measurement of ancient terrestrial rocks and meteorites, and laboratory investigations

Description / Table of Contents: This book on space geodesy presents pioneering geometrical approaches in the modelling of satellite orbits and gravity field of the Earth, based on the gravity field missions CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE in the LEO orbit. Geometrical approach is also extended to precise positioning in space using multi-GNSS constellations and space geodesy techniques in the realization of the terrestrial and celestial reference frame of the Earth. This book addresses major new developments that were taking place in space geodesy in the last decade, namely the availability of GPS receivers onboard LEO satellites, the multitude of the new GNSS satellite navigation systems, the huge improvement in the accuracy of satellite clocks and the revolution in the determination of the Earth's gravity field with dedicated satellite missions

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Fiber optic sensors based on nano-films -- Lossy Mode Resonances based sensors -- Surface Plasmon Resonances based fiber optic sensors -- Plastic optical fiber biosensors -- Vapor based deposition techniques for optical fiber sensing -- Fiber optic sensors in biomedical applications -- Optical hyperspectral sensors -- Fiber optic sensors for radiation dosimetry -- Fiber optic gas sensors -- Structural health monitoring fiber optic sensors -- Distributed temperature sensors -- Respiratory diseases fiber optic based sensors -- Optical sensing based on photonic crystal structures -- Long Period grating based sensors -- Magnetic field fiber optic sensors -- Sensing at THz frecuencies -- Multimode Interference Fiber Sensors -- Fiber optics sensors based on multicore structures

Description / Table of Contents: This book describes important recent developments in fiber optic sensor technology and examines established and emerging applications in a broad range of fields and markets, including power engineering, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, and environmental monitoring. Particular attention is devoted to niche applications where fiber optic sensors are or soon will be able to compete with conventional approaches. Beyond novel methods for the sensing of traditional parameters such as strain, temperature, and pressure, a variety of new ideas and concepts are proposed and explored. The significance of the advent of extended infrared sensors is discussed, and individual chapters focus on sensing at THz frequencies and optical sensing based on photonic crystal structures. Another important topic is the resonances generated when using thin films in conjunction with optical fibers, and the enormous potential of sensors based on lossy mode resonances, surface plasmon resonances, and long-range surface exciton polaritons. Detailed attention is also paid to fiber Bragg grating sensors and multimode interference sensors. Each chapter is written by an acknowledged expert in the subject under discussion

Description / Table of Contents: This volume describes the complex characteristics of almost all Russian coastal estuaries systematized in the following regions: the coasts of the White Sea, the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea, the East Siberian Sea, the Chukchi Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan and the Bering Seas. The part on the Baltic Sea includes a detailed description of the Kaliningrad coast and the Gulf of Finland. Apart from the geology and morphology, this book also looks at the anthropogenic effects on shores as well as at hydrological conditions, local climate and water level characteristics, and at economic use of lagoons

Description / Table of Contents: The book summarizes the knowledge and experiences concerning the role of halogens during various geochemical processes, such as diagenesis, ore-formation, magma evolution, metasomatism, mineralization, and metamorphism in the crust and mantle of the Earth. It comprises the role of halogens in other terrestrial worlds like volatile-rich asteroids, Mars, and the ice moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Review chapters outline and expand upon the basis of our current understanding regarding how halogens contribute to the geochemical/geophysical evolution and stability of terrestrial worlds overall.

Description / Table of Contents: 1 Introduction -- 2 General Concepts and PSHA Background -- 3 Seismic Source Characterization -- 4 Rock Motion Characterization -- 5 Site Response Characterization -- 6 Seismic Hazard Computation -- 7 Interfaces Between Sub Projects -- 8 Probabilistic Seismic Testing and Updating of Seismic Hazard Results -- 9 Summary and Way Forward -- 10 References -- 11 Annex 1: List of Committee Members -- 12 Annex 2: List of Publications

Description / Table of Contents: This book presents a summary of the important outcomes of the SIGMA project related to all aspects of Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment: source characterization, rock motion characterization, site response characterization, and hazard calculations, with for all of them emphasis on the treatment of uncertainties. In recent years, attempts have been made to identify and quantify uncertainties in seismic hazard estimations for regions with moderate seismicity. These uncertainties, for which no estimation standards exist, create major difficulties and can lead to different interpretations and divergent opinions among experts. To address this matter, an international research project was launched in January 2011, by an industrial consortium composed of French and Italian organizations. This program, named SIGMA (Seismic Ground Motion Assessment) lasted for five years and involved a large number of international institutions. This book is intended for instructors running courses on engineering seismology, graduate students in the same field and practicing engineers involved in Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analyses

Description / Table of Contents: Chapter 1. An Outline Map of Anticipation -- Chapter 2. Understanding the Future -- Chapter 3 Wholes -- Chapter 4 Time -- Chapter 5. Emergence -- Chapter 6. Systems -- Chapter 7. Complexity -- Chapter  8. The Modeling Relation -- Chapter 9. The Discipline of Anticipation

Description / Table of Contents: This book presents the theory of anticipation, and establishes anticipation of the future as a legitimate topic of research. It examines anticipatory behavior, i.e. a behavior that ‘uses’ the future in its actual decisional process. The book shows that anticipation violates neither the ontological order of time nor causation. It explores the question of how different kinds of systems anticipate, and examines the risks and uses of such anticipatory practices.   The book first summarizes the research on anticipation conducted within a range of different disciplines, and describes the connection between the anticipatory point of view and futures studies. Following that, its chapters on Wholes, Time and Emergence, make explicit the ontological framework within which anticipation finds its place. It then goes on to discuss Systems, Complexity, and the Modeling Relation, and provides the scientific background supporting anticipation. It restricts formal technicalities to one chapter, and presents those technicalities twice, in formal and plain words to advance understanding. The final chapter shows that all the threads presented in the previous chapters naturally converge toward what has come to be called “Discipline of Anticipation”

Description / Table of Contents: This book contains the most recent progress in data assimilation in meteorology, oceanography and hydrology including land surface. It spans both theoretical and applicative aspects with various methodologies such as variational, Kalman filter, ensemble, Monte Carlo and artificial intelligence methods. Besides data assimilation, other important topics are also covered including targeting observation, sensitivity analysis, and parameter estimation. The book will be useful to individual researchers as well as graduate students for a reference in the field of data assimilation.

