by Ji-Jie Pang  and Samuel M. Wu

Received: 24 November 2020;  Published: 21 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102098

We studied how GC death in glaucoma related to the intraocular pressure (IOP), eyeball volume (VS) and elasticity (volumetric KS and tensile ES), and eyeball volume-pressure relation. Glaucomatous GC loss was studied in DBA/2J (D2) mice with wild-type mice as controls. GCs were retrogradely identified and observed with a confocal microscope. The elasticity calculation was also done on published data from patients treated by a gas bubble injection in the vitreous cavity. The GC population in D2 mice (1.5- to 14-mont [...]

by Daniel Navon  and Gareth Thomas

Received: 15 July 2021;  Published: 09 October 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2104140

In this article, we discuss the radical uncertainties unleashed by expanded prenatal genetics. We show how we are now routinely screening fetuses in the absence of two essential sorts of information. At the population level, we do not have sound, unbiased data about the prevalence, penetrance, and clinical variability of most mutations. At the level of the proband, it is often too soon to discern relevant information about the fetus’ phenotype. First, we outline the longstanding ethical objections to newborn screen [...]

by Meira Erel  , Esther-Lee Marcus  and Freda DeKeyser-Ganz

Received: 11 November 2020;  Published: 01 March 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101159

Decision-making by medical and health care staff forms the core of professional practice. Thought processes, including non-clinical considerations, significantly impact how clinical decisions are made. Such considerations become more relevant when addressing end-of-life care decisions for patients with advanced dementia (PAD). Though palliative care is recommended for this population, its implementation tends to vary. Given the medical staff’s significant influence in guiding clinical decisions, we examined thought [...]

by Emily Roberts  , Greg Clare  , Mahendran Balasubramanian  and Quinn Button

Received: 19 July 2022;  Published: 27 December 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2304264

The global population of adults 65 years of age and older will increase dramatically over the next several decades, presenting economic and social challenges requiring sustainable solutions. Aging is a process in which everyone is already involved, it is a lifelong experience not just a later life occurrence. Changing world demographics illustrate that people are living longer, among the world’s young people, survival to age 80 is expected to be commonplace. This new found “longevity dividend” needs to be maximized [...]

by Verena Hofmann  , Céline Pagnotta  , Noémie Lacombe  and Myriam Squillaci

Received: 30 March 2023;  Published: 10 August 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2303033

Burnout is a syndrome commonly characterized by the three dimensions of Maslach and Leiter's model, namely emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of professional accomplishment. While burnout affects individuals in all professions, teachers are recognized as being at particular risk, a fact explained in the literature by the high level of relational demands inherent to the profession. During the pandemic and subsequently, these demands have even increased. Several studies have focused on the influence of [...]

by Akash Dakhane  and Narayanan Neithalath

Received: 03 February 2022;  Published: 08 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2202006

The influence of different levels of alkalinity, expressed using M2O-to-binder ratio (n) and activator SiO2-to-M2O ratio (Ms), (M being the Na+ or K+ cation) on the reaction kinetics, compressive strength development and the reaction product formation in slag-based systems activated using alkali powders are discussed. The fundamental idea is to better understand one-part, “just-add-water” type alkali activated binders that are easy-to-use than the systems that rely on liquid activators. The difference in the behavi [...]

by Barbara Schmidt  , Teresa Deffner  and Jenny Rosendahl

Received: 11 December 2019;  Published: 28 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2002025

Patients in the intensive care unit are confronted with an extreme situation that may cause stress and anxiety. The negative experiences may cause patients to suffer for the long-term after leaving the intensive care unit. One such stressor in the intensive care unit is non-invasive ventilation. Positive therapeutic suggestions under hypnosis can help patients in intensive care to enhance their well-being by helping them to deal with specific stress like being ventilated. The aim of our study is to assess the effec [...]

by Clint Sutherland  and Beverly S. Chittoo

Received: 29 July 2024;  Published: 28 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2404024

