bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A construção de cidades resilientes por meio da gestão integrada de riscos: uma cooperação entre Universidade e Órgãos Públicos
Authors: Oliveira Gabriela Guimarães Gouvêa de , Santos Gislaine dos , Souza Jordan Henrique de , Moreira Raphaella de Souza Resende
Published: September 2021

Atualmente, existe um reconhecimento global de que as cidades estão suscetíveis a riscos e que são necessárias mobilizações de agentes de várias esferas para implantação de medidas de prevenção do risco a desastres. Entre as consequências naturais e sociais desse processo de urbanização, estão as ocorrências de desastres geológicos e hidrológicos, podendo ser do tipo natural ou do tipo induzido. Em virtude disso, reuniram-se o 3º Comando Operacional de Bombeiros Militar de Minas Gerais (CBMMG/3º COB) e a Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora para promover o desenvolvimento de um modelo de gestão integrada de informações antrópicas e de condicionantes físicos, dentro de um sistema computacional, para identificar possíveis áreas de risco. A equipe da UFJF elaborou um sistema computacional de suporte ao mapeamento das áreas de risco denominado Álea. Com o aplicativo, é possível delimitar setores de risco e classificá-los para subsidiar a tomada de decisão dos gestores públicos.

Currently, there is a global recognition that cities are susceptible to risks and that they are mobilizing agents from various spheres to implement measures for disaster prevention. Among the natural and social consequences of this urbanization process, geological and hydrological disasters are occurring, which may be natural or induced. As a result, the 3rd Operational Command of Military Firefighters of Minas Gerais (CBMMG / 3rd COB) and the Federal University of Juiz de Fora met to promote the development of an integrated information management and anthropogenic control model within a computational system to identify possible risk areas. The UFJF team developed a computer system to support the mapping of risk areas called Álea. The application makes it possible to delimit risk sectors and classify them to support decision making by public managers.
Percusos etnográficos: diários gráficos de um urbanista
Authors: Pereira Carla Freitas Pacheco
Published: September 2021

O tema central da investigação é a construção da subjetividade através da expressão gráfica, usando a etnografia como método de pesquisa, e pretende-se contribuir com uma reflexão sobre a ordem do discurso gráfico como linguagem dominante, que organiza e manipula narrativas e símbolos na criação da paisagem e no projeto de ordenamento urbano. Trata-se de uma articulação transdisciplinar entre conhecimentos das áreas da Psicologia, Filosofia, Arquitetura e Urbanismo, tendo como fundamento ideias de Deleuze, Guattari, Spinoza e Foucault. Partindo-se do reconhecimento de que o desenho como fenômeno subjetivo da percepção humana é uma práxis fundada no século XV, o objetivo geral deste artigo é ampliar análises já iniciadas a respeito do fenômeno urbano contemporâneo de desenho de rua. A pesquisa buscará observar a emergência da subjetividade no ato de desenhar, pois considera-se que o exercício projetual do urbanista está intimamente conectado à sua capacidade de subjetivar-se.

The central theme of the investigation is the construction of subjectivity through graphic expression, using ethnography as a research method, it is intended to contribute to a reflection on the order of graphic discourse as the dominant language, which organizes and manipulates narratives and symbols in the creation of landscape and urban planning project. It is a transdisciplinary articulation between knowledge in the areas of Psychology, Philosophy, Architecture and Urbanism, based on the ideas of Deleuze, Guattari, Spinoza and Foucault. Starting from the recognition that drawing as a subjective phenomenon of human perception is a praxis founded in the 15th century, the general objective of this article is to expand analyzes already started regarding the contemporary urban phenomenon of street drawing. The research will seek to observe the emergence of subjectivity in the act of drawing, as it is considered that the urbanist's design exercise is closely connected to his ability to subjectify himself.
Pichação: corpos em performance
Authors: Corrêa Cleber Augusto Barreto
Published: September 2021

Este artigo propõe uma análise da prática da pixação (grafada propositalmente com “x”) como registro dos movimentos dos corpos pelos espaços urbanos, perspectiva que cria um contraponto ao enfoque imagético ou criminológico com o qual o tema geralmente é tratado. Para tanto, o objeto será inicialmente delimitado a partir de diversos sentidos da palavra pichação, tomando como ponto de partida as suas diferenciações de grafia (com “x” ou “ch”), desde essa introdução o fenômeno da pichação será apresentado na perspectiva dos registros dos corpos se deslocando pelos espaços da cidade. O interesse aqui é o de demonstrar que os escritos nas paredes e outras superfícies urbanas podem ser entendidos como atestados de presença dos praticantes. A ação de demarcação territorial é passível de leitura como presença fantasmática constitutiva dos deslocamentos espaciais do pichador (tendo o par itinerância/corpo como componente fundamental e inseparável para qualquer análise). Tal interpretação transporta o debate para uma perspectiva com enfoque nos agentes (nos pichadores) e nas questões socioespaciais referentes aos seus cotidianos.

