Review on the Development and Applications of Medicinal Plant Genomes

With the development of sequencing technology, the research on medicinal plants is no longer limited to the aspects of chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacodynamics, but reveals them from the genetic level. As the price of next-generation sequencing technology becomes affordable, and the long-read sequencing technology is established, the medicinal plant genomes with large sizes have been sequenced and assembled more easily. Although the review of plant genomes has been reported several times, there is no review giving a systematic and comprehensive introduction about the development and application of medicinal plant genomes that have been reported until now. Here, we provide a historical perspective on the current situation of genomes in medicinal plant biology, highlight the use of the rapidly developing sequencing technologies, and conduct a comprehensive summary on how the genomes apply to solve the practical problems in medicinal plants, like genomics-assisted herb breeding, evolution history revelation, herbal synthetic biology study, and geoherbal research, which are important for effective utilization, rational use and sustainable protection of medicinal plants.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 medical solid waste treatment: A need for efficient and effective strategies in low-resourced settings

Understanding infections related to handling healthcare waste products is of critical importance and the application of simple and low-cost strategies remain a priority in low-income and middle-income countries to protect healthcare workers. We examined the potential effect of relative humidity (RH), air temperature and ultraviolet irradiation (UI) to establish an efficient and effective way to facilitate disposal of medical waste. Literature is emerging on the effect of high RH and high temperature, which would increase airborne mass deposition and decrease the viability of viruses in both airborne particles and on surfaces. On the other hand, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 has been proven to be susceptible to UI when suspended in air like other coronaviruses. An innovative approach utilizing environmental conditions might represent an effective and efficient way to ensure better and sustainable protection of the healthcare workers in low-resourced settings.

Beach-dune modelling in support of Building with Nature for an integrated spatial design of urbanized sandy shores

The long-term physical existence of sandy shores critically depends on a balanced sediment budget. From the principles of Building with Nature it follows that a sustainable protection of sandy shores should employ some form of shore nourishment. In the spatial design process of urbanized sandy shores, where multiple functions must be integrated, the knowledge and the prediction of sediment dynamics and beach-dune morphology thus play an essential role. This expertise typically resides with coastal scientists who have condensed their knowledge in various types of morphological models that serve different purposes and rely on different assumptions, thus have their specific strengths and limitations. This paper identifies morphological information needs for the integrated spatial design of urbanized sandy shores using BwN principles, outlines capabilities of different types of morphological models to support this and identifies current gaps between the two. A clear mismatch arises from the absence of buildings and accompanying human activities in current numerical models simulating morphological developments in beach-dune environments.

Re-Exploration of the Sustainability of Traditional Village Spatial Development in The Epidemic Era – From the Perspective of Jiangnan Region, China

The global spread of the COVID-19 has given severely challenge to the contemporary human settlement environment. Traditional villages, as an essential human settlement, which has been significant in contemporary life. This article takes the traditional village space in the Jiangnan region, China as an example to analyse the positive interaction between humans and nature, health, and space in its traditional design. This research points out that in the traditional village space, healthy human settlements have two levels: “material form” and “internal sprite”. In addition to focusing on the transformation, innovation, and application of the technology, designers should exceed the material level to seek non-material dialogue and integration, to explore the important role of inner spiritual art for healthy living. Finally, this research combine with the urban epidemic prevention function and pointed out that the symbiosis mechanism between urban and rural areas should be actively explored. The penetration and integration of urban and rural areas can better cure, and promote the sustainable protection, activation, utilization and innovation of traditional villages in the future.

Taking on Looting: Pursuing Sustainable Site Protection Policies in Southern Ontario

Centuries of looting has repeatedly unearthed the archaeological remains of First Nations middens, villages, and cemeteries. This paper presents a case for new measures to curtail these illicit practices in Ontario. Over the last decade, many archaeologists have espoused a program of sustainable archaeology. I suggest protections of in situ contexts against looting will further the objectives of sustainable archaeology and contribute to this broader trajectory of practice in the province. Using the history of looting and archaeological conditions at Neutral Iroquoian (Attawandaron) sites, along with information from modern collectors, the paper reveals the persistent threat of looting and the necessity for action. I suggest the province, municipalities, and archaeological stakeholders deploy policies aimed at preserving these resources into the future. I advocate for a stewardship of personal and collective responsibility among property owners and hobbyists through educational initiatives, legal easement agreements, and existing legislative mandates to serve as a pragmatic step towards the long-term sustainable protection of these sites.