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Encyclopedia’s Academic Video Service Is Officially Launched

Encyclopedia MDPI is thrilled to announce significant enhancements to its Academic Video Service, which aim to improve its quality, accessibility, and functionality. Since its launch, our video service has enabled numerous scholars to present their research in a dynamic and visually engaging format, greatly enhancing its visibility and impact. Due to the overwhelmingly positive reception this service has received, we have reached a point where the number of orders we are receiving exceeds our current capacity. In order to maintain the quality of these videos and continue optimizing the service, we have made the decision to introduce a fee. However, to ensure that this service is still a cost-effective option, we have set our prices significantly below the market average. Highlights of the Upgrades to the Service Although the service will now be fee-based, we are committed to providing even more professional and comprehensive support, including the following: One-on-one video production guidance Personalized assistance to ensure your needs are fully met. Scriptwriting and English editing Expertly crafted narratives and professional English editing to ensure your research is presented clearly, accurately, and with impact. High-quality animations Visually engaging animations are created to simplify complex research and captivate your audience. Whiteboard Animations: Clean and minimalist, using hand-drawn illustrations to explain ideas step-by-step. Motion Graphics (MG) Animations: Cartoon Style: Bright, colorful, and approachable, ideal for making technical or scientific content more accessible and engaging. Hand-Drawn Style: Unique and artistic, adding a personal touch to your research while maintaining clarity and professionalism. Customized infographics (optional) We can also create tailored infographics to visually summarize key data or findings, enhancing the clarity and appeal of your video. Native voiceover Native speakers provide voiceovers to enhance the accessibility and reach of your research. Multiple rounds of revision To ensure your video accurately represents your work. Social media promotion Expanding your research's visibility and impact. Why Choose Us? The Proven Impact of Video Abstracts Research shows that a well-crafted video abstract can significantly enhance the visibility and impact of your work. It has been shown to do the following: Increase paper views by 120% （Source: 10.1007/ s11192-019-03108-w） Boost citations by 20% （Source: Wiley Online Library） Improve journal rankings by 33% （Source: Research Square） Raise Altmetrics scores by 140% （Source: Research Square） Our Expertise in Academic Research Backed by MDPI, our experienced production team combines deep academic knowledge with creative excellence. We understand the nuances of scholarly communication and ensure that every frame accurately conveys the value of your research, meeting the highest standards of quality and precision. Collaborations with SCI Journals We have partnered with many SCI journals to create exclusive video series, enhancing the dissemination and impact of published research. For example, our collaborations with Entropy, Remote Sensing, Nanomaterials , Animals , Nutrients, Foods , Sustainability, Encyclopedia, Cancers, etc., have helped authors achieve greater visibility and recognition for their work. Global visibility The videos are linked to your paper's DOI for maximum exposure. Available Video Services and Their Pricing Video Abstract (up to 5 minutes long): Summarizes the key findings, methodology, and significance of your research paper. Regular price: CHF 600 Discounted Price: CHF 400 Short Take (up to 2 minutes long): Uses original animations to explain the specific aspects of your research. Regular price: CHF 500 Discounted Price: CHF 300 Scholar Interview: A face-to-face discussion offering deeper insights into your publication. Regular price: CHF 400 Discounted Price: CHF 200 Video Production Service If you want to see some examples of our videos, please visit https://encyclopedia.pub/video. If you would like to apply for the video service, please click https://encyclopedia.pub/video_service. Others If you have any other questions, please contact office@encyclopedia.pub.

Announcement 07 Apr 2025

When Heritage Meets Biophilic Design: Evaluating Southern Morocco’s Vernacular Buildings