This article proposes an analysis of the practice of graffiti writing as a record of the movement of bodies in urban spaces, a perspective that creates a counterpoint to the imagetic or criminological approach with which the theme is usually treated. For this purpose, the object will be initially delimited from several meanings of the word “pichação”, since this introduction the phenomenon of “pichação” will be presented in the perspective of the records of bodies moving through city spaces. The interest here is to demonstrate that the writings on the walls and other urban surfaces can be understood as attestations of the practitioners' presence. The territorial demarcation action can be read as a phantasmatic presence that constitutes the tagger's itinerancy (with the itinerant / body pair as a fundamental and inseparable component for any analysis). Such an interpretation shifts the debate to a perspective with a focus on agents (graffiti artists and socio-spatial issues related to their daily lives).
Mulheres e vulnerabilidade urbana: caminhos e entraves para o protagonismo feminino na produção de cidades resilientes e justas
Authors: Silva Julia Lopes da , Samora Patricia Rodrigues
Published: September 2021

As mudanças climáticas e o processo de urbanização desigual vêm intensificando a ocorrência e a magnitude de desastres ambientais. Mulheres se mostram particularmente vulneráveis, sendo as principais vítimas desses eventos. Neste artigo, discutimos a incorporação da mulher como agente de transformação para cidades resilientes e buscamos entender as dificuldades para a efetivação dessa meta no atual contexto político nacional. Para tanto, traçamos um panorama da discussão mulher e risco na agenda política global, contextualizando com a política brasileira de gestão de desastres. Realizamos um levantamento de ações que impactam sua efetivação, levando em conta a política ambiental e de inclusão social. Considerando que o debate do urbanismo contemporâneo ressalta o protagonismo feminino como essencial para a transformação das cidades, formulamos estratégias alternativas ao cenário político brasileiro. Estas perpassam pelo engajamento feminino e comunitário para construção de um conhecimento coletivo capaz de reduzir a vulnerabilidade da população.

Climate change and the process of uneven urbanization have intensified the occurrence and magnitude of environmental disasters. Women are particularly vulnerable, being the main victims of these events. In this article, we discuss the incorporation of women as agents of transformation for resilient cities and we seek to understand the difficulties in achieving this goal in the current national political context. To do so, we draw an overview of the discussion of women and risk on the global political agenda, contextualizing it with the Brazilian disaster management policy. We carried out a survey of actions that impact their effectiveness, considering the environmental and social inclusion policy. Considering that the debate on contemporary urbanism highlights female protagonism as essential for the transformation of cities, we formulate alternative strategies to the Brazilian political scenario. These go through female and community engagement to build collective knowledge capable of reducing the population's vulnerability.
Migração da classe média no Distrito Federal: o que justifica a opção por morar fora do Plano Piloto de Brasília
Authors: Ferraz Flávio Rodrigues
Published: September 2021

O presente artigo buscou investigar a migração da classe média de Brasília do Plano Piloto, antes o local preferido desse extrato social, para condomínios verticais fechados em regiões nas bordas da área tombada da capital do Brasil. Para a investigação foi utilizada a pesquisa exploratória com o envio de formulários eletrônicos para os moradores de dois condomínios. Foi realizado ainda um relatório fotográfico no intuito de demonstrar as diferenças em termos de equipamenots de lazer. Os dados foram analisados e evidenciaram a necessidade de estudos mais aprofundados para entender melhor e propor ações para impedir ou mitigar os danos decorrentes do que parece ser uma tendência de desvalorização do Plano Piloto que via de regra desemboca na deteriorização da região.

This article sought to investigate the migration of Brasília's middle class from Plano Piloto, previously the preferred location of this social extract, to closed vertical condominiums in regions on the edges of the protected area of the capital of Brazil. For the investigation, exploratory research was used, sending electronic forms to the residents of two condominiums. A photographic report was also carried out in order to demonstrate the differences in terms of leisure equipment. The data were analyzed and evidenced the need for further studies to better understand and propose actions to prevent or mitigate the damage resulting from what appears to be a devaluation trend in the Plano Piloto that usually leads to the deterioration of the region.
Hacia la localización de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible: implementación en los secaderos de tabaco del norte de la provincia de Cáceres
Authors: Sánchez Rivero M.V. , Bote Alonso I. , Montalbán Pozas B.
Published: September 2021

Esta comunicación implementa los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible –ODS–de la Agenda 2030 de las Naciones Unidas en el paisaje cultural que forman los secaderos de tabaco, como restos arqueológicos de la industria tabaquera en el norte de la provincia de Cáceres. A través de estos Objetivos, se propone un modelo integrado que enfrenta lo intangible y lo tangible para definir unos indicadores y así, estudiar la compatibilidad de los ODS a nivel local. La metodología llevada a cabo consiste en aplicar la localización de los mismos mediante un ejercicio de mapeo que ajusta los indicadores a la escala de evaluación. Como resultado, hemos obtenido una serie de indicadores locales para el paisaje cultural en torno a la industria del tabaco.

