by Em V. Adams  , Marieke Van Puymbroeck  , Brandi M. Crowe  , Cynthia L. S. Pury  and Arlene A. Schmid

Received: 19 August 2020;  Published: 20 October 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004135

Residents of assisted living facilities face leisure constraints (barriers to leisure activities) at higher rates than their community-dwelling peers. Past research suggests yoga may be an effective intervention to decrease leisure constraints to physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an eight-week yoga intervention on the leisure constraints of residents of assisted living facilities. The study employed a convergent mixed methods design to assess the impact of a 50-mi [...]

by Steven Hespeler  and Donovan Fuqua

Received: 31 July 2020;  Published: 12 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2101003

This investigation presents a data-driven Long-short Term Memory battery model for predicting State of Charge for lithium-ion batteries LiFePO4 for next-generation vehicle operations. Our modified algorithm builds and updates a model using multivariate inputs that include physical properties, voltage, current, and ambient temperature during operations. The primary research goal is to improve prediction performance on future values from multiple training examples using an online learning scheme. Initial results demo [...]

by Junmo Moon  , Satita Thiangtham  , Ruijie Zheng  , Sicheng Liu  , Chayanaphat Chokradjaroen  , Yasuyuki Sawada  and Nagahiro Saito

Received: 04 December 2022;  Published: 20 February 2023;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2301010

Crystalline lithium fluoride (LiF) has been intensively pursued as potential alternative solid electrolytes (SEs) owing to its excellent chemical and electrochemical oxidation stability, and good deformability. However, due to its low ion conductivity, LiF is still challenging for practical SE applications. Herein, Li-Zr-F composite-based SE by liquid-mediated synthesis is proposed to be studied. methanol (CH3OH) was mainly evaluated as a liquid-mediated precursor for synthesizing Li-Zr-F composites under the stoic [...]

by Alex T. Von Schulze  , Marie van der Merwe  , Chad D. Touchberry  and Richard J. Bloomer

Received: 03 August 2021;  Published: 15 October 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2104001

Poor dietary habits can lead to obesity and insulin resistance—both of which can impair basal heat shock protein (HSP) expression and the HSP stress response in skeletal muscle. It remains unclear if impairments in HSP expression occur during the early stages of diet-induced obesity and metabolic dysfunction. We determined if basal HSP expression (HSP70, HSP60, HSP25) was impaired in sedentary or exercised rats following the onset of diet-induced obesity. Male Long-Evans rats (N=6-7/group) were assigned to a [...]

by Jasmine French  , Richard J. Brown  and Tobyn Bell

Received: 25 August 2023;  Published: 11 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304041

Soothing-rhythm breathing (SRB) is a core component of compassion focused therapy (CFT). While integral to CFT, research has yet to explore personal experiences of SRB. This study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals with depression who had practiced SRB in NHS primary care services. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse data from individual semi-structured interviews. Three experiential themes were identified: ‘mind-body connection and bodily needs’, ‘a new relationship with [...]

by Em V. Adams  , Marieke Van Puymbroeck  , Brent L. Hawkins  and Arlene A. Schmid

Received: 19 August 2020;  Published: 22 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004144

Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the perceived impacts of a therapeutic yoga intervention for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and examined the beneficial components of the intervention. Eighteen individuals with PD who completed an eight-week yoga intervention participated in focus groups to determine the general effects, transference of effects, and psychosocial impact of the intervention. Additionally, programmatic aspects of the intervention were explored. A conventional content analy [...]

by Elena Crooks  and Kimberly Cleary

Received: 14 September 2019;  Published: 25 October 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1904082

Background: Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization and death among older adults; therefore, the ability to predict fall risk among older adults is critical. Several performance-based outcome measures exist to assess fall risk. Psychological factors are also associated with fall risk yet can be difficult to assess and are often overlooked. In this study, we investigated whether the Short Form 36 Item Health Survey (SF-36v2®), a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL), predicted future falls in [...]

by Maathar Al Qasimi  , Dhafer Manna Al Zulayqa  and Mostafa Seifan

Received: 29 July 2020;  Published: 23 October 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2004022

Additive manufacturing is a recent revolution in the construction field since cementitious materials became printable. This extrusion technique has enabled the construction of very complex geometry with a reduction in costs, time and labour interventions. This study aims to evaluate the possibility of reinforcing 3D printable cementitious composites with the use of nano and micro materials, particularly nano silica, micro silica and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) which are known for their ability to enhance the f [...]

by Carly M. Darden  , Srividya Vasu  , Kenjiro Kumano  , Bashoo Naziruddin  and Michael C. Lawrence