In southern Morocco, architecture does more than provide shelter; it encodes centuries of adaptation to climate, culture, and landscape. The earthen Kasbahs and Ksour of Ouarzazate Province—long recognized for their historical and architectural value—offer a particularly compelling case. A study published in MDPI Sustainability, titled “Characterizing Sustainability and Assessing Biophilic Design in Vernacular Architecture: Case of Kasbahs and Ksour in South of Morocco,” argues that these fortified vernacular structures hold important insights for contemporary discussions on biophilic and sustainable architecture. Using a Biophilic Interior Design Matrix composed of 54 attributes, the authors systematically evaluated eleven representative buildings and demonstrate that these historic forms incorporate environmental responsiveness, human–nature connection, and material intelligence in ways that resonate strongly with modern sustainability frameworks. Source: Encyclopedia Video abstract (https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1742). 1. Biophilic Design as an Analytical Lens Biophilic design, grounded in the biophilia hypothesis, emphasizes the integration of natural elements, processes, and patterns into built environments in order to enhance psychological well-being, physical comfort, and cognitive performance. In contemporary practice, biophilic strategies often rely on engineered systems—such as advanced daylighting solutions, vegetated surfaces, or controlled ventilation—to restore connections with natural processes that are frequently diminished in dense urban settings. The case study from Ouarzazate applies this framework to eleven heritage buildings, examining how their material composition, spatial organization, and environmental behavior correspond to biophilic attributes. By translating vernacular characteristics into measurable indicators, the authors show that traditional structures can provide relevant insights for present-day design challenges, particularly in arid and semi-arid contexts. 2. Materiality and Environmental Integration A central finding of the study concerns the predominance of earth-based construction, including rammed earth, adobe, and stone. These locally sourced materials, characterized by low embodied energy, perform strongly across several biophilic categories, especially those related to tactile richness, natural analogues, and integration with the surrounding landscape. Their thermal mass helps maintain interior comfort by moderating diurnal temperature fluctuations, thereby reducing dependence on mechanical systems. The resultant interiors exhibit a high degree of environmental coherence: surfaces, textures, and colors reflect the desert ecology from which the buildings arise. This material continuity aligns closely with core biophilic attributes focused on sensory connection and place-based identity. 3. Spatial Configuration and Climatic Responsiveness Vernacular spatial strategies further reinforce biophilic qualities. The compact urban fabric of Ksour, narrow passageways, shaded transitional zones, and internal courtyards collectively produce environments responsive to strong solar exposure, seasonal climatic variability, and local circulation patterns. According to the study’s findings, these spatial typologies correspond to biophilic attributes involving: dynamic natural lighting shade and thermal refuge coherent spatial order human scale and enclosure perceptible environmental processes Rather than relying on modern technologies, these buildings achieve environmental regulation through form, orientation, and passive strategies refined over generations. 4. Sustainability Embedded in Vernacular Practice Although traditional builders of Kasbahs and Ksour did not articulate sustainability as a conscious design agenda, the study shows that sustainable practices are embedded throughout their construction and use. Local materials minimize environmental impact; passive thermal strategies reduce energy demands; and building forms are finely tuned to climatic and ecological conditions. This integration of cultural, material, and environmental knowledge contrasts with many contemporary approaches that attempt to retrofit sustainability into existing design systems. The authors argue that vernacular Moroccan architecture exemplifies a holistic approach in which human comfort, resource efficiency, and environmental responsiveness operate in mutually reinforcing ways. 5. Implications for Contemporary Architecture The study's findings carry broader implications for architectural practice, particularly in regions confronting climate stress or resource limitations. Several insights emerge: Vernacular architecture can serve as a repository of environmental intelligence, offering precedents for low-energy, context-appropriate strategies. Biophilic qualities may already be embedded in traditional structures, even if not defined as such, providing instructive examples for contemporary application. Sustainability may be strengthened by cultural continuity, linking material practice to identity, place, and ecological understanding. The Kasbahs and Ksour therefore encourage architects to consider how traditional building knowledge can inform modern biophilic and sustainable design frameworks rather than exist apart from them. 6. Conclusion: Learning from Vernacular Ecologies The study concludes that the Kasbahs and Ksour of the Ouarzazate Province are significant not only for their cultural heritage but also for their environmental adaptability and human-centered design logic. By applying the Biophilic Interior Design Matrix, the authors demonstrate that many features of these vernacular structures naturally align with the objectives of biophilic and sustainable design. As societies confront climate change, increasing energy pressures, and a growing disconnect from natural environments, the lessons embedded in Morocco’s vernacular landscapes gain renewed relevance. These buildings illustrate how environmental adaptation, material stewardship, and human well-being can reinforce one another within integrated architectural systems. In this way, the study of Kasbahs and Ksour extends beyond historical inquiry; it offers a forward-looking model for sustainable design. Re-engaging with vernacular knowledge may help the built environment evolve toward approaches that are both technically resilient and culturally grounded. For more information about topic, you can view the online video entitled "Sustainability and Biophilic Design in Vernacular Architecture: Morocco".

