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Topic Review
Wargaming
A wargame (also war game) is a strategy game that deals with military operations of various types, real or fictional. Wargaming is the hobby dedicated to the play of such games, which can also be called conflict simulations, or consims for short. When used professionally by the military to study warfare, "war game" may refer to a simple theoretical study or a full-scale military exercise. Hobby wargamers have traditionally used "wargame", while the military has generally used "war game"; this is not a hard rule. Although there may be disagreements as to whether a particular game qualifies as a wargame or not, a general consensus exists that all such games must explore and represent some feature or aspect of human behaviour directly bearing on the conduct of war, even if the game subject itself does not concern organized violent conflict or warfare. Business wargames exist as well, but in general, they are only role-playing games based on market situations. Wargames are generally categorized as historical, hypothetical, fantasy, or science fiction. Historical games form by far the largest group. These games are based upon real events and attempt to represent a reasonable approximation of the actual forces, terrain, and other material factors faced by the actual participants. Hypothetical games are games grounded in historical fact but concern battles or conflicts that did not (or have yet to) actually happen. Fantasy and science fiction wargames either draw their inspiration from works of fiction or provide their own imaginary setting. Highly stylized conflict games such as chess are not generally considered wargames, although they are recognized as being related. Games involving conflict in other arenas than the battlefield, such as business, sports or natural environment are similarly usually excluded. The modern wargaming hobby has its origins at the beginning of the 19th century, with von Reiswitz's Kriegsspiel rules. Later, H.G. Wells' book Little Wars ushered in the age of miniatures games in which two or more players simulated a battle as a pastime. During the 1950s the first large-scale, mass-produced board games depicting military conflicts were published. These games were at the height of their popularity during the 1970s, and became quite complex and technical in that time. Wargaming has changed dramatically over the years, from its roots in miniatures and board wargaming, to contemporary computer and computer assisted wargames; however, both miniature and board wargames maintain a healthy, if small, hobby market with lighter games being popular with many 'non-wargamers'.
  • 2.2K
  • 10 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Thermal Barrier Coatings
Thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems have presented an ongoing design issue in bids to improve the lifespan of coatings. A TBC can support an extended lifespan by repairing cracks between interfacial layers during high thermal exposure while at the same time increasing coating thickness. Two deposition techniques, atmospheric plasma spray and water-stabilized plasma spray (WSP), have been distinguished to understand mechanical and thermal performance based on their contrasting torch systems and microstructural characterization.
  • 2.2K
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Proprioceptive Cervicogenic Dizziness
Dizziness is one of the most common reasons for consultation in adult patients. It is an umbrella term used to describe various sensations, including vertigo, disequilibrium, lightheadedness, or presyncope.
  • 2.2K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Additive Manufacturing of Magnesium-Based Alloys through Laser-Based Approach
Magnesium alloys continue to be important in the context of modern and lightweight technologies. The increased use of Mg each year indicates a rise in demand for alloys containing Mg. With additive manufacturing (AM), components can be produced directly in a net shape, providing new ideas relating to the new prospects for Mg-based materials. 
  • 2.2K
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Thiomersal Controversy
The thiomersal controversy describes claims that vaccines containing the mercury-based preservative thiomersal contribute to the development of autism and other brain development disorders. Thimerosal is no longer used in children's vaccines in the United States, except some types of flu shots. While exposure to mercury may result in damage to brain, kidneys, and developing fetus, the current scientific consensus has found no convincing scientific evidence supporting claims that thiomersal has such effects. Thiomersal (also spelled thimerosal, especially in the United States) is an organomercury compound used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. Following a mandated review of mercury-containing food and drugs in 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) asked vaccine makers to remove thiomersal from vaccines as quickly as possible as a precautionary measure, and it was rapidly phased out of most US and EU vaccines, but is still used in multi-dose vials of flu vaccines in both jurisdictions. In the context of perceived increased autism rates and increased number of vaccines in the childhood vaccination schedule, some parents believed the action to remove thiomersal was an indication that the preservative caused autism. The potential impact of thiomersal on autism has been investigated extensively. Multiple lines of scientific evidence have shown that thiomersal does not cause autism. For example, the clinical symptoms of mercury poisoning differ significantly from those of autism. In addition, multiple population studies have found no association between thiomersal and autism, and rates of autism have continued to increase despite removal of thiomersal from vaccines. Thus, major scientific and medical bodies such as the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) as well as governmental agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC reject any role for thiomersal in autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. In spite of the consensus of the scientific community, some parents and advocacy groups continue to contend that thiomersal is linked to autism. This controversy has caused harm due to parents attempting to treat their autistic children with unproven and possibly dangerous treatments, discouraging parents from vaccinating their children due to fears about thiomersal toxicity and diverting resources away from research into more promising areas for the cause of autism. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. to seek damages from alleged toxicity from vaccines, including those purportedly caused by thiomersal. US courts have ruled against multiple representative test cases involving thiomersal. A 2011 journal article described the vaccine-autism connection as "perhaps, the most damaging medical hoax of the last 100 years". Outside of the United States, worries about thiomersal had not gained any significant traction as of 2009.