This communication implements the Sustainable Development Goals –SDGs– of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations in the cultural landscape formed by the tobacco barns, archaeological remains of the tobacco industry in the north of the province of Caceres. Through these Objectives, it proposes an integrated model that addresses the intangible and the tangible heritage to define the indicators and thus, study the compatibility of the SDGs at the local level. The methodology consists of applying their location through a mapping exercise that adjusts the indicators to the evaluation scale. As a result, we have obtained a series of local indicators for the cultural landscape around the tobacco industry.
La declaración de ruina en los edificios y conjuntos históricos: soluciones en las legislaciones autonómicas de urbanismo y patrimonio de España
Authors: Vázquez Ríos Rafael
Published: September 2021

Desde el punto de vista urbanístico la declaración de ruina fruto de incoar por parte de los Ayuntamientos un expediente , acaba con el deber de conservación del propietario de el edificio , pero cuando se trata de la ruina de un bien de interés cultural o con características que le hagan merecedoras de pertenecer al patrimonio histórico español este deber de conservación no cesa y las legislaciones de patrimonio y urbanísticas de las comunidades autónomas imponen al propietario que se haga cargo de las reformas pertinentes acabando y rompiendo con la ecuación “ruina –demolición”. Pero la jurisprudencia que ha emanado de nuestro Tribunal Supremo con anterioridad a la Ley del Patrimonio Histórico Español de 1985 ponía de manifiesto que la declaración de ruina eximia al propietario del deber de conservación y éste se trasladaba a la colectividad, haciendo que interviniera la administración para que el patrimonio histórico y cultural no se viera en peligro.

From the urban point of view the declaration of ruin resulting from the people of the Municipalities, ends with the duty of conservation of the owner of the building, but when it comes to the ruin of a good of cultural interest or with characteristics that make it deserving of belonging to the Spanish historical heritage this duty of conservation does not cease and the laws of heritage and urban planning of the autonomous communities impose on the owner that is made relevant reforms by ending and breaking with the "ruin – demolition" equation. But the jurisprudence that has emanated from our Supreme Court prior to the Spanish Historical Heritage Act of 1985 showed that the declaration of ruin exempts the owner from the conservation duty and the latter was transferred to the collective, causing the administration to intervene so that the historical and cultural heritage was not jeopardized.
Landscape urbanism as an alternative approach to regional planning practices: Research-by-Design in the semi-arid region of Tete
Authors: Wambecq Wim
Published: September 2021

The semi-arid region of Tete undergoes a series of exogenous processes that makes the inhabitation of the savannah landscape difficult. Large-scale landscape alterations lead to disconnection from its resources and the increase in vulnerability, especially for the local population that do not benefit directly from the exogenous processes. In addition, they aggravate the harsh endogenous processes that the region suffers from, namely long periods of drought alternated with severe flash floods.This paper presents the application of Research-by-Design as a method of Landscape Urbanism on a specific case in the semi-arid region of Teteto aim towards a more sustainable territory. Landscape Urbanism is tested as alternative approach to classic regional planning practices. The paper bases itself on research-by-design executed over a period of three years and is organized through James Corner’s four provisional themes of Landscape Urbanism. The research shows that Research-by-Design within the principles of Landscape Urbanism can be a valuable addition to ongoing planning practices, especially emphasizing its capacity to empower local population.
The Room Above
Authors: Labriola Joe ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: September 2021

If society could clean the memories of a criminal, and allow them to start a new life, with new life experiences, would they have a new person? Are we more than our memories? In this work of philosophical short story of fiction, John wakes up with complete amnesia in a small white room. His roommate Jack is in the same situation, but has been in the room longer. They are gassed and when John wakes up a doctor explains to him that he was convicted of a crime and, rather than going to prison, he opted to have his memory erased, to have a new memory implanted, and to get an entirely new life. Unfortunately, in order to get a clean slate, the process from memory wipe to new life takes 18 months. John and Jack share a cell. John reads, and Jack draws. Eventually, Jack’s time is up and he disappears, ready to enter his new life. John gets a new cellmate and gets him up to speed. Eventually, John’s time is up and he is gassed a final time before starting his life as a "newborn."
The Showing
Authors: Campbell Laura J. ,   After Dinner Conversation
Published: September 2021

What level of proof is required to believe in the spiritual and the afterlife? What level of proof is required for disclosure to others as material? In this work of philosophical short story fiction, Mariette is a real estate agent that is informed by the seller that the house is haunted by a ghost. Mariette is prone to believing in ghosts, but feels this is information she is not required to tell a potential buyer. However, shortly thereafter, she starts getting strange static phone calls and seeing a woman from an earlier time walking the streets pushing an empty stroller. The situation comes to a head when she does some research that turns up a missing woman and child. Her phone rings again, again providing only static. By talking to the static Mariette is able to determine the sequence of events leading to the murder, and is able to set the wandering ghost free by giving it peace.
Harry Potter and the Way of Truth: Reflections on Where we are as Standing Towards Religion
Authors: Milani Milad ,   Academic Publishing
Published: September 2021

Discussion around religion is abundant. Talking directly to it as a phenomenon is unusual. Yet, this brief essay aims to speak directly to the question of our positionality to religion by way of drawing lessons from the Harry Potter story. It does this by thinking about the takeaway message on religion from this literary epic with the aid of Martin Heidegger, but also in conversation with John Carroll’s piece on the same. There is something to be said for the practicality of religion as reflecting the practicality of being. Being as we are in the sense of becoming, religion might be argued to denote the act, rather than the ideal, of being human.
The number of crossings in multigraphs with no empty lens
Authors: Kaufmann Michael , Pach János , Tóth Géza , Ueckerdt Torsten
Published: September 2021