Description / Table of Contents: Contents: Chapter1. Complex Adaptive Systems and a Sustainability Framework -- Chapter2. Rural Development in the Poyang Lake Region amid Floods -- Chapter3. Assessing Well-being in the Poyang Lake Region -- Chapter4. Understanding the Complex Processes Underlying Well-being of Rural Households -- Chapter5. Exploring Future Rural Development in the Poyang Lake Region -- Chapter6. Sustainability of human-environment systems -- Chapter7. The complex systems approach to policy analysis

Description / Table of Contents: This volume applies the science of complexity to study coupled human-environment systems (CHES) and integrates ideas from the social sciences of climate change into a study of rural development amid flooding and urbanization in the Poyang Lake Region (PLR) of China. Author Qing Tian operationalizes the concept of sustainability and provides useful scientific analyses for sustainable development in less developed rural areas that are vulnerable to climatic hazards. The book uses a new sustainability framework that is centered on the concept of well-being to study rural development in PLR. The PLR study includes three major analyses: (1) a regional assessment of human well-being; (2) an empirical analysis of rural livelihoods; and (3) an agent-based computer model used to explore future rural development. These analyses provide a meaningful view of human development in the Poyang Lake Region and illustrate some of the complex local- and macro-level processes that shape the livelihoods of rural households in the dynamic process of urbanization. They generate useful insights about how government policy might effectively improve the well-being of rural households and promote sustainable development amid social, economic, and environmental changes. This case study has broader implications. Rural populations in the developing world are disproportionally affected by extreme climate events and climate change. Furthermore, the livelihoods of rural households in the developing world are increasingly under the influences of macro-level forces amid urbanization and globalization. This case study demonstrates that rural development policies must consider broader development dynamics at the national (and even global) level, as well as specific local social and environmental contexts. By treating climate as one of many factors that affect development in such places, we can provide policy recommendations that synergistically promote development and reduce climatic impacts and therefore facilitate mainstreaming climate adaptation into development

Description / Table of Contents: This book presents a comprehensive overview of the freezing of colloidal suspensions and explores cutting-edge research in the field. It is the first book to deal with this phenomenon from a multidisciplinary perspective, and examines the various occurrences, their technological uses, the fundamental phenomena, and the different modeling approaches. Its chapters integrate input from fields as diverse as materials science, physics, biology, mathematics, geophysics, and food science, and therefore provide an excellent point of departure for anyone interested in the topic.The main content is supplemented by a wealth of figures and illustrations to elucidate the concepts presented, and includes a final chapter providing advice for those starting out in the field. As such, the book provides an invaluable resource for materials scientists, physicists, biologists, and mathematicians, and will also benefit food engineers, civil engineers, and materials processing professionals.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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 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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Preface -- Contents -- Contributors -- Part I: Limnology, History and Comparative Legends -- 1: Pavin, the Birthplace of French Limnology (1770-2012), and Its Degassing Controversy (1986-2016) -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Analysis of Pavin Actors, History and Perception Through an Interdisciplinary and Intercomparative Approach -- 1.3 Pavin, a Typical Maar-Lake Above any Contamination Source -- 1.3.1 Pavin General Features -- 1.3.2 Pavin Compared to Other Lakes of the Cézallier Lake District -- 1.3.3 Pavin Compared to Other European Maar-Lakes -- 1.3.3.1 Eifel Lakes

Description / Table of Contents: 1.3.3.2 Italian Lakes -- 1.4 Pavin Scientific Exploration (1770-1985) -- 1.4.1 Chevalier's Expedition (1770) -- 1.4.2 Lecoq, the Great Auvergne Naturalist, Normalizes Pavin… with Fishes (1847-1871) -- 1.4.3 The First Golden Age of Science at Pavin: Berthoule, Delebecque, Martel, Bruyant (1880-1914) -- 1.4.3.1 Clermont Botanists and Zoologists Establish the Limnological Station at Besse -- 1.4.3.2 André Delebecque at Pavin (1892) -- 1.4.3.3 Edouard-Alfred Martel at Creux de Soucy (1892) -- 1.4.4 Pavin Meromixis Discovery by Olivier and Pelletier (1950-1960s)

Description / Table of Contents: 1.5 Pavin Acquires a Status of International Field Laboratory (1965-2000) -- 1.5.1 International Projects Select Pavin as a Pristine Lake (1965-1975) -- 1.5.2 Pavin, a Laboratory for Innovative Lake Research (1965-1986) -- 1.6 Maar Lakes Degassing Evidence in Cameroun and Italy -- 1.6.1 Nyos (21 August 1986) and Monoun (15 August 1984) Degassing Events and Their Effects on Populations -- 1.6.2 Ancient Degassing Events in Italian Maar-Lakes, Albano and Monticchio -- 1.6.2.1 The Albano Catastrophic Degassing and Spillover Event in Latium (398 BC)

Description / Table of Contents: 1.6.2.2 Monticchio Lakes (Southern Italy) and Their Pioneer Degassing Studies, 1777-1838 -- 1.7 Sensory Grid of Degassing in Maar-Lakes -- 1.8 Pavin Degassing Controversy (1986-2016) -- 1.9 Conclusions -- References -- 2: Pavin, A Rich but Fragmented History (200 AD-2016) -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Finding Pavin Puzzle Pieces -- 2.3 Pavin's History Highlights -- 2.3.1 Antiquity: A Pompeian Millstone Retrieved from Pavin Waters in 1909 -- 2.3.2 Early Antique and Medieval Worship Near Pavin, on the Vassivière Mountain

Description / Table of Contents: 2.3.3 Lacus pavens Terrifies the Whole Region Throughout the Sixteenth Century -- 2.3.3.1 The Terrible Explosion Witnessed at Vassivière by Besse People (28 August 1551 Pavin Event) -- 2.3.3.2 A Hazardous Abyss, Generating Storm, Thunder and Hail, Presented to Charles IX (1566) -- 2.3.3.3 Pavin Painted on the First Realistic Landscape Picture in France (1571-1579) -- 2.3.3.4 Pavin Marvelous Response to a Thrown Stone in Belleforest's Cosmographia Universalis (1575) -- 2.3.3.5 Lacus pavens, the Terrifying Lake, Is the Original Pavin Name (Banc 1605)

Description / Table of Contents: 2.3.4 The Admirable and Terrifying Pavens Gets Famous During the Seventeenth Century

Description / Table of Contents: This work summarizes the historical progression of the field of lithium (Li) isotope studies and provides a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the research applications toward which they have been directed. In synthesizing the historical and current research, the volume also suggests prospective future directions of study. Not even a full decade has passed since the publication of a broadly inclusive summary of Li isotope research around the globe (Tomascak, 2004). In this short time, the use of this isotope system in the investigation of geo- and cosmochemical questions has increased dramatically, due, in part, to the advent of new analytical technology at the end of the last millennium. Lithium, as a light element that forms low-charge, moderate-sized ions, manifests a number of chemical properties that make its stable isotope system useful in a wide array of geo- and cosmochemical research fields.  

