This paper revisits the longstanding problem of the urban core-periphery structure through the lens of complexity and network theories. We argue that this relation remains central to urban science, requiring cities to be interpreted as dynamic systems in which urban form and social structure co-evolve through continuous interaction. Building on classical geographical and economic models, as well as developments in complexity science, the study proposes a systemic approach to describe and simulate the emergence of multicentricity. Using Porto Alegre (Brazil) as a case study, we examine how socio-spatial centralities emerge and interact within the urban system. The results suggest that polycentricity is not merely decentralization, but an emergent property of urban complexity shaped by path-dependent dynamics and social inequality. The study contributes to linking Latin American urbanization to broader discussions on emergence, self-organization, and peripheral urbanization.

Bangladesh's path to upper-middle-income status by 2041 hinges on transformative infrastructure expansion, with annual investment needs estimated at USD 10–12 billion. Conventional public financing mechanisms are insufficient to meet this demand, especially as external aid flows decline in the post-LDC transition. This study positions Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) not as a supplementary tool, but as a strategic imperative for bridging fiscal gaps, mobilizing private capital, and accelerating infrastructure delivery across transport, energy, and urban services. Building on global PPP models and Bangladesh's policy evolution since 2010, the study reviews frameworks from the UK, Australia, India, and China. At the same time, the study also examines domestic challenges through reports and field-level experience. It incorporates practitioner insights from the roles in the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Dhaka Bypass Expressway, and the Planning Commission. The study uses a mixed-method approach combining document analysis, comparative case studies, and implementation experience to highlight the need for bankable project design, transparent procurement, and inclusive governance. It contributes to the policy discourse on development financing and institutional reform, offering strategic recommendations for policymakers, development partners, and civil society. It also shows how PPPs can advance key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including clean energy, decent work, innovation, and urban resilience.

The present study investigates the effect of nano-Fe₂O₃ particles as a micronutrient on the growth of plant seedlings of Mung (Vigna radiate) and Gram (Cicer arietinum) using the plant agar method. The laboratory experiment was carried out in the test units comprising a petri dish and plant agar medium. The plant agar medium used acts as a false soil that supports the seedlings for germination, prevents precipitation of water-insoluble nanoparticles and eliminates the possibility of any nutrients from external sources other than the nano-Fe₂O₃ particles. Each test unit containing agar media was treated with nano-Fe₂O₃ particle suspension at different concentrations. The effect of nano-Fe₂O₃ particle dose-response on root and shoot growth of the seedlings, as well as on biomass assay, was examined. The results showed that among the various concentrations of nano-Fe₂O₃ particles studied, a good agronomic value over control was observed only for certain optimum concentration i.e., 50 mg/L for mung and 5 mg/L for gram seedlings. Beyond this dose limit, the seedlings showed retardation in their growth characteristics, indicating phytotoxicity.

Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide due to various reasons, including late-stage diagnosis, treatment resistance, and limited therapeutic efficacy. Conventional treatment strategies- surgical resection, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies- pose significant limitations such as poor specificity, systemic toxicity, and disease recurrence, preventing timely treatment. Recent advances in nanotechnology provide promising solutions, particularly in early diagnosis and precision medicine. This review focuses on nanotechnology-based theranostic techniques, including nano biosensing, liquid biopsy innovations, and imaging enhancements. Furthermore, significant improvements in therapeutic strategies, such as nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery and immunomodulation, are discussed, as well as existing challenges and potential prospects. Understanding the potential of these innovations is crucial for establishing more effective, personalized, and minimally invasive strategies for liver cancer management.

Under thermo-mechanical stress via a bulge test (BT), composite circular diaphragms (CCD) exhibit temperature-dependent mechanical behavior, including changes in Young’s modulus, yield strength, and residual stress. The application of a differential pressure and temperature causes the membrane to deform, allowing researchers to characterize composite material properties, particularly for materials used in microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS) operating in harsh environments. This paper aims to explore how CCD made from basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) behaves under thermal and mechanical stress, particularly in various engineering and bioengineering sensor applications, using a technique known as the BT. To start, the diaphragm is pre-stressed and clamped between two plates. When applying differential pressure, it causes the diaphragm to deform. An analytical approach is developed for utilizing the BT to describe the thermo-mechanical properties of these diaphragms. This method is well-suited for examining how diaphragms behave mechanically in both elastic and plastic states. A finite element model (FEM) is extended to analyze the BT outcomes and look into how pre-stress influences the pressure testing, comparing results from the FEM with those derived from analytical calculations. The variations in thickness and material type are also taken into account to better understand how they affect the diaphragm’s mechanical behavior under stress. Additionally, this work considers how temperature impacts the material properties of the diaphragm, which is crucial for analyzing its thermo-mechanical response. The relative () for maximum deflection the analytical and numerical results is less than 0.3%. The simulations are done using ANSYS, MATLAB and its PDE toolbox to get the results.

In fragile states, recurrent transport disasters are frequently treated as isolated humanitarian incidents, despite being rooted in deeper structural and governance-related vulnerabilities. This article introduces the River Transport Vulnerability Index (RTVI), a conceptual framework designed to assess systemic disaster risk in inland waterway transport systems. The framework is empirically applied to the 2025 sequence of shipwrecks in Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The study is based on field research conducted between March 2023 and September 2025, combining 47 semi-structured interviews, incident reconstruction, participant observation, and multisource casualty data triangulation. Five vulnerability domains are integrated into a weighted composite index: governance capacity, economic resilience, territorial control, social cohesion, and information environment. Domain weights are derived using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on a 12-member expert panel, allowing for structured comparison and consistency testing. The results indicate that the Équateur river corridor exhibits high systemic vulnerability, with an RTVI score of 61.6, a classification that remains stable across multiple sensitivity analysis scenarios. Vulnerability is driven primarily by regulatory non-enforcement, chronic vessel overcrowding, territorial fragmentation, and weak crisis communication mechanisms. These findings highlight the necessity of treating river transport safety as a central component of disaster risk governance in fragile state contexts.