Let $G$ be a multigraph with $n$ vertices and $e>4n$ edges, drawn in the plane such that any two parallel edges form a simple closed curve with at least one vertex in its interior and at least one vertex in its exterior.
Pach and Tóth [A Crossing Lemma for Multigraphs, SoCG 2018] extended the Crossing Lemma of Ajtai et al. [Crossing-free subgraphs, North-Holland Mathematics Studies, 1982] and Leighton [Complexity issues in VLSI, Foundations of computing series, 1983] by showing that if no two adjacent edges cross and every pair of nonadjacent edges cross at most once, then the number of edge crossings in $G$ is at least $\alpha e^3/n^2$, for a suitable constant $\alpha>0$.
The situation turns out to be quite different if nonparallel edges are allowed to cross any number of times.
It is proved that in this case the number of crossings in $G$ is at least $\alpha e^{2.5}/n^{1.5}$.
The order of magnitude of this bound cannot be improved.
Tree Containment With Soft Polytomies
Authors: Bentert Matthias , Weller Mathias
Published: September 2021

The ${\rm T{\small REE}~C{\small ONTAINMENT}}$ problem has many important applications in the study of evolutionary history.
Given a phylogenetic network $N$ and a phylogenetic tree $T$ whose leaves are labeled by a set of taxa,
it asks if $N$ and $T$ are consistent.
While the case of binary $N$ and $T$ has received considerable attention,
the more practically relevant variant dealing with biological uncertainty has not.
Such uncertainty manifests itself as high-degree vertices ("polytomies")
that are "jokers" in the sense that they are compatible with any binary resolution of their children. Contrasting the binary case, we show that this problem, called ${\rm S{\small OFT}~T{\small REE}~C{\small ONTAINMENT}}$,
is NP-complete, even if $N$ is a binary, multi-labeled tree in which each taxon occurs at most thrice.
On the other hand, we reduce the case that each label occurs at most twice to solving a 2-SAT instance of size $O(|T|^3)$. This implies NP-completeness and polynomial-time solvability on reticulation-visible networks
in which the maximum in-degree is bounded by three and two, respectively.
Le juge québécois face au divorce islamique. Comment prévenir les divorces « boiteux » internationaux?
Authors: Al-Dabbagh Harith
Published: September 2021

La présence sur le territoire du Canada d’une importante population originaire des pays musulmans a suscité un contentieux nouveau portant sur des institutions familiales de facture religieuse. Les tribunaux sont de plus en plus sollicités pour donner effet à des décisions de divorce rendues en vertu des lois d’inspiration musulmane. Malgré le libéralisme caractérisant le régime de reconnaissance et d’exécution des décisions étrangères, la jurisprudence québécoise se montre de prima facie assez réfractaire à la réception des divorces islamiques. La présente contribution ambitionne de déterminer les différentes variables qui influencent l’efficacité de ces jugements dans l’espace juridique québécois. L’analyse met en lumière l’ambivalence de la jurisprudence qui traduit le tiraillement entre deux impératifs : celui de préserver la cohésion et les valeurs de l’ordre juridique du for d’une part et celui de favoriser l’harmonie internationale des solutions d’autre part.
Les réformes récentes du contrôle judiciaire des sentences arbitrales en Chine
Authors: Jin Xin
Published: September 2021

En tant que justice privée, l’arbitrage met fin aux différends, en même temps qu’il est soumis au contrôle judiciaire des juridictions étatiques. L’intervention inappropriée des juges entrave le développement de l’arbitrage. La Cour suprême de Chine cherche à réformer les règles du contrôle judiciaire en garantissant l’efficacité de l’arbitrage et la sécurité juridique des parties. La présente étude montre les derniers développements du droit de l’arbitrage chinois et ses critiques.
Content of the concept of “ethnic painting”: articulation of the problem
Authors: Sokolova Alla Nikolaevna
Published: September 2021

This article analyzes the concept of “ethnic painting”, Russian and Western sources on the topic, as well as controversial approaches towards its interpretation. It is established that the Russian science avoids using the concept of “ethnic painting” to ambiguity of its content. The most commonly concepts in sphere are “national art”, “ethnocultural manifestations”, “territorial-ethnic nature of painting”, “national peculiarities”, and “national distinctness of art schools”. In Western literature, the concept of “ethnic painting” is attributed to both, folk art and professional art. Parallel is drawn between the concept of “national culture” and “ethnic culture”. The research is based on the painting of Circassians (Adyghe) of Russia and Turkey. Using the methods of comparative studies, comparative typology and art analysis, the article explores the works of contemporary Circassian painters of Turkey and Russia, revealing the specificity and universal characteristics of their paintings. The works of professional artists, which meet certain characteristics, should be referred to as “ethnic painting”. The author describes the key attributes and functions of plastic arts that allow classifying it as the concept of “ethnic”: 1) figurative characteristics (visualization of mythological and epic heroes and plotlines, ritual and common culture); 2) translation of ethnic mental characteristics and values; 3) design of ethnic identity and solidarity by means of painting; 4) introduction the art of painting not only to the elite, but other social classes as well; 5) usage of public instruments for proliferation and popularization of painting through education and enlightenment; 6) comprehension of ethnic art as a crucial element of national art; 7) development of ethnic art through various contaminants (ethnocultural content and modernist form or technique; modern content in the traditional genre or form).
Russian toolkit for settling international conflicts and peculiarities of its application
Authors: Iakovlev Egor Aleksandrovich
Published: September 2021

