by Oscar Daoura  , Maya Boutros  and Franck Launay

Received: 01 September 2020;  Published: 26 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2101007

CO2 reforming of CH4, also referred to as the Dry Reforming of Methane (DRM), is considered an excellent method to produce H2 and CO (syngas), which are known to be used for the production of higher alkanes and oxygenates. Despite nickel’s moderate toxicity, Ni-based heterogeneous catalysts are considered excellent candidates for use in DRM due to their reasonable performances and economic advantages. However, these materials also present severe drawbacks, such as sintering of the active phase and coke (carbo [...]

by Chaonan Zhang  , Robert Fuller  and Iyad Hijazi

Received: 10 November 2020;  Published: 25 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2101006

The Pd-H system has attracted extensive attention. Pd can absorb considerable amount of H at room temperature, this ability is reversible, so it is suitable for multiple energy applications. Pd-Ag alloys possess higher H permeability, solubility and narrower miscibility gap with better mechanical properties than pure Pd, but sulfur poisoning remains an issue. Pd-Cu alloys have excellent resistance to sulfur and carbon monoxide poisoning and hydrogen embrittlement, good mechanical properties, and broader temperature [...]

by M Wehming  , A Briem-Richter  , R Ganschow  , F Brinkert  , B Winkler  , L Fischer  and Enke Grabhorn

Received: 07 June 2020;  Published: 25 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101135

Some malignancies such as hepatoblastoma may be an indication for liver transplantation (LT) or some, for example, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) may develop after successful LT. An immunosuppressive therapy after LT can promote the recurrence of the primary malignancy. The mammalian target-of-rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) are immunosuppressive agents with anti-tumor properties. We examined the impact of everolimus (EVL) together with calcineurin inhibitors on allograft outcome and patient surviv [...]

by Lucy Wyatt

Received: 24 November 2020;  Published: 22 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2101005

This paper presents the case for the use of HF radar to provide wave, current and wind measurements and maps during the surveying, resource and impact assessment, construction, maintenance and performance assessment phases of an offshore fixed or floating wind farm or other marine renewable project. The data presented are from the Celtic Sea which is currently the focus of a lot of offshore wind interest. The data are from a dual radar system deployed at the Wave Hub site off the Cornwall coast since 2011, a single [...]

by Ahalapitiya H Jayatissa  , Omer Ahmed  , Bodhi R Manu  and Adam M Schroeder

Received: 13 August 2020;  Published: 22 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2101003

The tribological properties of ZnO thin film coated on an aluminium work piece by RF magnetron sputtering were studied as a function of deposition power, substrate coating temperature, heat treatment and rotation speed. The variation in the coefficient of friction of ZnO films produced under various levels of coating parameters and conditions were experimentally determined using a pin-on-disk tribometer. The results showed that with change in deposition conditions and heat treatment, there are significant microstru [...]

by Namita A. Goyal  and Tahseen Mozaffar

Received: 11 November 2020;  Published: 21 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101154

Inclusion body myositis is one of the most common acquired myopathies seen in the aging population. The muscle weakness is of insidious onset, frequently starting in the legs, but over time gradually progresses to eventually involve all skeletal muscles of the limbs, face, swallowing and respiratory muscles, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Complications resulting from dysphagia are the leading cause of poor quality of life and mortality, while highly prevalent, are still underappreciated and underre [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 18 January 2021;  Published: 20 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101003

Neuro-photobiomodulation (PBM) is a relatively novel optical stimulation method that is not yet generally accepted in conventional medicine. Therefore, evidence-based research in this sub-area, which is important for laser medicine, is necessary in order to provide appropriate scientific evidence for a better understanding of neuro-PBM. In this editorial, a summary of the recent results with stimulation using different frequencies (e.g., 40 Hz, 136.1 Hz) is presented. The contribution is intended to stimulate resea [...]

by Renata Mancopes  , Pooja Gandhi  , Sana Smaoui  and Catriona M. Steele

Received: 24 November 2020;  Published: 19 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101153

Research suggests there are age-related changes in swallowing that do not constitute impairment (“presbyphagia”). The goal of this study was to explore the influence of age on quantitative measures of healthy swallowing by controlling for the effects of sex and sip volume in order to determine the specific characteristics of presbyphagia. Videofluoroscopy recordings of thin liquid swallows from 76 healthy adults (38 male), aged 21-82 were analysed. Blinded duplicate ratings of swallowing safety, efficiency, kinemat [...]

by Khaliq Ahmed  , Periasamy Vijay  , Moses Tadé  , Amirpiran Amiri  , Zongping Shao  and Karl Föger

Received: 31 July 2020;  Published: 18 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2101004

This report is an account of research and development activities undertaken by the Centre for Process Systems Computations, Department of Chemical Engineering at Curtin University, Western Australia in the area of solid oxide fuel cells. The focus of work of the group included 1)effect of cell macrostructure and microstructure on electrochemical performance with a view to optimise both macro- and micro-structure 2) electrochemistry modeling for simulating electrochemical performance 3) internal reforming aspects im [...]

by Mohammed Faruqi  , Zachary Scott Dean  , Francisco Aguiniga  and Breanna Bailey

Received: 15 November 2020;  Published: 15 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2101002

Prestressed concrete members have gained popularity as an efficient and effective way of designing a structural member with the best engineering and material properties. The method of prestressing a structural concrete member has the capability of controlling increased service loads with less depth over longer spans. However, deflections from over-loading or loading over time give a disadvantage to the common steel reinforced concrete members by the effect of corrosion as the structural concrete develop cracks. To [...]