by Julia Tourtelot  , Ann Bourgès  and Emmanuel Keita

Received: 09 March 2021;  Published: 26 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2103031

Currently, the largest among the earth excavation sites in Europe are located in the Paris region. The soils excavated from these sites are often considered waste and are not valorized. With an increasing focus on sustainable development, the demand for low-carbon building materials is rising. Although construction using raw earth is a vernacular technique, the diversity in the behavior of the raw earth building materials warrants better control of their mechanical properties. The construction techniques differ dep [...]

by Laila Midhat  , Naaila Ouazzani  , Abdessamed Hejjaj  , Ahmed Ouhammou  and Laila Mandi

Received: 29 December 2020;  Published: 22 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2103030

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the phytostabilization ability of the native Moroccan plant Citrullus colocynthis on the neutralization of soil acidity and stabilization of metallic trace elements (MTEs) assisted by marble waste. Mine tailings (MT) collected from an abandoned polymetallic site were mixed with powdered marble (PM) using different mixing ratios (%): (MTPM25), (MTPM50), (MTPM75), and agricultural soil (AS) acting as the control. Seeds of C. colocynthis were selected and planted under g [...]

by Chandra Sekhar Devulapalli

Received: 07 July 2021;  Published: 22 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103059

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a debatable condition that affects less than 6% of children. The absence of specific diagnostic markers and standardized diagnostic procedures make the diagnosis of NCGS challenging, covering patients with different and varied symptoms. Generally, the parents of small and younger children introduce a gluten-free diet (GFD) based on their personal experiences and expectations. Additionally, a “fad component” exists, contributing to the recent rise in the popularity of GFD. Thu [...]

by Fahriye Yagmur Bütün Buschalsky  and Carsten Mai

Received: 15 March 2021;  Published: 22 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2103029

A thermo-hydrolytic disintegration process qualifies as a promising option for recycling the waste MDF and preserving the fibrous morphology of the recovered lignocellulosic fibre material. This study aims to include a drainage process between the thermo-hydrolytic disintegration and the further utilization of the recovered fibres (RF) obtained using a screw press for removing the disintegration water (DW). In this context, the chemical properties of the RF (pH, nitrogen content, formaldehyde emissions) and the DW [...]

by XinRan Quan  and Marica Bakovic

Received: 21 December 2020;  Published: 21 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2103176

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a diverse group of neuropathological diseases that are currently incurable due to the irreversible neuronal loss. At the present rate of the world population growth, it is projected that the number of ND cases will double by the year of 2050. With treatments only available for symptom management and relief, disease prevention may yield significant benefits. Recently, there had been association drawn between the disruption of phospholipid (PL) homeostasis and the progression of N [...]

by Vineela Nagamalla  , Jay Patel  and Mir Saleem

Received: 20 December 2020;  Published: 21 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2103104

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition which consists of stages of mental, memory, and cognitive decline. As it continues to stand as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., 44 million people worldwide are affected. The objective of this paper is to explore the risk factors for AD in an attempt to examine potential causes for the incidence of AD. We examined genetics, lifestyle, and pre-existing conditions as risk factors for AD. We found that there are various alleles, such as APP, P [...]

by Oya M. Andacoglu  , Jack Liu  , Abigail L. Brooks  , Amit Blumfield  , Mehul Trivedi  , Shoshana Lehman  , Michael K. Parides  , Enver Akalin  , Jay A. Graham  , Juan P. Rocca  and Stuart M. Greenstein

Received: 17 March 2021;  Published: 20 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103150

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is an excellent indicator of renal function; however, it is rarely evaluated as an endpoint. We investigated donor and recipient factors for associations that might be predictive of mid-term GFR after renal transplantation. We performed a retrospective review of 828 deceased donor renal transplantations performed at Montefiore Medical Center between the years 2009-2015. Donor characteristics included KDPI, [low (<20%), medium (20-80%), high (>80%)], age, graft types [extended [...]

by Hamid Ullah  , Sara Iqbal  , Blanca Lizaola Mayo  and Elizabeth Carey

Received: 31 March 2021;  Published: 20 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103149

Liver transplantation (LT) has grown monumentally in the last 40 years. Sarcopenia has emerged as an independent factor associated with increased mortality in patients with end stage liver disease. In this review we aim to shed light upon recent developments in assessment, clinical implications, management of sarcopenia in patients requiring a liver transplant. We also bring attention to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sarcopenia which ranges from the disease pathology to the unprecedented preventive measures ta [...]

by Syed Ali Muslim

Received: 05 February 2021;  Published: 19 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2103034

This article offers the summary of detailed literature review on the state of the art of simulation tools for building energy and power system research. The fundamental capabilities required for building energy and power system analysis tools are outlined. A comparative review of different energy simulation tools is presented, along with the summary of their strengths and weaknesses. A review of energy simulation tool rankings using evidence-based research is presented. A novel aspect of this article is the investi [...]