As the successor state of the former superpower USSR, the Russian Federation retains its high status of the “guarantor of peace” for the entire international community due to a range of political, military and economic means, currently being on of the few “police states”. The role of police states is important to such extent that no major conflict can be settled without their participation or approval. Such status of Russia is being maintained by its military power, as well as a number of political privileges. Alongside any police state, Russia has developed its own strategy for interfering or settling the international military conflicts using the existing toolkit. This defines the relevance of analysis of the current state of the Russian range of means and tools for suppression and settlement of the conflicts. The goal of this research consists in examination of the the means available to the Russian Federation for settling military conflicts, as well as in the analysis of the state and prospects of their use in peacekeeping campaigns of the Russian Federation. It is worth noting that the Russian Federation as the successor state of the Soviet Union, and one of the members of the nuclear club and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, retains and extends the range of tools for handling and settling military conflicts, from the preventive tools of cultural-diplomatic influence such as Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (commonly known as Rossotrudnichestvo) to high-tech military weapons, which have no analogues among the overwhelming majority of participants of international relations. The presence of such rich arsenal testifies to strong peacekeeping potential of the Russian Federation; however, the currently observed inclination towards the priority of coercive tools can severely undermine the ability of the Russian Federation to settle international military conflicts.
The interplay of RNA:DNA hybrid structure and G-quadruplexes determines the outcome of R-loop-replisome collisions
Authors: Kumar Charanya , Batra Sahil , Griffith Jack D , Remus Dirk
Published: September 2021

R-loops are a major source of genome instability associated with transcription-induced replication stress. However, how R-loops inherently impact replication fork progression is not understood. Here, we characterize R-loop-replisome collisions using a fully reconstituted eukaryotic DNA replication system. We find that RNA:DNA hybrids and G-quadruplexes at both co-directional and head-on R-loops can impact fork progression by inducing fork stalling, uncoupling of leading strand synthesis from replisome progression, and nascent strand gaps. RNase H1 and Pif1 suppress replication defects by resolving RNA:DNA hybrids and G-quadruplexes, respectively. We also identify an intrinsic capacity of replisomes to maintain fork progression at certain R-loops by unwinding RNA:DNA hybrids, repriming leading strand synthesis downstream of G-quadruplexes, or utilizing R-loop transcripts to prime leading strand restart during co-directional R-loop-replisome collisions. Collectively, the data demonstrates that the outcome of R-loop-replisome collisions is modulated by R-loop structure, providing a mechanistic basis for the distinction of deleterious from non-deleterious R-loops.
High bycatch rates of manta and devil rays in the “small-scale” artisanal fisheries of Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando Daniel , Stewart Joshua D.
Published: September 2021

Background

Expanding fisheries in developing nations like Sri Lanka have a significant impact on threatened marine species such as elasmobranchs. Manta and devil (mobulid) rays have some of the most conservative life history strategies of any elasmobranch, and even low to moderate levels of bycatch from gillnet fisheries may lead to significant population declines. A lack of information on life history, demographics, population trends, and fisheries impacts hinders effective management measures for these species.

Method

We report on mobulid fishery landings over nine years between 2011 and 2020 across 38 landing sites in Sri Lanka. We collected data on catch numbers, body sizes, sex, and maturity status for five mobulid species. We used a Bayesian state-space model to estimate monthly country-wide catch rates and total annual landings of mobulid rays. We used catch curve analyses to estimate total mortality for Mobula mobular, and evaluated trends in recorded body sizes across the study period for M. mobular, M. birostris, M. tarapacana and M. thurstoni.

Results

We find that catch rates have declined an order of magnitude for all species across the study period, and that total annual captures of mobulid rays by the Sri Lankan artisanal fishing fleet exceed the estimated annual captures of mobulids in all global, industrial purse seine fisheries combined. Catch curve analyses suggest that M. mobular is being fished at rates far above the species’ intrinsic population growth rate, and the average sizes of all mobulids in the fishery except for M. birostris are declining. Collectively, these findings suggest overfishing of mobulid ray populations in the northern Indian Ocean by Sri Lankan artisanal fisheries. We recommend strengthening the management of these species through improved implementation of CITES, CMS, and regional fisheries management actions. In addition, we report on the demographic characteristics of mobulids landed in Sri Lanka and provide the first record of M. eregoodoo in the country.
High throughput sequencing-based analysis of the soil bacterial community structure and functions of Tamarix shrubs in the lower reaches of the Tarim River
Authors: Xiao Fangnan , Li Yuanyuan , Li Guifang , He Yaling , Lv Xinhua , Zhuang Li , Pu Xiaozhen
Published: September 2021