Blog 05 Dec 2025

What ESG Reporting Reveals About Sustainability Progress in Major U.S. Airports

Airports are more than transport hubs; they are major local employers, energy users, and land managers whose operations intersect with climate, public health, and equity concerns. As investors, communities, regulators, and travellers pay greater attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, airports face both opportunities and questions about how to report sustainability credibly. A study published in MDPI Sustainability "Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Reporting for Large US Airports" examined ESG reporting across the 30 large-hub U.S. airports, contrasted reporting frameworks, and offered detailed case studies of Salt Lake City (SLC) and Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW). Its central conclusion: reporting is growing, but practices remain uneven and largely voluntary — which limits comparability, accountability, and potential regulatory clarity. Source: Encyclopedia Video abstract (https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1737). 1. ESG Reporting Practices and Current Gaps The study confirms that all 30 large-hub airports in the United States publish some form of sustainability-related information. This may take the form of sustainability reports, topic-specific documents, or web-based summaries. However, only eight of these airports produce a formal report explicitly labelled as ESG. This demonstrates that while sustainability communication is widespread, ESG-specific reporting remains limited. The analysis shows substantial variation in the reporting frameworks adopted by airports. Some airports reference guidance from organizations such as Airports Council International (ACI) or the World Economic Forum (WEF), whereas others rely on general sustainability standards or develop customized reporting structures. Because these approaches differ in scope and terminology, the resulting disclosures are not easily comparable, and many recommended elements appear only partially addressed across the sample. Through two case studies — Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — the paper illustrates what more structured ESG reporting can look like. Both airports reference the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make efforts to align environmental, social, and governance disclosures with these global frameworks. Their reports include data on energy and resource use, greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2, with partial Scope 3), waste and water management, workforce composition, and governance practices. Even so, the study notes that reporting gaps persist. Not all of the recommended disclosure elements are consistently covered, historical data are sometimes missing, and several disclosures remain primarily qualitative. Additionally, because airports vary widely in size, governance structure, and operational context, the authors caution that standardization must remain flexible, even while comparability remains a core challenge. 2. Why ESG Reporting Matters The authors identify several advantages associated with stronger ESG reporting at airports: Transparency and accountability: Clear disclosures allow stakeholders to better understand environmental and social performance. Risk management and regulatory preparedness: Monitoring emissions, resource use, and community impacts strengthens long-term planning. Operational and financial benefits: Reporting can help identify inefficiencies and support more sustainable operations. Community and social engagement: Social-governance indicators help airports demonstrate broader community value. Stakeholder and investor confidence: As ESG reporting becomes more relevant in infrastructure planning and finance, consistent disclosure strengthens credibility. These points reflect the conceptual benefits highlighted by the authors. The paper does not measure quantitative impacts but presents these as recognized motivations for ESG adoption in the aviation sector. 3. Recommendations for Improving ESG Reporting The study offers several guidance points for airports seeking to strengthen ESG transparency: Adopt an appropriate reporting framework.Airports are encouraged to draw on sector-relevant frameworks such as ACI or WEF guidance to avoid fragmented or incomplete disclosures. Report core ESG elements consistently.The authors reference the ACI-NA list of 20 recommended disclosure items across environmental, social, and governance categories. Provide quantitative data and historical trends.Multi-year data series, where available, allow more meaningful evaluation of progress. Align ESG metrics with the UN SDGs where relevant.This helps contextualize sustainability actions in relation to broader global goals. Balance standardization with local context.Because airports differ substantially, a flexible but transparent approach is necessary to maintain both relevance and comparability. These recommendations reflect the paper's emphasis on clarity, structure, and consistency, rather than rigid compliance. 4. Conclusion: ESG Reporting as a Foundation for Sustainable Aviation The study provides a clear picture of ESG reporting across large U.S. airports: sustainability communication is now standard practice, but ESG-specific reporting remains uneven and often lacks methodological consistency. The case studies of SLC and DFW show that more comprehensive and SDG-aligned reporting is achievable, though still incomplete. The authors argue that improving ESG reporting will support better transparency, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. For airports, the challenge ahead is twofold: adopting coherent frameworks and committing to consistent disclosure while preserving the flexibility required by diverse operational contexts. In the broader landscape of sustainable aviation, the paper suggests that ESG reporting is not merely an administrative exercise but a foundational step toward clearer accountability and more informed decision-making. It signals a sector in transition — moving toward more structured reporting, yet still working to build the comparability and completeness needed for meaningful evaluation. For more information about topic, you can view the online video entitled "ESG Reporting for Large US Airports".

