Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
A Journey to Hear: The Evolution of Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants (CIs), a revolutionary breakthrough in auditory technology, have profoundly impacted the lives of individuals with severe hearing impairment. Surgically implanted behind the ear and within the delicate cochlea, these devices represent a direct pathway to restoring the sense of hearing. Implanting hope alongside innovation, their captivating history unfolds through pivotal dates and transformative milestones. From the first human implantation by Drs. William House and John Doyle in 1961 to FDA approval in 1984, each step in their evolution mirrors a triumph of human ingenuity. The 1990s witnessed significant miniaturization, enhancing accessibility, while the 21st century brought about improvements in speech processing and electrode technology. These strides have elevated CIs beyond functional devices to life-changing instruments, enriching both auditory experiences and communication skills. This entry delves into the captivating history of CIs, spotlighting key dates that paint a vivid picture of challenges overcome and remarkable progress achieved. It explores the people and moments that defined their development, ultimately shaping these implants into indispensable tools that continually redefine the landscape of hearing assistance.
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Negative Effects of Soil Salinity on Crops
One of the most significant environmental challenges to crop growth and yield worldwide is soil salinization. Salinity lowers soil solution water potential, causes ionic disequilibrium and specific ion effects, and increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) buildup, causing several physiological and biochemical issues in plants. Plants have developed biological and molecular methods to combat salt stress. Salt-signaling mechanisms regulated by phytohormones may provide additional defense in salty conditions. That discovery helped identify the molecular pathways that underlie zinc-oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NP)-based salt tolerance in certain plants. It emphasized the need to study processes like transcriptional regulation that govern plants’ many physiological responses to such harsh conditions. ZnO-NPs have shown the capability to reduce salinity stress by working with transcription factors (TFs) like AP2/EREBP, WRKYs, NACs, and bZIPs that are released or triggered to stimulate plant cell osmotic pressure-regulating hormones and chemicals. In addition, ZnO-NPs have been shown to reduce the expression of stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) while also affecting transcriptional factors. Those systems helped maintain protein integrity, selective permeability, photosynthesis, and other physiological processes in salt-stressed plants. 
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Human-Smart Environment Interactions
In the context of the challenges facing human computer interaction (HCI) on the one hand and the future Internet on the other, the purpose of this study is to explore the multi-dimensionality of smart cities, looking at relationships and interdependencies through correlating selected dimensions of smartness. Through a review of the research literature, key dimensions of smartness are identified for exploration in the context of smart cities in this work. Methodologically, this work combines an exploratory case study approach consisting of multiple methods of data collection including survey and in-depth interviews, with an explanatory correlational design. In terms of results, the main findings of this work shed light on relationships between selected dimensions of the multi-dimensionality construct of smartness in data-rich urban environments. This work is significant in that it provides correlational information for smart city dimensionalities while contributing to the research literature in this domain; uses a hybrid case study and correlational design in relation to the study of multi-dimensionality; and opens spaces for the study of innovative urban initiatives, taking the ideas and experiences of people from many sectors into consideration.
  • 1.2K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
On-Demand Drug Delivery Systems Using Nanofibers
On-demand drug-delivery systems using nanofibers are extensively applicable for customized drug release based on target location and timing to achieve the desired therapeutic effects. A nanofiber formulation is typically created for a certain medication and changing the drug may have a significant impact on the release kinetics from the same delivery system. Nanofibers have several distinguishing features and properties, including the ease with which they may be manufactured, the variety of materials appropriate for processing into fibers, a large surface area, and a complex pore structure. Nanofibers with effective drug-loading capabilities, controllable release, and high stability have gained the interest of researchers owing to their potential applications in on-demand drug delivery systems.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
High-Level Shading Language
The High-Level Shader Language or High-Level Shading Language (HLSL) is a proprietary shading language developed by Microsoft for the Direct3D 9 API to augment the shader assembly language, and went on to become the required shading language for the unified shader model of Direct3D 10 and higher. HLSL is analogous to the GLSL shading language used with the OpenGL standard. It is very similar to the Nvidia Cg shading language, as it was developed alongside it. Early versions of the two languages were considered identical, only marketed differently. HLSL shaders can enable profound speed and detail increases as well as many special effects in both 2D and 3D computer graphics. HLSL programs come in six forms: pixel shaders (fragment in GLSL), vertex shaders, geometry shaders, compute shaders, tessellation shaders (Hull and Domain shaders), and ray tracing shaders (Ray Generation Shaders, Intersection Shaders, Any Hit/Closest Hit/Miss Shaders). A vertex shader is executed for each vertex that is submitted by the application, and is primarily responsible for transforming the vertex from object space to view space, generating texture coordinates, and calculating lighting coefficients such as the vertex's normal, tangent, and bitangent vectors. When a group of vertices (normally 3, to form a triangle) come through the vertex shader, their output position is interpolated to form pixels within its area; this process is known as rasterization. Optionally, an application using a Direct3D 10/11/12 interface and Direct3D 10/11/12 hardware may also specify a geometry shader. This shader takes as its input some vertices of a primitive (triangle/line/point) and uses this data to generate/degenerate (or tessellate) additional primitives or to change the type of primitives, which are each then sent to the rasterizer. D3D11.3 and D3D12 introduced Shader Model 5.1 and later 6.0.
