Search Results (1,700)

This article reconsiders the methodological primacy of representation in early modern art history by shifting attention from image to material. Taking Rembrandt’s Polish Nobleman (1637) as its point of departure, it argues that narrative interpretation—long central to the discipline—has obscured the material conditions that make images possible. Rather than assembling meaning from pictorial elements, the essay follows the painting’s support: a Baltic oak panel sourced from the woodlands of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. From this perspective, the artwork emerges not simply as an autonomous image but as the endpoint of an extractive chain linking forestry, peasant labour, river transport, and long-distance trade. Drawing on agronomic manuals, estate records, and economic histories, the article reconstructs these dispersed threads as “story matter”: fragments that, brought into relation, begin to cohere into an alternative mode of narration. In doing so, it advances “material literacy” as a methodological reorientation—an attunement to substances, processes, and infrastructures that precede and exceed representation. Recovering these histories does not replace interpretation but expands its scope, opening art history to ecological and infrastructural forms of storytelling. Full article

The xylem feeder Bathyllus albicinctus (Aphrophoridae: Cercopoidea: Hemiptera) has been identified as one of the most abundant and widely distributed cercopoid insects in Australia. This native Australian species might potentially vector Xylella fastidiosa, an exotic and deadly plant pathogen, if it were to arrive in Australia. Previous surveys indicated that B. albicinctus is associated with a wide range of plants, further elevating its impact as a potential disease vector. However, it is unknown if all the associated plants are equally viable hosts. Due to the variety of plant records and distribution across the southern half of Australia, it was expected that B. albicinctus would successfully feed and survive on a taxonomically diverse range of plants. In the present study, a small-scale no-choice feeding-controlled glasshouse experiment was completed where insect nymphs were supplied with plants that are economically significant and susceptible to X. fastidiosa. In this experiment, we monitored the maturation and longevity of B. albicinctus, specifically by comparing insect cohorts distinguished by nymph size, host species, or feeding season. This study documented important interactions of life-history factors for B. albicinctus, including suitability of host plant species among insect sex and season. This could indicate that the ability for B. albicinctus to spread X. fastidiosa may vary with host plant species and time of year. These findings provide a vital knowledge framework for future research and surveys to consider when implementing control efforts or tracking plant pathogens that may be spread by B. albicinctus. Full article

This study introduces a multi-source spatial methodology that moves beyond the traditional urban/rural dichotomy to classify the American landscape into detailed, temporally defined settlement types. By combining historical housing unit and population estimates (HHUUD10 and LTDB) standardized to 2010 census tract boundaries with high-resolution, grid-level data on the built environment (HISDAC-US), this research establishes a settlement typology based on the development history of detailed geographic units. This framework classifies areas (from Prewar Cores and 21st-Century Suburbs to exurban fringes, outlying towns and rural areas) based on their era of development and proximity to urban centers. Applying this typology reveals profound spatial and demographic decentralization spanning eighty years of metropolitan expansion. The findings demonstrate a stark geographic sorting: expanding greenfield edges and exurbs have become magnets for high-income, highly educated, and predominantly White populations. However, longitudinal tracking reveals a distinct morphological “life-course” within suburban rings. As older suburbs age and their housing stock depreciates, they open to wider demographic integration, transforming into destinations for Black and foreign-born residents. Furthermore, the data highlight a contemporary polarization of human capital, concentrated in both the newest suburban peripheries and the resurgent urban cores, contrasting with persistent economic decline in outlying towns and rural areas. Ultimately, this methodology provides a flexible, longitudinal framework for understanding the long-term morphological and demographic evolution of American settlement. Full article

This paper examines the impact of the 1923 Turkish–Greek Population Exchange on the urban and architectural heritage of Tirilye, a historic coastal settlement in Bursa, Türkiye. The study addresses how migration-related transformations shaped both the tangible and intangible dimensions of heritage, focusing particularly on traditional houses and their adaptive reuse strategies. The research aims to identify patterns of continuity and transformation in residential architecture and to interpret population exchange heritage as a multi-layered cultural process. The study adopts a qualitative multi-method approach combining literature review, archival research, field surveys, architectural and typological analyses, and oral history interviews. The monuments and twenty-eight traditional houses were comparatively analysed at urban and building scales in terms of plan organisation, façade typology, construction techniques, and functional transformation. The findings demonstrate that Tirilye largely preserved its historic urban fabric despite demographic rupture. Traditional houses retained many original spatial and architectural characteristics while adapting to new social and economic conditions. The study reveals a hybrid architectural nature combining the effects of various living traditions and highlights the continuity of production-related spaces associated with olive cultivation and sericulture. The paper proposes understanding population exchange heritage as a dynamic process shaped by continuity, adaptation, reuse, and collective memory. Full article