Description / Table of Contents: This manuscript sets out a process for estimating fatalities in collapsed buildings due to ground shaking in an earthquake. The aim of this research is to supplement current earthquake loss estimation with fatality rates (percentage of occupants killed) for use in models which are based on recent empirical information on deaths from earthquakes. This document specifically explores the lethality potential to occupants of collapsed structures. Whilst earthquake casualty modeling has admittedly suffered from a lack of post-earthquake collection of data and rigour in assessing these data, recent earthquakes such as 2008 Wenchuan (China) and 2011 Christchurch (New Zealand) have brought to light some important findings. Under the auspices of US Geological Survey’s PAGER, empirical fatality data related to collapses of buildings from significant earthquakes in the past 40 years have been thoroughly examined. Through detailed investigations of fatal building collapses and the volume reductions within these buildings, important clues related to the lethality potential of different failure mechanisms of global modern and older construction types were found. The gathered evidence forms the basis of the derivation of a set of fatality rates for use in loss models. The set of judgment-based rates are for 31 global building types. This significant advancement in casualty modeling, the resolutions and quality of available data, the important assumptions made, and the final derivation of fatality rates are discussed here. This document contributes to global efforts to develop a way of estimating probable earthquake fatalities very rapidly after an earthquake has taken place. The fatality rates proposed here can be incorporated directly into earthquake loss estimation models where fatalities are derived from collapses of different types of buildings

Description / Table of Contents: Constitutive Equation -- Micromechanics -- Variational Energy Formulation -- Anisotropy -- Governing Equation -- Analytical Solution -- Fundamental Solution and Integral Equation -- Poroelastodynamics -- Poroviscoelasticity -- Porothermoelasticity -- Porochemoelasticity -- Appendices -- Index

Description / Table of Contents: This book treats the mechanics of porous materials infiltrated with a fluid (poromechanics), focussing on its linear theory (poroelasticity). Porous materials from inanimate bodies such as sand, soil and rock, living bodies such as plant tissue, animal flesh, or man-made materials can look very different due to their different origins, but as readers will see, the underlying physical principles governing their mechanical behaviors can be the same, making this work relevant not only to engineers but also to scientists across other scientific disciplines. Readers will find discussions of physical phenomena including soil consolidation, land subsidence, slope stability, borehole failure, hydraulic fracturing, water wave and seabed interaction, earthquake aftershock, fluid injection induced seismicity and heat induced pore pressure spalling as well as discussions of seismoelectric and seismoelectromagnetic effects. The work also explores the biomechanics of cartilage, bone and blood vessels. Chapters present theory using an intuitive, phenomenological approach at the bulk continuum level, and a thermodynamics-based variational energy approach at the micromechanical level. The physical mechanisms covered extend from the quasi-static theory of poroelasticity to poroelastodynamics, poroviscoelasticity, porothermoelasticity, and porochemoelasticity. Closed form analytical solutions are derived in details. This book provides an excellent introduction to linear poroelasticity and is especially relevant to those involved in civil engineering, petroleum and reservoir engineering, rock mechanics, hydrology, geophysics, and biomechanics

Description / Table of Contents: Part 1 - Gravimetry and gravity networks -- Quality assessment of the new gravity control in Poland - first estimate -- Estimability in Strapdown Airborne Vector Gravimetr -- A First Traceable Gravimetric Calibration Line in the Swiss Alps -- Airborne gravimetry for geoid and GOCE -- Testing airborne gravity data in the large-scale area of Italy and adjacent seas -- The effect of helium emissions by a superconducting gravimeter on the rubidium frequency standards of absolute gravimeters -- Part 2 - Global geopotential models and vertical datum unification -- Wavelet multi-resolution analysis of recent GOCE/GRACE GGMs -- Evaluation of GOCE-based Global Geopotential Models Versus EGM2008 and GPS/Levelling Data in Northwest of Turkey -- Precise modelling of the static gravity field from the GOCE data using the method of fundamental solutions -- Towards a Vertical Reference Frame for South America in view of the GGOS specifications Andrea Galudht Santacruz Jaramillo, Sílvio Rogério Correia De Freitas, Laura Sánchez -- Ellipsoidal effects in high accuracy quasigeoid computations: verification of the apparatus Otakar Nesvadba, Petr Holota -- Evaluation of GOCE/GRACE GGMs over Attica and Thessaloniki, Greece, and Wo determination for height system unification -- The DTU13 MSS (Mean Sea Surface) and MDT (Mean Dynamic Topography) from 20 years of satellite altimetry -- Part 3 - Local geoid/gravity modeling -- A new gravimetric geoid model for the area of Sudan using the least squares collocation and a GOCE-based GGM -- Establishment of the Gravity Database AFRGDB V1.0 for the African Geoid -- Quasi-geoid model in the State of São Paulo -- Accurate Approximation of Vertical Gravity Gradient within the Earth’s External Gravity Field -- New geoid of Greenland, A case study of terrain and ice effects, GOCE and use of local sea level data -- Egyptian Geoid using Best Estimated Response of the Earth's Crust due to Topographic Loads -- Part 4 - Mass movements in the Earth system -- An investigation on the closure of the water budget methods over Volta Basin using multi-satellite data -- Application of Independent Component Analysis in GRACE- derived Water Storage Changes Interpretation, A case study of the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas -- Mass variations in the Siberian permafrost region based on new GRACE results and auxiliary modeling -- Part 5 - Solid Earth Investigations -- Comparative study of the uniform and variable Moho density contrast in the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s isostatic scheme for the gravimetric Moho recovery -- The New Method To Find The Anomalous Internal Structure Of Terrestrial Planets And Its Test On The Earth

Description / Table of Contents: This volume contains the proceedings of 24 peer-reviewed papers presented at the 3rd International Gravity Field Service (IGFS) General Assembly, which was organized by the International Gravity Field Service (IGFS), Commission 2 of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), and Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Assembly was successfully held in Shanghai, China from June 30th to July 6th, 2014 with over 130 participants from 25 countries. The focus of the Assembly is on methods for observing, estimating and interpreting the Earth gravity field as well as its applications, including 6 sessions: gravimetry and gravity networks, global geopotential models and vertical datum unification, local geoid/gravity modelling, satellite gravimetry, mass movements in the Earth system and solid Earth investigations

Description / Table of Contents: This book considers a relatively new metric in complex systems, transfer entropy, derived from a series of measurements, usually a time series. After a qualitative introduction and a chapter that explains the key ideas from statistics required to understand the text, the authors then present information theory and transfer entropy in depth. A key feature of the approach is the authors' work to show the relationship between information flow and complexity. The later chapters demonstrate information transfer in canonical systems, and applications, for example in neuroscience and in finance. The book will be of value to advanced undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the areas of computer science, neuroscience, physics, and engineering

Description / Table of Contents: This proceedings contains a selection of peer-reviewed papers presented at the IAG Scientific Assembly, Postdam, Germany, 1-6 September, 2013. The scientific sessions were focussed on the definition, implementation and scientific applications of reference frames; gravity field determination and applications; the observation and assessment of earth hazards. It presents a collection of the contributions on the applications of earth rotations dynamics, on observation systems and services as well as on imaging and positioning techniques and its applications.