Received: 21 November 2018;  Published: 29 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901043

Islet transplantation is a minimally invasive cell based replacement therapy to prevent or reverse diabetes or hypoglycemia through natural hormonal responses to regulate blood glucose. However, extending the islet graft functional lifespan remains a challenge that prevents long-term success and widespread use of the procedure. Islets are subject to stress and damage and undergo immunological assault during transplantation procedures. Current treatments to prevent immune reactivity toward the graft come with toxic [...]

by Donatella Ciarmoli  and Fabrizio Stasolla

Received: 04 September 2022;  Published: 13 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2301163

Neurodevelopmental disorders represent a cluster of conditions first diagnosed during childhood or adolescence (i.e., including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, motor deficits, and communication deficits). The main characteristic of neurodevelopmental disorders is the presence of a deficit or a delay in the acquisition of skills that may affect different areas of evolution (e.g., cognitive, affective, and motor). These clinical conditions make the child or adolescent passive, isolated, and unable [...]

by Xi Chen  and Jianhua Xuan

Received: 19 October 2019;  Published: 07 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2002107

The analysis of gene networks and signalling pathways plays a key role in understanding gene functions, i.e., their effects on the development of a particular disease. Yet, for many heterogeneous diseases, the number of known disease-associated genes is limited. Identifying disease-associated genes is still an open challenge. To understand the functions of genes associated with a disease, we develop a Metropolis-Hastings sampling based SIGnificant NETwork (MSIGNET) identification approach. MSIGNET integrates diseas [...]

by Mohammad Jafari  and Zahra Malekjamshidi

Received: 13 June 2020;  Published: 05 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2003014

In this paper, a topology of a residential hybrid renewable energy system based on a high-frequency multi-winding transformer is introduced and analyzed. The system includes a PV and a wind-turbine as renewable energy sources, a battery as energy storage and their energies are integrated through a high-frequency transformer. In fact, the transformer integrates the energies in a magnetic form and also isolates the system inputs and outputs. The integrated output from renewables and battery is a DC high-voltage and i [...]

by Ugo Testa  , Germana Castelli  and Elvira Pelosi

Received: 27 May 2020;  Published: 06 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2003114

Cancer is characterized by sequential and progressive genetic and epigenetic alterations in key proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which ultimately lead to tumor development. Advances in the technology of analysis of molecular mechanisms have increased the efficiency of clinical management of cancer patients. Recent years have witnessed a progressive development in technologies that enable the detection of specific molecular abnormalities associated with various types of solid tumors in body fluids, a proc [...]

by Nadia A. Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed

Received: 19 September 2023;  Published: 04 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2401205

Entrepreneurial intention plays a pivotal role within entrepreneurship ecosystems, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and innovation by inspiring individuals to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career pursuit. The present research delves into the intricate dynamics between stress, entrepreneurial intention, personal income, and physical health within Egypt's entrepreneurial landscape. Grounded in a quantitative analysis of 286 valid samples and utilizing SmartPLS 4, this study unveils compelling insights. [...]

by Barbara L. Fischer  , Allison J. Midden  , Aundrea Hoffmann  , Deborah Urben  , Lynn DeWitt  , Kathryne Kohlman  , Katherine Sherman  , Shannon Myers  , Lindy Clemson  and Jane E. Mahoney

Received: 14 September 2020;  Published: 08 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101151

Cognitive impairment significantly increases the risk of accidental falls in older adults, and falls outcomes are more severe in this population. However, few interventions exist to reduce falls among individuals with cognitive impairment. To address this gap, we developed Stepping Out, by modifying the evidenced-based falls prevention program, Stepping On, tailoring it to meet the cognitive needs of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who are at risk for falls. Our objectives were to determine whether [...]

by Christine Demanche  , Jacques Guillot  and Magali Chabé

Received: 22 February 2019;  Published: 15 May 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.1902078

Pneumocystis spp. are a group of fungi that are known for causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. It was only at the end of the 20th century that the scientific community challenged the notion of a unique species in the genus Pneumocystis (i.e., Pneumocystis carinii) that drastically changed the understanding of the natural history of pneumocystosis. It is now accepted that the Pneumocystis genus comprises a group of heterogenous fungi having multiple stenoxenic biological entities. These [...]

by Spiros Koutandos

Received: 21 October 2023;  Published: 07 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2401005

In this paper, we continue our previous work by discussing the consequences of curvature in spacetime caused by the presence of mass and the implications of this. We address the question raised by Dirac regarding the impact of a magnetic monopole on the quantum world. We discuss quantization concerning the solid angles observed, which may have a connection with a magnetic monopole.