Tamarix is a dominant species in the Tarim River Basin, the longest inland river in China. Tamarix plays an important role in the ecological restoration of this region. In this study, to investigate the soil bacterial community diversity in Tamarix shrubs, we collected soil samples from the inside and edge of the canopy and the edge of nebkhas and non-nebkhas Tamarix shrubs located near the Yingsu section in the lower reaches of Tarim River. High throughput sequencing technology was employed to discern the composition and function of soil bacterial communities in nebkhas and non-nebkhas Tamarix shrubs. Besides, the physicochemical properties of soil and the spatial distribution characteristics of soil bacteria and their correlation were analyzed. The outcomes of this analysis demonstrated that different parts of Tamarix shrubs had significantly different effects on soil pH, total K (TK), available K (AK), ammonium N (NH4+), and available P (AP) values (P < 0.05), but not on soil moisture (SWC), total salt (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), total N (TN), total P (TP), and nitrate N (NO3−) values. The soil bacterial communities identified in Tamarix shrubs were categorized into two kingdoms, 71 phyla, 161 classes, 345 orders, 473 families, and 702 genera. Halobacterota, unidentified bacteria, and Proteobacteria were found to be dominant phyla. The correlation between the soil physicochemical factors and soil bacterial community was analyzed, and as per the outcomes OM, AK, AP, EC, and NH4+ were found to primarily affect the structure of the soil bacterial community. SWC, TK and pH were positively correlated with each other, but negatively correlated with other soil factors. At the phyla level, a significantly positive correlation was observed between the Halobacterota and AP, OM as well as Bacteroidota and AK (P < 0.01), but a significantly negative correlation was observed between the Chloroflexi and AK, EC (P < 0.01). The PICRUSt software was employed to predict the functional genes. A total of 6,195 KEGG ortholog genes were obtained. The function of soil bacteria was annotated, and six metabolic pathways in level 1, 41 metabolic pathways in level 2, and 307 metabolic pathways in level 3 were enriched, among which the functional gene related to metabolism, genetic information processing, and environmental information processing was found to have the dominant advantage. The results showed that the nebkhas and canopy of Tamarix shrubs had a certain enrichment effect on soil nutrients content, and bacterial abundance and significant effects on the structure and function of the soil bacterial community.
Apis mellifera propolis enhances apoptosis and invasion inhibition in head and neck cancer cells
Authors: Niyomtham Nattisa , Koontongkaew Sittichai , Yingyongnarongkul Boon-ek , Utispan Kusumawadee
Published: September 2021

Background

Propolis is a resinous product accumulated from several plant sources that possess a wide range of therapeutic properties, including anti-cancer activities. However, the role of honeybee-produced propolis on head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Apis mellifera propolis on apoptosis and invasiveness in HNSCC cell lines.

Methods

Ethyl acetate extract of propolis (EAEP) was prepared from A. mellifera beehives using liquid–liquid extraction. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS) was used to determine the flavonoids in EAEP. Isogenic HNSCC cell lines derived from primary (HN30 and HN4) and metastatic site (HN31 and HN12) were used in this study. The cytotoxicity, apoptosis, invasion, and MMP activity of EAEP on HNSCC cells were determined using an MTT assay, flow cytometry, Matrigel invasion assay, and gelatinase zymography, respectively.

Results

We found that EAEP exhibited cytotoxic activity and induced apoptosis in the HNSCC cell lines. Furthermore, EAEP significantly decreased HNSCC cell invasion by reducing MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Two flavonoids, galangin and apigenin, were identified in EAEP by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. The results suggest that EAEP promotes apoptosis and exerts anti-invasion potential by inhibiting MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in HNSCC cell lines. These inhibitory effects may be mediated by galangin and apigenin.
Harmonizing Cobalt Atom‐Cluster Moieties with Selective Oxygen Functional Groups for Augmented Electrocatalytic H2O2 Production
Authors: Zhang Hangyuan , Wang Hao , Duan Peiyang , Lei Qi , Li Beibei , Zhu Daming , Tian Meng , Sun Jingyu , Sun Jianhui , Wang Yifei
Published: December 2024

The cooperation between metal single atom (SA) and atomic cluster (AC) within an electrocatalyst has showcased enormous potential in 2e− oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Nevertheless, developing an SA‐AC catalyst with the synergy of optimized functional groups to afford advanced catalytic capability has been challenging. Herein, a new and highly effective catalyst with tandem cobalt SA‐AC moieties and C─O─C functional group decorations anchored over carbon nanotubes is presented, which is denoted as Co SA‐AC(C─O─C). As an electrocatalyst, Co SA‐AC(C─O─C) demonstrates favorable activity, selectivity, and stability for 2e− ORR, delivering an onset potential of 0.72 V (vs RHE) and an H2O2 selectivity of 97.6% in 0.5 m H2SO4. In a flow‐cell reactor, the Co SA‐AC(C─O─C) realizes an H2O2 production rate of 3.88 mol gcat−1 h−1 at 300 mA cm−2 targeting on‐site pollutant treatment by integrating a Fenton‐like process. The theoretical computations guide the selection of C─O─C among the functional group decorations and reveal the actual active sites to locate at Co SAs, while the synergistic effect of Co ACs and C─O─C groups helps optimize the *OOH binding and modulate the electronic structure.
Covalent On‐Cell Conjugation of Biomaterials Through Oxidative Phenolic Coupling Regulates Stem Cell Fate via Intracellular Biophysical Programming
Authors: Johnbosco Castro , Becker Malin , Willemen Niels , Meteling Marieke , Govindaraj Kannan , Kamperman Tom , Leijten Jeroen
Published: December 2024