The relationship between humans and the land has always been a topic in geographical studies. Northeast China, one of the regions with the shortest history in China, is also one of the regions most representative of changes in human–land relationships. However, scholars have rarely conducted quantitative region-scale research on the dynamic changes in, and drivers of, human–land relationships in this region. This study utilizes Landsat remote sensing imagery to identify changes in the distribution of land use types in Northeast China from 1985 to 2022. By constructing a human–land coordination model, it measures the intensity of human activity and levels of human–land coordination, analyzes their spatiotemporal dynamic characteristics, and further uses the Geodetector model to explore the factors driving and interactions influencing this evolution. (1) The results show that, from 1985 to 2022, the level of human–land coordination in Northeast China generally exhibited a spatial distribution pattern decreasing from northwest to southeast. The area of imbalanced human–land relationships continuously decreased, while coordinated areas steadily increased, indicating gradual improvement in human–land relations. The predominant type of coordination was moderate imbalance, with high imbalance as a secondary level. (2) The results also demonstrate that population size, GDP, and tertiary industry output have significant explanatory power regarding levels of human–land coordination. The importance of economic development level, natural resource endowment, and natural environmental characteristics to the evolution of human–land has progressively increased. Full article

Plant functional traits help us understand forest carbon storage. We quantified eight functional traits that reflect plant life history strategies: leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf carbon (LC), nitrogen (LN), phosphorus (LP), leaf carbon–nitrogen ratio (LCNR), and wood density (WD). But their role across successional stages is still unclear. We set up sixteen permanent plots in Pu’er, Yunnan, China. Each plot was 60 m × 60 m. The plots covered four successional stages. Stage one was early-successional Simao pine forests. Stage two was mid-successional mixed forests. Stage three was mid-to-late-successional mature mixed forests. Stage four was late-successional mature broad-leaved forests. We measured aboveground carbon storage (CS). We measured carbon growth rates (CAR). We also measured plant traits, soil nutrients, and topography. Carbon storage increased step by step during succession. It became stable in the late stage. Carbon accumulation rate stayed similar across all stages. A key trait axis (LPC2) directly increased carbon storage. LPC2 represents the trade-off between nitrogen use efficiency and leaf construction costs. Environmental factors only affected carbon storage indirectly. They influenced traits first. These results support the metabolic trade-off hypothesis. They also support the leaf economics spectrum theory. Early-successional traits help forests gain biomass quickly. Late-successional traits help forests store carbon for a long time. We suggest protecting mature forests. We also suggest using pioneer species in restoration. This dual strategy can enhance carbon sequestration in subtropical production forests. Full article

Urban regeneration processes are increasingly intertwined with participatory practices aimed at integrating local knowledge and civic engagement into design and planning decisions. However, public participation often fails to influence decision-making meaningfully or to anticipate the unintended consequences of proposed interventions. This paper presents a methodological framework developed during a participatory process for the restoration of Piazza Umberto I, a historic urban square in Bari, Southern Italy. The process was structured around seven online workshops held between March and May 2021, involving 45 registered participants and an average attendance of about 30 participants per session, including residents, civic associations, students, professionals, economic actors, and municipal representatives. Through a sequential funnel—problems, opportunities, visions, solutions, methodological principles, validation, and proposal—the process elicited and organized participants’ knowledge across five analytical domains and eight long-term vision categories: History, Nature, Education, Culture, Economy, Society, Experience, and Democracy. The validated workshop outputs were then translated into a fuzzy cognitive map and explored through cross-impact analysis to identify intended impacts, unintended effects, leverage points, and trade-offs among proposed solutions. Link weights were assigned through a semi-quantitative scale representing the direction and relative strength of influence, and a ±20% sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the main ranking patterns. The results show that some proposals, such as ecological restoration, public art programming, and cultural or educational activation, operate as broad-spectrum leverage points, while others generate more selective effects or latent tensions, particularly between ecological preservation, economic activation, accessibility, and civic use. This paper does not propose a predictive or statistically inferential model; rather, it demonstrates how participatory knowledge can be operationalized into a transparent, exploratory, and semi-quantitative decision-support framework. By linking deliberation with systems-oriented reasoning, the study contributes to urban planning debates on participatory governance, anticipatory decision-making, and the management of unintended consequences in public-space regeneration. Full article

