Dissonance as a concept of preserving the architectural heritage: Case study of the Belgrade Fairground

Belgrade Fairground, built in the 1930s, was the first urban complex designed according to modern principles and the first physical structure built in Belgrade on the left bank of the Sava. During its existence, the complex has undergone radical changes - from a fairground, through a concentration camp during World War II, an art colony in the post-war period, to its current state as a marginalized urban segment inhabited by the homeless, with uncontrolled commercial development . These transformations over time have resulted in the creation of numerous layers of identity, which, from a contemporary point of view, the space itself should testify to. The paper examines the transformations that have taken place in the space, and refers to the mutually opposed events that to some extent have hindered the recovery and development of the former Belgrade Fairground. The paper, in the form of a case study, analyzes the space by exploring the application of dissonance in preserving and revitalizing the architectural heritage, since the concept of dissonance is important for articulating opposing meanings and emphasizing the plurality of values. In order to shed light upon all the characteristic phases of the complex's existence, its morphological transformations and then its functional transformations were analyzed, followed by a presentation of how its social relationship with the Belgrade Fairground has been transformed. Accordingly, the ultimate goal was to find a way to manifest the diversity of the fairground's value and its re-perception as belonging to the urban space.

Essential Terminology and Considerations for Validation of Non-targeted Methods

Through its suggestive name, non-targeted methods (NTMs) do not aim at a predefined "needle in the haystack". Instead, they exploit all the constituents of the haystack. This new form of analytical methods is increasingly finding applications in food and feed testing. However, the concepts, terms, and considerations related to this burgeoning field of analytical testing needs to be propagated for the benefit of ones associated in academic research, commercial development, and official control. This paper addresses the frequently asked questions around notations and terminologies surrounding NTMs. The widespread development and adoption of these methods also necessitates the need to develop approaches to NTM validation, i.e., evaluating the performance characteristics of a method to determine if it is fit-for-purpose. This work aims to provide a roadmap to approaching NTM validation. In doing so, the paper deliberates on the different considerations that influence the approach to validation and provides suggestions thereof.

Towards a Mathematical Framework for Method Validation and Performance Characteristics of Non-targeted Methods for Food Authenticity

Through its suggestive name, non-targeted methods (NTMs) do not aim at a predefined "needle in the haystack". Instead, they exploit all the constituents of the haystack. This new form of analytical methods is increasingly finding applications in food and feed testing. However, the concepts, terms, and considerations related to this burgeoning field of analytical testing needs to be propagated for the benefit of ones associated in academic research, commercial development, and official control. This paper addresses the frequently asked questions around notations and terminologies surrounding NTMs. The widespread development and adoption of these methods also necessitates the need to develop approaches to NTM validation, i.e., evaluating the performance characteristics of a method to determine if it is fit-for-purpose. This work aims to provide a roadmap to approaching NTM validation. In doing so, the paper deliberates on the different considerations that influence the approach to validation and provides suggestions thereof.

Quantitative assessment of renovation of “Petmol” plant in Saint-Petersburg

The standardized harmful effect of industrial production on buildings is one of the reasons for the plant withdrawal to the outskirts. The paper examines a particular case of renovation of the urban industrial area for residential commercial development. The energy consumption, environmental pollution, demographic burden, drains. and other indicators are analyzed. The calculation results show that restrained urban conditions can surpass the industrial in terms of the negative impact on the environment, and therefore renovation leads to an increase in resource consumption and deterioration of the environmental situation. Air monitoring data are used to confirm the correctness of the calculations.

Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey

Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable conservation strategies. In this case study, we evaluated current threats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) using a multi-method approach. First, we did a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify existing threats. We then did a complete survey of the Delta through intensive fieldwork. The threats were coded and ranked using the conservation standards. We used the threat ranking and field survey to map the most vulnerable areas of the Delta. The most commonly observed threats in the field were pollution and agriculture and aquaculture activities. According to the threat ranking, the most important threats are climate change and residential and commercial development. The habitats that are most at risk are agricultural grassland habitats. The results indicate a need to extend conservation actions in the inner part of the Delta. In addition, the multi-method threat ranking approach could serve as a model to improve conservation planning in other sites worldwide.