Global efforts to develop low-cost solutions for the treatment of contaminants in wastewater continue unabated. The conversion of eggshells, a waste material, into a high-value product can be economical and environmentally sustainable. The recent developments in applying eggshells towards the biosorption of contaminants are presented. Eggshells effectively remove pollutants such as metal cations, metal anions, and reactive, basic, and direct dyes. Promising advances in modifying eggshells, elucidating the critical [...]

by Jesse Tanko Zarmai  , Isaac Ibitoye Alabi  , Ebimene Ezekiel Ebisine  , Musa Tanko Zarmai  and Ovis D. Irefu

Received: 26 September 2023;  Published: 03 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2402010

Inadequate electricity supply is a global challenge that needs solutions. This situation has compelled the purchasing of fossil fuel-generating units for use in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors to generate electricity. However, using fossil fuel generating units cause greenhouse gas emissions, bringing about environmental pollution and ultimately resulting in climate change. In particular, educational institutions require adequate and reliable power supply to ensure proper learning and teaching, whic [...]

by Maxwell Blazon  , Brianna LaCarubba  , Alexandra Bunda  , Natalie Czepiel  , Shayna Mallat  , Laura Londrigan  and Arturo Andrade

Received: 13 September 2020;  Published: 12 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101083

N-type (Cav2.2) calcium channels are key for action potential-evoked transmitter release in the peripheral and central nervous system. Previous studies have highlighted the functional relevance of N-type calcium channels at both the peripheral and central level. In the periphery, N-type calcium channels regulate nociceptive and sympathetic responses. At the central level, N-type calcium channels have been linked to aggression, hyperlocomotion, and anxiety. Among the areas of the brain that are involved in anxiety a [...]

by Zhen Liu  , Li Yang  , Abhishek Lahiri  , James F Rohan  and Frank Endres

Received: 26 December 2021;  Published: 27 March 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2201010

Herein, we report the coating of nanostructured germanium using a polypyrrole (PPy) polymer coat as a composite anode material for the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries. The Ge/PPy composites were synthesized following the direct electrochemical deposition method in an ionic liquid (IL). The results revealed that the coating of PPy on Ge helped realize stable battery cycling and reversible capacities, which were not observed in uncoated Ge. The PPy layers could effectively inhibit side reactions between the elec [...]

by Andrew Williams  and Murray Thomson

Received: 09 November 2022;  Published: 09 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2301003

This paper examines the economic case for the UK to proceed urgently with the installation of thermal insulation and heat pumps in most UK buildings, in the context of the legal requirement to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. A recent study by the same authors assumed that such insulation and heat pumps would be in place, and showed how the whole of the UK’s energy demand could be met by low carbon electricity generation and appropriate storage. This paper extends the modelling to consider the risk that i [...]

by Fabien Drault  , Youssef Snoussi  , Camila P. Palombo Ferraz  , Joelle Thuriot-Roukos  , Svetlana Heyte  , Ivaldo Itabaiana Junior  , Maya Marinova  , Sebastien Paul  and Robert Wojcieszak

Received: 25 October 2021;  Published: 13 January 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2201001

Regardless of their size, supported gold nanoparticles are largely used for liquid-phase oxidation reactions. Small gold nanoparticles exhibit good performance during the reduction of organic compounds. The direct reduction of carboxylic acid to aldehyde is a famous and familiar reaction in the field of organic chemistry and is considered as one of the fundamental chemical transformations. Herein, we present Au/hydrotalcite, Au/MgO, and Au/Al2O3 systems as heterogeneous versatile catalysts to realize the oxidation [...]

by Luiz Felipe da M. Rocha  , Leonardo C. Ferreira  , Maria de Fatima V. Marques  , Rodrigo S. Bitzer  and Marco Antônio Chaer Nascimento

Received: 18 May 2022;  Published: 06 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2203020

We synthesized and spectroscopically characterized a new heterotrimetallic {Ti2Ni} ethylene (co)polymerization precatalyst containing one (α-diimine)NiBr2 and two (phenoxy-imine)TiCl4 scaffolds. Its calculated structure was investigated at the DFT B3LYP/LACVP** level. Our calculations showed that the titanium(IV) centers were in a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal environment, and the average Ti···Ni distance was 8.76 Å. The precatalyst was used for synthesizing polyethylene a [...]

