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:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Capripoxvirus Infections in Ruminants
Lumpy skin disease, sheeppox, and goatpox are notifiable diseases of cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively, caused by viruses of the Capripoxvirus genus. They are responsible for both direct and indirect financial losses. These losses arise through animal mortality, morbidity cost of vaccinations, and constraints to animals and animal products’ trade. Control and eradication of capripoxviruses depend on early detection of outbreaks, vector control, strict animal movement, and vaccination which remains the most effective means of control. To date, live attenuated vaccines are widely used; however, conferred protection remains controversial. Many vaccines have been associated with adverse reactions and incomplete protection in sheep, goats, and cattle. Many combination- and recombinant-based vaccines have also been developed. 
  • 771
  • 07 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Subcritical-Water Extraction of Natural Products
Subcritical water refers to high-temperature and high-pressure water, but below water's critical point of 374 °C and 218 atm. A unique and useful characteristic of subcritical water is that its polarity can be dramatically decreased with increasing temperature. Therefore, subcritical water can behave similarly to methanol or ethanol. This makes subcritical water a green extraction fluid used for a variety of organic species. 
  • 771
  • 09 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Microalgal Biomass-polymer Blends
Since the invention of plastics and the development of mass production, plastic demand has increased exponentially annually. Despite their easy processability and economically viable merits, the management of plastic waste has always been a contentious issue due to their non-biodegradable properties, resulting in significant damage to the environment. Although the share of bioplastics in the plastic market remains low, eco-friendly and abundant amounts of bioplastics are considered to be sufficient alternatives to replace preexisting plastics. Chlorella and Spirulina are the primary sources for bioplastics from microalgae due to their easy processability. Although the replacement of artificially synthesized existing plastics with 100% microalgal bioplastics could be ideal when it comes to environmentally friendly plastics, the physical and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, glass transition temperature, and elongation at break, of 100% bioplastics are inferior to those of commercially available plastics. Another option to tackle these issues is to blend microalgae with polymers, namely microalgal biomass-polymer composites. These blended composites are hybrid-type plastics that have both properties of each component. The general properties of these blends depend on the ratio between the amount of microalgae biomass and those of the polymer. In general, a higher polymer content in biomass-polymer composites results in better performance, especially in terms of tensile strength and elongation at break. The required level of biomass contents in authorized bioplastics depends on individual national regulations. Korean government suggest that the percent of biomass in biomass-polymer composites should be over 30 wt% to be considered as an eco-friendly bioplastic. According to our investigation, the contents of microalgae in most composites remain less than 30 wt%, implying that further studies to increase the proportion of microalgae in the composites should be conducted to boost the commercialization of microalgae-based biocomposites.
  • 771
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Octopus Biological Studies
Increasing effort in research involving octopuses with a greater number of journals reporting research on these animals, as well as countries, institutions, and researchers involved. Some research themes lost importance over time, while some new themes appeared recently. Current data provide significant insight into the evolving trends in octopuses studies.
  • 769
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Soluble Starch Synthase Enzymes in Cereals
Starch is synthesized by different enzymes, but starch structure and amount are mainly determined by the activities of starch synthase enzymes (SS) with the involvement of starch branching enzymes (SBEs) and debranching enzymes (DBEs).
  • 768
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Zoos as Conservation Institutions
Zoological institutions, which were once exclusively for entertainment, are now leaders of wildlife conservation. This centuries-long transition was punctuated by key milestones that reformed wild animal exploitation into a mission of protection. Modern zoos perform ex situ activities to preserve natural resources, which are enabled by the housing of wild species. Zoo-managed animals facilitate new scientific knowledge, public education, and strategic breeding to maintain genetic diversity.
  • 768
  • 30 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Plant Parasitic Nematodes
Plant parasitic nematodes are a major problem for growers worldwide, causing severe crop losses. Several conventional strategies, such as chemical nematicides and biofumigation, have been employed in the past to manage their infection in plants and spread in soils. However, the search for the most sustainable and environmentally safe practices is still ongoing.
  • 767
  • 08 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Thermoregulatory Mechanisms in Altricial and Precocial Species
Thermoregulation in newborn mammals is an essential species-specific mechanism of the nervous system that contributes to their survival during the first hours and days of their life. When exposed to cold weather, which is a risk factor associated with mortality in neonates, pathways such as the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) are activated to achieve temperature control, increasing the circulating levels of catecholamine and cortisol. Consequently, alterations in blood circulation and mechanisms to produce or to retain heat (e.g., vasoconstriction, piloerection, shivering, brown adipocyte tissue activation, and huddling) begin to prevent hypothermia. Determined mainly by physiological maturity, mammals can be classified into altricial and precocial species. Although altricial and precocial newborns have several mechanisms to maintain a stable body temperature, a sudden drop in temperature experienced at birth reduces vigor and affects their feeding ability. Consequently, the acquisition of immunoglobulins and the ingestion of nutrients that fuel thermogenesis are compromised.
  • 767
  • 07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Control Strategies of the Major Soilborne Fungal/Oomycete Diseases
Globally, tomato is the second most cultivated vegetable crop next to potato, preferentially grown in temperate climates. Processing tomatoes are generally produced in field conditions, in which soilborne pathogens have serious impacts on tomato yield and quality by causing diseases of the tomato root system. Major processing tomato-producing countries have documented soilborne diseases caused by a variety of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and oomycetes, which are of economic importance and may threaten food security. Surveys in the Australian processing tomato industry showed that plant growth and yield were significantly affected by soilborne pathogens, especially Fusarium oxysporum and Pythium species. Globally, different management methods have been used to control diseases such as the use of resistant tomato cultivars, the application of fungicides, and biological control. Among these methods, biocontrol has received increasing attention due to its high efficiency, target-specificity, sustainability and public acceptance. The application of biocontrol is a mix of different strategies, such as applying antagonistic microorganisms to the field, and using the beneficial metabolites synthesized by these microorganisms. 