Description / Table of Contents: 1. Introduction -- 2. Applications of Seismic Monitoring in Combating Rock Burst Hazard -- 3. Seismic Parameters and their Physical Meaning -- 4. Ranges of Parameters -- 5. Interpretation Methods of Mine Induced Seismicity -- 6. Palabora Seismic History -- 7. Palabora Caving Process as Evidenced by Induced Seismicity -- 8. Caving Process and Seismic Hazard -- 9. Problems Related to Software Versions -- 10. Seismic Preconditioning below Lift 1 Mine and its Influence on the Cavability of Lift 2 Cave -- 11. Palabora Lift 2 Mine Seismic System -- 12. Seismic Hazard Monitoring for Lift 2 -- Appendices -- Index

Description / Table of Contents: This book offers an in-depth analysis and interpretation methods applicable to mine-induced seismicity. It is based on over 40 years of experience in mine and exploration geophysics. Another unique feature of this book is the complete history of the caving process as evidenced by the recorded seismicity at the South African copper mine Palabora Lift 1. Until now, the literature has only presented theory and case studies discussing the interpretation of results, and there has been no discussion of the input-data quality or why a certain interpretation technique was applied. This book fills that gap. This book is a fascinating read, written by one of the world’s leading mine seismologists. It summarises the history and progression of mine seismology. It outlines the practical use of back analysis of data and how it can be used on a daily basis. The book explains how mine seismology can be used as an effective monitoring tool for key events as the mine progresses as well as for future caving operations. Anthony Allman MAusIMM, CP(Min), RPEQ Antcia Consulting Pty Ltd, Director, Mining Engineer The content of the book is really solid and robust and I have no doubt it is going to be considered a great contribution for the mining community. Raul Fuentes, Former Director of Master Program in Geomechanics Applied to Mining, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile This book is long overdue and helps to present some difficult concepts in a way that they can be clearly understood by non-experts in this area. Stefan has personally managed to take mine seismology from being a black-art into a useful tool to help make mines a safer and more controlled environment. Neil Hepworth C. Eng, MIMMM, Geomin Consultorio - Brazil, Consultant Mining and Geotechnics Seismic monitoring is an important tool in cave management. The information from monitoring allows a number of key production factors to be determined including cave advance rates, the approximate location of the cave back, insight into the size of the air gap and allows the tracking of broad changes in stress. These all assist in the day to day management of a safe and successful cave. Dr. Glazer’s book provides guidance on the application of microseismicity to cave management through a review of appropriate theory and more importantly illustrates its use through case histories, particularly from the Palabora block cave. The text will be a good addition for all practitioners in cave engineering and operations. All ...

Description / Table of Contents: Part I Lincei session -- Opening remarks for the 2013 Hotine-Marussi symposium -- Fernado Sansò laudation -- Global Reference Systems: Theory and open questions -- Part II Geodetic data analysis -- Noise analysis of continuous GPS time series of selected EPN stations to investigate variations in stability of monument types -- Improvement of Least-Squares Collocation error estimates using local GOCE Tzz signal standard deviations -- Multivariate Integer Cycle-Slip Resolution: A Single-Channel Analysis -- Theory of Earth Rotation Variations -- Variable seasonal and subseasonal oscillations in sea level anomaly data and their impact on prediction accuracy -- Permanent GPS networks in Italy: analysis of time series noise -- VADASE: state of the art and new developments of a third way to GNSS Seismology -- On the spatial resolution of homogeneous isotropic filters on the sphere -- On time-variable seasonal signals: comparison of SSA and Kalman filtering based approach -- Extensive analysis of IGS REPRO1 coordinate time series -- Part III Geopotential modeling, boundary value problems and height systems -- Determination of W0 from the GOCE measurements using the method of fundamental solutions -- Combination of GOCE gravity gradients in regional gravity field modelling using radial basis functions -- Rosborough representation in satellite gravimetry -- Combining Different Types of Gravity Observations in Regional Gravity Modeling in Spherical Radial Basis Functions -- Height Datum Unification by Means of the GBVP Approach Using Tide Gauges -- Computation of Zenith Total Delay Correction Fields using Ground-Based GNSS -- Rigorous interpolation of atmospheric state parameters for ray-traced tropospheric delays -- Comparison of different techniques for tropospheric wet delay retrieval over South America and surrounding oceans -- Part V Gravity field mapping methodology from GRACE and future gravity missions -- The role of position information for the analysis of K-Band data - experiences from GRACE and GOCE for GRAIL gravity field recovery -- Gravity field mapping from GRACE: different approaches - same results? -- The effect of pseudo-stochastic orbit parameters on GRACE monthly gravity fields - insights from lumped coefficients -- On an iterative approach to solving the nonlinear satellite-fixed geodetic boundary-value problem -- An OpenCL implementation of ellipsoidal harmonics -- A remark on the computation of the gravitational potential of masses with linearly varying density -- The observation equation of spirit leveling in Molodensky’s context -- Reference station weighting and frame optimality in minimally constrained networks -- Atmospheric loading and mass variation effects on the SLR-defined geocenter -- Part VIII Digital Terrain Modeling, Synthetic Aperture Radar and new sensors: theory and methods -- Radargrammetric Digital Surface Models Generation from High Resolution Satellite SAR Imagery: Methodology and Case Studies -- Principles and applications of polarimetric SAR tomography for the characterization of complex environments -- Merging local DTMs: methodological problems and practical solutions on heli-dem case study -- Part IX Inverse modeling, estimation theory -- Single-Epoch GNSS Array Integrity: an Analytical Study -- Global to local Moho estimate based on GOCE geopotential model and local gravity data -- An overview of adjustment methods for mixed additive and multiplicative random error models -- Cycle slip detection and correction for heading determination with low-cost GPS/ INS receivers -- Adjusting the errors-in-variables model: linearized least-squares vs. nonlinear total least-squares -- Multivariate GNSS Attitude Integrity: the Role of Affine Constraints -- Integrating geological prior information into the inverse gravimetric problem: the Bayesian approach -- Effects of Different Objective Functions in Inequality Constrained and Rank-Deficient Least-Squares Problems

Description / Table of Contents: This volume contains the proceedings of the VIII Hotine-Marussi Symposium on Mathematical Geodesy, which was held June 17 to 21, 2013, in Rome, Italy. Since 2006 the series of Hotine-Marussi Symposia is under the responsibility of the InterCommission Committee on Theory (ICCT), a cross-commission entity within the International Association of Geodesy (IAG). The overall goal of the Hotine-Marussi Symposia has always been the advancement of theoretical geodesy. The 39 papers in these proceedings areindeed testimony to the width and vibrancy of theoretical geodesy. The Symposium was organized in 8 topical sessions reflecting all branches of geodesy: from geodetic data analysis through potential field modeling to estimation theory. Also theoretical aspects of reference frames and of novel sensors were covered. During a special session at the AccademiaNazionaledeiLinceiFernando Sansò was put into the spotlight in order to acknowledge his long-term commitment and dedication as the driving force behind the series of Hotine-Marussi Symposia over the past decades

Description / Table of Contents: Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) have been conventionally used in industry for 3D-dimensional and form-error measurements of macro parts for many years. Ever since the first CMM, developed by Ferranti Co. in late 1950s, they have been regarded as versatile measuring equipment, yet many CMMs on the market still have inherent systematic errors due to the violation of the Abbe Principle in the design aspect. Current CMMs are suitable only for part tolerance above 10 μm. With the rapid advent of ultraprecision technology, multi-axis machining, and micro/nanotechnology in the past twenty years, new types of ultraprecision and micro/nao-CMMs are urgently needed in all aspects of society.