by Waqar Husain  , Farrukh Ijaz  , Muhammad Ahmad Husain  , Marwa Zulfiqar  and Javeria Khalique

Received: 20 December 2023;  Published: 23 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401011

The assessment of mental health and mental disorders has undergone extensive exploration within the field of psychology, resulting in various models and approaches. In addition to traditional ways like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, psychologists have proposed alternative perspectives for evaluating mental health. One such innovative approach is the psychosocial health model, which defines mental well-being as sexual, emotional, social, environmental, cognitive, religious, moral, and spi [...]

by Nuria Arias-Ramos  , Jesús Pacheco-Torres  and Pilar López-Larrubia

Received: 11 November 2018;  Published: 30 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1901020

Background: Despite important advances in multimodal therapeutic options, glioblastoma (GBM), the most frequent and aggressive form of all astrocytomas, remains with a median overall survival period of 15 months. A direct correlation between GBM hypoxia and higher aggressiveness, poor prognosis and greater resistance to different treatments has been established. However, because of intratumoral and interindividual heterogeneity, it has not been possible to assess accurately the hypoxia degree from physiopathologica [...]

by Francesco Sciancalepore  , Giulia Remoli  , Leonardo Tariciotti  , Giulia Sarti  , Federica Trentin  , Gabriele Riccardi  , Eleonora Lacorte  , Massimo Corbo  , Marco Canevelli  , Nicola Vanacore  and Paola Piscopo

Received: 05 February 2021;  Published: 19 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102097

Deep-Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an important treatment option for the management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is a common symptomatic treatment. However, an increasing number of studies have examined the biological processes to assess if DBS can also modify the natural history of PD by acting on its pathophysiological mechanisms. Relevant literature published up to November 2020 was systematically searched on databases such as PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Academic Search Index, and Science Citation Index. The f [...]

by Berta Monleón López  , Valentina Della Torre  , Federico Bilotta  and Rafael Badenes

Received: 11 June 2019;  Published: 22 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1903037

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to describe recent evidence regarding the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) as rescue therapy for refractory cardiac or respiratory failure in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) when conventional treatments have failed. The characteristics of these patients, including the risk of bleeding and developing malignant intracranial hypertension, are generally considered as relative contraindications to ECMO treatment; however, recent evidence sugges [...]

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 Fathi M. Layas  , Vail Karakale  and Ramadan E. Suleiman

Received: 28 April 2023;  Published: 27 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2303029

In recent years, regional wars and terror activities have caused blast-loading effects on reinforced concrete buildings, resulting in catastrophic human and material damage. When a building is exposed to a blast load, a very high air pressure affects the building within a very short duration. To decide on the reconstruction or retrofit of a building exposed to blast loading, the behavior of the building under blast loading should be investigated. In this paper a case study of a RC building exposed to blast loading [...]

by Oghenerume Lucky Emakpor  , Great Iruoghene Edo  , Emad Yousif  , Princess Oghenekeno Samuel  , Agatha Ngukuran Jikah  , Khalid Zainulabdeen  , Athraa Abdulameer Mohammed  , Winifred Ndudi  , Susan Chinedu Nwachukwu  , Ufuoma Ugbune  , Joy Johnson Agbo  , Irene Ebosereme Ainyanbhor  , Huzaifa Umar  , Helen Avuokerie Ekokotu  , Ephraim Evi Alex Oghroro  , Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie  , Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo  , Lauretta Dohwodakpo Ekpekpo  , Priscillia Nkem Onyibe  , Ufuoma Augustina Igbukuc  , Endurance Fegor Isojec  and Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghahk

Received: 28 December 2023;  Published: 28 June 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2402038

The optimal enhancement of athletic performance, recovery from exhaustion after exercise, and injury prevention are products of appropriate nutrition. Nutritional supplements that contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are frequently utilized in various sports to complement the recommended daily amounts. Several of these supplements have been identified to have physiological effects and, thus, are known to help enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries. Our review intends to show the interp [...]

by Sunil Daga  , Adarsh Babu  , Natasha Khovanova  and Robert Higgins

Received: 11 May 2021;  Published: 17 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103151

Antibodies against donor HLA determine access to solid organ transplantation and in many cases the outcome of transplantation, but graft failure is not an inevitable consequence of their presence. Much research has been performed with two main aims – which antibodies represent the highest risk factor prior to transplantation, and second to understand how donor specific HLA antibodies behave after transplantation, with a long-term aim of being able to manipulate their production. HLA antibody incompatible kidney tra [...]