Mechanotransduction is widely used to guide cell fate in hydrogels. Traditionally, hydrogels contain adhesive ligands that dynamically bond with cells to stimulate biochemical signaling axes such as YAP‐TAZ. However, the molecular toolbox to achieve mechanotransduction remains virtually limited to non‐covalent bonds, which limits the ability to program engineered living matter. Here, it is demonstrated that on‐cell chemistry can be leveraged to covalently tether biomaterials directly onto cells, that reveal mechanotransduction via intracellular biophysical programming. Specifically, droplet microfluidics is used to produce single‐cell microgels in which individual stem cells are covalently tethered to either soft or stiff hydrogels via on‐cell oxidative phenolic coupling. Investigation of mechanotransduction effects at single‐cell resolution reveals altered intracellular molecular crowding, calcium signaling, and chromatin organization by regulating cytoplasmic and nuclear volume in a stiffness‐dependent yet YAP/TAZ‐independent manner. Notably, the addition of conventional dynamic adhesive ligands such as RGDs decreases the chondrogenic commitment of stem cells indicating that covalent cell‐material tethering is both efficient and sufficient for programming cell fate. Hence, encoding biomaterials onto cells using covalent on‐cell chemistry to attain mechanotransduction expands the ability to guide cellular behavior, which can accelerate the development of in vitro drug‐screening models, biofabrication of lab‐grown meat, and engineered tissues.
Highly Crystalline Selenium‐Substituted C‐Shaped Ortho‐Benzodipyrrole‐Based A‐D‐A‐Type Nonfullerene Acceptor Enabling Solution‐Processed Single‐Crystal‐Like Thin Films for Air‐Stable, High‐Mobility N‐Type Transistors
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Hsiu , Tseng Chi‐Chun , Tsai Chia‐Lin , Xue Yung‐Jing , Lu Han‐Cheng , Lu Chia‐Fang , Chang Yung‐Yung , Huang Ching‐Li , Hsu I‐Jui , Lai Yu‐Ying , Zheng Yang‐Pei , Jiang Bing‐Huang , Chen Chih‐Ping , Chien Su‐Ying , Jeng U‐Ser , Hsu Chain‐Shu , Cheng Yen‐Ju
Published: December 2024

C‐shaped ortho‐benzodipyrrole‐based A‐DNBND‐A non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs), derived from the removal of the A′ thiadiazole moiety in Y6, emerge as a new class of structurally simplified A‐D‐A‐type NFAs. In this work, a selenium‐substitution strategy is applied to the central DNBND ladder‐π‐core, yielding asymmetric CB‐Se and symmetric CB‐2Se. Asymmetric CB‐Se demonstrates a less ordered 3D trapezoid‐like packing structure, which promotes a more favorable intermixed donor‐acceptor morphology with PM6 polymer, achieving a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.87% in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). This value represents the highest reported value among the selenium‐incorporated A‐D‐A‐type NFAs. Symmetric CB‐2Se forms a kaleidoscope‐like 3D single‐crystal structure with enhanced intermolecular interactions. This enables the development of a single‐crystal‐like solution‐processed thin film, which transitions from a kinetically trapped face‐on π–π stacking orientation to a thermodynamically stable edge‐on configuration upon thermal annealing. The CB‐2Se‐based organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) achieved a remarkable electron mobility of 1.18 cm2 V−1 s−1 with exceptional n‐type air stability, which outperformed the corresponding A‐DNA′ND‐A‐type Y6‐based materials by two orders magnitudes and represents the highest reported value for solution‐processed n‐type OFETs utilizing A‐D‐A‐type small molecules.
Dynamically Spreading Shootable Adhesives Inspired by Dough Spinning
Authors: Cho Sungbum , Hong Changeui , Yoo Hyungwook , Ji Yonghwa , Lee Seungchan , Kim Meonggyun , Lee Minsung , Jung Dongwuk , Jung Daegyun , Kim Dongyeon , Lee Jaewook , Lee Jongho
Published: December 2024

Having the ability to attach an object to remote surfaces from a distance can be useful in a range of applications. While adhesive technologies have advanced significantly and are used in various ways, including in medical tools and robotics, most adhesives like tapes or glues are designed to be directly attached to physically accessible surfaces. Here, a new class of shootable adhesives is reported that can be deployed from a distance and dynamically spread out in mid‐air, transforming en‐route into a wide, thin disk shape that is ideal for conformal contact to diverse remote surfaces, including angled, stepped, and non‐planar ones. The usability and reliability of this approach are demonstrated by securely affixing various functional electronics, such as GPS units, cameras, and communication modules, as well as mechanical wires, to physically inaccessible surfaces by shooting from a distance.
Halide Tunable Perovskite Single Crystals as Efficient Photodetector
Authors: Han Sancan , Zhu Sihan , Fan Guohao , Huang Xingcan , Zhao Guangyao , Shi Rui , Huang Ya , Wu Mengge , Li Jian , Guo Yuan , Gao Yuyu , Zhuang Songlin , Cao Fa , Yu Xinge , Zhang Dawei
Published: December 2024

