by Geeta Pokhrel  , Hongmei Gu  , Douglas J. Gardner  and Shane O'Neill

Received: 07 December 2021;  Published: 09 February 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2201003

This study is expanding the previous studies that were focused on the material properties and transportation costs of the two alternative feedstocks for manufacturing wood-plastic composites (WPCs): wood flour and pellets. Besides the material properties and cost analysis, life-cycle assessment (LCA) is equally important to assess the environmental impacts of these two alternative wood feedstocks to manufacture WPCs and gain the knowledge of influences from the manufacturing and transportation processes. The main g [...]

by John Glasson  , Bridget Durning  and Kellie Welch

Received: 06 July 2022;  Published: 16 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204037

The article examines the nature of impacts of the rapidly growing Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) industry on tourism and recreation in coastal communities, especially in the UK. The multi-methods research approach includes reviews of literature, content of OWF Environmental Statements (ESs) for predicted impacts, recent practice for actual impacts, and the use of mitigation and enhancement measures. Findings from literature indicate that the overall impact on tourism appears relatively benign, and sometimes positive. The [...]

by Vinayak Kaushal  and Mohammad Najafi

Received: 20 April 2022;  Published: 30 June 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202027

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of concrete in sanitary sewer pipe and manholes is the result of dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) dissolving the cement matrix. The acid is produced by a complex series of chemical and biochemical reactions. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to review the basic science of the MIC process starting with the various biological processes leading to the production of dilute sulfuric acid; (2) to discuss historical attempts to fortify concrete; (3) to present methods to reduce [...]

by Madalina Neacsu  , Susan E. Anderson  , Pola Verschoor  , Nicholas J. Vaughan  , Graham W. Horgan  , Toine Hulshof  , Sylvia H. Duncan  , Susan Duthie  and Wendy R. Russell

Received: 08 October 2021;  Published: 17 December 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2104002

Wheat bran cereals are an important source of dietary fibre. The aim of the study was to investigate if a high intake (120 g) of fibre rich breakfast cereal (which delivers the UK Government guidelines for fibre intake in one serving but is three-fold higher than the manufacturers recommended serving) has additional potential health benefits compared to the recommended serving (40 g, containing 11 g of dietary fibre). To assess this, the study determined the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles in human faecal, u [...]

by Andreea L. Seritan

Received: 31 July 2023;  Published: 24 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2304254

Climate change is a major public health emergency. Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, landslides, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions) have been increasing in frequency and severity and can cause lasting psychological sequelae. Older adults are highly vulnerable to the physical and mental health impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters. A narrative review was conducted to identify and summarize English-language articles focusing on the impact of climate change on older ad [...]

by Rosita Borlimi  , Greta Riboli  , Mattia Nese  , Matilde Buattini  , Marella Colombardo  and Gianni Brighetti

Received: 07 November 2021;  Published: 01 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202014

The length of the menstrual cycle (MC) varies among women, with an average regularity between 21 and 40 days. Six temporal frames can be observed within the monthly cycle, based on the fluctuations of the hormone levels. These fluctuations are accompanied by alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) and can be quantified using psychophysiological techniques. In this systematic review, we discussed the studies conducted with healthy females that examined aspects associated wi [...]

by Irina Bakloushinskaya  and Sergey Matveevsky

Received: 16 May 2018;  Published: 22 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1803023

Species of mole voles Ellobius demonstrate a broad variation in sex chromosomes and autosomes, which is unique among mammals. In four species, a Y chromosome was lost, and X0 or XX sex chromosomes in both sexes were obtained. The key testis-determining Sry (Sex-determining Region on Y) gene is absent in these species, and the regulation of its target, the Sox9 (SRY -box 9) gene, is questionable due to deletion in the key enhancer. In a single species, E. fuscocapillus, with routine XX-XY, the same deletion is prese [...]

by Daniel Z. Lieberman  , Sara Teichholtz  and Brenna R. Emery

Received: 25 February 2019;  Published: 28 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1902030

Is it ethically permissible to sacrifice the life of one human being in order to save the lives of five others? This question forms the basis of the famous thought experiment called “the trolley problem.” Surveys have found that 90 percent of people agree it is permissible when the victim to be sacrificed is described as off in the distance, whereas the opposite result occurs if the victim is described as up close. No consistent ethical principle has been identified that account for these results. In this paper we [...]

by Jennie Cao  , Valentina L Kouznetsova  and Igor F Tsigelny

Received: 30 January 2019;  Published: 01 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1902071

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and 50 percent of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer at some point. The most common cancers in dogs include lymphoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, mammary gland tumors, and melanoma, and many of them share marked similarities with their human counterparts. Although canines are afflicted with many of the same types of cancers as humans, the genetic basis behind these cancers are not as well understood. Thus, the aim of this study is to elucidate some of the molecu [...]

by Jana Wurz  , Nicolette Nadene Houreld  and Janice Pellow

Received: 12 April 2021;  Published: 19 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103024

Photobiomodulation (PBM), as well as plant extracts of Calendula officinalis (Calen), Hypericum perforatum (Hyper), and Echinacea purpurea (Echi-p), have been used to accelerate wound healing. However, the use of homeopathic preparations of these medicinal plants, in combination with PBM, is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined wound healing potential of these therapies in vitro. Various cell models were created in vitro in commercially available human skin fibroblasts (WS1). PBM was [...]