  • 2.2K
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Innovative and Competitive in Tourism Destinations
New tourism destinations and product supply are increasingly popular strategies among industry players to create competitiveness and sustaining the tourism industry. The tourism industry has become more vibrant since globalization emerged with technological changes, thus influencing human travel movements, life-styles, and current trends. 
  • 2.2K
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Antigen Presentation of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines
Infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has reached pandemic proportions. A number of effective vaccines have been produced, including mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines, which are now being implemented on a large scale in order to control the pandemic. The mRNA vaccines are composed of viral Spike S1 protein encoding mRNA incorporated in a lipid nanoparticle and stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The mRNA vaccines are novel in many respects, including cellular uptake and the intracellular routing, processing, and secretion of the viral protein. Because of space restrictions, viral vector vaccines not discussed in detail. The antigen presentation routes in MHC class I and class II, in relation to the induction of virus-neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, will be reviewed. In rare cases, mRNA vaccines induce unwanted immune mediated side effects. In rare cases, the mRNA-based vaccines may lead to an anaphylactic reaction. This reaction may be triggered by PEG. The intracellular routing of PEG and potential presentation in the context of CD1 will be discussed. 
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  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Impact of Rutin on Buckwheat Grain Metabolites
Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) is grown in eastern and central Asia (the Himalayan regions of China, Nepal, Bhutan and India) and in central and eastern Europe (Luxemburg, Germany, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina). It is known for its high concentration of rutin and other phenolic metabolites. Besides the grain, the other aboveground parts of Tartary buckwheat contain rutin as well. After the mixing of the milled buckwheat products with water, the flavonoid quercetin is obtained in the flour–water mixture, a result of rutin degradation by rutinosidase. Heating by hot water or steam inactivates the rutin-degrading enzymes in buckwheat flour and dough. The low buckwheat protein digestibility is due to the high content of phenolic substances. Phenolic compounds have low absorption after food intake, so, after ingestion, they remain for some time in the gastrointestinal tract. They can act in an inhibitory manner on enzymes, degrading proteins and other food constituents. In common and Tartary buckwheat, the rutin and quercetin complexation with protein and starch molecules has an impact on the in vitro digestibility and the appearance of resistant starch and slowly digestible proteins. Slowly digestible starch and proteins are important for the functional and health-promoting properties of buckwheat products. 
  • 2.2K
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Bacterial Cellulose and Extracellular Matrixes Hydrogels
Application of biomaterials is one of the most innovative treatments for heart regeneration, involving the use of hydrogels from decellularized extracellular matrix, and their association with nanomaterials, such as alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid and gelatin. A promising material is bacterial cellulose hydrogel, due to its nanostructure and morphology being similar to collagen. Cellulose provides support and immobilization of cells, which can result in better cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, making it a safe and innovative material for cardiovascular repair.
  • 2.2K
  • 23 May 2022
Topic Review
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload
In transfusion medicine, transfusion associated circulatory overload (aka TACO) is a transfusion reaction (an adverse effect of blood transfusion) resulting in signs or symptoms of excess fluid in the circulatory system (hypervolemia) within 12 hours after transfusion. The symptoms of TACO can include shortness of breath (dyspnea), low blood oxygen levels (hypoxemia), leg swelling (peripheral edema), high blood pressure (hypertension), and a high heart rate (tachycardia). It can occur due to a rapid transfusion of a large volume of blood but can also occur during a single red blood cell transfusion (about 15% of cases). It is often confused with transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), another transfusion reaction. The difference between TACO and TRALI is that TRALI only results in symptoms of respiratory distress while TACO can present with either signs of respiratory distress, peripheral leg swelling, or both. Risk factors for TACO are diseases that increase the amount of fluid a person has, including liver, heart, or kidney failure, as well as conditions that require many transfusions. High and low extremes of age are a risk factor as well. The management of TACO includes immediate discontinuation of the transfusion, supplemental oxygen if needed, and medication to remove excess fluid.
  • 2.2K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
National Herald Scam
The National Herald scam is an ongoing case in a Delhi court filed by Indian economist and politician Subramanian Swamy against politicians Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, their companies and associated persons. As per the complaint filed in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Associated Journals Limited (AJL) took an interest-free loan of ₹90.25 crore (US$13 million) from Indian National Congress. It is alleged that the loan was not repaid. A closely held company, Young Indian, was incorporated in November 2010 with a capital of ₹50 lakh (US$70,000) and it acquired almost all the shareholding of AJL and all its properties (alleged to be worth ₹5,000 crore (US$700 million)). Swamy alleged criminal misappropriation by both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The courts have determined that a prima face case has been established in the matter.
  • 2.2K
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Wuji
In Chinese philosophy, wújí (simplified Chinese: 无极; traditional Chinese: 無極; literally: 'without ridgepole', meaning 'without limit') originally referred to infinity but came to mean the "primordial universe" prior to the "Supreme Ultimate" state of being (Taiji, 太極) in the Neo-Confucianist cosmology of Song China. Wuji is also a proper noun in Modern Standard Chinese usage; for instance, Wuji County in Hebei.
  • 2.2K
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Obesity as A Cause of Cancer
Obesity is defined as the accumulation of an excessive amount of body fat. The correlation of obesity with increased cancer incidence and death has been well established. 
  • 2.2K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Biography
Patricia Cladis
Patricia Cladis (1937 - July 3, 2017) was a Canadian American physicist specializing in the physics of liquid crystals. She was a research physicist at Bell Labs beginning in 1972. She was a fellow of the American Physical Society and also received a Guggenheim fellowship. Cladis was born in Shanghai.[1] She attended high school at Little Flower Academy in Vancouver, BC, graduating in 1955. I
  • 2.2K
  • 13 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Remote Sensing for Detection of Plant Water Stress
In the context of climate change, the occurrence of water stress in forest ecosystems, which are solely dependent on precipitation, has exhibited a rising trend, even among species that are typically regarded as drought-tolerant. Remote sensing techniques offer an efficient, comprehensive, and timely approach for monitoring forests at local and regional scales. These techniques also enable the development of diverse indicators of plant water status, which can play a critical role in evaluating forest water stress.
  • 2.2K
  • 07 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Diels–Alder Cycloaddition Reactions
Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction is one of the most powerful strategies for the construction of six-membered carbocyclic and heterocyclic systems, in most cases with high regio- and stereoselectivity. An insight into the most relevant advances on sustainable Diels–Alder reactions since 2010 is provided. Various environmentally benign solvent systems are discussed, namely bio-based derived solvents, polyethylene glycol, deep eutectic solvents, supercritical carbon dioxide, water and water-based aqueous systems.
  • 2.2K
  • 25 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Amylin Receptors
Amylin, a peptide hormone with 37 residue units, has been linked as a putative target for cognitive damage and glycemic irregularities in relation to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.
  • 2.2K
  • 30 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Papaya Flavour Profiling
A major challenge to the papaya industry is inconsistency in fruit quality and, in particular, flavour, which is a complex trait that comprises taste perception in the mouth (sweetness, acidity, or bitterness) and aroma produced by several volatile compounds. Current commercial varieties vary greatly in their taste, likely due to historical prioritised selection for fruit appearance as well as large environmental effects. Therefore, it is important to better understand the genetic and biochemical mechanisms and biosynthesis pathways underpinning preferable flavour in order to select and breed for better tasting new commercial papaya varieties. As an initial step, objectively measurable standards of the compound profiles that provide papaya’s taste and aroma, together with ‘mouth feel’, are required. This review presents an overview of the approaches to characterise the flavour profiles of papaya through sugar component determination, volatile compound detection, sensory panel testing, as well as genomics-based studies to identify the papaya flavour. 
  • 2.2K
  • 27 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Seaweed Cultivation and Its Applications in Colombia
Colombia has a diverse range of marine ecosystems in the coastal and insular areas of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Seaweed research has focused mainly on the identification and taxonomic distribution of 628 species identified so far, mainly in the Caribbean Sea. Among the most widely cultivated genera of seaweeds in open-sea pilot systems in Colombia are Hydropuntia, Gracilaria, Hypnea, Kappaphycus, and Eucheuma. These genera have shown low yields as a consequence of high tissue fragility, epiphytism, sedimentation, and nitrogen deficiency. In addition, the evaluation of the biological activity of selected seaweed compounds has advanced considerably, focusing on their composition and their use for direct consumption by humans and animals. Despite the diversity of seaweeds, as well as certain technical and scientific advances, Colombia is still lagging behind other countries in seaweed exploitation, both in Latin America and worldwide.
  • 2.2K
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Consumers’ Preference for Local Food
The discussion on local food has been gaining attention in recent years, but there is still a lack of clear understanding of the term ‘local food’ in the literature. The relationship between local food and sustainability issues is still unclear and has various connotations. The discordance leads to further discussions on whether buying local food should be considered a sustainable behavior and whether consumer preference for local food can be perceived as a sustainable practice.
  • 2.2K
  • 04 Mar 2022
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