Framing Cutting-Edge Integrative Deep-Sea Biodiversity Monitoring via Environmental DNA and Optoacoustic Augmented Infrastructures

Deep-sea ecosystems are reservoirs of biodiversity that are largely unexplored, but their exploration and biodiscovery are becoming a reality thanks to biotechnological advances (e.g., omics technologies) and their integration in an expanding network of marine infrastructures for the exploration of the seas, such as cabled observatories. While still in its infancy, the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding approaches is revolutionizing marine biodiversity monitoring capability. Indeed, the analysis of eDNA in conjunction with the collection of multidisciplinary optoacoustic and environmental data, can provide a more comprehensive monitoring of deep-sea biodiversity. Here, we describe the potential for acquiring eDNA as a core component for the expanding ecological monitoring capabilities through cabled observatories and their docked Internet Operated Vehicles (IOVs), such as crawlers. Furthermore, we provide a critical overview of four areas of development: (i) Integrating eDNA with optoacoustic imaging; (ii) Development of eDNA repositories and cross-linking with other biodiversity databases; (iii) Artificial Intelligence for eDNA analyses and integration with imaging data; and (iv) Benefits of eDNA augmented observatories for the conservation and sustainable management of deep-sea biodiversity. Finally, we discuss the technical limitations and recommendations for future eDNA monitoring of the deep-sea. It is hoped that this review will frame the future direction of an exciting journey of biodiscovery in remote and yet vulnerable areas of our planet, with the overall aim to understand deep-sea biodiversity and hence manage and protect vital marine resources.

The Business of Improving Neighborhoods. A Critical Overview of Neighborhood-Based Business Improvement Districts (NBIDs) in Sweden

This article offers an overview of neighbourhood-based BIDs (NBIDs) in Sweden. Swedish NBIDs tend to appear in stigmatized residential areas engaging with pressing sets of urban issues that have been longstanding concern of social policy. Their overarching goal is raising property values in neighborhoods on the edge between urban decline and (re)development potential. Emerging in a neoliberalizing institutional context, NBIDs present themselves as correctives to public-policy failures by promoting property-oriented solutions. The adaptation of the BID model in the Swedish ‘post-welfare’ landscape, however, exhibits, and arguably exacerbates, the shortcomings found in BID elsewhere. Their opaque institutional structure and lack of accountability contribute to curbing democratic influence over local development, thus reinforcing spatial inequalities. We argue that the growing political advocacy for the institutionalization of the BID model in Sweden presents a new milestone in the neoliberalization of urban governance, as private actors are promoted to legitimate co-creators of urban policy.

Supported Metal Catalysts for the Synthesis of N-Heterocycles

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are important scaffolds for a large number of compounds with biological, pharmaceutical, industrial and optoelectronic applications. A wide range of different methodologies for the preparation of N-heterocycles are based on metal-catalyzed cyclization of suitable substrates. Due to the growing interest in Green Chemistry criteria over the past two decades, the use of supported metal catalysts in the preparation of N-heterocycles has become a central topic in Organic Chemistry. Here we will give a critical overview of all the solid supported metal catalysts applied in the synthesis of N-heterocycles, following a systematic approach as a function of the type of support: (i) metal catalysts supported on inorganic matrices; (ii) metal catalysts supported on organic matrices; (iii) metal catalysts supported on hybrid inorganic-organic matrices. In particular, we will try to emphasize the effective heterogeneity and recyclability of the described metal catalysts, specifying which studies were carried out in order to evaluate these aspects.

Reinvestigation on Assessing the Stability of Mullagulov Tested Steel Rods under Follower Forces

Dynamic instability is an interesting topic in the mechanics of elastic structures. Though the subject has been formed by many analytical, numerical, and experimental investigations, it has many issues, as evidenced from the critical overview of Elishakoff. Furthermore, the controversial articles of Koiter and Sugiyama on unrealistic and realistic follower forces demand experimental verification. Mullagulov has proposed a device for creating the follower forces and tested steel rods under compression. This paper highlights the experimentation of Mullagulov and his observations briefly to examine the influence of material properties on the stability load estimations and to confirm the practical realization of follower forces.

The Application of Salutogenesis in Birth, Neonatal, and Infant Care Settings

In this chapter, the relation of salutogenesis to maternity care is discussed by giving a critical overview of studies in perinatal care, primarily measuring and promoting parental sense of coherence (SOC) and well-being.An overview is given on salutogenic approaches to neonatal and infant service provision. Important aspects of and salutogenic interventions for parent–child attachment in the first year of a child’s life are examined. Parents’ and caregivers’ relationship with their infants and newborns plays a critical role in shaping the emotional, cognitive, and social development of their child. Different interventions of early support to optimize parenting capacity and their impact are also discussed.Although the chapter focuses only on examples of salutogenic approaches based on reasonable evidence, there is a growing awareness of the value of salutogenic approaches to the provision of maternity care, and to facilities and services to enhance parenting and well-being in infancy and early childhood. Research gaps are identified, and suggestions for the direction of future research are outlined.

A PANORAMA ON THE EVOLUTION, PROCESS AND CHANGES OF EIA IN INDIA AND ITS EVALUATION USING SOAR ANALYSIS

Economic development and environmental degradation are usually inversely proportional to each other and this can be reversed by endorsing more eco-competent growth policies. Although with the prompt economic growth, the concern of environmental sustainability is still a major challenge for every country. EIA since its inception has been considered as a holistic tool in assessing the potential impacts of developmental projects on the natural environment. EIA in India was first launched in 1994 and since then it has been undergoing a renaissance, and now several developmental projects have to obtain necessary environmental clearance as per the EIA notification 2006. This paper focuses on a critical overview of the evolution, process, and changes. Evaluation of the process using SOAR analysis helps in increasing the transparency and efficacy in the EIA. This research finally concludes by inferring that EIA if exercised properly shall not only ensure a clean and healthy environment but also shall aid the nation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Preparing Teachers for the Post-COVID Era

This chapter examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on existing learning spaces and emerging learning spaces. The authors address the need to restructure teacher education programs to prepare teachers for flexible teaching in various modalities. Throughout this book chapter, the authors anchor their positions using research-based literature, highlighting the need for new and emerging spaces to ensure the learner's diversity about content delivery, student experience, and the management of these learning spaces. Additionally, the authors provide a critical overview of the need to redesign learning spaces to accommodate learning as learning and knowledge assessments. The chapter concludes by providing readers with a framework anchored on the teacher enterprise domain designed to evaluate and examine new and emerging learning spaces within the context of teacher, structure, content, and learners.

Fostering Daily Life Skills in Young and Older Adults With Neurodegenerative Diseases Through Technological Supports

Persons with neurodegenerative diseases may have behavioral, cognitive, emotional, motor, and social impairments due to their clinical conditions. The objective of this article is to provide the reader with the newest empirical contributions available and a comprehensive critical overview on the use of assistive technology-based interventions and virtual reality-mediated setups to assess and recover individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. A literature overview was carried out. Thirty-one studies published along last decade were selected. The retained studies overall recruited 438 participants. Four categories of studies were identified, namely (1) recovering of functional and physical activities, (2) communication abilities, (3) leisure and recreation, and (4) virtual reality. AT-based interventions were effective and suitable to promote adaptive behaviors of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. VR setups were helpful to assess and recover persons with neurodegenerative disorders.