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Topic Review
Sociology of Space
The sociology of space is a sub-discipline of sociology that mostly borrows from theories developed within the discipline of geography, including the sub fields of human geography, economic geography, and feminist geography. The "sociology" of space examines the social and material constitution of spaces. It is concerned with understanding the social practices, institutional forces, and material complexity of how humans and spaces interact. The sociology of space is an inter-disciplinary area of study, drawing on various theoretical traditions including Marxism, postcolonialism, and Science and Technology Studies, and overlaps and encompasses theorists with various academic disciplines such as geography and architecture. Edward T. Hall developed the study of Proxemics which concentrates on the empirical analysis of space in psychology.
  • 4.5K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Biography
Robert Barron
Robert Emmet Barron (born November 19, 1959) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church currently serving as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He is the founder of the Catholic ministerial organization Word on Fire, and was the host of the TV series CATHOLICISM, an award-winning documentary about the Catholic faith, which aired on PBS. Previously, he served as recto
  • 4.5K
  • 20 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Middle Eastern Philosophy
Middle Eastern philosophy includes the various philosophies of the Middle East regions, including the Fertile Crescent, Iran, and Anatolia. Traditions include Ancient Egyptian philosophy, Babylonian philosophy, Jewish philosophy, Iranian/Persian philosophy, and Islamic philosophy.
  • 4.5K
  • 05 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Waveguide (Electromagnetism)
In electromagnetics and communications engineering, the term waveguide may refer to any linear structure that conveys electromagnetic waves between its endpoints. However, the original and most common meaning is a hollow metal pipe used to carry radio waves. This type of waveguide is used as a transmission line mostly at microwave frequencies, for such purposes as connecting microwave transmitters and receivers to their antennas, in equipment such as microwave ovens, radar sets, satellite communications, and microwave radio links. A dielectric waveguide employs a solid dielectric rod rather than a hollow pipe. An optical fibre is a dielectric guide designed to work at optical frequencies. Transmission lines such as microstrip, coplanar waveguide, stripline or coaxial cable may also be considered to be waveguides. The electromagnetic waves in a (metal-pipe) waveguide may be imagined as travelling down the guide in a zig-zag path, being repeatedly reflected between opposite walls of the guide. For the particular case of rectangular waveguide, it is possible to base an exact analysis on this view. Propagation in a dielectric waveguide may be viewed in the same way, with the waves confined to the dielectric by total internal reflection at its surface. Some structures, such as non-radiative dielectric waveguides and the Goubau line, use both metal walls and dielectric surfaces to confine the wave.
  • 4.5K
  • 07 Oct 2022
Biography
Liu Bowen
Liu Ji (July 1, 1311 – May 16, 1375),[1][2] courtesy name Bowen, better known as Liu Bowen, was a Chinese military strategist, philosopher, politician, and poet who lived in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. He was born in Qingtian County (present-day Wencheng County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang). He served as a key advisor to Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor), the founder of the Ming dynasty, in
  • 4.5K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Snow Line
The climatic snow line is the boundary between a snow-covered and snow-free surface. The actual snow line may adjust seasonally, and be either significantly higher in elevation, or lower. The permanent snow line is the level above which snow will lie all year.
  • 4.5K
  • 16 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Nonparametric Limits of Agreement
The assessment of agreement in method comparison and observer variability analysis of quantitative measurements is usually done by the Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement, where the paired differences are implicitly assumed to follow a normal distribution. Whenever this assumption does not hold, the 2.5% and 97.5% percentiles are obtained by quantile estimation. In the literature, empirical quantiles have been used for this purpose. In this simulation study, we applied both sample, subsampling, and kernel quantile estimators as well as other methods for quantile estimation to sample sizes between 30 and 150 and different distributions of the paired differences. The performance of 15 estimators in generating prediction intervals was measured by their respective coverage probability for one newly generated observation. Our results indicated that sample quantile estimators based on one or two order statistics outperformed all the other estimators and can be used for deriving nonparametric Limits of Agreement. For sample sizes exceeding 80 observations, more advanced quantile estimators, such as the Harrell-Davis and estimators of Sfakianakis-Verginis type, which use all the observed differences, performed likewise well, but may be considered intuitively more appealing than simple sample quantile estimators that are based on only two observations per quantile.
  • 4.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
MXene
The MXenes are a kind of 2D metal carbide/nitride with an alternative atomic arrangement of Mn+1Xn (M = transition metals; X = C, N; n = 1, 2, 3, 4).
  • 4.5K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Theory of Planned Behavior and Perceived Consumer Effectiveness
The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a further development of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to predict an individual’s intention to engage in a specific behavior. The theory aims to explain the behavioral intention over which an individual has the ability to exert self-control. It claims that the individual’s intention to perform a specific behavior is mainly influenced by three key elements—attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control—and an individual with strong intention is more likely to perform an actual behavior.