Description / Table of Contents: Mercury is a serious environmental toxin that is distributed globally by large-scale atmospheric circulations. Atmospheric chemists have only been studying mercury in earnest for approximately the past 10 years. In the troposphere elemental mercury (Hgo) is observed ubiquitously with contemporary mixing ratios at the parts per quadrillion by volume (ppqv; 1 ng m−3 = 112 ppqv) level. The distributions of gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate mercury (HgP) are not well documented at this time. In fact, the chemical composition of GOM is presently highly uncertain. At most mid-latitude locations, Hgo exhibits seasonality with the lowest mixing ratios in the fall and the greatest in late winter/early spring. It is highly desirable to conduct measurements of a variety of trace gases along with atmospheric mercury to facilitate source identification, but few studies have done so to date. A serious drawback in modeling atmospheric mercury is a lack of reliable rigorous emission inventories. Consequently, much work is needed to identify mercury sources and to quantify emission strengths. There are few published papers on measurements of atmospheric mercury from aircraft. Initial work has shown that there is little to no Hgo above the tropopause and that HgP is elevated there. The chemical cycling and transformations in the tropopause region are essentially unstudied. Both measurements and modeling are required to ascertain the important processes affecting atmospheric mercury in the tropopause region.

Description / Table of Contents: Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is known to have far-ranging impacts, from human health to climate forcing. The characterization of emission sources and the quantification of specific source impacts to PM concentrations significantly enhance our understanding of and our ability to eventually predict the fate and transport of atmospheric PM and its associated impacts on humans and the environment. The source apportionment of PM has been realized through combinations of chemical analysis (of elemental tracers, particle size, isotopic composition, and organic composition via unique tracers and molecular fingerprints) and numerical modeling (e.g., diagnostic source ratios, chemical mass balance modeling, positive matrix factorization, and Monte Carlo simulations). Recent advances in source apportionment applications have contributed unique combinations of chemical and numerical techniques for determining the contributions of specific sources, including diesel exhaust and biomass burning. These advances also identify and help characterize the contributions of previously uncharacterized sources. Numerical modeling has also enabled estimations of contributions of emission sources to atmospherically processed PM in urban and rural regions.

Description / Table of Contents: Over the last decades, the study of extremophiles has providing ground breaking discoveries that challenge the paradigms of modern biology and make us rethink intriguing questions such as “what is life?”, “what are the limits of life?”, and “what are the fundamental features of life?”. The mechanisms by which different microorganisms adapt to extreme environments provide a unique perspective on the fundamental characteristics of biological processes present in most species. Extremophiles are also critical for evolutionary studies related to the origins of life, since they form a cluster on the base of the tree of life. Furthermore, the application of extremophiles in industrial processes has opened a new era in biotechnology. The study of extreme environments has become a key area of research for astrobiology. Extremophiles may help us understand what form life takes on other planetary bodies in our own solar system and beyond. These findings and possibilities have made the study of life in extreme environments one of the most exciting areas of research in recent decades. However, despite the latest advances we are just in the beginning of exploring and characterizing the world of extremophiles. This special issue covers all aspects of life in extreme environments.

Description / Table of Contents: Water is not only an interesting object to be studied on its own, it also is an important component driving almost all ecological processes occurring in our landscapes. Plant growth depends on soil water content, as well is nutrient turnover by microbes. Water shapes the environment by erosion and sedimentation. Species occur or are lost depending on hydrological conditions, and many infectious diseases are water-borne. Modeling the complex interactions of water and ecosystem processes requires the prediction of hydrological fluxes and stages on the one side and the coupling of the ecosystem process model on the other. While much effort has been given to the development of the hydrological model theory in recent decades, we have just begun to explore the difficulties that occur when coupled model applications are being set up.

Description / Table of Contents: The use of agent-based models (ABMs) and modelling for understanding landscape change and dynamics continues to grow. One reason for the popularity of ABMs is that they provide a framework to represent multiple, discrete, multi-faceted, heterogeneous actors (human or otherwise) and their relationships and interactions between one another and their environment, through time and across space. This special issue seeks to showcase innovative uses of ABMs for investigating and explaining landscape change and dynamics and to explore and identify how researchers in different disciplines can learn from one another to further innovate. Thus, this special issue will emphasise multidisciplinary dialogue between researchers using ABM in physical geography, hydrology, ecology, land change science, economics, alternative histories, archaeology, sociology, psychology and others. Innovation may come in the form of computational, conceptual, analytical, participatory or epistemological advances in the use of ABM for a range of aims and motivations associated with landscape change and dynamics. Modelling advances may include new ways of representing agent decisions and/or interactions, establishing and evaluating model structures and rules, presenting and visualising change, multi-scale analysis, comparative techniques, narrative methods, and more. The presentation of innovative agent-based modelling from diverse research backgrounds and perspectives will demonstrate opportunities for learning and enable dialogue to enhance future use of ABMs for understanding landscape change.

Description / Table of Contents: Reliable access to water, managing the spatial and temporal variability of water availability, ensuring the quality of freshwater and responding to climatological changes in the hydrological cycle are prerequisites for the development of countries in Africa. Water being an essential input for biomass growth and for renewable energy production (e.g. biofuels and hydropower schemes) plays an integral part in ensuring food and energy security for any nation. Water, as a source of safe drinking water, is furthermore the basis for ensuring the health of citizens and plays an important role in urban sanitation. The concept of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is seen as an opportunity to help manage water variability and the wide spread water scarcity in Africa. One key component missing from IWRM in Africa is the limited knowledge of the available extent and quality of water resources at basin level. Earth Observation (EO) technology can help fill this information gap by assessing and monitoring water resources at adequate temporal and spatial scales. The goal of this Special Issue is to understand and demonstrate the contribution which satellite observations, consistent over space and time, can bring to improve water resource management in Africa. Possible EO products and applications range from catchment characterization, water quality monitoring, soil moisture assessment, water extent and level monitoring, irrigation services, urban and agricultural water demand modeling, evapotranspiration estimation, ground water management, to hydrological modeling and flood mapping/forecasting. Some of these EO applications have already been developed by African scientists within the 10 year lifetime of the TIGER initiative: Looking after Water in Africa (http://www.tiger.esa.int), whose contributions are intended to be the starting point of this Special Issue and is only one example of the wide range of activities in the field. Contributions from the entire African and international scientific community dealing with the challenges of water resource management in Africa are the target of the special issue. In the years to come, an ever increasing number of international EO missions, such as the Landsat, ALOS, CBERS and RESOURCESAT mission suites, the family of Sentinel missions and the SMAP mission, will provide an unprecedented capacity to observe and monitor the different components of the water cycle. This Special Issue aims also at reviewing the latest developments in terms of new missions as well as related EO products and techniques that will be available in the near future to face some of the major challenges for IWRM in Africa.