Lead‐free perovskite single crystals (SCs) have made great progress in the field of optoelectronics. However, the desired large‐size Cs3Bi2X9 SCs (X = I/Br/Cl) with fast growth and high quality are still a great challenge. In this study, millimeter‐sized Cs3Bi2X9 SCs) are first prepared within 3 days by synergistic nucleation and supersaturation engineered method in a low‐temperature solution of ≈ 50 °C, which owns unprecedented advantages such as easily tunable different X element and fast growth period. Combined with the dynamics and thermodynamics of crystal growth, a layered growth model of Cs3Bi2Br9 (CBI) SCs is proposed through in situ observation of CBI SCs growth. The carrier dynamic behaviors of three different Cs3Bi2X9 SCs are investigated by ultrafast femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA). Furthermore, the electron transport dynamic of the (001) and (100) crystal faces of Cs3Bi2Br9 (CBB) is demonstrated by density functional theory calculations, evidencing the crystal facet‐dependent photoelectrical performance. What's more, optical imaging sensor based on 36 pixels Cs3Bi2Br9 photodetector with ultrahigh on/off ratio of 5909 and optical communication compiled with Morse code is achieved. This strategy to synthesize the CBX SCs is both conceptually simple and synthetically rapid, offers great potential for the development of free‐Pb perovskite single crystals.
Highly Efficient Self‐Healing of Fractured Ti3AlC2 MAX Phase Nanowires
Authors: Cui Junfeng , Hu Xiaofei , Zhang Lei , Yang Yingying , Li Youbing , Chen Guoxin , Tang Chun , Ke Peiling
Published: December 2024

Despite extensive efforts devoted to developing self‐healing materials in the past half‐century, very limited successes are reported for ceramics or metals. Reported self‐healing materials usually have low healing strength (megapascal) and long healing time (hours), and the healing of ceramics or metals normally requires external stimuli. Here, we report on intrinsic, highly efficient self‐healing phenomena in Ti3AlC2 MAX phase nanowires at room temperature, which exhibit both ceramic and metallic properties. In situ transmission electron microscopy tensile testing reveals that the fracture strength of 2.1 GPa is achieved on the fractured Ti3AlC2 nanowire after self‐healing for 5 min, corresponding to the self‐healing efficiency of 36.2%, and the smaller the diameter, the higher the self‐healing efficiency. The underlying mechanisms are uncovered by atomic‐resolution characterizations combined with atomic simulations. The highly efficient self‐healing of Ti3AlC2 is attributed to the cleavage behavior, atomic migrations, and rebonding on fracture surfaces. Al atoms trapped between partially filled Al layers on both fracture surfaces act as obstacles for the TiAl rebonding and are responsible for the size effect. These findings provide new insights into developing high‐performance micro‐ or nano‐devices, especially those that require high security and long service lifetime.
Recent Advances in Microfluidics for Nucleic Acid Analysis of Small Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer
Authors: Zhand Sareh , Goss Dale Mark , Cheng Yuen Yee , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi
Published: December 2024

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are membranous vesicles released from cellular structures through plasma membrane budding. These vesicles contain cellular components such as proteins, lipids, mRNAs, microRNAs, long‐noncoding RNA, circular RNA, and double‐stranded DNA, originating from the cells they are shed from. Ranging in size from ≈25 to 300 nm and play critical roles in facilitating cell‐to‐cell communication by transporting signaling molecules. The discovery of sEVs in bodily fluids and their involvement in intercellular communication has revolutionized the fields of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, particularly in diseases like cancer. Conventional methods for isolating and analyzing sEVs, particularly their nucleic acid content face challenges including high costs, low purity, time‐consuming processes, limited standardization, and inconsistent yield. The development of microfluidic devices, enables improved precision in sorting, isolating, and molecular‐level separation using small sample volumes, and offers significant potential for the enhanced detection and monitoring of sEVs associated with cancer. These advanced techniques hold great promise for creating next‐generation diagnostic and prognostic tools given their possibility of being cost‐effective, simple to operate, etc. This comprehensive review explores the current state of research on microfluidic devices for the detection of sEV‐derived nucleic acids as biomarkers and their translation into practical point‐of‐care and clinical applications.
Defect Engineering of Metal‐Based Atomically Thin Materials for Catalyzing Small‐Molecule Conversion Reactions
Authors: Huo Juanjuan , Dou Yuhai , Wu Chao , Liu Huakun , Dou Shixue , Yuan Ding
Published: December 2024

Recently, metal‐based atomically thin materials (M‐ATMs) have experienced rapid development due to their large specific surface areas, abundant electrochemically accessible sites, attractive surface chemistry, and strong in‐plane chemical bonds. These characteristics make them highly desirable for energy‐related conversion reactions. However, the insufficient active sites and slow reaction kinetics leading to unsatisfactory electrocatalytic performance limited their commercial application. To address these issues, defect engineering of M‐ATMs has emerged to increase the active sites, modify the electronic structure, and enhance the catalytic reactivity and stability. This review provides a comprehensive summary of defect engineering strategies for M‐ATM nanostructures, including vacancy creation, heteroatom doping, amorphous phase/grain boundary generation, and heterointerface construction. Introducing recent advancements in the application of M‐ATMs in electrochemical small molecule conversion reactions (e.g., hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and sulfur), which can contribute to a circular economy by recycling molecules like H2, O2, CO2, N2, and S. Furthermore, a crucial link between the reconstruction of atomic‐level structure and catalytic activity via analyzing the dynamic evolution of M‐ATMs during the reaction process is established. The review also outlines the challenges and prospects associated with M‐ATM‐based catalysts to inspire further research efforts in developing high‐performance M‐ATMs.