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Topic Review
Electroreception
Electroreception or electroception is the biological ability to perceive natural electrical stimuli. It has been observed almost exclusively in aquatic or amphibious animals since water is a much better conductor of electricity than air. The known exceptions are the monotremes (echidnas and platypuses), cockroaches, and bees. Electroreception is used in electrolocation (detecting objects) and for electrocommunication.
  • 4.2K
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
DNA-Based Methods in Identification of Fish Species
Various methods, differing in their principle and detected target molecules, can be used for fish species identification and adulteration detection. Parvalbumin detection has been preferred, but this is quite demanding compared to other food allergens because of its high biochemical and immunological variability among fish species and differing thermostability. This in itself sidelines the use of some types of methods, e.g., proteomic ones, and favors DNA-based methods, whose target, DNA, is not destroyed by the processing. Using DNA analysis, for example, a common form of adulteration—replacing the species (a more expensive one with a cheaper one)—can be detected. Additionally, DNA-based methods have the potential to detect the consumer being misled about the fish’s origin, another common type of adulteration. This is even more relevant, since genetically modified (GM) fish can be bought on the world market. Even though GM organisms do not pose a threat to public health and their quality is no different, consumers should be informed about the content of GM products, and because the public can be skeptical about GM products, sellers may want to hide this information and deliberately deceive the consumer.
  • 4.2K
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review Video Peer Reviewed
Deep Meaningful Learning
Deep meaningful learning is the higher-order thinking and development through manifold active intellectual engagement aiming at meaning construction through pattern recognition and concept association. It includes inquiry, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem-solving, and metacognitive skills. It is a theory with a long academic record that can accommodate the demand for excellence in teaching and learning at all levels of education. Its achievement is verified through knowledge application in authentic contexts. 
  • 4.2K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Darwin's Fox
Darwin's Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) is a critically endangered canid species native to Chile, particularly inhabiting the temperate rainforests of Chiloé Island and the Nahuelbuta Range. Named after the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin, this elusive fox is characterized by its small size, reddish-brown fur, and distinctively bushy tail. Threatened by habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and disease, Darwin's Fox faces significant conservation challenges, with concerted efforts underway to protect and preserve this rare and iconic species.
  • 4.2K
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Luminogens with Aggregation-Induced Emission
Luminogens with aggregation-induced emission (AIEgens) have been widely applied in the field of photodynamic therapy. Among them, aggregation-induced emission photosensitizers (AIE–PSs) are demonstrated with high capability in fluorescence and photoacoustic bimodal imaging, as well as in fluorescence imaging-guided photodynamic therapy. They not only improve diagnosis accuracy but also provide an efficient theranostic platform to accelerate preclinical translation as well.
  • 4.2K
  • 21 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Valence
In chemistry, the valence (US spelling) or valency (British spelling) of an element is the measure of its combining capacity with other atoms when it forms chemical compounds or molecules.
  • 4.2K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Diamond-Like Carbon Films
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films have been extensively applied in industries owing to their excellent characteristics such as high hardness. In particular, there is a growing demand for their use as protective films for mechanical parts owing to their excellent wear resistance and low friction coefficient. DLC films have been deposited by various methods and many deviate from the DLC regions present in the ternary diagrams proposed for sp3 covalent carbon, sp2 covalent carbon, and hydrogen. Consequently, redefining the DLC region on ternary diagrams using DLC coatings for mechanical and electrical components is urgently required. Therefore, we investigate the sp3 ratio, hydrogen content, and other properties of 74 types of amorphous carbon films and present the classification of amorphous carbon films, including DLC. We measured the sp3 ratios and hydrogen content using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure and Rutherford backscattering-elastic recoil detection analysis under unified conditions. Amorphous carbon films were widely found with nonuniform distribution. The number of carbon atoms in the sp3 covalent carbon without bonding with hydrogen and the logarithm of the hydrogen content were inversely proportional. Further, we elucidated the DLC regions on the ternary diagram, classified the amorphous carbon films, and summarized the characteristics and applications of each type of DLC.