Description / Table of Contents: Frederiks, E.; Stenner, K.; Hobman, E. The Socio-Demographic and Psychological Predictors of Residential Energy Consumption: A Comprehensive Review. Energies 2015, 8(1), 573-609; doi:10.3390/en8010573 --- Sun, W.; He, Y.; Chang, H. Forecasting Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption for Power Generation Using QHSA-Based LSSVM Model. Energies 2015, 8(2), 939-959; doi:10.3390/en8020939 --- Gutierrez-Escolar, A.; Castillo-Martinez, A.; Gomez-Pulido, J.; Gutierrez-Martinez, J.; Stapic, Z.; Medina-Merodio, J. A Study to Improve the Quality of Street Lighting in Spain. Energies 2015, 8(2), 976-994; doi:10.3390/en8020976 --- Chew, K.; Klemeš, J.; Alwi, S.; Manan, Z.; Reverberi, A. Total Site Heat Integration Considering Pressure Drops. Energies 2015, 8(2), 1114-1137; doi:10.3390/en8021114 --- Kim, S.; Shin, K.; Choi, B.; Jo, J.; Cho, S.; Cho, Y. A Study on the Variation of Heating and Cooling Load According to the Use of Horizontal Shading and Venetian Blinds in Office Buildings in Korea. Energies 2015, 8(2), 1487-1504; doi:10.3390/en8021487 --- Sheng, P.; Yang, J.; Shackman, J. Energy’s Shadow Price and Energy Efficiency in China: A Non-Parametric Input Distance Function Analysis. Energies 2015, 8(3), 1975-1989; doi:10.3390/en8031975 --- Benavides, C.; Gonzales, L.; Diaz, M.; Fuentes, R.; García, G.; Palma-Behnke, R.; Ravizza, C. The Impact of a Carbon Tax on the Chilean Electricity Generation Sector. Energies 2015, 8(4), 2674-2700; doi:10.3390/en8042674 --- Li, W.; Li, H.; Sun, S. China’s Low-Carbon Scenario Analysis of CO2 Mitigation Measures towards 2050 Using a Hybrid AIM/CGE Model. Energies 2015, 8(5), 3529-3555; doi:10.3390/en8053529 --- Nasirov, S.; Silva, C.; Agostini, C. Investors’ Perspectives on Barriers to the Deployment of Renewable Energy Sources in Chile. Energies 2015, 8(5), 3794-3814; doi:10.3390/en8053794 --- Deng, X.; Yu, Y.; Liu, Y. Temporal and Spatial Variations in Provincial CO2 Emissions in China from 2005 to 2015 and Assessment of a Reduction Plan. Energies 2015, 8(5), 4549-4571; doi:10.3390/en8054549 --- Klimscheffskij, M.; Van Craenenbroeck, T.; Lehtovaara, M.; Lescot, D.; Tschernutter, A.; Raimundo, C.; Seebach, D.; Timpe, C. Residual Mix Calculation at the Heart of Reliable Electricity Disclosure in Europe—A Case Study on the Effect of the RE-DISS Project. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4667-4696; doi:10.3390/en8064667 --- Ferrara, R. The Smart City and the Green Economy in Europe: A Critical Approach. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4724-4734; doi:10.3390/en8064724 --- Stenner, K.; Nwokora, Z. Current and Future Friends of the Earth: Assessing Cross-National Theories of Environmental Attitudes. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4899-4919; doi:10.3390/en8064899 --- Atlason, R.; Oddsson, G.; Unnthorsson, R. Theorizing for Maintenance Management Improvements: Using Case Studies from the Icelandic Geothermal Sector. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4943-4962; doi:10.3390/en8064943 --- Ellenbeck, S.; Beneking, A.; Ceglarz, A.; Schmidt, P.; Battaglini, A. Security of Supply in European Electricity Markets—Determinants of Investment Decisions and the European Energy Union. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5198-5216; doi:10.3390/en8065198 --- Hasager, C.; Vincent, P.; Badger, J.; Badger, M.; Di Bella, A.; Peña, A.; Husson, R.; Volker, P. Using Satellite SAR to Characterize the Wind Flow around Offshore Wind Farms. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5413-5439; doi:10.3390/en8065413 --- Puigjaner, L.; Pérez-Fortes, M.; Laínez-Aguirre, J. Towards a Carbon-Neutral Energy Sector: Opportunities and Challenges of Coordinated Bioenergy Supply Chains-A PSE Approach. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5613-5660; doi:10.3390/en8065613 --- Thollander, P.; Palm, J. Industrial Energy Management Decision Making for Improved Energy Efficiency—Strategic System Perspectives and Situated Action in Combination. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5694-5703; doi:10.3390/en8065694 --- Jänicke, M. Horizontal and Vertical Reinforcement in Global Climate Governance. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5782-5799; doi:10.3390/en8065782 --- Benavides, C.; Gonzales, L.; Diaz, M.; Fuentes, R.; García, G.; Palma-Behnke, R.; Ravizza, C. Correction: The Impact of a Carbon Tax on the Chilean Electricity Generation Sector. Energies 2015, 8(6), 6247-6248; doi:10.3390/en8066247 --- Wang, W.; Ouyang, W.; Hao, F. A Supply-Chain Analysis Framework for Assessing Densified Biomass Solid Fuel Utilization Policies in China. Energies 2015, 8(7), 7122-7139; doi:10.3390/en8077122 --- Punys, P.; Dumbrauskas, A.; Kasiulis, E.; Vyčienė, G.; Šilinis, L. Flow Regime Changes: From Impounding a Temperate Lowland River to Small Hydropower Operations. Energies 2015, 8(7), 7478-7501; doi:10.3390/en8077478 --- Reid, G.; Wynn, G. The Future of Solar Power in the United Kingdom. Energies 2015, 8(8), 7818-7832; doi:10.3390/en8087818 --- Scott, C.; Sugg, Z. Global Energy Development and Climate-Induced Water Scarcity—Physical Limits, Sectoral Constraints, and Policy Imperatives. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8211-8225; doi:10.3390/en8088211 --- Lilliestam, J.; Patt, A. Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8263-8285; doi:10.3390/en8088263 --- Van Ackere, S.; Van Eetvelde, G.; Schillebeeckx, D.; Papa, E.; Van Wyngene, K.; Vandevelde, L. Wind Resource Mapping Using Landscape Roughness and Spatial Interpolation Methods. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8682-8703; doi:10.3390/en8088682 --- Komendantova, N.; Vocciante, M.; Battaglini, A. Can the BestGrid Process Improve Stakeholder Involvement in Electricity Transmission Projects?. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9407-9433; doi:10.3390/en8099407 --- Kiyar, D.; Wittneben, B. Carbon as Investment Risk—The Influence of Fossil Fuel Divestment on Decision Making at Germany’s Main Power Providers. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9620-9639; doi:10.3390/en8099620 --- Bernardes, L.; Carneiro, J.; Madureira, P.; Brandão, F.; Roque, C. Determination of Priority Study Areas for Coupling CO2 Storage and CH4 Gas Hydrates Recovery in the Portuguese Offshore Area. Energies 2015, 8(9), 10276-10292; doi:10.3390/en80910276 --- Dovì, V.; Battaglini, A. Energy Policy and Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Global Problem. Energies 2015, 8(12), 13473-13480; doi:10.3390/en81212379

