by Robert Beringer  , Paneet Gill  , Gloria Gutman  and Brian de Vries

Received: 31 July 2022;  Published: 17 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204213

Disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic exact a toll on vulnerable populations in terms of morbidity and mortality, but they also provide opportunities for personal growth and development and demonstration of personal and collective resiliency. This inductive thematic analysis explores self-perceived negative and positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on 2994 Canadians aged 55+. Data derive from response to two open-ended questions included in a national online survey (View Survey (sfu.ca)) conducted between Aug [...]

by Lena Natapov  , Ayelet Berg-Warman  , Ile Kermel Schiffman  and Shlomo Paul Zusman

Received: 01 May 2022;  Published: 17 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204212

To understand dental service utilization in the over-65 age group and to identify the main patterns and barriers to uptake of dental care after the 2019 expansion under the National Health Insurance Law to include dental benefits for the over-75 age group. Phone interviews with a random sample of 512 people over the age of 65 were conducted between February and April 2020. About half had visited a dentist during the previous year (an average of 2.9 visits) while 17% reported they had never visited one. Dental servi [...]

by Oreste Piccolo  , Elisabetta Parodi  and Antonella Petri

Received: 14 September 2022;  Published: 17 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204041

In this study, a PoC (Proof of Concept) of a possible biomass valorization of flax and camelina oilseed press cakes was presented. Biocatalyzed hydrolysis of residual oils and proteins extracted from these wastes was studied. The biotransformation of oils was performed using commercial immobilized lipases, including Amano PS, Amano AK, and Candida Antarctica Lipase B (CALB). Acylglycerols were partially or fully hydrolyzed using Amano PS and AK. Triglycerides were not hydrolyzed by CALB, which behaved differently. [...]

by Azra Shafi  and Qayyum Husain

Received: 06 August 2022;  Published: 17 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204040

Interpreting the relationship between the activity and structure of β-galactosidase is necessary to perceive the impact of the enzyme’s conformation on its catalysis. The current study thoroughly explains the effects of additives such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dithiothreitol (DTT), and urea on β-galactosidase activity and structure. β-Galactosidase activity was determined at various ionic strengths and temperatures as a function of time. Structural [...]

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 Gabrielle M Mey  and Jacob T Mey

Received: 24 August 2022;  Published: 16 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2204022

This narrative review highlights recent advances and ongoing trials using nutrition approaches for healthy aging. Focus will be placed on nutrition therapies that target cognition (“the mind”) and mobility (“the muscle”), both critical components to maintaining a high quality of life for older adults. For “the mind,” two seemingly incongruent therapies are being investigated to improve cognition–the MIND diet (high in carbohydrates and anti-oxidant fruits and vegetables) and the ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates [...]

by Fiona Bénard

Received: 15 June 2022;  Published: 16 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204045

In the context of resource depletion and global warming, the energy transition has become a necessity. To provide a basis for analysis and to support countries in this transition, it is necessary to better understand this transition. The creation of a good measurement tool could help. This paper proposes a measure of national resilience through an analogy to kinetic energy. Preliminary results show that some countries have strong potential for resilience in the energy transition. Inequalities exist and still exist [...]

by Katarina Tomulic Brusich

Received: 30 August 2022;  Published: 15 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204169

Transplantation is a widely accepted and successful life-saving treatment for hundreds of thousands of patients. However, transplant medicine still faces a number of obstacles. One of the most significant is the large disparity between the number of donors and recipients and the growing need for re-transplantation. In the last two decades, the improvement and organization of the national transplantation program in Croatia have resulted in a steadily increasing donor rate and therefore the transplantation numbers. A [...]

by Ioannis Syros  , Aggeliki Karantzali  and Xenia Anastassiou-Hadjicharalambous

Received: 11 April 2022;  Published: 15 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2204146

PTSD is a serious mental health condition with a lifetime prevalence of 1% to 14% in the general population. Several studies have evaluated evidence-based treatment approaches for children and adolescents. Interventions focusing on trauma are considered first-line treatments. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and a similar type of group intervention, the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention on Trauma in Schools (CBITS), have received the most empirical support from randomized controlled trials. More [...]

by Alicia Brown  , Caitlin Woodcock  , Kelly Cocallis  and Alan Robert Bowman

Received: 26 May 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204050

Chronic pain affects around 28 million people in the UK. Those living with chronic pain can frequently experience internalised self-stigma and negative self-evaluations as a result of the pain itself and due to difficult life experiences. Previous research has found Compassion Focused Therapy to be effective for people living with long term health conditions like chronic pain. The current study sought to evaluate a routine Virtual Compassionate Living Group for patients with chronic pain on the measures of self-com [...]

by Rotem Arieli  , Gina Lee  , Yeon ji Ryou  and Peter Martin

Received: 01 July 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204211

This research aims to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of positive subjective well-being among centenarians and near-centenarians in the Health and Retirement Study. Participants who eventually survived to age 98 or older (N = 516) were included. Study variables included demographic characteristics, health and activities of daily living (ADL) functioning, cognitive functioning, and positive well-being. Additionally, a smaller subsample (n = 192) of participants with supplemental leave-behind qu [...]

by Nils Altner  and Jasmin Friedrich

Received: 05 September 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204049

In this study, we present the results of a 48-hour mindfulness-based and compassion-based training for teachers (N = 59). This study included 3,250 students in two years. We strengthened the resources of teachers and students for health, especially for preventing addiction. The didactic approach was based on the concepts of embodiment and resonance. We first trained teachers and then encouraged them to teach students in the classroom. Qualitative data were collected on the presence of teachers, relationship buildin [...]

by Shaikha Al-Ballam  , Hamidreza Karami  and Deepak Devegowda

Received: 27 September 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204036

Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) are one of the most widely used artificial lift methods in the petroleum industry. However, ESP failures are unanticipated and common occurrences with significant financial impacts for the operators. Analysis of the ESP performance and failures are essential in its design and optimization. This paper presents a statistical approach for diagnosing and evaluating the root causes of ESP failures. The analysis is based on the field data gathered from the surface and downhole ESP moni [...]

by Louise O’Hare  and Robyn Griffiths

Received: 08 August 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2204145

Although being one of the most common neurological disorders, migraine is commonly misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Current treatments rely on pharmacological approaches, which have been shown not to be effective for all, and so alternative, non-invasive treatments are being sought. Transcranial stimulation could be a possible treatment for migraine. Transcranial electrical stimulation generally involves applying a current to the cortex via the scalp. Whilst this has previously been mostly done in clinical settings, [...]

by Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir  , Hafizah Abdul Hamid  , Aqilah Hambali  , Nizar Abd Manan  , Muhammad Zulfadli Mehat  , Nurul Iman Ismail  and Muzaimi Mustapha

Received: 31 July 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2204144

The nectar produced by bees in nature is known as honey and has been consumed for its nutritional and medicinal properties. There is growing evidence that honey and its compounds have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties that are relevant to the maintenance of health and the prevention of illnesses, including cardiocerebrovascular disease. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is one of the major risk factors for diseases such as stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. [...]

by Oleksandr Beshta  , Gennadiy Pivnyak  , Oleksandr Beshta Jr  , Roman Borovik  , Cáceres Cabana Edgar  and Adam Smolinski

Received: 17 August 2022;  Published: 14 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2204023

In a lithium-ion battery, the crossing of its charging–discharging curves represents an unambiguous current capacity. The reproduction of a complete charging–discharging cycle defines the maximum possible charge for a current battery state. When obtaining of the curves experimentally, one should consider the duration of polarization or depolarization. It is reported that the battery capacity depends considerably on the value of the battery’s internal resistance as this value defines the location of the actual charg [...]

by Yash Aryan  and Anil Kumar Dikshit

Received: 26 July 2022;  Published: 09 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204035

Electric vehicles are becoming popular among consumers while BS-VI norms have been introduced and mandated for conventional vehicles in India. In the present study, the environmental impacts from the use phase of electric two-wheeler (EV) and gasoline two-wheeler (GV) have been evaluated and compared using the life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. The functional unit adopted was 1000 km driven by one vehicle under Indian road and traffic conditions. CML 2001 and ReCiPe 2016 methods were used for the assessment u [...]

by Aleeha Muzaffar  , Usman Arif  , Faheem Akram  , Fatima Batool  , Sameera Hassan  and Bushra Rashid

Received: 29 August 2022;  Published: 09 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2204171

Climate change poses a substantial threat to global crop yield. Moreover, crop production is likely to reduce in the near future because of increasing average temperatures, widespread extreme climate events, and the loss of agricultural land. Abiotic stresses are the major factors limiting the growth and development of various crops worldwide. They cause the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to cellular damage in a variety of subcellular compartments in plants. The metabolic rate of ROS is criti [...]

by Sana Parveen  , Suroor Fatima Rizvi  , Adria Hasan  , Uzma Afaq  and Snober S. Mir

Received: 28 June 2022;  Published: 08 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2204170

The autophagy mechanism recycles the damaged and long-standing macromolecular substrates and thus maintains cellular homeostatic and proteostatic conditions. Autophagy can be an unavoidable target in cancer therapy because its deregulation leads to cancer formation and progression. Cancer can be controlled by regulating autophagy at different genetic, epigenetic, and post-translational levels. Epigenetics refers to the heritable phenotypic changes that affect gene activity without changing the sequence. Modern biol [...]

by Angela Horyacheva  , Samantha Shune  and Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald

Received: 11 August 2022;  Published: 07 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204210

Stroke survivors often receive spousal support for post-stroke impairments. The quality of spousal caregiving and couples’ wellbeing can suffer from post-stroke relationship changes and caregiver burden. Because swallowing impairment (dysphagia) is common post-stroke and spouses providing dysphagia care may experience burden, it is also important to explore whether relationship changes post-stroke are associated with dysphagia outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe stroke survivor-spouse relationships [...]

by Elizaveta Baranova  , Vladimir Druzhinin  , Ludmila Matskova  , Pavel Demenkov  , Valentin Volobaev  and Alexey Larionov

Received: 01 August 2022;  Published: 07 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2204169

Recent findings indicate that the microbiota is involved in the development of lung cancer by inducing inflammatory responses and generating genome damage. This study aimed to compare sputum microbiomes from the mouth and oropharynx in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. A second goal was to search for bacterial taxonomic units that behave differently in the microbiome of NSCLC patients and healthy subjects. In the study, the taxonomic composition of the sputum and oropharyngeal microbiomes of 23 male p [...]

by Jaclyn B. Murry  and Ying S. Zou

Received: 30 June 2022;  Published: 07 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2204168

Double aneuploidy is the co-occurrence of aneuploidy of two different chromosomes within the same individual. Genomic imbalance associated with two aneuploidies in humans is associated with early lethality, and observation in live-born humans is rare. In isolation, trisomy of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y may be better tolerated, whereas monosomy of X is the only such type of aberration that may be compatible with life. It is hypothesized that two successive malsegregation events must occur in early development [...]

by Amit Ahlawat  , Tarun Kumar Dhiman  , Pratima R. Solanki  and Pawan S. Rana

Received: 24 July 2022;  Published: 03 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204039

Organic compounds are one of the most severe pollutants occurring in the environment. Hence, it is important to remove these compounds from the environment through remediation processes such as photocatalysis. The present study investigated the photocatalytic degradation of p-nitrophenol (NP) and phenol red (PR) using a cerium oxide-titanium oxide nanocomposite (CeO2-TiO2nc) under UV light. CeO2-TiO2nc was synthesized using the co-precipitation method. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the phase purity [...]

by Becky Dafters  , Sarah Mackintosh  and Chris Irons

Received: 29 July 2022;  Published: 03 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2204048

The current paper explores the impact of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) when delivered in a group setting to people with a range of diagnoses presenting to a Community Mental Health Team. In total five groups of 14 to 18 sessions were run with an average of five participants completing each group. A range of self-report measures examining global psychological distress, self-criticism, depression, anxiety and stress, emotion regulation, social comparison, shame and compassionate attributes and skills were administ [...]

by Mateus Carvalho  , Ana Paula Oliveira  , Francieli Mayer  , Cesário Virgens  and Maria do Carmo Rangel

Received: 31 August 2022;  Published: 02 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204038

Catalytic pyrolysis is an attractive alternative for converting biomass into energy and chemicals to replace fossil sources. This has encouraged the search for efficient catalysts that can directly remove oxygenated products during pyrolysis, since they are the main problem in the processing and use of the products obtained. The catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis of medium density fiber (MDF) over beta zeolite-supported nickel (3 and 5%) was performed using the biomass/catalyst of 1.0/0.2 ratio. The thermokineti [...]