Blog 01 Dec 2025

From Seed to Seedling: How Early Fungicide Protection Shapes Wheat Health

Wheat may look sturdy as it waves across millions of hectares worldwide, but its earliest weeks of life are surprisingly fragile. Before farmers even see the first true leaves, invisible fungal pathogens may already be gaining ground. Two of the biggest threats—tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici)—can turn what should be a promising crop into a field of losses reaching fifty or even one hundred percent. This vulnerability raises an important question: can we protect wheat before the danger even appears? A recent study published in MDPI Agronomy "Optimizing Fungicide Seed Treatments for Early Foliar Disease Management in Wheat Under Northern Great Plains Conditions" set out to answer precisely this. Conducted across greenhouse, growth chamber, and field conditions in the Northern Great Plains, the research evaluated whether fungicide seed treatments could provide wheat seedlings with an early advantage—reducing disease, enhancing vigor, and ultimately improving yield. Source: Encyclopedia Video abstract (https://encyclopedia.pub/video/1739). 1. Early Disease Suppression: Moderate but Meaningful Experiments conducted across greenhouse, growth chamber, and field environments demonstrate that seed-applied fungicides can reduce early disease severity: Stripe rust severity decreased by approximately 36–42 percent, compared with untreated controls (p ≤ 0.05). Tan spot severity was reduced by about 15–20 percent during early growth stages, depending on the evaluation time point. These reductions are most pronounced when disease pressure appears early, underscoring the value of protection during seedling establishment. 2. Plant Vigor and Winter Survival Improved Beyond disease reduction, seed treatments produced notable physiological benefits: Plant vigor increased by roughly 30–40 percent during early growth. Winter survival improved by 25–50 percent, depending on cultivar and treatment. These improvements are particularly important in the Northern Great Plains, where harsh winters can significantly limit stand establishment and yield potential. 3. Yield and Grain Quality Gains The field results demonstrate that early-season protection can translate into substantial agronomic advantages: Grain yield increased by approximately 25–50 percent across treated plots (p ≤ 0.05). In one late-seeding scenario, plots treated with pyraclostrobin yielded 1,033.3 kg/ha, compared with 563.3 kg/ha in untreated controls. Test weight improved, with treated wheat measuring about 64–66 kg/hL, compared with around 42 kg/hL in untreated plots. Protein content also increased, reaching 12–14 percent in treated plants versus around 11 percent in the control plots. These quality metrics are increasingly important for meeting market standards and maintaining profitability in variable environments. 4. Which Treatments Performed Best? Among the fungicide seed treatments evaluated, pyraclostrobin and thiamethoxam-based combinations consistently delivered the strongest overall performance. These treatments produced reliable reductions in early disease severity, improved seedling vigor, and contributed to higher yield outcomes across greenhouse, growth chamber, and field settings. Their consistency under variable environmental conditions makes them particularly valuable for regions such as the Northern Great Plains, where disease pressure and weather patterns can shift rapidly. Other active ingredients — including difenoconazole, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, and sedaxane — also provided measurable benefits. However, their performance tended to vary depending on disease pressure, soil moisture, temperature, and cultivar response. In several instances, the magnitude of improvement in vigor or disease suppression was less uniform compared to pyraclostrobin or thiamethoxam-based treatments. A notable pattern emerging from the study is that mixed-mode-of-action combinations delivered the most robust results overall. These blends appear to couple early physiological enhancement with pathogen suppression, providing seedlings a competitive advantage during the critical establishment phase. 5. Limitation: Protection Declines as the Plant Matures Despite their clear early-season advantages, the study highlights an important limitation of fungicide seed treatments: their efficacy naturally diminishes as wheat progresses into later developmental stages. Systemic activity decreases over time, and by mid-season, plants typically lack sufficient residual protection to suppress foliar diseases that emerge under high-pressure conditions. Because of this, seed treatments cannot replace in-season foliar fungicide applications, particularly during key growth stages such as stem elongation and heading. They also do not substitute for resistant cultivars or long-term agronomic practices, including rotation and residue management, which are essential for minimizing pathogen buildup in no-till or reduced-till systems. This limitation is biological rather than technological. Seed treatments act primarily at the seed and seedling interface, and once roots and shoots expand beyond the treated zone, the active ingredients dilute and degrade naturally. Recognizing this window of activity is crucial for growers to avoid overreliance on seed treatments as a standalone management tool. 6. A Key Component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Taken together, the findings demonstrate that fungicide seed treatments serve as an effective component of early-season disease management. Their benefits include reduced initial pathogen pressure, stronger and more vigorous seedlings, better overwintering success, and improvements in yield and grain quality. These advantages make seed treatments especially useful in systems where residue-borne inoculum is abundant, such as no-till or minimum-till operations. However, sustainable wheat disease management requires integration rather than dependence on a single strategy. Seed treatments should be deployed alongside cultivars with genetic resistance, timely foliar fungicide applications at disease-critical growth stages, and agronomic practices designed to reduce inoculum carryover. When combined within an IPM framework, these tools provide season-long resilience and reduce the risk of severe outbreaks. The study also identifies clear directions for future research. Multi-year and multi-location trials are needed to further validate treatment consistency across environmental conditions. Additional research should focus on optimizing combinations of seed and foliar fungicides, assessing performance under abiotic stresses such as drought or extreme cold, and evaluating cultivar-specific responses. Economic analyses will also help determine the most cost-effective treatment strategies across diverse production systems. 7. Conclusion Fungicide seed treatments are not a standalone solution — but they are a reliable, evidence-based tool for strengthening wheat performance in the early season. By moderating disease severity, improving vigor, enhancing winter survival, and contributing to yield and grain quality, they help wheat crops establish strong foundations from the start. Within an integrated management framework, seed treatments offer wheat growers in the Northern Great Plains a practical and impactful way to mitigate early-season challenges and protect yield potential in an increasingly unpredictable climate. For more information about topic, you can view the online video entitled "Fungicide Optimization for Early Wheat Disease Control".