by Ciro Comparetto  and Franco Borruto

Received: 29 June 2021;  Published: 19 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2103132

Medical genetics plays an important role in the screening and prevention of numerous diseases. Thus, it is important to develop effective screening and prevention programs and improve the assessment of the susceptibility of diseases. The development of screening and prevention programs depends on the identification of early biomarkers (including functional and behavioral) for the risk and onset of the disease, and such programs need to be designed according to internationally accepted criteria. Cervical cancer repr [...]

by Lucy V. Fisher  and Andrew R. Barron

Received: 24 February 2021;  Published: 16 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2103028

One of the largest problems facing the steelmaking industry is the high amount of waste currently produced and the low amount of waste that is currently recycled. This study aims to look at the suitability of 3 different samples of basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) slag as a construction material, in concert with their carbon capture capacity. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), CO2 adsorption analysis [...]

by Shiping Wang  , Georg Bendt  and Stephan Schulz

Received: 24 May 2021;  Published: 16 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2103001

One-pot synthesis of mesoporous hybrid material consisting of Mn-Co/CoO nanoparticles encapsulated in an N-doped graphene shell decorated with Mo2C nanoparticles (Mo2C-NC@Mn-Co/CoO) was reported. The Mn and Mo components synergistically refined the graphitized carbons due to the interactions with N and C atoms while promoting the stability of the Co/CoO nanoparticles. These components exhibited a beneficial effect on the dispersion of the active metal/metal oxide nanoparticles and the formation of a mesoporous stru [...]

by Chenchang Li  , Jianqiang Hu  , Jie Yu  , Jieci Xue  , Runze Yang  , Yijie Fu  and Bo Sun

Received: 23 April 2021;  Published: 15 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2103033

Due to the uncertainty and volatility of wind speed, its natural output power also exhibits strong volatility. In order to avoid the negative effects of the excessive fluctuation of the output power of wind turbines in the wind farm and the power grid, it is very important to accurately predict and reasonably plan and control the output power of the wind farm. Model predictive control (MPC) is a type of advanced control method that can deal with a multi-input multi-output nonlinear system. Compared to the tradition [...]

by Sergey B. Yurchenko

Received: 25 May 2021;  Published: 14 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2103103

This article reviews the modern approaches to the quantum brain hypothesis. The aim is to consider the hypothesis and its classical brain-machine alternative from a broad perspective, including physics, biology, computer science, cosmology, and metaphysics. My starting point is that asking whether consciousness can or cannot have free will is fundamentally incorrect. This aspect is challenged by both physics and neuroscience. The paper argues that the search for conscious free will, as it is typically tested in Lib [...]

by Linda Li-Dan Zhong  , Yi-Ping Wong  , Bo Peng  , Zhi-Xiu Lin  , Vivian Chi-Woon Wong Taam  , Yi Luo  , Hai-Yong Chen  , Chao-Dong Chao  , Chor-Fung Wong  , Freddie Shung-Chi Tam  , Kui Chan  , Kwan-Yiu Lee  , Lai-Fun Ho  , Alan Yat-Lun Wong  , Chi-Fung Choy  , Bacon Fung-Leung Ng  , Rowena How-Wan Wong  , Yi-Bin Feng  , Ching Liong  , Zhao-Xiang Bian  and COVID-19 CM Research Working Group

Received: 24 May 2021;  Published: 13 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103022

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for more than 16 months, and there have been over 169 million confirmed cases worldwide. Besides, after treatment with Western medicine or undergoing home quarantine, COVID-19 patients are still severely or mildly functionally impaired. Though COVID-19 patients were discharged from the hospital, most of them still exhibit certain clinical symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, shortness of breath, and poor sleep. The syndromes, linked with the Chinese Medicine (CM) body constituti [...]

by Joseph V. Pergolizzi  , Jo Ann LeQuang  , Peter Magnusson  and Giustino Varrassi

Received: 11 April 2021;  Published: 12 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103021

Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) approaches to COVID-19 represent a paradigm shift from Western medicine, in that TCIM emphasizes prevention, encouraging wellness, and supporting health and recovery. A wide range of TCIM approaches exist: whole medical systems (such as traditional Chinese medicine), mind-body approaches, biological therapies, body-based treatments, and energy therapies. TCIM is used to help people resist infection, but people with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms ofte [...]

by Francesco Di Lorenzo  , Giovanni Dinelli  , Ilaria Marotti  and Grazia Trebbi

Received: 11 May 2021;  Published: 12 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2103020