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Anti-inflammatory Effect of Rosmarinus Officinalis in Vivo Models
Rosemary was more commonly used in its entirety than in compounds, and the prevalent methods of extraction were maceration and hydrodistillation. Rosmarinus officinalis L. showed anti-inflammatory activity before and after induction of treatments.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Polymorphism in α-Synuclein
The synucleinopathies exhibit differences in their clinical and pathological representations, reminiscent of prion disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that α-Syn self-assembles and polymerizes into conformationally diverse polymorphs in vitro and in vivo, similar to prions. These α-Syn polymorphs arising from the same precursor protein may exhibit strain-specific biochemical properties and the ability to induce distinct pathological phenotypes upon their inoculation in animal models.
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Volume Regulation and Swelling Mechanisms in Cardiomyocytes
Mitochondrion, known as the “powerhouse” of the cell, regulates ion homeostasis, redox state, cell proliferation and differentiation, and lipid synthesis. The inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) controls mitochondrial metabolism and function. It possesses high levels of proteins that account for ~70% of the membrane mass and are involved in the electron transport chain, oxidative phosphorylation, energy transfer, and ion transport, among others. The mitochondrial matrix volume plays a crucial role in IMM remodeling. Several ion transport mechanisms, particularly K+ and Ca2+, regulate matrix volume. Small increases in matrix volume through IMM alterations can activate mitochondrial respiration, whereas excessive swelling can impair the IMM topology and initiates mitochondria-mediated cell death. The opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pores, the well-characterized phenomenon with unknown molecular identity, in low- and high-conductance modes are involved in physiological and pathological increases of matrix volume.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Self-Esteem in Idiopathic Epilepsy
People with etiologically unknown (idiopathic) epilepsy may have their self-esteem compromised to a certain extent, particularly the females. These results validate our position that people with epilepsy are “more than their mere symptomatic illness”, and that there is a worth in capturing wider patient-reported outcomes, beyond mere seizure frequency and severity. We consider that the usual epilepsy care must go beyond the mere prescription of ASMs.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Economic Growth and CO2
This entry explored the effect of energy consumption and economic growth on CO2 emissions. The relationship between energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emissions was assessed using regression analysis (the pooled OLS regression and fixed effects methods), Granger causality and panel cointegration tests. Data from 70 countries between 1994–2013 were analysed. The result of the Granger causality tests revealed that the study variables (population, capital stock and economic growth) have a bi-directional causal relationship with CO2 emissions, while energy consumption has a uni-directional relationship. Likewise, the outcome of the cointegration tests established that a long-run relationship exists among the study variables (energy consumption and economic growth) with CO2 emissions. However, the pooled OLS and fixed methods both showed that energy consumption and economic growth have a significant positive impact on CO2 emissions. Hence, this study supports the need for a global transition to a low carbon economy primarily through climate finance, which refers to local, national, or transnational financing, that may be drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing. This will help foster large-scale investments in clean energy, that are required to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome
The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of cutaneous wounds is currently of enormous interest. However, the broad translation of cell therapies into clinical use is hampered by their efficacy, safety, manufacturing and cost. MSCs release a broad repertoire of trophic factors and immunomodulatory cytokines, referred to as the MSC secretome, that has considerable potential for the treatment of cutaneous wounds as a cell-free therapy. In this review, we outline the current status of MSCs as a treatment for cutaneous wounds and introduce the potential of the MSC secretome as a cell-free alternative for wound repair. We discuss the challenges and provide insights and perspectives for the future development of the MSC secretome as well as identify its potential clinical translation into a therapeutic treatment.
