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Topic Review
Factors Influencing Gallstone Formation
Dysfunction of the gallbladder or other parts of the bile-secretion pathway can result in gallstone formation. Given that the bile-secretion pathway is a complex process, there are many reasons for the formation of gallstones. Evidence suggests that gallstones are related to age, gender, female physiological status, obesity, cardiovascular disease, microbiome, sugar metabolism, and various environmental exposures. Based on a large number of mouse and human studies, the interaction of five main factors were proposed. The pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease is precipitated by: genetic factors; excessive cholesterol secretion by the liver (leading to supersaturation of cholesterol in gallbladder bile); rapid phase change by accelerating the growth of cholesterol crystals and solid cholesterol crystals; impairment of gallbladder motility; and intestinal factors. Intestinal factors can be further broken down into two categories: increased cholesterol absorption from the small intestine to the liver, eventually resulting in increased bile secretion, and microbiota that inhabit the intestinal tract. These factors will increase the production or growth of cholesterol crystals, eventually leading to the formation of stones.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Scientific Advances in Rheumatic Fever/Rheumatic Heart Disease Control
Despite the fact that rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) have largely been eradicated from high-income countries, the disease spectrum remains endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), extacting a grim health and socioeconomic impact. Over 33 million people are believed to be living with RHD worldwide, claiming nearly a third of a million lives annually. Regrettably, the neglect of RHD as a global health priority was further exacerbated by competing infectious disease outbreaks, chief among them the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Nevertheless, the prior two decades have seen a slowly resurgence of interest in RF/RHD control. Substantial recent advances in the field of RF/RHD continuum control, however, have been realized over this time period. Such primary advances include a better understanding the genetic predisposition to RHD, progress in Group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine development, and improved diagnostic strategies for GAS pharyngitis. Echocardiographic screening for RHD, in particular, has represented a major advance which has unearthed the prevailing high burden of RHD. Lastly, the recent demonstration of benefit of secondary antibiotic prophylaxis on halting progression of latent RHD has marked a major step forward in averting progression of end-stage valvular disease in LMIC settings.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
Efficiency of the Chinese Cement Industry
China’s cement production has been the highest in the world, but the extensive development model, which has been formed for a long time, has brought serious damage to the natural environment. The overall environmental efficiency of China’s cement industry is low, and there is still much room for improvement. Moreover, there are serious imbalances from very low to very high between different regions.
  • 1.1K
  • 31 May 2022
Topic Review
Polyploidy Events in Grasses
Polyploidy events have long been recognized as the primary driving force behind the survival of the vast majority of plant lineages, playing critical roles in crop evolution, speciation, and domestication. The fascinating modern genomics era has revealed that the genomes of all flowering plants have been polyploidized multiple times. To help safeguard the future of the global food supply in the face of climate change, a thorough understanding of polyploid genomes is critical, especially for the improvement of members of the grass family, Poaceae, which includes the world’s big three cereals—rice, wheat, and maize—as well as some potential underutilized ancient grasses (such as teff) that are less well known or studied. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Optical Computing
Optical information processing is introduced and established by utilizing all of light’s attributes of speed and parallelism to handle data at a high rate. The data are represented as a light wave or graphic. The inherent parallel processing of optical computing (OC) was frequently noted as a fundamental benefit of optical processing over electronic processing employing predominantly serial processors.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Green Innovation and Industry and Talent
With increasing pressure on industry resulting from the need for ecological and environmental protection and sustainable development, green innovation development has gradually become a central issue of concern. With predictions of “peak” carbon, the need for carbon neutrality, and the requirement to pursue sustainable development goals, green innovation is not only important for the high-quality growth of the pharmaceutical industry but also represents an impetus to develop high-level talent. The promotion of the further coordination and integration of industry and talent through green innovation is an important issue in contemporary industrial economic development. 