Modern agriculture must meet the changing needs of society both in terms of food quality and with regards to the environmental issues related to primary production (e.g., biodiversity, habitats, the quality of water and air, and climate change). In this context, win-win solutions at the farm level are required, with more sustainable food production, as well as, a reduction in air, water, and soil pollution, and loss of biodiversity and natural resources. To address these issues, a new emerging discipline called “sy [...]

by Hiroyuki Kashiwagi  , Ayumi Ito  , Harutaka Kambayashi  , Shun Murasugi  , Teppei Omori  , Maria Yonezawa  , Shinichi Nakamura  and Katsutoshi Tokushige

Received: 10 August 2020;  Published: 09 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103058

Anti-TNFα Therapy are used to induce remission and as maintenance therapy in refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) to achieve mucosal healing (MH). However, the time at which mucosal healing should be assessed is unclear. We retrospectively examined the optimal timing for colonoscopy and the criteria to determine the need for the continuation of treatment. We evaluated 44 UC patients that were treated with anti-TNFα Therapy and categorized them into the following groups according to the degree of MH within 12 months: [...]

by Bin Ni  , Nidhi Sharma  , Ashley Rosko  , Don M. Benson  and Yvonne A. Efebera

Received: 12 April 2021;  Published: 09 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103148

Prior to the advent of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was relatively contraindicated for multiple myeloma (MM) patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to issues associated with stem cell harvest and the risk of opportunistic infections. With the widespread use of ART for control of HIV, ASCT is now the preferred treatment for relapsed lymphoma, the leading hematopoietic malignancy associated with HIV/AIDS. Hence, MM patients with HIV controlled by ART may benefit [...]

by Chris R. Lavers  , Travis Mason  , Jonathan Mazower  and Sarah Grig

Received: 29 October 2020;  Published: 09 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2103018

High-resolution satellite imagery permits acquisition of critical data to observe climate-change and environmental impact on conflict-impacted indigenous communities with co-existing socio-economic factors, often within unstable regimes. Conflict may prevent direct access in remote regions to validate civilian conflict actor evidence. In such cases use of remote sensing tools, techniques, and data are extremely important. Software-based imagery assessment can quantify radiometrically calibrated or Normalized Differ [...]

by Xiuhui Tang  , Daming Zhang  and Hua Chai

Received: 19 May 2021;  Published: 08 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2103032

In AC microgrid systems, technical issues resulting from the power control effect are the power control method efficiency and the filter resonance since voltage-frequency interference and filtering resonance may cause significant control input reduction and oscillation. A simple and robust solution is to regulate active power flow by adding an optimal passive damping resistor. The optimal LCL filter parameterization process in this paper provides an innovative approach to obtain the optimal quality factor and the o [...]

by Melissa M Howard  , Justin Phillips  , Stefan Henley  , Sarah E. Green  and Emily R. Rosario

Received: 01 November 2020;  Published: 07 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2103175

Anterior cervical osteophytes are common in the geriatric population. Dysphagia can occur in individuals suffering from these spinal abnormalities. Surgical intervention is an uncommon course of treatment for these patients, but is often utilized as a last resort with the hope of swallow recovery. The purpose of this article is to highlight a unique case study documenting the required treatment course for dysphagia associated with osteophytes and subsequent osteophytectomy. We review current literature of both cons [...]

by Shih-Ang Hsu

Received: 13 December 2020;  Published: 06 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2103031

In September 2020 Hurricane Sally affected the north central Gulf of Mexico. Making use of the anemometers data available at 4 oil rigs over the affected region, it is found that, when the atmospheric stability was near-neutral, the gust factor (G) decreases linearly with height from approximately 1.28 at 35m above the sea surface to 1.18 at 160 m. In other words, G decreases linearly at the rate around 8% per 100 m from the typical hub height to beyond common hub height. Based on the linear equation found in this [...]

by Bo-Cai Gao  and Rong-Rong Li

Received: 26 April 2021;  Published: 05 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2103017

Passive high spatial resolution hyperspectral and multispectral imaging systems in the solar spectral region from aircraft and satellite platforms are being increasingly used for remote sensing of coastal waters and inland lakes. However, the remotely sensed data are often contaminated by the specular reflection of solar radiation at the air/water interface. Thus, the effects of sunglint need to be corrected. The purpose of sunglint correction is to remove the undesired specular reflected portion of radiance that d [...]

by Jacqueline Lamond  and Charles L. Shapiro

Received: 07 December 2020;  Published: 05 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2103173

Breast cancer and osteoporosis are both diseases of aging. The "one in eight" lifetime risks of breast cancer occur primarily in the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth decades of life. One-third of postmenopausal women will experience an osteoporotic fracture. It is the coalescence of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and breast cancer treatments that, in some cases, increases the risks of osteoporotic fracture. That makes it imperative to assess risk factors, screen, and prevent or treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal w [...]