  • 1.2K
  • 21 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Adaptor Protein p66Shc
p66Shc is an adaptor protein with anti-mitogenic, anti-chemotactic, pro-apoptotic and pro-oxidant activities.  Neoplastic B cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients  have a profound deficiency in the expression of p66Shc which results in leukemic cell resistance to apoptosis and in an altered balance between homing and egress receptors that control B cell homing to and residency into the pro-survival lymphoid niche. Ablation of the gene encoding p66Shc in the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model of human CLL worsens disease presentation  by promoting leukemic cell invasiveness, providing in vivo evidence of the pathogenic role of the p66Shc defect in CLL pathogenesis. Here we briefly summarize the functions of p66Shc in lymphocytes, focalizing on the mechanisms exploited by p66Shc to control B cell trafficking and the abnormalities in this process caused by p66Shc deficiency in CLL. 
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Additive Manufacturing in Automotive Sector
Triple bottom line (3BL) approaches to sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) often involve trade-offs between their three dimensions (economic, environmental, and social). Under some circumstances, however, synergic approaches (typically involving disruptive innovations) might allow simultaneous improvement in one or more dimensions without compromising the others. This entry analyzes one such case: the potential of properly designed additive manufacturing approaches in the automotive spare parts industry to simultaneously boost profits and reduce environmental impact.It is based on the systematic analysis of the real spare parts business of a mid-size automotive brand in Spain. Its results suggest that such synergic, self-reinforcing opportunities do indeed exist, and might even be further developed by  strategically integrating sustainability constituents, while completely changing the current spare parts' business model. 
  • 1.2K
  • 19 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Monkeypox Virus in Nigeria
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is a member of orthopoxvirus genus. The reemergence of MPXV in 2017 (at Bayelsa state) after 39 years of no reported case in Nigeria, and the export of travelers’ monkeypox (MPX) from Nigeria to other parts of the world, in 2018 and 2019, respectively, have raised concern that MPXV may have emerged to occupy the ecological and immunological niche vacated by smallpox virus. This review X-rays the current state of knowledge pertaining the infection biology, epidemiology, and evolution of MPXV in Nigeria and worldwide, especially with regard to the human, cellular, and viral factors that modulate the virus transmission dynamics, infection, and its maintenance in nature.
  • 1.2K
  • 25 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Immunomodulation in Pancreatic Cancer
The majority of pancreatic cancer patients have a poor prognosis, where the five-year survival rate is 9% in the United States, with an increasing incidence rate of 1.03% per year. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer that makes up 90% of all diagnosed cases of pancreatic cancer. Other types of pancreatic cancer, such as neuroendocrine tumors, which secrete insulin, or acinar carcinomas, which release digestive enzymes, are less common. PDAC develops from neoplasms of the cells lining the pancreatic ducts and usually presents without symptoms until advanced stages of the disease. Here we discuss strategies for immunomodulation of pancreatic cancer.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Nov 2020
Topic Review
HSAN5
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type V (HSAN5) is a condition that primarily affects the sensory nerve cells (sensory neurons), which transmit information about sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch. These sensations are impaired in people with HSAN5.
  • 1.2K
  • 04 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Polyphenols’ Cardioprotective Potential
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 31% of global deaths. A reduction in mortality can be achieved by promoting a healthy lifestyle, developing prevention strategies, and developing new therapies. Polyphenols are present in food and drinks such as tea, cocoa, fruits, berries, and vegetables. These compounds have strong antioxidative properties, which might have a cardioprotective effect.  
  • 1.2K
  • 19 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Amsacrine
Amsacrine, an anticancer drug first synthesised in 1970 by Professor Cain and colleagues, showed excellent preclinical activity and underwent clinical trial in 1978 under the auspices of the US National Cancer Institute, showing activity against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
  • 1.2K
  • 25 Feb 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide
Utility of vaccine campaigns to control coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is not merely de-pendent on vaccine efficacy and safety. Vaccine acceptance among the general public and healthcare workers appears to have a decisive role in the successful control of the pandemic.
  • 1.2K
  • 01 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Potential Chemicals from Plastic Wastes
Plastic is referred to as a “material of every application”. From the packaging and automotive industries to the medical apparatus and computer electronics sectors, plastic materials are fulfilling demands efficiently. These plastics usually end up in landfills and incinerators, creating plastic waste pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2015, 9.1% of the plastic materials generated in the U.S. municipal solid waste stream was recycled, 15.5% was combusted for energy, and 75.4% was sent to landfills. 
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Jun 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 2729
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback