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Topic Review
Natural Compounds in Glioblastoma Therapy
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a tumor of the brain or spinal cord with poor clinical prognosis. Current interventions, such as chemotherapy and surgical tumor resection, are constrained by tumor invasion and cancer drug resistance. Dietary natural substances are therefore evaluated for their potential as agents in GBM treatment. Various substances found in fruits, vegetables, and other natural products restrict tumor growth and induce GBM cell death. These preclinical effects are promising but remain constrained by natural substances’ varying pharmacological properties. While many of the reviewed substances are available as over-the-counter supplements, their anti-GBM efficacy should be corroborated by clinical trials moving forward. 
  • 1.9K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Natural Resource Management (NRM)
Natural capital is the wealth of nations that determine their economic status. Worldwide, vulnerable people depend on natural capital for employment, salaries, wealth, and livelihoods and, in turn, this determines the developmental index of the nation to which they belong. In this short review, we have tried to sum up the ideas and discussions over natural capital’s role in ascribing economic status to countries as well as the need for natural resource management and sustainability. This paper aimed to discuss how humanity’s prosperity is intertwined with the services that ecosystems provide, and how poor natural resource management (NRM) has adversely affected human well-being. Our preselected criteria for the review paper led us to evaluate 96 peer-reviewed publications from the SCOPUS database, which is likely the most comprehensive archive of peer-reviewed scientific literature as well as WoS, PUBMED, and Google Scholar databases. Our review revealed that the availability of ecological services is crucial for clean water and air, food and fodder, and agricultural development. We further discussed important concepts regarding sustainability, natural capital and economics, and determinants of human well-being vis-à-vis the intergenerational security of natural wealth. To ensure current and future human well-being, we conclude that an in-depth understanding of the services that ecosystems provide is necessary for the holistic management of the Earth system. 
  • 1.9K
  • 14 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Cenospheres Recovery from Fly Ash
Coal fly ash (CFA) is a major global pollutant produced by thermal power plants during the generation of electricity. A significant amount of coal fly ash is dumped every year in the near vicinity of the thermal power plants, resulting in the spoilage of agricultural land. CFA has numerous value-added structural elements, such as cenospheres, plerospheres, ferrospheres, and carbon particles. Cenospheres are spherical-shaped solid-filled particles, formed during the combustion of coal in thermal power plants. They are lightweight, have high mechanical strength, and are rich in Al-Si particles. Due to cenospheres’ low weight and high mechanical strength, they are widely used as ceramic/nanoceramics material, fireproofing material, and in nanocomposites. 
  • 1.9K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Carbamazepine in water and wastewater treatment plants
Carbamazepine (CBZ) is one of the most frequently used drugs for the medical treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, being a mood stabilizer. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted mainly as hydroxylated and conjugated metabolite and only around 5% as an unchanged drug.
  • 1.9K
  • 12 Nov 2021
Topic Review
The Normative World of Memes
Social media has become a fundamental platform where users interact and promote public values. Memetics facilitates this phenomenon. Memes have three main characteristics: (1) Diffuse at the micro-level but shape the macrostructure of society; (2) Are based on popular culture; (3) Travel through competition and selection. The findings suggest that, during a public discussion, it is common to use humor based on popular culture to question authority. Furthermore, a message becomes a meme when it evidences the gap between reality and expectations (normativity).
  • 1.9K
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Keratin 6, 16 and 17
Located at the skin surface, keratinocytes (KCs) are constantly exposed to external stimuli and are the first responders to invading pathogens and injury. Upon skin injury, activated KCs secrete an array of alarmin molecules, providing a rapid and specific innate immune response against danger signals. However, dysregulation of the innate immune response of KCs may lead to uncontrolled inflammation and psoriasis pathogenesis. Keratins (KRT) are the major structural intermediate filament proteins in KCs and are expressed in a highly specific pattern at different differentiation stages of KCs. While KRT14-KRT5 is restricted to basal proliferative KCs, and KRT10-KRT1 is restricted to suprabasal differentiated KCs in normal skin epidermis, the wound proximal KCs downregulate KRT10-K1 and upregulate KRT16/KRT17-KRT6 upon skin injury. Recent studies have recognized KRT6/16/17 as key early barrier alarmins and upregulation of these keratins alters proliferation, cell adhesion, migration and inflammatory features of KCs, contributing to hyperproliferation and innate immune activation of KCs in response to an epidermal barrier breach, followed by the autoimmune activation of T cells that drives psoriasis. 
  • 1.9K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Economics of Global Warming
The economics of global warming concerns the economic aspects of global warming; this can inform policies that governments might consider in response. A number of factors make this a difficult problem from both economic and political perspectives: it is a long-term, intergenerational problem; benefits and costs are distributed unequally both within and across countries; and both scientific and public opinions need to be taken into account. One of the most important greenhouse gases is carbon dioxide (CO2). Around 20% of carbon dioxide which is emitted due to human activities can remain in the atmosphere for many thousands of years. The long time scales and uncertainty associated with global warming have led analysts to develop "scenarios" of future environmental, social and economic changes. These scenarios can help governments understand the potential consequences of their decisions. The impacts of climate change include the loss of biodiversity, sea level rise, increased frequency and severity of some extreme weather events, and acidification of the oceans. Economists have attempted to quantify these impacts in monetary terms, but these assessments can be controversial. The two main policy responses to global warming are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (climate change mitigation) and to adapt to the impacts of global warming (e.g., by building levees in response to sea level rise). Another policy response which has recently received greater attention is geoengineering of the climate system (e.g. injecting aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight away from the Earth's surface). One of the responses to the uncertainties of global warming is to adopt a strategy of sequential decision making. This strategy recognizes that decisions on global warming need to be made with incomplete information, and that decisions in the near term will have potentially long-term impacts. Governments might choose to use risk management as part of their policy response to global warming. For instance, a risk-based approach can be applied to climate impacts which are difficult to quantify in economic terms, e.g., the impacts of global warming on indigenous peoples. Analysts have assessed global warming in relation to sustainable development. Sustainable development considers how future generations might be affected by the actions of the current generation. In some areas, policies designed to address global warming may contribute positively towards other development objectives. In other areas, the cost of global warming policies may divert resources away from other socially and environmentally beneficial investments (the opportunity costs of climate change policy).
  • 1.9K
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review
The Mitochondrial Genome
Mitochondria are powerhouses of the cell and implement oxidative phosphorylation processes. Similar to plastids, mitochondria are endosymbionts of a pro-eukaryotic cell, have their own genome, and their own transcriptional and translational machinery.
  • 1.9K
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Membrane Shielding Materials for Electromagnetic/Radiation Contamination
As technology develops at a rapid pace, electromagnetic and radiation pollution have become significant issues. These forms of pollution can cause many important environmental issues. If they are not properly managed and addressed, they will be everywhere in the global biosphere, and they will have devastating impacts on human health. In addition to minimizing sources of electromagnetic radiation, the development of lightweight composite shielding materials to address interference from radiation has become an important area of research. A suitable shielding material can effectively reduce the harm caused by electromagnetic interference/radiation.
  • 1.9K
  • 22 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Amazon weasel
The Amazon weasel (Mustela africana), also known as the tropical weasel, is a small carnivorous mammal native to the Amazon rainforest. With its slender body, short legs, and distinctive coat, this elusive species plays a crucial role in the ecological dynamics of its dense and biodiverse habitat.
  • 1.9K
  • 04 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Terahertz Technology
The unique features of terahertz radiation in the context of industrial applications are highlighted. The most common terahertz systems and the way they have been applied in the industry are described. The main barriers from wide spread industry adoption and the outlook of terahertz technology are also discussed.
  • 1.9K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Ayurveda and Epigenetics
Ayurveda is a comprehensive, natural health care system that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. Epigenetics refers to the external modification of DNA that turns genes on and off, affecting gene expression. This occurs without changes in the basic structure of the DNA. This gene expression can have transgenerational effects. The major factors that cause epigenetic changes are lifestyle and behavior, diet and digestion, stress, and environmental factors. Ayurveda addresses these factors, thereby affecting the Deha (body) Prakriti (psychophysiological constitution), which corresponds to the phenotype, and indirectly the Janma (birth) Prakriti, which corresponds to the genotype. Thus, it is proposed that epigenetics is an important mechanism of Ayurveda.
  • 1.9K
  • 21 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Encapsulate Carotenoids with Cyclodextrin
Carotenoids' inclusion in food matrices presents multiple challenges related to their low stability and low water solubility. The inclusion of carotenoids in complexes with cyclodextrins constitutes a promising technology for the stabilization of these pigments, with possible advantages in terms of their stability in food matrices.
  • 1.9K
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Embedded Brain Computer Interface
We attempt to summarize the last two decades of embedded Brain-Computer Interface mostly because of the electroencephalography influence on these systems. Numerous noninvasive EBCIs have been developed, described, and tested. Noninvasive nature of the EEG-based BCIs made them the most popular BCI systems.
  • 1.9K
  • 15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Plastic Food Packaging: Consumer Perspective
The use of plastics for packaging has some advantages, since they are flexible and inexpensive. However, most plastics are of single use, which, combined with low recycling or reuse ratios, contributes substantially to environmental pollution. This work is part of a project studying the habits of Portuguese citizens concerning plastic food packaging and focuses on aspects related to sustainability. The survey was carried out via an online questionnaire about sustainability, recycling, and knowledge of the effects of plastic materials or their residues on the environment. The results were obtained based on a statistical analysis of the data. The participants tend to think about the negative impact of plastic packages on the environment; 39% sometimes do not buy plastic; and 30% try to look for alternatives. A substantial fraction, 81%, support the avoidance of plastic utensils and reduction in the use of plastic bags. Most participants have a good knowledge of recycling and strongly agree with the use of recycled materials, and 87% of respondents practice separation of different types of waste for recycling. Changing plastic consumption habits has not been an easy task. Nevertheless, it is expected that society will increasingly move toward sustainable habits, questioning its actions and considering their impact on the environment.
  • 1.9K
  • 13 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Retinoic Acid and Retinaldehyde Dehydrogenase
Retinoic acid (RA) is an important biological metabolite synthesized from the retinol content (known as “vitamin A”) via a sequential cellular process in the retinoid signaling pathway (RSP). RSP-mediated RA biosynthesis is a vital physiological process in chordates, since RA interacts with the nuclear receptor superfamily, namely nuclear RA receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), bound to the RA response elements (RAREs) in the promoter region of RA target genes. Retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDH) belongs to the oxidoreductase family and plays a critical role in RA synthesis from the retinaldehyde content; therefore, this enzyme is considered to be one of the key regulators of RA-related retinol metabolism and embryonic development.
  • 1.9K
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Lie Groups, Locally Compact Groups, and Pro-Lie groups
The principal concepts discussed here are various types of topological groups, Lie groups, and Pro-Lie Groups.
  • 1.9K
  • 14 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the primary inhibitor of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urinary-type plasminogen activator (uPA), is a key regulator of fibrinolysis and cell migration. Indeed, elevated PAI-1 expression is associated with major cardiovascular adverse events that have been attributed to its antifibrinolytic activity. However, extensive evidence indicates that PAI-1 can induce endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis through complex interactions within the vasculature in an antifibrinolytic-independent matter.
  • 1.9K
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Unmanned Aircraft in Singapore
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), an unmanned aircraft (UA), commonly known as a drone, is operated without a pilot on board. An unmanned aircraft system (UAS) comprises the UA and associated elements such as the remote control equipment. Due to Singapore’s busy airspace and densely populated urban environment, the UA must be operated safely and responsibly to avoid risks to aviation and public safety. The CAAS requires operators to understand and abide by regulations, including recreational or research uses of the UA. More information on the regulations can be found on Air Navigation Order, paragraph 80.
  • 1.9K
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Timeline of Computing 1950–79
This article presents a detailed timeline of events in the history of computing from 1950 to 1979. For narratives explaining the overall developments, see the History of computing.
  • 1.9K
  • 17 Oct 2022
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