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Topic Review
Compossessorates in Transylvania (Romania)
The compossessorates in Transylvania (Romania) are traditional varieties of commons. The compossessorates are family associations that jointly own an idivisible piece of land. The rights of each family within the association are inherited and depend on the size of the contribution made by their predecessors to the establishment of the association. During the inter-war period two types of compossessorates were most common in Transylvania: those of the former boyars and the ones owned by the former serfs. An analysis of the 1904 Austro-Hungarian Regulation on the organization and management of the commons, of the 1910 Romanian Forest Code that was implemented in Transylvania after 1918, and of the by-laws of compossessorates, derived from the aforementioned documents, unveils the concern of both legislators and members of compossessorates for the preservation, balanced exploitation and regeneration of the forest fund and their focus on sustainable management of forests. The compossessorates were disbanded upon the instauration of the communist regime in Romania and re-established after 1989. Nowadays, compossessorates continue the local tradition of sustainably managing the forests and the pastures.  
  • 1.3K
  • 22 Jul 2021
Topic Review
MXene-Based Membranes
MXene (Figure 1a) is a younger member of the 2D family and has been widely fabricated into both laminar as well as pristine nanosheet membranes using different methods.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Metformin’s Mechanism of Action
Metformin is the leading drug for treating type 2 diabetics, but the mechanism of action of metformin, despite some suggested mechanisms such as the activation of the AMP-kinase, is largely unknown. Among its many positive effects are the reduction of blood glucose levels, the inhibition of cyclic AMP synthesis, gluconeogenesis and an increase in sensitivity to insulin. Recent studies have described the natural antagonist of cyclic AMP, prostaglandylinositol cyclic phosphate. The parallels between the beneficial effects of metformin and the regulations triggered by cyclic PIP suggest that the mechanism of action of this key drug may well be explained by its stimulation of the synthesis of prostaglandylinositol cyclic phosphate (cyclic PIP).
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Short-Chain Fatty Acid Receptors and Cardiovascular Function
Free fatty acids (FFAs) are metabolically produced and utilized as energy substrates during almost every biological process in the human body. Contrary to long- and medium-chain FFAs, which are mainly synthesized from dietary triglycerides, short-chain FFAs (SCFAs) derive from the gut microbiota-mediated fermentation of indigestible dietary fiber. Originally thought to serve only as energy sources, FFAs are now known to act as ligands for a specific group of cell surface receptors called FFA receptors (FFARs), thereby inducing intracellular signaling to exert a variety of cellular and tissue effects. All FFARs are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that play integral roles in the regulation of metabolism, immunity, inflammation, hormone/neurotransmitter secretion, etc. Four different FFAR types are known to date, with FFAR1 (formerly known as GPR40) and FFAR4 (formerly known as GPR120) mediating long- and medium-chain FFA actions, while FFAR3 (formerly GPR41) and FFAR2 (formerly GPR43) are essentially the SCFA receptors (SCFARs), responding to all SCFAs, including acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. As with various other organ systems/tissues, the important roles the SCFARs (FFAR2 and FFAR3) play in physiology and in various disorders of the cardiovascular system have been revealed over the last fifteen years.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Carbapenem Resistance
Carbapenem antibiotics are the most effective antimicrobials for the treatment of infections caused by the most resistant bacteria. They belong to the category of β-lactams that include the penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams and carbapenems. This class of antimicrobials has a broader spectrum of activity than most other beta-lactams antibiotics and are the most effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. All β-lactams antibiotics have a similar molecular structure: the carbapenems together with the β-lactams. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
The Antioxidant Effect of Metal and Metal-Oxide Nanoparticles
Inorganic nanoparticles, such as CeO3, TiO2 and Fe3O4 could be served as a platform for their excellent performance in antioxidant effect. They may offer the feasibility to be further developed for their smaller and controllable sizes, flexibility to be modified, relative low toxicity as well as ease of preparation.
  • 1.3K
  • 25 May 2022
Topic Review
Application of Nanomaterial Modified Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Sensor
The electrochemical aptamer sensor (E-apt sensor), which is composed of biometric elements and signal sensors, has attracted more and more attention for this purpose. The signal sensor usually consists of an electrode substrate, modified layer, and electrochemical signal detection system. The most widely used electrode substrates include a gold electrode (AuE), glassy carbon electrode (GCE), indium tin oxide electrode (ITO), reduced graphene electrode (ERGO), and screen-printed electrode (SPE). Nanomaterials are particularly important in the construction of E-apt sensors, which can be used as aptamer carriers or sensitizers to stimulate or inhibit electrochemical signals.
  • 1.3K
  • 31 May 2022
Topic Review
The Genus Cetraria s. str.
The genus Cetraria s. str. (Parmeliaceae family, Cetrarioid clade) consists of 15 species of mostly erect brown or greenish yellow fruticose or subfoliose thallus. These Cetraria species have a cosmopolitan distribution, being primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere, in North America and in the Eurasia area. 
  • 1.3K
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Adult Neurogenesis in Mammals
In eutherians, the generation of new neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and the formation of almost all brain structures occur during embryonic development, known as developmental neurogenesis. It is now well established that new neurons are continuously produced in adult mammalian brains, and this process is known as adult neurogenesis. 
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Percutaneous Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are similar medical spinal procedures in which bone cement is injected through a small hole in the skin (percutaneously) into a fractured vertebra with the goal of relieving back pain caused by vertebral compression fractures. It was found not to be effective in treating osteoporosis-related compression fractures of the spine. The people in both the experimental and placebo groups of the blinded study reported improvement in their pain, suggesting that the benefit noted in unblinded trials is related to the placebo effect. The cost of vertebroplasty in Europe as of 2010 was ~2,500 Euro. As of 2010 in the United States, when done as an outpatient, vertebroplasty costs around 3300 USD while kyphoplasty costs around 8100 USD and when done as an inpatient vertebroplasty cost ~11,000 USD and kyphoplasty 16,000 USD.
  • 1.3K
  • 10 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Focke-Wulf Ta 154
The Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskito was a fast twin-engined German night fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank and produced by Focke-Wulf during late World War II. Only a few were produced, proving to have less impressive performance than the prototypes.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Data Re-Identification
Data Re-Identification is the practice of matching anonymous data (also known as de-identified data) with publicly available information, or auxiliary data, in order to discover the individual to which the data belongs to. This is a concern because companies with privacy policies, health care providers, and financial institutions may release the data they collect after the data has gone through the de-identification process. The de-identification process involves masking, generalizing or deleting both direct and indirect identifiers; the definition of this process is not universal, however. Information in the public domain, even seemingly anonymized, may thus be re-identified in combination with other pieces of available data and basic computer science techniques. The Common Rule Agencies, a collection of multiple U.S. federal agencies and departments including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, speculate that re-identification is becoming gradually easier because of "big data" - the abundance and constant collection and analysis of information along the evolution of technologies and the advances of algorithms. However, others have claimed that de-identification is a safe and effective data liberation tool and do not view re-identification as a concern. A 2000 study found that 87 percent of the U.S. population can be identified using a combination of their gender, birthdate and zip code. Others do not think that re-identification is a serious threat, and call it a "myth"; they claim that the combination of zip code, date of birth and gender is rare or partially complete, such as only the year and month birth without the date, or the county name instead of the specific zip code, thus the risk of such re-identification is reduced in many instances.
  • 1.3K
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Chöd
Chöd (Tibetan: གཅོད, Wylie: gcod lit. 'to sever'), is a spiritual practice found primarily in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism (where it is classed as Anuttarayoga Tantra). Also known as "Cutting Through the Ego,", the practices are based on the Prajñāpāramitā or "Perfection of Wisdom" sutras, which expound the "emptiness" concept of Buddhist philosophy. According to Mahayana Buddhists, emptiness is the ultimate wisdom of understanding that all things lack inherent existence. Chöd combines prajñāpāramitā philosophy with specific meditation methods and tantric ritual. The chod practitioner seeks to tap the power of fear through activities such as rituals set in graveyards, and visualisation of offering their bodies in a tantric feast in order to put their understanding of emptiness to the ultimate test.
  • 1.3K
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Stadt Huys Site
The Stadt Huys (an old Dutch spelling, meaning city hall) was the very first city hall in New York City built in 17th-century during Dutch settlement (New Amsterdam). It stopped function in 1679 due to safety. It is located at the 71 Pearl Street today. The Stadt Huys block archaeology project was the first large scale archaeological excavation in New York City in 1979-1980. At the time it was excavated, it was one of the most expensive and most productive projects of urban archeology undertaken in an American city. A lot of logistical procedures for urban archaeology had to be developed as the project evolved. Most of these procedures have become a model for performing large-scale excavations in the city.
  • 1.3K
  • 28 Nov 2022
Topic Review
3D Printing in Construction
Using 3D printing in the construction industry is gaining attention as a high-potential means of digitalization and automation of the construction process. Digital fabrication in construction would help reduce the environmental and economic impact of the building industry, allowing to realize efficient and sustainable structures for the future. Various types of large-scale 3D printing techniques and construction materials can be used. 
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
The Inflammatory Role of Medin in Vascular Disease
Medin, a small 50-amino acid peptide, is an internal cleaved product from the second discoidin domain of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor VIII (MFG-E8) protein. Medin has been reported as the most common amylogenic protein in the upper part of the arterial system, including aortic, temporal, and cerebral arterial walls in the elderly. Medin has a high affinity to elastic fibers and is closely associated with arterial degenerative inflammation, elastic fiber fragmentation, calcification, and amyloidosis. In vitro, treating with the medin peptide promotes the inflammatory phenotypic shift of both endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies demonstrate that medin enhances the abundance of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species produced by both endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells and promotes vascular endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening. Immunostaining and immunoblotting analyses of human samples indicate that the levels of medin are increased in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm/dissection, temporal arteritis, and cerebrovascular dementia. Thus, medin peptide could be targeted as a biomarker diagnostic tool or as a potential molecular approach to curbing the arterial degenerative inflammatory remodeling that accompanies aging and disease.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Biogas Steam Reforming in Wastewater Treatment Plants
Hydrogen as an energy vector is going to play an important role in the global energy mix. On the other hand, wastewater management has become a worldwide concern, as urban settlements have been considerably increasing for decades. Consequently, biodigestion to produce biogas (rich in methane) in water treatment plants could be an interesting starting point to obtain a valuable gas that can be converted into hydrogen through steam reforming. 
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Trichoderma hamatum
Trichoderma hamatum (Bonord.) Bainier (T. hamatum) belongs to Hypocreaceae family, Trichoderma genus. Trichoderma spp. are prominently known for their biocontrol activities and plant growth promotion. Hence, T. hamatum also possess several beneficial activities, such as antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, insecticidal activity, herbicidal activity, and plant growth promotion; in addition, it holds several other beneficial properties, such as resistance to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and degradation of DDT by certain enzymes and production of certain polysaccharide-degrading enzymes.
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Digital Twins in Tool and Component Wear Monitoring
Machine tools are widely used in modern manufacturing industries to produce high-quality products with increased productivity and efficiency. However, every machine tool is unique due to its individual characteristics (dynamics and tolerances). This individuality results from a complex interplay of different machine components, which may cause variations in the machine tool’s performance over time. The increasing trend towards individualism of products leads to smaller batch sizes, which requires production processes that can adapt quickly and efficiently to changes in product requirements. Digital Twins play a pivotal role in optimising processes and deriving actionable insights that extend beyond on-site calculations. These dynamic representations of systems demand real-time data on the actual state of machinery, rather than static images depicting idealized configurations.
  • 1.3K
  • 24 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Biological Deterioration and Natural Durability of Wood
The use of wood has gained social interest, leading to a global increase in its demand. Yet, this demand is often covered by the production of woods of low natural durability against biological deterioration. The main biological agents with the potential to attack the structural integrity of wood are wood-decay fungi, saproxylic beetles, termites, and marine molluscs and crustaceans. In most circumstances, fungi are the main wood-deteriorating agents. To attack the cell wall, wood-decay fungi combine a complex enzymatic mechanism with non-enzymatic mechanisms based on low-molecular-weight compounds. In some cases, the larvae of saproxylic beetles can also digest cell wood components, causing serious deterioration to wooden structures. The impact of subterranean termites in Europe is concentrated in the Southern countries, causing important economic losses. However, alien invasive species of voracious subterranean termites are expanding their presence in Europe. Wooden elements in permanent contact with marine water can be readily deteriorated by mollusc and crustacean borers, for which current preservatives lack efficacy. The natural durability of wood is defined as the inherent resistance of wood to catastrophic action by wood-destroying organisms. Besides exposure to the climate, product design and use conditions, the natural durability of wood is key to the prediction of the service life of wooden products, which can be shortened due to the impact of global change. 
  • 1.3K
  • 06 May 2023
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