Mycotoxins are one of the biggest threats to global food safety, public health, and economic stability. More than 400 mycotoxins have been found to be secondary metabolites of toxigenic fungi, mostly from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FBs), patulin (PAT), and T-2/HT-2 toxins are the most dangerous to the health of people and animals. Conventional physical and chemical decontamination methods are only partially effective and can reduce food quality, leave toxic residues, or be too expensive for smallholder food systems. Recent studies have shown that the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a biological detoxification method is a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option, and has a long history of safe use in fermented foods. Selected strains or taxonomic units have been granted GRAS status by the FDA or QPS (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status by EFSA. However, their use for mycotoxin detoxification still requires strain-level safety assessment and efficacy validation in the intended food matrix. There are several mechanisms by which LAB employ to reduce the bioavailability of mycotoxins in food systems: (i) physical adsorption via cell wall components such as peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, and exopolysaccharides; (ii) enzymatic biotransformation that may produce non-toxic or less-toxic metabolites, though the safety of degradation products requires case-by-case toxicological assessment; (iii) antifungal metabolite production that inhibits fungal growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis; and (iv) competitive exclusion of toxigenic fungi during fermentation. This comprehensive review examines the existing evidence on the detoxification of major food mycotoxins by LAB, with an emphasis on mechanisms, strain-specific efficacy, food-matrix applications, and factors that affect detoxification efficacy. Discussion has also been made of translating in vitro findings to in vivo settings and food-scale applications, alongside regulatory frameworks, current challenges, and future research directions. The review also suggests ways to combine LAB with new technologies, such as encapsulation, genetic engineering, and fermentation optimization, to make food systems safer by synergistically controlling mycotoxins. Full article

This article provides a critical evaluation of Giorgio Agamben’s argument that Adam Smith’s metaphor of the invisible hand is representative of economic theology and providential control. Although Agamben’s analysis does not explicate a nuanced view of the invisible hand, it does reveal the embedded economic theology in its misuse by neoliberal economists who characterise the invisible hand as a fundamental mechanism of market coordination consistent with a providential order. Conversely, this study argues that such perspectives fail to account for the intricacy and ambivalence inherent in Smith’s philosophy. Through textual analysis of the invisible hand in The Theory of Moral Sentiments, The Wealth of Nations, and The History of Astronomy, the manuscript highlights that Smith presents three distinct perspectives and that the theological interpretations do not adequately capture this divergence. Rather than endorsing a providential or theological framework, Smith’s use of the invisible hand is shown to be a conditional and intricate metaphor that serves as a critique, a form of social engagement, ethical commerce, and empirical analysis of irrational belief in markets that support the common good. Therefore, this interpretation transcends economic theology and reductive neoliberal economics, offering a more nuanced understanding with important implications for contemporary economics. Full article