  • 4.5K
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Power Electronics for EV Charging Stations
This paper proposes a design for the Bidirectional electric vehicle charger which is capable of doing both the Grid to Vehicle and Vehicle to Grid power transfer, and the interaction will be made through an automatic smart energy management system(EMS). A simple power electronics topology is used. The user can adjust the output of this charger by using the control signal provided by the controller. The simulation result obtained shows that it has an interaction between the charger and an Energy Management System(EMS) in a residence
  • 4.5K
  • 13 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Kerb Construction
Concrete kerbs can be prepared by precast and cast in situ methods. The precast concrete kerbs can be manufactured by conventional (using a vibrator), dry-pressed and wet-pressed methods and can be installed in almost all weather conditions. Possible rainfall, temperatures and sunlight hours are considered in casting in situ kerbs, and they are more labour-intensive compared to the precast variations. However, cast in situ kerb can better handle sudden changes of direction. There is no study found comparing different aspects of in situ casting and precast kerb. Both types of concrete kerb are suggested for construction by all authorities, such as the Austroads and AASHTO. The precast kerbs require manual placement and have been a major source of workplace injury in the United Kingdom. Past studies have suggested that the use of special lifting equipment (such as vacuum lifters, lifting clamps or stone magnets), reduction in kerb section length, reduction in kerb foundation depth, use of a lightweight or hollow concrete section or other lightweight materials, such as polymer, can reduce the likelihood of such workplace injuries and may also lead to quicker construction as well as better construction quality.
  • 4.4K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Theoretical Foundations of Smart Village
The smart village is defined as a village in which the efforts of inhabitants and institutions are supported and integrated with information technology systems and innovation to benefit local communities. The idea of the smart village is most often associated with objectives such as improvements in welfare, energy savings, a low-emission economy, a reduction in inequalities between urban and rural areas, and an improvement in economic conditions.
  • 4.4K
  • 25 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Giardia lamblia
Giardia lamblia, also known as Giardia intestinalis, is a flagellated parasitic microorganism, that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing giardiasis. The parasite attaches to the epithelium by a ventral adhesive disc or sucker, and reproduces via binary fission. Giardiasis does not spread via the bloodstream, nor does it spread to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, but remains confined to the lumen of the small intestine. Giardia trophozoites absorb their nutrients from the lumen of the small intestine, and are anaerobes. If the organism is split and stained, its characteristic pattern resembles the familiar "smiley face" symbol. Chief pathways of human infection include ingestion of untreated sewage, a phenomenon particularly common in many developing countries; contamination of natural waters also occurs in watersheds where intensive grazing occurs. Giardia infections occur worldwide, however Giardia lamblia is the most commonly identified intestinal parasite in the United States and Canada among children in day care centers, hikers, family members, homosexual male partners and immunocompromised adults. Approximately 20,000 cases per year in the United States are reported.
  • 4.4K
  • 25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
East African Lion
The East African lion is a Panthera leo melanochaita population in East Africa. During the 20th century, lion populations in this part of Africa became fragmented and declined in several range countries due to loss of habitat and prey base, poaching and killing of lions to protect livestock and human life. In 2005, a Lion Conservation Strategy was developed for East and Southern Africa. Today, lion populations are stable only in large protected area complexes. The scientific name P. l. melanochaita was proposed for the Cape lion in 1842 that was eradicated in the mid-19th century. P. l. melanochaita differs genetically from P. leo leo; the two subspecies probably diverged at least 50,000 years ago.
  • 4.4K
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Comparison Between Esperanto and Interlingua
Esperanto and Interlingua are two planned languages which have taken radically different approaches to the problem of providing an International auxiliary language (IAL). Although they are both classed as IALs, the intellectual bases of Esperanto and Interlingua are quite different. It has been argued that each language is a successful implementation of a particular IAL model. However, in both language communities there is a polemical tradition of using external criteria to critique the perceived opponent language (that is, judging Interlingua by Esperantist criteria and vice versa). In practical use, moreover, language usage in the two communities has sometimes shown convergences despite divergent theory.
  • 4.4K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Properties and Characteristics of C6F12O
In order to cope with the problem that no gas fire suppressant can be used in the future, perfluoro-2-methyl-3-pentanone (C6F12O), also known as FK-5112, Novec 1230 or Novec 649, with its environmentally friendly performance, zero ODP, GWP of approximately one and atmospheric lifetime of up to two weeks (as shown in Table 1), has been considered as the next generation of halon alternatives. C6F12O belongs to fluorinated ketones which is different to HFCs. Its nontoxicity, noncombustibility, excellent insulation properties and fire suppression efficiency have attracted worldwide attention. The thermophysical parameters, safety and environmental issues and other properties such as the dispersion characteristics of C6F12O are important indexes to evaluate whether it is appropriate to replace the halon. Meanwhile, these properties and parameters are critical to determine the application scenes of fire suppressant, the selection of fire extinguishment facilities and the engineering calculation of the fire extinguishment system.