Description / Table of Contents: All living organisms are composed of major, minor, and trace elements, given by nature and supplied by geology. Medical geology is a rapidly growing discipline dealing with the influence of natural geological and environmental risk factors on the distribution of health problems in humans and animals. As a multi-disciplinary scientific field, medical geology has the potential of helping medical and public health communities all over the world in the pursuit of solutions to a wide range of environmental and naturally induced health issues. The natural environment can impact health in a variety of ways. The composition of rocks and minerals are imprinted on the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, and the food that we eat. For many people this transference of minerals and the trace elements they contain is beneficial as it is the primary source of nutrients (such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and about a dozen other elements) that are essential for a healthy life. However, sometimes the local geology can cause significant health problems because there is an insufficient amount of an essential element or an excess of a potentially toxic element (such as arsenic, mercury, lead, fluorine, etc.), or a harmful substance such as methane gas, dust-sized particles of asbestos, quartz or pyrite, or certain naturally occurring organic compounds. Current and future medical geology concerns include: dangerous levels of arsenic in drinking water in dozens of countries including the USA; mercury emissions from coal combustion and its bioaccumulation in the environment; the impacts of mercury and lead mobilizations in regions were artisanal gold mining is conducted; the residual health impacts of geologic processes such as volcanic emissions, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and geogenic dust; exposure to fibrous minerals such as asbestos and erionite; and the health impacts of global climate change. Billions of people, most in developing countries, are afflicted by these and other environmental health issues that can be avoided, prevented, mitigated or minimized through research and educational outreach. This Special Issue of Geosciences discusses recent advances in medical geology, providing examples from research conducted all over the world. Among the topics to be discussed are: - Health effects from trace elements, metals and metalloids - Regional and global impacts of natural dust (including the study of nanoparticles) - Chemical and environmental pathology of diseases associated with natural environment - Novel analytical approaches to the study of natural geochemical and environmental agents - Research on beneficial health aspects of natural geological materials - Risk management, risk communication and risk mitigation on medical geology - Remote sensing and GIS applications on medical geology - Epidemiology and public health studies on medical geology - Climate change and medical geology - Clinical and toxicological research on biomarkers of exposure - Veterinary medical geology - Biosurveillance and biomonitoring studies on medical geology

Description / Table of Contents: This special issue contains selected papers from the 13th International Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Modeling (ECM13), held Nov 4-6, 2013. The conference brings modelers from academic institutions, government and private industry together to present and discuss the latest developments in the field of marine environmental modeling. Begun in 1989 by Dr. Malcolm Spaulding, the conference is held every other year in a retreat-like setting with a maximum of about 125 people to encourage interaction and help strengthen ties between modeling communities. A wide range of modeling issues are encouraged, including advances in physical understanding, numerical algorithm development, model applications, and better tools. A wide range of modeling topics are encouraged as well, including storm surge, eutrophication, larval transport, search and rescue, oil spills, fisheries issues, coastal erosion and contaminated sediment transport. Many conferences also have special themes. The special theme of ECM13 was modeling related to Hurricane Sandy which in late October 2012 devastated the Caribbean and the US East Coast, including record flooding in New York City. The 22 papers presented here cover a broad spectrum of topics, including simulations of cohesive sediment, inundation, effluent mixing, shoaling waves, and water quality and with modeling applications from Alaska to New Zealand.

Description / Table of Contents: Polar microbiology is a promising field of research that can tell us much about the fundamental features of life. The microorganisms that inhabit Arctic and Antarctic environments are important not only because of the unique species they represent, but also because of their diverse and unusual physiological and biochemical properties. Furthermore, microorganisms living in Polar Regions provide useful models for general questions in ecology and evolutionary biology given the reduced complexity of their ecosystems, the relative absence of confounding effects associated with higher plants or animals, and the severe biological constraints imposed by the polar environment. In terms of applied science, the unique cold-adapted enzymes and other molecules of polar microorganisms provide numerous opportunities for biotechnological development. Another compelling reason to study polar microbial ecosystems is the fact that they are likely to be among the ecosystems most strongly affected by global change. For these reasons, polar microbiology is a thriving branch of science with the potential to provide new insights into a wide range of basic and applied issues in biological science. In this context, it is timely to review and highlight the progress so far and discuss exciting future perspectives. In this special issue, some of the leaders in the field describe their work, ideas and findings.

Description / Table of Contents: Water covers approximately 71% of the planet’s surface and human activities have been relying on it since remote times. Many traces of these exist under the “zero level” and will continue to exist in the future. Measuring, positioning, and mapping objects under water have experienced very significant modifications, brought about by advances in technology and also by changed requirements, demands for new products, introduction of new tools, and the modification of existing equipment. The exploration, documentation, and recording of underwater environments remains a difficult task, and is sometimes still unsolved. The research, design, and development of techniques and procedures for correctly validating underwater environments are more than ever important. This Special Issue originates from the ISPRS/CIPA Workshop "UNDERWATER 3D RECORDING & MODELING—Experiences in Data Acquisition, Calibration, Orientation, Modelling & Accuracy Assessment” (http://3dom.fbk.eu/files/underwater/index.html).

Description / Table of Contents: Climate change affects global and regional water cycling, as well as surficial and subsurface water availability. These changes have increased the vulnerabilities of ecosystems and of human society. Understanding how climate change has affected water resource variability in the past and how climate change is leading to rapid changes in contemporary systems is of critical importance for sustainable development in different parts of the world. This Special Issue focuses on “Water Resource Variability and Climate Change” and aims to present a collection of articles addressing various aspects of water resource variability as well as how such variabilities are affected by changing climates. Topics include the reconstruction of historic moisture fluctuations, based on various proxies (such as tree rings, sediment cores, and landform features), the empirical monitoring of water variability based on field survey and remote sensing techniques, and the projection of future water cycling using numerical model simulations. Articles are about recent discoveries related to water resource variability in paleoenvironmental reconstruction, hydrology, and geomorphology, as well as articles concerning new emerging technologies and their applications in monitoring water resource variability.

Description / Table of Contents: Today, sustainability of a healthy freshwater ecosystem and its associated ecosystem services are hot issues with ever-growing attention placed upon them. We are increasingly recognizing that they are crucial for the survival of the aquatic biota and human beings on our planet. The efficient monitoring of water resources is fundamental for effective management of water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The first stage in sustainable ecosystem management is the evaluation of the current status of target ecosystems. Traditionally, and even today, physico-chemical parameters have mainly been used to evaluate the quality of water resources. However, they have a large limit to grab the wholeness of water system, particularly in the sense of ecosystem health and integrity, for which ecological monitoring should be based on biological factors. Various approaches are applicable to ecosystem health assessment at different levels of the biological hierarchy, from genes to ecosystems. This Special Issue is designed to improve scientific understanding and strategies for sound aquatic ecosystem management and services for researchers, decision makers, and stakeholders.