  • 4.2K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Applications of Chitin in Agricultural Industries
Chitin can play a key role in the agricultural industry due to its water-soluble nature. The different applications of chitin in the agricultural industry have been well documented with even more novel processes still in development. Some of those would include, but are not limited to, being used as fertilizers, soil conditioning agents, plant disease control agents, antitranspirants, fruit retardants, and seed coatings. Furthermore, chitin can increase the natural defense mechanisms in plants by upregulating plant growth regulators, growth stimulants, anti-stress agents, and elicitors for the production of secondary metabolites.
  • 4.2K
  • 24 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Family Language Policy
Family and its language are one of the most important domains when it comes to acquiring a language as a mother tongue. 
  • 4.2K
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Marine Isotope Stage
Marine isotope stages (MIS), marine oxygen-isotope stages, or oxygen isotope stages (OIS), are alternating warm and cool periods in the Earth's paleoclimate, deduced from oxygen isotope data reflecting changes in temperature derived from data from deep sea core samples. Working backwards from the present, which is MIS 1 in the scale, stages with even numbers have high levels of oxygen-18 and represent cold glacial periods, while the odd-numbered stages are lows in the oxygen-18 figures, representing warm interglacial intervals. The data are derived from pollen and foraminifera (plankton) remains in drilled marine sediment cores, sapropels, and other data that reflect historic climate; these are called proxies. The MIS timescale was developed from the pioneering work of Cesare Emiliani in the 1950s, and is now widely used in archaeology and other fields to express dating in the Quaternary period (the last 2.6 million years), as well as providing the fullest and best data for that period for paleoclimatology or the study of the early climate of the Earth, representing "the standard to which we correlate other Quaternary climate records". Emiliani's work in turn depended on Harold Urey's prediction in a paper of 1947 that the ratio between oxygen-18 and oxygen-16 isotopes in calcite, the main chemical component of the shells and other hard parts of a wide range of marine organisms, should vary depending on the prevailing water temperature in which the calcite was formed. Over 100 stages have been identified, currently going back some 6 million years, and the scale may in future reach back up to 15 mya. Some stages, in particular MIS 5, are divided into sub-stages, such as "MIS 5a", with 5 a, c, and e being warm and b and d cold. A numeric system for referring to "horizons" (events rather than periods) may also be used, with for example MIS 5.5 representing the peak point of MIS 5e, and 5.51, 5.52 etc. representing the peaks and troughs of the record at a still more detailed level. For more recent periods, increasingly precise resolution of timing continues to be developed.
  • 4.2K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Dragon King Theory
Dragon king (DK) is a double metaphor for an event that is both extremely large in size or impact (a "king") and born of unique origins (a "dragon") relative to its peers (other events from the same system). DK events are generated by / correspond to mechanisms such as positive feedback, tipping points, bifurcations, and phase transitions, that tend to occur in nonlinear and complex systems, and serve to amplify DK events to extreme levels. By understanding and monitoring these dynamics, some predictability of such events may be obtained. The theory has been developed by Didier Sornette, who hypothesizes that many of the crises that we face are in fact DK rather than black swans—i.e., they may be predictable to some degree. Given the importance of crises to the long-term organization of a variety of systems, the DK theory urges that special attention be given to the study and monitoring of extremes, and that a dynamic view be taken. From a scientific viewpoint, such extremes are interesting because they may reveal underlying, often hidden, organizing principles. Practically speaking, one should study extreme risks, but not forget that significant uncertainty will almost always be present, and should be rigorously considered in decisions regarding risk management and design. The theory of DK is related to concepts such as black swan theory, outliers, complex systems, nonlinear dynamics, power laws, extreme value theory, prediction, extreme risks, and risk management.
  • 4.2K
  • 23 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Power Grid
One of the most critical infrastructures in the world is electrical power grids (EPGs). New threats affecting EPGs, and their different consequences, are analyzed in this survey along with different approaches that can be taken to prevent or minimize those consequences, thus improving EPG resilience. The necessity for electrical power systems to become resilient to such events is becoming compelling; indeed, it is important to understand the origins and consequences of faults. This survey provides an analysis of different types of faults and their respective causes, showing which ones are more reported in the literature. As a result of the analysis performed, it was possible to identify four clusters concerning mitigation approaches, as well as to correlate them with the four different states of the electrical power system resilience curve.