Tropical lignocellulosic residues are increasingly relevant feedstocks for lignin-containing nanocellulose composites, but their performance cannot be predicted from botanical origin or bulk lignin percentage alone. This review defines the interface as the geometrical boundary between phases and the interphase as the finite, compositionally graded region in which lignin distribution, nanocellulose morphology, adsorbed water, and the surrounding matrix jointly govern stress transfer and mass transport. Using an evidence-weighted framework, the literature is organized into the following categories: residual-lignin nanofibrils, redeposited-lignin systems, lignin nanoparticle assemblies, compatibilized thermoplastic hybrids, and all-lignocellulosic sheets. Representative quantitative observations show that controlled residual lignin can the increase water contact angle from approximately 35 degrees to 78 degrees and reduce oxygen permeability by up to 200-fold in nanopapers, while selected PLA/LCNF systems show tensile-strength and modulus increases of 37% and 61%, respectively; however, high or poorly distributed lignin can suppress fibrillation, lower viscosity, weaken gel networks, and reduce reproducibility. The most defensible near-term product windows are packaging layers, grease/oil barrier papers, coatings, paper-like multilayers, and selected porous media. Thermoplastic matrices remain process-sensitive, and biomedical, additive-manufacturing, nano-reactor, and energy-material claims require stronger validation of the extractables, rheology, humidity history, TEA/LCA metrics, and end-of-life behavior. This review, therefore, provides a critical, application-backward roadmap for tropical biorefineries in which interfacial function, wet handling, drying energy, and process integration are assessed together rather than treated as independent variables. The abbreviations used in the abstract are defined as follows: CNFs, cellulose nanofibrils; CNC, cellulose nanocrystals; LCNF, lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils; LCNCs, lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals; PLA, poly(lactic acid); PHB, polyhydroxybutyrate; PHAs, polyhydroxyalkanoates; PVA, poly(vinyl alcohol); DESs, deep eutectic solvents; TEA, techno-economic analysis; LCA, life-cycle assessment; ML, machine learning. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an emerging public health challenge in Africa, driven by rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles and socio-economic transitions. As the global prevalence rises, evidence on the burden and determinants of DM across African countries remains fragmented and inconsistent. Objective: We aimed to synthesize evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevalence and determinants of diabetes mellitus across African populations, thereby informing targeted interventions and policy actions. Methods: This umbrella review followed the PRISMA guidelines and included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies, published up to December 2024, that reported on DM prevalence and/or risk factors for DM in adults across four African countries. The literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and African Journals Online (AJOL). Quality assessment was conducted using the AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews, version 2) tool, and only moderate- to high-quality reviews were retained. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios (ORs), while heterogeneity, publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Findings: Seven reviews were included, covering four countries: Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana. The pooled prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 9.0% (95% CI: 6.0–12.0%), with significant heterogeneity (I² = 99.8%). Among the determinants, only family history of DM (OR:5.11, 95% CI: 2.96–8.85), hypertension (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.65–3.83), obesity (OR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.92–4.82), physical inactivity (OR: 3.32; 95% CI: 1.99–5.54), smoking (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.23–5.47), unhealthy diet (OR: 4.77; 95% CI: 1.73–13.18) and urban residence (OR: 5.81; 95%CI: 4.41–7.65), showed a statistically significant association. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of pooled prevalence, and no significant publication bias was detected. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus prevalence in Africa is rising and approaching the global averages. The heterogeneity in risk factors underscores the need for localised, context-specific strategies. Full article

With the steady progress of the global energy transition and the pursuit of “dual carbon” goals, Offshore Carbon Sequestration (OCS) has emerged as a pivotal strategic pathway within Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiatives aimed at mitigating climate warming. Nevertheless, the drilling of OCS injection wells faces severe challenges, including narrow geological pressure windows, high risks of shallow geohazards, stringent environmental protection standards, and prohibitive construction costs. Riserless Mud Recovery (RMR) technology, as a novel and eco-friendly deepwater drilling technique, provides innovative technical support for OCS by establishing a closed-loop seafloor circulation system that achieves dual-gradient pressure control and “near-zero discharge” of drilling fluids. This paper systematically reviews the development history and technical principles of RMR. By integrating the specific requirements of OCS injection well drilling—such as wellbore integrity, environmental protection, and shallow hazard mitigation—the study provides an in-depth analysis of the application potential of RMR in drilling CO₂ injection wells within shallow formations. Furthermore, it demonstrates the engineering feasibility of RMR across technical, environmental, and economic dimensions. Building on this analysis, the paper discusses current technical challenges regarding key equipment research and development, adaptability to complex operating conditions, enhancement of intelligent control systems, and the establishment of technical standards. It also outlines the prospects for the integrated development of RMR with emerging fields, including hydrate-based carbon sequestration, intelligent drilling and completion, and carbon sequestration in far-reaching deep-sea areas. The research indicates that RMR technology can effectively resolve the dual constraints of cost control and environmental protection in OCS drilling. With breakthroughs in critical hardware, such as high-displacement subsea lift pumps, and the deepening of cross-disciplinary integration, RMR is poised to become an essential technical pillar in the field of offshore carbon sequestration. Full article

Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) are an economically important forage fish in the Northeast Pacific Ocean that undergo large changes in abundance over decadal scales and exhibit high individual variation in somatic growth. Past studies have suggested that somatic growth in Pacific sardine may be density-dependent and vary regionally in response to environmental conditions. We analyzed somatic growth in Pacific sardine off the U.S. Pacific Coast during the recent period of low abundance (2012–2021) and compared the results to those of previous studies to evaluate evidence of spatial or temporal variation in growth. Sampled fish (n = 3228) ranged in length from 30 to 291 mm SL and in age from 0 to 9 years and displayed high individual variation in length-at-age and age-at-length. Length-at-age data were best explained by the von Bertalanffy growth model, and sample distribution simulations showed the dataset to be robust and unbiased. Estimated growth parameters (L_∞ = 243, K = 0.795, t₀ = −0.638) were consistent with an opportunistic life history strategy characterized by rapid growth, early maturation, and a short lifespan. While the estimated growth rate (K) was higher than in a previous study conducted during a period of high abundance and indicated that growth may be density-dependent, the parameter estimates from the previous study were influenced by sample distribution bias. Similarly, differences in study region, season, collection method, aging methods, and other factors precluded any definitive conclusions on the source of reported differences in growth patterns among studies. Full article

This article examines how Sephardic Jewish delegations from Livorno and Senigallia framed their petitions to the Bourbon court during the negotiations for their resettlement in the Kingdom of Naples (1739–1740). Drawing on forty-four chapters presented by the Livornese representatives and complementary Senigallian requests, this study explores the legal and rhetorical strategies employed to secure corporate rights: judicial autonomy, exemption from corporation jurisdictions, commercial privileges, and the right to self-govern through elected Massari and rabbinical courts. While rooted in the contractual language of privileges and capitulations, these petitions also evoke a sacred lexicon, implicitly referencing biblical and halakhic categories such as the ger (resident foreigner), exile, divine providence, and covenantal continuity. This dual register—juridical and religious—allowed Jewish elites to legitimize their claims within a framework recognizable to Bourbon authorities while reinforcing a resilient communal identity. Analyzing the intersection of legal discourse and sacred rhetoric, this paper situates the Sephardic negotiations within the broader dynamics of eighteenth-century Catholic statecraft and minority governance. It argues that these petitions reveal not only pragmatic strategies to secure economic and legal stability but also a conscious use of covenantal and scriptural motifs to articulate endurance and justify corporate autonomy in a contested socio-political environment. These petitions, overall, must be situated within a longer continuum of forced displacement. The negotiations of 1739–1740 emerge not merely as administrative exchanges but as the latest chapter in a centuries-long history of expulsion, conditional return, and regulated residence. In this sense, the Sephardic petitions articulate a legal response to the structural precarity produced by forced migration. Full article

Multi-stage fracturing of shale gas is currently the core technology for achieving the economic development of shale gas. However, during post-fracturing production, issues such as fracture closure, proppant backflow, and fracturing fluid loss can inevitably occur, causing damage to the reservoir. To investigate the backflow performance of shale gas fracturing, this study establishes a high-precision fluid–solid coupled geomechanical model based on actual data from Changning shale gas wells and performs history matching. The history matching results indicate that neglecting factors such as geomechanics and capillary pressure leads to overly smooth curves, poor convergence, and results inconsistent with the actual production trends. A comprehensive model incorporating gas adsorption, geomechanics, capillary pressure, and secondary fractures provides the best fit. After validating the model’s accuracy, the effects of proppant concentration, proppant injection method, fracture parameters, well spacing, and fracturing design on fracturing backflow were analyzed. The study shows that proppant concentration, distribution pattern, fracture geometry, and well spacing are key factors influencing the effectiveness of shale gas fracturing stimulation. An optimal proppant concentration exists, as excessively high concentrations accelerate fracture closure and reduce production gains. Proppants should be primarily distributed near the wellbore to ensure high production and sufficient backflow. Fracture spacing and half-length should be optimized to balance production increase and fracturing fluid retention. Among the vertically non-uniform fracture distributions, staggered patterns offer the highest production potential, while uniform distributions yield the best backflow performance. In the Changning shale gas region, a well spacing of 300 m is recommended, and zipper fracturing can improve backflow efficiency. Full article