by Ghulam Ali  and Jan Nisar

Received: 22 July 2022;  Published: 01 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204044

Due to the massive increase in polymer manufacture, there has been a remarkable increase in plastic waste. With fewer landfills being used to dump plastic waste each year, it is becoming increasingly important to use effective recycling methods for plastic waste decomposition. In the present work, waste polystyrene was degraded in the presence of natural clay (K0.02, Ca0.15 [Mg0.25, Al0.69, Fe0.06], [Si2.0, Al0.6] O6.8 (O10) nH2O). The waste polymer was pyrolyzed at different heating rates i.e., 5, 10, 15 and 20&#x [...]

by Nora B. Henrikson  , Paula R. Blasi  , Marlaine Figueroa Gray  , Lorella Palazzo  , Aaron Scrol  and Stephanie M. Fullerton

Received: 09 August 2022;  Published: 31 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2204167

People choose how and if to generate and disclose not just personal genomic data, but also multiple other types of personal health and non-health related data. To contextualize choices about genetic testing and genetic data disclosure, we explored perspectives of genomic data privacy and disclosure compared to other types of data. We conducted a qualitative focus group study with adult members of an integrated U.S. health system, using administrative data to stratify our sample by age and by race/ethnicity. Discuss [...]

by Dafni Foti  , Costas Passialis  , Elias Voulgaridis  and Stergios Adamopoulos

Received: 23 August 2022;  Published: 28 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2204022

Cellulosic fibrous mats were impregnated with various water-repellent formulations based on reclaimed polystyrene (5, 10, 15, and 20%), alkyd resin (5%), gum rosin (5%), and paraffin wax (0.5%). The mats were tested for their bursting strength and resistance to bending. They were also subjected to the ring crush test and short-span compression test. By increasing the concentration of total solid ingredients (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25.5%), the retention and grammage of the mats were increased, and all strength propertie [...]

by Noboru Imai

Received: 19 July 2022;  Published: 26 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2204143

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used to detect changes in the resting-state brain networks of migraine patients. Functional connectivity fMRI analysis examines the functional organization of the brain based on temporal correlations of blood oxygen level-dependent signal changes in different brain regions. Most previous resting-state fMRI studies have assumed that functional connectivity between brain regions remains relatively stable over time. However, it is now known that the brain is a com [...]

by Ana Paula Leopercio  , Christini Emori  , Elisabete Calore Neiva  , Ana Lucia Silva Souza  , Ana Cristina Amaral  , Gustavo Almeida Vieira  , Raimundo Araujo Gama  , Jose Osmar Medina-Pestana  and Maria Lúcia Ferraz

Received: 22 June 2022;  Published: 26 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204168

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is frequent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). HBV reactivation after kidney transplant (KT) is more common in patients with HBsAg+; however, it can also occur in previously infected individuals, particularly those with HBsAg negative and total antiHBc positive (HBsAg-/antiHBcT+). However, reactivation in this population has scarce and conflicting data. This study aimed to assess the reactivation risk in KT recipients with previous HBV infection (antiHBcT+). A retros [...]

by Elvira A. Guseinova  and Samira R. Safarova

Received: 28 July 2022;  Published: 26 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204037

In this study, we found that adding catalytic cracking feedstock, vacuum gas oil, and naphthenic acids in the amount of 0.005–0.0075% vol. increased the liquid target fractions, i.e., gasoline and light gas oil. The decrease in the yield of hydrocarbon gas at a practically constant degree of conversion of the raw material indicated a small proportion of the reactions of re-cracking of the resulting products. This also indicated the resource-saving nature of the process, allowing a larger amount of gasoline fraction [...]

by Simona Bassoli  , Anett Schallmey  , Julie Oble  , Giovanni Poli  and Alexandre Pradal

Received: 22 July 2022;  Published: 26 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204036

A two-step protocol for the synthesis of aryl-3-hydroxypropanones, which were regarded as lignin degradation products, was proposed herein. This protocol provided a more rapid and easier access to aryl-3-hydroxypropanones, and aryl-3-hydroxypropanones were expected to be ideal platform molecules for the synthesis of more complex value-added targets.

by Moira M. Ijzerman  , Amir B. Bazrgar  , Andrew M. Gordon  and Naresh V. Thevathasan

Received: 08 September 2022;  Published: 25 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204043

Carbon (C) storage potential was quantified for four tree species which are commonly incorporated into tree-based intercropping (TBI) systems and compared with conventional agricultural systems in southern Ontario, Canada. In the 31-year-old TBI system at the University of Guelph's Agroforestry Research Station, Norway spruce (Picea abies), white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), black walnut (Juglans nigra) and red oak (Quercus rubra) were planted in tree rows, intercropped with soybean (Glycine max). In the conventiona [...]

by Shih-Ang Hsu

Received: 28 August 2022;  Published: 21 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204042

In August 2021 Hurricane Ida devastated southeast Louisiana. On the basis of numerous pertinent meteorological-oceanographic (met-ocean) information including datasets and graphics as supplied by various public agencies, several unique topics related to marine meteorology and air-sea-land interactions are investigated. It is found that a newly proposed revised relation between minimum sea-level pressure and maximum sustained wind speed is verified during Ida. Characteristics of the rapid intensification, defined as [...]

by Mohammad Yaghoub Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi

Received: 09 July 2022;  Published: 19 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2204021

New lubrication events can be predicted using improved pathological non-Newtonian physiological fluids coupled to phospholipid-based bilayers in variable time-dependent magnetic fields under random non-steady conditions. In this study, we investigated nanofluid lubrication systems for synovial joints. The particles of PSPMA-g-HSNPs were used as nanoparticles. The hydrodynamic interaction between the knee bones separated by a nanofluid film was considered here for various nanofluid concentrations. The simulation ind [...]

by Manal Al-Eid  , Lianhui Ding  , Donya Sewdan  , Emad N. AL-Shafei  , Rasha Al-Ghamdi  , Abdulaziz Alqarawi  and Essa Al naimi

Received: 13 August 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204035

Parent ZSM-5 and Ga-modified ZSM-5 catalysts with different Si/Al ratios and particle sizes were prepared. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were investigated by performing X-ray powder diffraction analysis, BET surface area analysis, and NH3-TPD analysis. The performance of the aromatization reaction of the prepared catalysts was evaluated with 1-hexane as a model compound. The zeolite catalysts with a low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio possessed better activity than those with a high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio. Ga [...]

by Fabiano A.N. Fernandes

Received: 23 August 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204034

Biodiesel is derived from renewable vegetable or animal sources and is either used as a standalone fuel or blended with oil-based diesel. The kinetic mechanism of the esterification of oleic acid was investigated in a conventional batch reactor and a batch reactor coupled to a water adsorption system. The esterification was performed with oleic acid and methanol at different temperatures (70 to 110 °C) and alcohol-to-oleic acid molar ratios (3:1 to 9:1), using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. A kinetic model was constr [...]

by Navya Uppu  , Kelly McMahen  , Tasneem Khasru  and Mark A. DeCoster

Received: 02 August 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2204020

Green synthesis of nanomaterials endeavors to reduce the use of high energy methods with those that may include lower temperatures and pressures, use of natural products, and bottom-up self-assembly. Here we describe the generation of metal-organic biohybrids (MOBs) with nanoscale features synthesized at physiological (37°C) and room temperature (25°C). These MOBs utilized the naturally occurring amino acid dimer cystine as the biological component, and a series of metals, including copper, silver, and cobalt. The [...]

by Susan E. Reid  , Bessam Abdulrazak  and Tianqi Xiao

Received: 08 August 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204209

Despite the increase in use and interest in mobile devices by older adults, to date, there is still limited research carried out to better understand older adults’ usage and needs as they relate to such devices. As such, this research examined the use of two types of mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets, by older adults (i.e., age 65+), as well as the use of a new interface, developed for research purposes, called “PhonAge”. This study was exploratory, and utilizes frequency data and tables, in order to get a s [...]

by Han Liu  , Biao Gao  and Xingxing Wang

Received: 30 June 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2204142

As an indispensable active atmosphere and meaningful emotional expression in social media, emojis describe the emotions of users in specific situations in a funny, humorous, euphemistic, and implicit form and attract users to use them consciously or unconsciously with their quick and convenient features. Currently, the research on the psychology of emoji usage is mostly from the perspective of users, while neglecting the essential attributes of emojis. The purpose of this study was to investigate and summarize the [...]

by OBM Transplantation Editorial Office

Received: 09 October 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2204167

by Giacinto Libertini

Received: 22 July 2022;  Published: 14 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204208

The interpretation of aging as an adaptive and programmed phenomenon implies the existence of specific genetically determined and regulated aging-causing mechanisms. This interpretation is in contrast to the explanation of aging as the gradual accumulation of the effects of harmful factors that are only partially countered by natural selection. The subtelomere–telomere theory of aging offers what is required by the interpretation of aging as a programmed phenomenon. The experimentally documented mechanisms that are [...]

by Binita Boro  , Shivam Porwal  , Dinesh Kumar  , Snehangshu Mishra  , Subrata Ghosh  , Sakshi Kansal  , Amreesh Chandra  and Trilok Singh

Received: 14 August 2022;  Published: 14 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2204033

Solar cells based on organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites are popular in the photovoltaic community due to their high efficiency, low cost, and solution processability. Understanding the fundamentals of metal halide perovskite and its interfaces is extremely important for achieving high-quality materials and developing efficient devices using these materials with the necessary properties. Various methodologies have been used to evaluate the excellent optoelectronic properties, efficiency, and stability of PSCs [...]

by José Nieto  , Carmen Vasquez  , Rubén Acevedo  , Rodrigo Ramírez-Pisco  , Luís Manuel-Navas  , Mercedes Gaitan-Angulo  , Melva Inés Gómez-Caicedo  and Catalina Altamar-Cuervo

Received: 16 June 2022;  Published: 13 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204041

Because of climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have increased, leading to the implementation of energy transition policies. Countries have adopted the Paris Agreement to curb the effects of climate change. The emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 led to the application of different measures to stop its transmission. This study evaluated the effects of COVID-19-related restrictions (such as quarantine and mobility restriction) in Chile during the first wave on compliance with the country's energy transition poli [...]

by Vladimir N. Bashkin

Received: 05 September 2022;  Published: 13 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204040

This research aims at one of the most important economic and environmental problems - the elimination of the consequences in case of emergency spills while cleaning petroleum products. The objectives of the study include the development and production of new biological products and biosorbents based on carbon-oxidizing microorganisms, testing the developed technologies for environmental risk management to eliminate the consequences of emergency petroleum product spills, creating an algorithm for conducting prelimin [...]

by Qin Xu  , Kang Nai  and Valery Melnikov

Received: 05 August 2022;  Published: 13 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204034

By using long pulses with extended dwelling time, lowered pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and reduced Nyquist velocity, the radar measurement capability can be enhanced to increase clear-air Doppler velocity data coverage (which is beneficial for radar wind analysis and data assimilation and motivated our previous study). This potential capability is further explored (beyond our previous study) by not only modifying the existing operational clear-air scan mode with a lowered PRF and reduced the Nyquist velocity (t [...]

by Rui Wang  , Husain E. Ashkanani  , Bingyun Li  and Badie I. Morsi

Received: 01 August 2022;  Published: 13 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204033

A unique two-Pathways process using aqueous sodium glycinate for CO2 capture from a split flue gas stream emitted from 600 MWe post-combustion coal power plant was developed in Aspen Plus v.10. The split gas flow rate used was 44.75 ton/h and contained 0.0023 mol% SO2 and 13.33 mol% CO2. The process includes a washing unit, a CO2 absorption unit, a reverse osmosis unit, and a solvent regeneration unit or an ultrafiltration unit. The washing unit uses deionized water to completely remove SO2 and the CO2 absorption u [...]

by Dean M. Cordingley  and Stephen M. Cornish

Received: 04 July 2022;  Published: 12 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2204021

Exercise induced muscle damage occurs following strenuous and unfamiliar exercise and results in biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation in the circulation. Creatine (Cr) is a commonly utilized nutritional supplement which has been proposed to enhance post-exercise recovery and has been suggested to decrease exercise induced inflammation. Exercise is well recognized to be beneficial for older adults to maintain skeletal muscle mass and strength as well as promote health for other biological systems. However, o [...]

by William E Vargas  , Federico Muñoz-Rojas  , Esteban Avendaño  , Victoria Quirós-Cordero  and Marcela Hernández-Jiménez

Received: 30 July 2022;  Published: 12 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2204019

Spectrophotometry has been widely used to retrieve the dielectric function of a bulk iridium sample using an extended version of the Drude–Lorentz model. The parameters of the model are optimized using a spectral-projected-gradient-method-assisted acceptance-probability-controlled simulated annealing approach. Furthermore, optimized values of Drude parameters corresponding to the optical response of electrons and holes (scattering frequency of electrons, the ratio between scattering frequencies of holes and electro [...]

by Floris Taminiau  and Bob van der Zwaan

Received: 04 August 2022;  Published: 10 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204032

In the Netherlands, an important way to contribute toward achieving climate goals is the large-scale deployment of wind turbines in the North Sea. The North Sea is a unique location for offshore wind power thanks to its strong winds, shallow waters, and proximity to large energy users. Wind turbines generate electricity by extracting kinetic energy from the atmosphere. This kinetic energy is replenished at a finite rate through the mixing of atmospheric layers. The replenishment rate sets a physical limit to the am [...]