Blog 25 Nov 2025

Encyclopedia Journal Accepted for Coverage in Scopus

We are pleased to announce that in August 2025, Encyclopedia (ISSN 2673-8392) has been selected for coverage in the Scopus indexing database. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, and editors who have contributed to this journal and made this achievement possible. Encyclopedia is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that mainly publishes high-quality entries, field guides, reviews, and systematic reviews in all scientific areas. Original research articles in the area of Encyclopedia Studies are also welcome. Our goal is to form a comprehensive record of scientific development and provide reference information not only for researchers but also for the general public interested in accurate and advanced knowledge on specific topics. To make the most of this opportunity, we would like to invite you to submit your research to the journal. We warmly welcome you to consider Encyclopedia as a platform for publishing your work. If you have a paper concerning any topic within the scope of the journal, please submit it via the journal’s website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/encyclopedia.

Announcement 28 Aug 2025

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Shlomi Agmon

Encyclopedia Video provides potential readers with a tool to quickly understand what the work is about. That is important for casualreaders, whose time is thus spared, and for investedreaders, for whom it makes the decision to say "yes, I want to read the paper" much simpler.

School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel

Ignacio Cea

For the video abstracts, the papers and authors could gain more visibility and increase citations. Also, it means a more diverse and interesting way of communicating research, which is something valuable in itself.

Center for Research, Innovation and Creation, and Faculty of Religious Sciences and Philosophy, Temuco Catholic University

Melvin R. Pete Hayden

Thank the video production crew for making such a wonderful video. The narrations have been significantly added to the video! Congratulations on such an outstanding job of Encyclopedia Video team.

University of Missouri School of Medicine, United States

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