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Trans-Synaptic Neurexin–Neuroligin Interaction
Synapses serve as the interface for the transmission of information between neurons in the central nervous system. The structural and functional characteristics of synapses are highly dynamic, exhibiting extensive plasticity that is shaped by neural activity and regulated primarily by trans-synaptic cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs). Prototypical trans-synaptic CAMs, such as neurexins (Nrxs) and neuroligins (Nlgs), directly regulate the assembly of presynaptic and postsynaptic molecules, including synaptic vesicles, active zone proteins, and receptors. Therefore, the trans-synaptic adhesion mechanisms mediated by Nrx–Nlg interaction can contribute to a range of synaptopathies in the context of pathological pain and other neurological disorders.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Sodiophilicity Regulation in Metallic Na Anodes
The Na metal anode is the essential component for room-temperature sodium-metal batteries (SMBs), such as Na-S, Na-Se, and Na-O2. However, the practical application of liquid-electrolyte-based SMBs has been troubled by extensive volume change and mossy/dendritic growth during Na electrodeposition. In this regard, the sodiophilicity (of the solid electrolytes or 2D/3D Na hosts) has been widely deemed vital for achieving stable Na metal anodes in either solid- or liquid-electrolyte-based SMBs, and many strategies have emerged to improve Na wettability and stabilize Na metal anodes for the three types of batteries.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Targeting of the NF-κB Pathway in Cancer
NF-κB transcription factors are major drivers of tumor initiation and progression. NF-κB signaling is constitutively activated by genetic alterations or environmental signals in many human cancers, where it contributes to almost all hallmarks of malignancy, including sustained proliferation, cell death resistance, tumor-promoting inflammation, metabolic reprogramming, tissue invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. As such, the NF-κB pathway is an attractive therapeutic target in a broad range of human cancers, as well as in numerous non-malignant diseases.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Basic Principles and Mechanisms of Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality which uses visible light wavelengths, mainly in the red and near-infrared (NIR) regions, for the activation of photosensitizing molecules (PSs). The widespread diffusion of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a clinical treatment for solid tumors is mainly limited by the patient’s adverse reaction (skin photosensitivity), insufficient light penetration in deeply seated neoplastic lesions, unfavorable photosensitizers (PSs) biodistribution, and photokilling efficiency due to PS aggregation in biological environments.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Shortline Railroad
A shortline railroad is a small or mid-sized railroad company that operates over a relatively short distance relative to larger, national railroad networks. The term is used primarily in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., railroads are categorized by operating revenue, and most shortline railroads fall into the Class III or Class II categorization defined by the Surface Transportation Board. Shortlines generally exist for one of three reasons: to link two industries requiring rail freight together (for example, a gypsum mine and a wall board factory, or a coal mine and a power plant); to interchange revenue traffic with other, usually larger, railroads; or to operate a tourist passenger train service. Often, short lines exist for all three of these reasons.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Rapid Eye Movements Sleep Behavior Disorder
Sleep parasomnias have drawn the interest of sleep experts because they represent a valuable window to directly monitor dream activity and sleep mentation associated with nocturnal events. Indeed, parasomnias and their manifestations are helpful in investigating dream activity and features, overcoming methodological limits that affect dream study. Specifically, REM sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by enacted dream episodes during Rapid Eye Movements (REM) sleep, caused by the loss of physiological atonia. Patients suffering from RBD report a peculiar oneiric activity associated with motor episodes characterized by high Dream Recall Frequency (DRF) and vivid dreams. Additionally, isolated RBD (iRBD) represents a prodromal stage of neurodegeneration preceding the development of α-synucleinopathies.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Organizational Ambidexterity of SMEs
According to the organizational learning theory, there are two types of corporate activities, exploitation and exploration, for enhancing and improving corporate performance. However, organizations are continually faced with choosing between these two conflicting activities that require different organizational structures, strategies, and environments, respectively. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Autofluorescence in Cancer Management
At this juncture, autofluorescence and narrow-band imaging have resurfaced in the medicine arena in parallel with current technology advancement. The emergence of newly developed optical instrumentation in addition to the discovery of new fluorescence biomolecules have contributed to a refined management of diseases and tumors, especially in the management of upper aerodigestive tract tumors. The advancement in multispectral imaging and micro-endoscopy has also escalated the trends further in the setting of the management of this tumor, in order to gain not only the best treatment outcomes but also facilitate early tumor diagnosis.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Nanomaterials and Their Impact on the Immune System
The interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with cells of the immune system and their biomolecule pathways are an area of interest for researchers. It is possible to modify NPs so that they are not recognized by the immune system or so that they suppress or stimulate the immune system in a targeted manner.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Monitoring Systems in Shipping and Offshore Industry
Maritime transport is the main mode of international trade (up to 80% of goods); thus, marine structures are critical because of its specific influence to trade. Ships and offshore structures are used worldwide for a variety of functions and in a variety of water depths and environments. Monitoring the health of marine structures plays a key role in reducing the risk of structural failure. The incorporation of a health-monitoring system makes it possible to optimize the design, operation and/or maintenance, moving from criteria based on experience or conservative estimates, to others that take advantage of source of information about real-time in-service behavior. Structural monitoring also makes it possible to reveal the start of damage in structures that would otherwise remain invisible until a catastrophic/unexpected manifestation of damage occurs, allowing for decisions such as decommissioning for unscheduled maintenance actions or continuing until the next scheduled maintenance.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Short Wavelength Energy-Efficient High-Speed Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) were becoming the dominating optical sources for data communication in such centers for all distances and wavelengths. VCSELs are of low production cost, can be tested on-wafer, and enable low energy consumption. 850 nm multi-mode VCSELs are widely used for the optical links inside data centers and supercomputers, together with multi-mode fibers. Long-wavelength single-mode VCSELs (1310 nm or 1550 nm) based on InP extend the transmission distance and enable wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technologies.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Geothermal Fluids: Opportunities for Critical Element Extraction
Several elements found in New Zealand geothermal fluids are currently considered ‘critical’ for the transition to a carbon-neutral economy and are present in economically extractable quantities. 
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Electrode Materials in Hybrid Supercapacitors
Energy storage systems are of great importance in daily life due to our dependence on portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. Among these energy storage systems, hybrid supercapacitor devices, constructed from a battery-type positive electrode and a capacitor-type negative electrode, have attracted widespread interest due to their potential applications. In general, they have a high energy density, a long cycling life, high safety, and environmental friendliness.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Digital Twin Definitions and Categories
During the course of its rapid expansion into various fields of application, many definitions of the Digital Twin emerged, tailored to its respective applications. Taxonomies can cluster the diversity and define application-specific archetypes. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Jan 2024
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