Functional analysis of Hypoxylon pulicicidum genes required for heterologous biosynthesis of nodulisporic acids

<p>Nature holds some of the greatest secrets in drug design and development and the ability to access these trade secrets has been revolutionised by modern bioengineering technologies. In order to exploit these technologies it is essential to understand what genes are involved in compound production and the enzymatic steps that limit flux to the desired product. This thesis describes the discovery of four secondary-metabolic enzymatic steps involved in the biosynthesis of a group of valuable natural products known as nodulisporic acids. Nodulisporic acids are known for their potent insecticidal activities; however, biosynthesis of these compounds by the natural fungal producer, Hypoxylon pulicicidum (Nodulisporium sp.), is exceptionally difficult and has prevented the commercial development of novel nodulisporic acid-containing veterinary medicines and crop protects. To discover how nodulisporic acids are biosynthesized: 1. the H. pulicicidum genome was sequenced 2. a gene cluster responsible for nodulisporic acid production was predicted 3. genes in the cluster were functionally characterised by pathway reconstitution in a common, fast growing mould, Penicillium paxilli In turn, four genes involved in the biosynthesis of the nodulisporic acid core compound, nodulisporic acid F, have been functionally characterised. The four genes encode a geranylgeranyl transferase (NodC), a flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent oxygenase (NodM), an indole diterpene cyclase (NodB) and a cytochrome P450 oxygenase (NodW). Two of the gene products (NodM and NodW) catalyse two previously unreported reactions that provide the enzymatic basis of the biosynthetic branch point unique to nodulisporic acid biosynthesis. From here, future efforts will explore how these genes can be engineered to overcome flux bottlenecks and enable production of significantly increased, and even industrially relevant, product titres.</p>

Functional analysis of Hypoxylon pulicicidum genes required for heterologous biosynthesis of nodulisporic acids

<p>Nature holds some of the greatest secrets in drug design and development and the ability to access these trade secrets has been revolutionised by modern bioengineering technologies. In order to exploit these technologies it is essential to understand what genes are involved in compound production and the enzymatic steps that limit flux to the desired product. This thesis describes the discovery of four secondary-metabolic enzymatic steps involved in the biosynthesis of a group of valuable natural products known as nodulisporic acids. Nodulisporic acids are known for their potent insecticidal activities; however, biosynthesis of these compounds by the natural fungal producer, Hypoxylon pulicicidum (Nodulisporium sp.), is exceptionally difficult and has prevented the commercial development of novel nodulisporic acid-containing veterinary medicines and crop protects. To discover how nodulisporic acids are biosynthesized: 1. the H. pulicicidum genome was sequenced 2. a gene cluster responsible for nodulisporic acid production was predicted 3. genes in the cluster were functionally characterised by pathway reconstitution in a common, fast growing mould, Penicillium paxilli In turn, four genes involved in the biosynthesis of the nodulisporic acid core compound, nodulisporic acid F, have been functionally characterised. The four genes encode a geranylgeranyl transferase (NodC), a flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent oxygenase (NodM), an indole diterpene cyclase (NodB) and a cytochrome P450 oxygenase (NodW). Two of the gene products (NodM and NodW) catalyse two previously unreported reactions that provide the enzymatic basis of the biosynthetic branch point unique to nodulisporic acid biosynthesis. From here, future efforts will explore how these genes can be engineered to overcome flux bottlenecks and enable production of significantly increased, and even industrially relevant, product titres.</p>

Receptor binding and escape from Beta antibody responses drive Omicron-B.1.1.529 evolution

On the 24th November 2021 the sequence of a new SARS CoV-2 viral isolate spreading rapidly in Southern Africa was announced. Omicron contains a total of 30 substitutions plus deletions and an insertion in Spike, far more than any previously reported variant. The mutations include those previously identified by In-vitro evolution to contribute to high-affinity binding to ACE2, including mutations Q498R and N501Y critical in forming additional interactions in the interface. Together with increased charge complementarity between the RBD and ACE2, these substantially increase affinity and potentially virus transmissibility through increased syncytia formation. Further mutations promote immune evasion. We have studied the binding of a large panel of potent monoclonal antibodies generated from early pandemic or Beta infected cases. Mutations in Omicron will likely compromise the binding of many of these and additionally, the binding of antibodies under commercial development, however residual binding should provide protection from severe disease.

Increasing standardization for smart(er) contracts

Legal standardization traditionally played an important role in contractual relations. With technological and commercial development and expansion of trade from the individual and collective levels to internationalization, it became necessary to create a set of standards to keep pace with this development and facilitate the contractual process. Although smart contracts are considered a leap in the contractual relationship, it cannot be overlooked that these contracts share many characteristics with traditional contracts. To gain a greater position in the global market, smart contracts also need to be well functioning and efficient. In this context, the article tackles the phenomenon of legal standardization and identifies the main weaknesses of smart contracts—to answer two crucial questions: how can these contracts be smarter, and how should we employ standardization to ensure their efficiency?