  • 4.4K
  • 18 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Adaptation
The term “adaptation” is currently used in the climate field. It originated from natural science in the field of population biology and evolutionary ecology. It originally referred to the general characteristics that ensure the survival and reproduction of organic individuals in living environments. The definition of “adaptation” has many attributes, including the two most important points. First is the spatial scale of adaptation, which depends on who is responsible. Second is the nature of adaptive behavior, whether it is spontaneous or conscious or it is planned or prescriptive. The former is usually short-term and tactical adaptation, which is directly related to specific climate change. The latter is more strategic, long-term, and proactive and is usually formulated by government departments and used as part of policy adaptation measures. The adaptation to climate change in the literature is sometimes divergent at the temporal and spatial scales. Short-term adaptation is more of a reaction, and higher-scale adaptation is considered an expected adaptation through policies, projects, and recent plans and actions.
  • 4.4K
  • 15 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Alternatives to Evolution by Natural Selection
Alternatives to evolution by natural selection, also described as non-Darwinian mechanisms of evolution, have been proposed by scholars investigating biology since classical times to explain signs of evolution and the relatedness of different groups of living things. The alternatives in question do not deny that evolutionary changes over time are the origin of the diversity of life, nor deny that the organisms alive today share a common ancestor from the distant past (or ancestors, in some proposals); rather, they propose alternative mechanisms of evolutionary change over time, arguing against mutations acted on by natural selection as the most important driver of evolutionary change. (In most cases, they do not deny that mutations or natural selection occur, or that they play a role in evolutionary change, but instead deny that they are fully sufficient primary causes for the evidence of evolutionary change that is observed in the natural world.) This distinguishes them from certain other kinds of arguments that deny that large scale evolution of any sort has taken place, as in some forms of creationism, which do not propose alternative mechanisms of evolutionary change but instead deny that evolutionary change has taken place at all. Not all forms of creationism deny that evolutionary change takes places; notably, proponents of theistic evolution, such as the biologist Asa Gray, assert that evolutionary change does occur and is responsible for the history of life on Earth, with the proviso that this process has been influenced by a god or gods in some meaningful sense. Where the fact of evolutionary change was accepted but the mechanism proposed by Charles Darwin, natural selection, was denied, explanations of evolution such as Lamarckism, catastrophism, orthogenesis, vitalism, structuralism and mutationism (called saltationism before 1900) were entertained. Different factors motivated people to propose non-Darwinian mechanisms of evolution. Natural selection, with its emphasis on death and competition, did not appeal to some naturalists because they felt it immoral, leaving little room for teleology or the concept of progress in the development of life. Some who came to accept evolution, but disliked natural selection, raised religious objections. Others felt that evolution was an inherently progressive process that natural selection alone was insufficient to explain. Still others felt that nature, including the development of life, followed orderly patterns that natural selection could not explain. By the start of the 20th century, evolution was generally accepted by biologists but natural selection was in eclipse. Many alternative theories were proposed, but biologists were quick to discount theories such as orthogenesis, vitalism and Lamarckism which offered no mechanism for evolution. Mutationism did propose a mechanism, but it was not generally accepted. The modern synthesis a generation later claimed to sweep away all the alternatives to Darwinian evolution, though some have been revived as molecular mechanisms for them have been discovered.
  • 4.4K
  • 09 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-15
The immune system is a complex network dedicated to protecting an organism against harmful substances, including the eradication of invading pathogens or malignant cells, maintenance of specific memory lymphocytes and elimination of autoreactive immune cells to yield self-tolerances. Homeostasis of immune systems relies on two main components—the innate and adaptive immune responses, which are regulated by a series of cytokines that are released in response to certain stimulus. One of the most extensively studied cytokines is the common cytokine receptor common gamma chain (γc) family of cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21, which is named based on the usage of γc subunit for their receptors. This set of cytokines display broad pleiotropic actions to regulate both the innate and adaptive immune system, collectively contributing to the development of various immune cell populations, modulating cell differentiation, and either promoting the survival or inducing the apoptosis depending on the cellular context.
  • 4.4K
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Health-Promoting Beverages
Tea, a beverage made from the processed leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, and herbal infusions, were primarily consumed to their pleasant taste. Nowadays, are also consumed due to the existence of nutraceutical compounds in the herbs used, such as polyphenols.
  • 4.4K
  • 30 Oct 2020
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