Description / Table of Contents: Falcinelli, S.; Pirani, F.; Vecchiocattivi, F. The Possible Role of Penning Ionization Processes in Planetary Atmospheres. Atmosphere 2015, 6(3), 299-317; doi:10.3390/atmos6030299 --- Park, S.; Seo, B.; Lee, G.; Kahng, S.; Jang, Y. Chemical Composition of Water Soluble Inorganic Species in Precipitation at Shihwa Basin, Korea. Atmosphere 2015, 6(6), 732-750; doi:10.3390/atmos6060732 --- Kassianov, E.; Berg, L.; Pekour, M.; Barnard, J.; Chand, D.; Flynn, C.; Ovchinnikov, M.; Sedlacek, A.; Schmid, B.; Shilling, J.; Tomlinson, J.; Fast, J. Airborne Aerosol in Situ Measurements during TCAP: A Closure Study of Total Scattering. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1069-1101; doi:10.3390/atmos6081069 --- Majewski, G.; Rogula-Kozłowska, W.; Czechowski, P.; Badyda, A.; Brandyk, A. The Impact of Selected Parameters on Visibility: First Results from a Long-Term Campaign in Warsaw, Poland. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1154-1174; doi:10.3390/atmos6081154 --- Khwaja, H.; Aburizaiza, O.; Hershey, D.; Siddique, A.; E., D.; Zeb, J.; Abbass, M.; Blake, D.; Hussain, M.; Aburiziza, A.; Kramer, M.; Simpson, I. Study of Black Sand Particles from Sand Dunes in Badr, Saudi Arabia Using Electron Microscopy. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1175-1194; doi:10.3390/atmos6081175 --- Wu, Z.; Liu, F.; Fan, W. Characteristics of PM10 and PM2.5 at Mount Wutai Buddhism Scenic Spot, Shanxi, China. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1195-1210; doi:10.3390/atmos6081195 --- Saldarriaga-Noreña, H.; López-Márquez, R.; Murillo-Tovar, M.; Hernández-Mena, L.; Ospina-Noreña, E.; Sánchez-Salinas, E.; Waliszewski, S.; Montiel-Palma, S. Analysis of PAHs Associated with Particulate Matter PM2.5 in Two Places at the City of Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. Atmosphere 2015, 6(9), 1259-1270; doi:10.3390/atmos6091259 --- Faxon, C.; Bean, J.; Ruiz, L. Inland Concentrations of Cl2 and ClNO2 in Southeast Texas Suggest Chlorine Chemistry Significantly Contributes to Atmospheric Reactivity. Atmosphere 2015, 6(10), 1487-1506; doi:10.3390/atmos6101487 --- Asa-Awuku, A.; Sorooshian, A.; Flagan, R.; Seinfeld, J.; Nenes, A. CCN Properties of Organic Aerosol Collected Below and within Marine Stratocumulus Clouds near Monterey, California. Atmosphere 2015, 6(11), 1590-1607; doi:10.3390/atmos6111590 --- Yang, M.; Wang, Y.; Liu, Q.; Ding, A.; Li, Y. The Influence of Sandstorms and Long-Range Transport on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 in the High-Altitude Atmosphere of Southern China. Atmosphere 2015, 6(11), 1633-1651; doi:10.3390/atmos6111633 --- Rubio, M.; Lissi, E.; Gramsch, E.; Garreaud, R. Effect of Nearby Forest Fires on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations in Santiago, Chile. Atmosphere 2015, 6(12), 1926-1938; doi:10.3390/atmos6121838 --- Lopez, D.; Rabbani, M.; Crosbie, E.; Raman, A.; Arellano, A.; Sorooshian, A. Frequency and Character of Extreme Aerosol Events in the Southwestern United States: A Case Study Analysis in Arizona. Atmosphere 2016, 7(1), 1; doi:10.3390/atmos7010001 --- Stovern, M.; Guzmán, H.; Rine, K.; Felix, O.; King, M.; Ela, W.; Betterton, E.; Sáez, A. Windblown Dust Deposition Forecasting and Spread of Contamination around Mine Tailings. Atmosphere 2016, 7(2), 16; doi:10.3390/atmos7020016 --- Raman, A.; Arellano, A.; Sorooshian, A. Decreasing Aerosol Loading in the North American Monsoon Region. Atmosphere 2016, 7(2), 24; doi:10.3390/atmos7020024 --- Hetem, I.; Andrade, M. Characterization of Fine Particulate Matter Emitted from the Resuspension of Road and Pavement Dust in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, Brazil. Atmosphere 2016, 7(3), 31; doi:10.3390/atmos7030031

Description / Table of Contents: Interdisciplinarity has seemingly become a paradigm for modern and meaningful research. Clearly, the interdisciplinary modus of deliberation enables to unfold relevant but quite different disciplinary perspectives to the reflection of broader scientific questions or societal problems. However, whether the comprehensive results of interdisciplinary reflection prove to be valid or to be acceptable in trans-disciplinary terms depends upon certain preconditions, which have to be fulfilled for securing scientific quality and social trust in advisory contexts. The present book is written by experts and practitioners of interdisciplinary research and policy advice. It analyses topical and methodological approaches towards interdisciplinarity, starting with the current role of scientific research in society. The volume continues with contributions to the issues of knowledge and acting and to trans-disciplinary deliberation. The final conclusions address the scientific system as substantial actor itself as well as the relevant research and education politics

Description / Table of Contents: This book is a collection of ISRM suggested methods for testing or measuring properties of rocks and rock masses both in the laboratory and in situ, as well as for monitoring the performance of rock engineering structures. The first collection (Yellow Book) has been published in 1981. In order to provide access to all the Suggested Methods in one volume, the ISRM Blue Book was published in 2007 (by the ISRM via the Turkish National Group) and contains the complete set of Suggested Methods from 1974 to 2006 inclusive. The papers in this most recent volume have been published during the last seven years in international journals, mainly in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. They offer guidance for rock characterization procedures and laboratory and field testing and monitoring in rock engineering. These methods provide a definitive procedure for the identification, measurement and evaluation of one or more qualities, characteristics or properties of rocks or rock systems that produces a test result.

Description / Table of Contents: Contents: Variability of the Deepwater Horizon Surface Oil Spill Extent and Its Relationship to Varying Ocean Currents and Extreme Weather Conditions ; A Strategy for Bioremediation of Marine Shorelines by Using Several Nutrient Release Points ; Prediction of the Formation of Water-in-Oil Emulsions ; Equilibrium Theory of Bidensity Particle-Laden Flows on an Incline ; Operational Oil Spill Modelling: From Science to Engineering Applications in the Presence of Uncertainty ; Application of a Numerical Statistical Model to Estimate Potential Oil Spill Risk ; Structural Analysis of Oil-Spill Booms

Description / Table of Contents: China’s road to sustainability has attracted global attention. Since the “Reform & Opening Up” policy, China’s rapid pace of both urbanization and industrialization has made its being the second largesteconomy but meantime a heavy environmental price has been paid over the past few decades for addressing the economic developmental target. Today, as the biggest developing country, China needs to take more responsibilities for constructing its local ecological-civilization society as well as for addressingthe global challenges such as climate change, resources scary and human beings well-fare; therefore, weneed to have deeper understandings into China’s way to sustainability at very different levels, bothspatially and structurally, concerns ranging from generating sustainable household livelihoods to globalclimate change, from developing technological applications to generate institutional changes. In thisspirit, this publication, “Sustainability in China: Bridging Global Knowledge with Local Action” aims to investigate the intended and spontaneous issues concerning China’s road to sustainability in a combined top-down and bottom-up manner, linking international knowledge to local-based studies.

Description / Table of Contents: Urban water management has somewhat changed since the publication of The Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) Manual in 2007 [1], transforming from building traditional sewers to implementing SuDS, which are part of the best management practice techniques used in the USA and seen as contributing to water-sensitive urban design in Australia. Most SuDS, such as infiltration trenches, swales, green roofs, ponds, and wetlands, address water quality and quantity challenges, and enhance the local biodiversity while also being acceptable aesthetically to the public. Barriers to the implementation of SuDS include adoption problems, flood and diffuse pollution control challenges, negative public perception, and a lack of decision support tools addressing, particularly, the retrofitting of these systems while enhancing ecosystem services.