This historiographical study examines the Russian Orthodox Mission in Beijing from 1715 to 1956, revealing its historical impact on Christianity in China and Sino–Russian cultural exchanges. The ...research explores how the Mission functioned not only as a religious entity but also influenced diplomatic ties and scholarly pursuits, as documented in both Chinese and Russian historiographies. This study utilizes contemporary sources, exploring Chinese narratives to re-evaluate historical perspectives, and portrays the Mission as a critical mediator in Sino–Russian relations. An examination of the historical context shows that the Mission has undergone a transformation over time. It has evolved from an influential ecclesiastical presence to a cultural and diplomatic agency unobtrusively entered into Chinese society. From the mid-18th to the early 20th century, the Mission adapted to the local environment by combining the transmission of religious doctrine with engagement in China’s political and cultural contexts. The article proposes a holistic interpretation of the Mission’s function, encompassing not only evangelism but also diplomatic engagements, and adding to the multifaceted discourse within Chinese cultural heritage. In summary, the article recommends exploring the enduring impact and historical complexities of the Russian Orthodox Mission as it is grounded in a broader framework of global movements. The research suggests that it may be beneficial to broaden the scope of historiographic narratives to encompass a diverse range of interdisciplinary studies that reflect the complexity of the Mission’s enduring impact and its role in shaping a shared global history.
The hypocretins (Hcrts), also known as orexins, are two peptides derived from a single precursor produced in the posterior lateral hypothalamus. Over the past decade, the orexin system has been ...associated with numerous physiological functions, including sleep/arousal, energy homeostasis, endocrine, visceral functions and pathological states, such as narcolepsy and drug abuse. Here, we review the discovery of Hcrt/orexins and their receptors and propose a hypothesis as to how the orexin system orchestrates these multifaceted physiological functions.
Linked Articles
This article is part of a themed section on Orexin Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐2
The escalating challenge of municipal solid waste (MSW) critically tests the sustainable development capacities of urban centers. In response, China initiated pilot policies in 2017 aimed at ...bolstering MSW management. The effectiveness of these initiatives, however, necessitates empirical scrutiny. This study leverages panel data spanning 95 cities at the prefectural level or higher, covering the period from 2006 to 2020, to assess the impact of the MSW sorting pilot policy on urban sustainable development using a difference-in-differences approach. The research found that the MSW sorting pilot policy has significantly increased the processing volume of MSW, thereby enhancing the sustainable development capabilities of cities. Further, the study identifies augmented fixed asset investments as a key mechanism through which pilot cities have enhanced their MSW management capabilities. Notably, the policy's stimulative effects are more pronounced in less densely populated and economically lagging regions. These findings provide critical insights for developing nations in shaping MSW sorting strategies and advancing urban sustainability.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Turning graphene magnetic is a promising challenge to make it an active material for spintronics. Predictions state that graphene structures with specific shapes can spontaneously develop magnetism ...driven by Coulomb repulsion of π-electrons, but its experimental verification is demanding. Here, we report on the observation and manipulation of individual magnetic moments in graphene open-shell nanostructures on a gold surface. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we detect the presence of single electron spins localized around certain zigzag sites of the carbon backbone via the Kondo effect. We find near-by spins coupled into a singlet ground state and quantify their exchange interaction via singlet-triplet inelastic electron excitations. Theoretical simulations picture how electron correlations result in spin-polarized radical states with the experimentally observed spatial distributions. Extra hydrogen atoms bound to radical sites quench their magnetic moment and switch the spin of the nanostructure in half-integer amounts. Our work demonstrates the intrinsic π-paramagnetism of graphene nanostructures.
Relations with international multilateral institutions and regional organizations are an important issue affecting the prospects for the development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism (a group of ...countries from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Many large international organizations (economic groups / blocs) have more experience in establishing international cooperation, paying particular attention to relations with other multilateral institutions. Based on the application of this interactional format, international organizations integrate their results and decisions into global governance and the financial and economic system of the whole world.Such an approach can enhance international influence and recognition; increase the effectiveness of cooperation between member states of an organization. And as a platform for cooperation between developing countries, BRICS is an open international organization. There is currently no permanent establishment in BRICS (for example, an administrative apparatus or a functioning secretariat) for overall coordination. As expected, the space for expanding the powers and capabilities of the BRICS is quite large.Today, BRICS has created fundamental platforms for cooperation and dialogue — summit of BRICS leaders, permanent ministerial meetings, Business Forum, Business Council, BRICS Think Tank meeting, New Development Bank, BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement, and the “BRICS+”. The “BRICS+” is considered one of the key ways to expand the international participation of the BRICS. Under the auspices of the “BRICS+”, leaders of countries and organizations of the region where the summit is held are invited to participate in the BRICS summit. This article discusses the theoretical foundations and practical significance of the efforts of the BRICS countries to expand the international influence of the organization through the development of “BRICS+”, “BRICS- Outreach” within the framework of creating an open platform for discussing the current international agenda and issues of regional socio-economic development, as well as for wider international recognition and prospects for the implementation of BRICS projects.
Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), low-dimensional platforms for carbon-based electronics, show the promising perspective to also incorporate spin polarization in their conjugated electron system. However, ...magnetism in GNRs is generally associated with localized states around zigzag edges, difficult to fabricate and with high reactivity. Here we demonstrate that magnetism can also be induced away from physical GNR zigzag edges through atomically precise engineering topological defects in its interior. A pair of substitutional boron atoms inserted in the carbon backbone breaks the conjugation of their topological bands and builds two spin-polarized boundary states around them. The spin state was detected in electrical transport measurements through boron-substituted GNRs suspended between the tip and the sample of a scanning tunneling microscope. First-principle simulations find that boron pairs induce a spin 1, which is modified by tuning the spacing between pairs. Our results demonstrate a route to embed spin chains in GNRs, turning them into basic elements of spintronic devices.
Precise control over the size and shape of graphene nanostructures allows engineering spin-polarized edge and topological states, representing a novel source of non-conventional π-magnetism with ...promising applications in quantum spintronics. A prerequisite for their emergence is the existence of robust gapped phases, which are difficult to find in extended graphene systems. Here we show that semi-metallic chiral GNRs (chGNRs) narrowed down to nanometer widths undergo a topological phase transition. We fabricated atomically precise chGNRs of different chirality and size by on surface synthesis using predesigned molecular precursors. Combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements and theory simulations, we follow the evolution of topological properties and bulk band gap depending on the width, length, and chirality of chGNRs. Our findings represent a new platform for producing topologically protected spin states and demonstrate the potential of connecting chiral edge and defect structure with band engineering.
Intelligent materials, also known as smart materials, are capable of reacting to various external stimuli or environmental changes by rearranging their structure at a molecular level and adapting ...functionality accordingly. The initial concept of the intelligence of a material originated from the natural biological system, following the sensing-reacting-learning mechanism. The dynamic and adaptive nature, along with the immediate responsiveness, of the polymer- and fiber-based smart materials have increased their global demand in both academia and industry. In this manuscript, the most recent progress in smart materials with various features is reviewed with a focus on their applications in diverse fields. Moreover, their performance and working mechanisms, based on different physical, chemical and biological stimuli, such as temperature, electric and magnetic field, deformation, pH and enzymes, are summarized. Finally, the study is concluded by highlighting the existing challenges and future opportunities in the field of intelligent materials.
We report the on-surface synthesis of 7-armchair graphene nanoribbons (7-AGNRs) substituted with nitrile (CN) functional groups. The CN groups are attached to the GNR backbone by modifying the 7-AGNR ...precursor. Whereas many of these groups survive the on-surface synthesis, the reaction process causes the cleavage of some CN from the ribbon backbone and the on-surface cycloisomerization of few nitriles onto pyridine rings. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy and density functional theory reveal that CN groups behave as very efficient n-dopants, significantly downshifting the bands of the ribbon and introducing deep impurity levels associated with the nitrogen electron lone pairs.
A mask serves as a simple external barrier that protects humans from infectious particles from poor air conditions in the surrounding environment. As an important personal protective equipment (PPE) ...to protect our respiratory system, masks are able not only to filter pathogens and dust particles but also to sense, reflect or even respond to environmental conditions. This smartness is of particular interest among academia and industries due to its potential in disease detection, health monitoring and caring aspects. In this review, we provide an overlook of the current air filtration strategies used in masks, from structural designs to integrated functional modules that empower the mask's ability to sense and transfer physiological or environmental information to become smart. Specifically, we discussed recent developments in masks designed to detect macroscopic physiological signals from the wearer and mask-based disease diagnoses, such as COVID-19. Further, we propose the concept of next-generation smart masks and the requirements from material selection and function design perspectives that enable masks to interact and play crucial roles in health-caring wearables.
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