  • 767
  • 16 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Carotenoids in Planta
Carotenoids are important natural pigments found in all plants and some bacteria, algae and fungiand constitute one of the largest families of natural products, with more than 750 distinct compounds classified to date. Carotenoids have also been shown to have a significant impact on a number of human diseases, improving the survival rates of some cancers and slowing the progression of neurological illnesses.
  • 766
  • 02 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Essential Oils in Control of Ticks
Ticks are forced bloodsucker ectoparasites belonging to the Order Ixodida, which comprises three families: Ixodidae (hard ticks, 720 species), Argasidae (soft ticks, 186 species), and Nuttalliellidae (1 species). Tick control is a priority in order to prevent the transmission of vector-borne diseases. The essential oil’s acaricidal activity is due to the variability of its chemical composition and the relationship between these compounds. Moreover, given their low toxicities and their solubility in water these compounds can contribute to the production of milk and animal meat free from dangerous chemicals which are harmful to humans, animals, and the environment.
  • 764
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
SARS-CoV2 Spike Protein
The SARS-CoV2 Spike protein protrudes from the surface of the virus where it plays a critical role in mediating attachment and entry into target human cells. Mutations in Spike have been implicated in the evolution of highly transmissible variants that have led to increased cases of COVID-19. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 has been identified as the Spike receptor on target cells. Additional Spike binding sites on target cells, including heparan sulfate, have been shown to contribute to Spike-mediated SARS-CoV2 cell infection. It will be critical to define the molecular mechanisms used by Spike in order to design effective therapies to combat current and future variants of SARS-CoV2. 
  • 763
  • 22 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Classification of Genetic Load
The term “genetic load” refers to the accumulation of lethal and sublethal harmful mutations that significantly reduce an individual’s viability or result in their death when the mutation enters a homozygous state. Each type of genetic load in farm animals correlates with a certain type of natural or artificial selection in them. In animal husbandry, four types of genetic load are generally distinguished: mutation, immigration, segregation, and substitution.
  • 763
  • 20 May 2023
Topic Review
Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture
The picture shows the water distribution in a gravity based water distribution of a large irrigation scheme fore sugar cane in Ethiopia. 
  • 762
  • 30 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Micro/Baby-Greens and Mature Field Grown Vegetables
Micro/baby-greens are gaining popularity in human diets as functional foods that deliver superior nutritional values and health benefits to consumers. This study conducted multiple times between 2017 and 2019 under greenhouse conditions and in the field at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA, showed that micro/baby-greens from tropical spinach (Amaranthus sp.) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) are rich in digestible carbohydrates, digestible protein, and dietary fiber. 
  • 762
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Low-Rank Coal as Humic Substances
Humic substances (HS), as important environmental components, are essential to soil health and agricultural sustainability. The usage of low-rank coal (LRC) for energy generation has declined considerably due to the growing popularity of renewable energy sources and gas. However, their potential as soil amendment aimed to maintain soil quality and productivity deserves more recognition.
  • 762
  • 29 Jan 2022
Topic Review
DNA-Based Animal Species Authentication in Dairy Products
Milk is one of the most important nutritious foods, widely consumed worldwide, either in its natural form or via dairy products. Currently, several economic, health and ethical issues emphasize the need for a more frequent and rigorous quality control of dairy products and the importance of detecting adulterations in these products. For this reason, several conventional and advanced techniques have been proposed, aiming at detecting and quantifying eventual adulterations, preferentially in a rapid, cost-effective, easy to implement, sensitive and specific way. DNA-based methods relying on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been widely applied to detect adulterations in foods from both plant and animal origins, including dairy products because of their simplicity, high sensitivity and high specificity. They benefit from the high thermal stability of DNA molecules, which is particularly relevant when analysing processed foods, and are independent from immunochemical recognition, making them not susceptible to cross-reactivity. The ubiquity of nucleic acids in every type of cell and particularity in healthy mammary glands, which have high numbers of leucocytes and epithelial cells that are transferred to the milk, is another advantage to highlight. During cheese making, these cells are concentrated and allow the isolation of DNA to discriminate the species.
  • 761
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Smart Agriculture Based on Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a transformative technology that is reshaping industries and daily life, leading us towards a connected future that is full of possibilities and innovations. IoT technologies are widely used in the agriculture sector in many developed countries to increase production and meet the demand for food supply in the market. IoT in agriculture can reduce production costs and time by providing precision agriculture.
  • 761
  • 18 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Aardwolf
The Aardwolf (Proteles cristata) is a unique and intriguing species of hyena found primarily in eastern and southern Africa. Despite its resemblance to its larger relatives, the Aardwolf is a specialized insectivore, primarily feeding on termites and other insects. With its distinctive mane, elongated snout, and nocturnal habits, the Aardwolf occupies a specialized ecological niche and plays a vital role in controlling insect populations within its ecosystem.
  • 761
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Keratin-Based Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Carriers
Keratin is a structural protein of mammalian tissues and birds, representing the principal constituent of hair, nails, skin, wool, hooves, horns, beaks, and feathers, and playing an essential role in protecting the body from external harassment. Due to its intrinsic features such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, responsiveness to specific biological environment, and physical-chemical properties, keratin has been extensively explored in the production of nanocarriers of active principles for different biomedical applications.
  • 760
  • 25 Oct 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 70
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
ScholarVision Creations
Feedback