  • 4.2K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Issues and Challenges of Solid-State Transformer Technology
Solid-state transformer (SST) technology is one of the developing technologies that will be widely used in the future to integrate low-voltage and high-voltage networks with control circuitries and power electronics converters, facilitating renewables integration in smart grid applications. SST technology has crucial key advantageous features, including compact size and weight, low cost, and ease of connection in offshore applications. However, SST technology exhibits a few concerns, such as implementation, protection, economic, and communication compatibility, that need to be addressed.
  • 4.2K
  • 16 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Business System Planning
Business systems planning (BSP) is a method of analyzing, defining and designing the information architecture of organizations. It was introduced by IBM for internal use only in 1981, although initial work on BSP began during the early 1970s. BSP was later sold to organizations. It is a complex method dealing with interconnected data, processes, strategies, aims and organizational departments. BSP was a new approach to IA; its goals are to: The result of a BSP project is a technology roadmap aligning investments and business strategy. BSP comprises 15 steps, which are classified into three sections by function.
  • 4.2K
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Concepts, Procedures and Techniques by Forensic Entomologists
Forensic entomology is a branch of forensic science that incorporates insects as a part of solving crime. Insect-based evidence recovered at a crime scene can be used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval, determine if a carcass/corpse has been relocated, and contribute to the cause and manner of death. Sampling and preservation of insect material is paramount if this evidence is presented in court.  To this end, a qualified forensic entomologist should attend the crime scene, however this is not always the case and such evidence is collected and preserved by a proxy.  After reading this paper and following a number of essential protocols, a proxy should be able to submit insect evidence that a forensic entomologist may be able to use and present a best estimate of the time since death.
  • 4.2K
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Right Triangle
A right triangle (American English) or right-angled triangle (British English) is a triangle in which one angle is a right angle (that is, a 90-degree angle). The relation between the sides and angles of a right triangle is the basis for trigonometry. The side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse (side c in the figure). The sides adjacent to the right angle are called legs (or catheti, singular: cathetus). Side a may be identified as the side adjacent to angle B and opposed to (or opposite) angle A, while side b is the side adjacent to angle A and opposed to angle B. If the lengths of all three sides of a right triangle are integers, the triangle is said to be a Pythagorean triangle and its side lengths are collectively known as a Pythagorean triple.
  • 4.2K
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Liquid Crystals-Based Sensors
Liquid crystals are a class of chemical substances that exist in intermediate states between crystalline solids and liquids. They thus share the anisotropic properties of crystalline solids as well as fluid properties of isotropic liquids. 
  • 4.2K
  • 23 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Targeted Therapeutic Sites for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The advent of precision medicine has brought light to the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), expanding the options for patients with advanced NSCLC by targeting therapy through genetic and epigenetic cues. Tumor driver genes in NSCLC patients have been uncovered one by one, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mesenchymal lymphoma kinase (ALK), and receptor tyrosine kinase ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) mutants. Antibodies and inhibitors that target the critical gene-mediated signaling pathways that regulate tumor growth and development are anticipated to increase patient survival and quality of life. Targeted drugs continue to emerge, with as many as two dozen approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and chemotherapy and targeted therapy have significantly improved patient prognosis.
  • 4.2K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Solidarity
Solidarity refers to the unity, cohesion, and mutual support among individuals or groups, often based on shared values, interests, or experiences. It represents a sense of common purpose, identity, and commitment to collective well-being, fostering cooperation, empathy, and reciprocity within social contexts. Solidarity can manifest in various forms, including social, political, economic, and cultural solidarity, and plays a crucial role in promoting social cohesion, resilience, and solidarity within communities and societies.
  • 4.2K
  • 26 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Taurine, Bile Acids, and Microbiota
Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body, and is mainly derived from the diet, but can also be produced endogenously from cysteine. It plays multiple essential roles in the body, including development, energy production, osmoregulation, prevention of oxidative stress, and inflammation. Taurine is also crucial as a molecule used to conjugate bile acids (BAs). In the gastrointestinal tract, BAs deconjugation by enteric bacteria results in high levels of unconjugated BAs and free taurine. Depending on conjugation status and other bacterial modifications, BAs constitute a pool of related but highly diverse molecules, each with different properties concerning solubility and toxicity, capacity to activate or inhibit receptors of BAs, and direct and indirect impact on microbiota and the host, whereas free taurine has a largely protective impact on the host, serves as a source of energy for microbiota, regulates bacterial colonization and defends from pathogens.
  • 4.2K
  • 19 Aug 2022
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