by Mariella Di Stefano  , Sonia Baccetti  , Elio Rossi  , Maria Valeria Monechi  , Barbara Cucca  , Sergio Segantini  , Elisabetta Barbara Cortesi  , Fabio Voller  , Eleonora Fanti  , Alice Berti  and Stefano Bravi

Received: 27 September 2018;  Published: 28 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902029

Background: According to the international literature, users of Complementary Medicine (CM), Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) are physically more active, less overweight and have healthier lifestyles than the average Tuscan population. Aim: To evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyles of patients of CM public clinics in the region of Tuscany and to define their profiles in terms of physical exercise, smoking habits, diet, intake of alc [...]

by Simon Calles  , Paul Heitjans  and Alexander Börger

Received: 09 November 2021;  Published: 18 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2202015

Prismatic PHEV2 form-factor lithium-ion cells with a nominal capacity of 25 Ah (as used for automotive applications) have been studied with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The data was evaluated using electrical equivalent circuits. Mathematical modeling, system identification, and the determination of model parameters of the lithium-ion cell were also carried out. While a study of the influence of temperature and state-of-charge (SOC) performed using pristine lithium-ion cells showed a nonlinear rela [...]

by Sarah Long  , Roanna Lobo  , Peter O'Leary  and Jan E. Dickinson

Received: 07 September 2021;  Published: 03 November 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2104142

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for a panel of 25 single gene disorders became available in Western Australia in 2020 and potentially may be able to test for panels of hundreds of disorders as is the case with reproductive carrier screening. How this information would be used by parents in a population screening model is unknown. We used a phenomenological approach to explore retrospectively whether mothers of children with single gene or chromosomal disorders would have wanted to know about their child’ [...]

by Anjali Singh  , Kashish Ujla  and Smriti Shrivastava

Received: 25 January 2025;  Published: 19 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2502004

Lignocelluloses are complex plant polysaccharides made of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, and products made from these components find immense market potential. They can be effectively valorized to products related to bioenergy, bioplastics, food and nutrition, medication delivery systems, and other elements. Significant sources of lignocellulosic biomass include sugarcane bagasse, corn cob, rice straw, potato haulms, cocoa pods, etc. Enzyme-based valorization processes find immense potential, as they are eco [...]

by Jessie Poquérusse  and Bryan W. Luikart

Received: 10 April 2017;  Published: 24 April 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1702004

Large-scale genetic sequencing studies have identified a wealth of genes in which mutations are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the biological function of these genes sheds light onto the neurodevelopmental basis of ASD. To this end, we defined functional categories representing brain development – (1) Cell Division and Survival, (2) Cell Migration and Differentiation, (3) Neuronal Morphological Elaboration, (4) Development and Regulation of Cellular Excitability, and (5) Synapse Forma [...]

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 [...]

by Jamylle Yanka Cruz Ribeiro  , Ronaldo Santos da Silva  , Giancarlo Richard Salazar-Banda  and Katlin Ivon Barrios Eguiluz

Received: 06 September 2022;  Published: 19 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2301005

This paper describes the synthesis of Pd0.70-Nix-By nanoparticles (x:y = 0.30:0, 0:0.30, 0.25:0.05, 0.20:0.10, 0.15:0.15, and 0.10:0.20) supported on carbon Vulcan XC-72 R by the chemical reduction method using ethylene glycol as a reducing agent for the study of the electrochemical oxidation of ethanol in alkaline media. Neither surfactants nor templates were used during the syntheses. The catalysts were physically characterized by transmission electron microscopy that showed the formation of nanoparticles with di [...]

by David J Tansey  and Carel W Le Roux

Received: 12 October 2020;  Published: 17 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2102017

Oesophageal cancer is the ninth most common cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide [1]. Over the past number of years, due to earlier diagnosis and better treatment, we are seeing improvements in the survival rates of oesophageal cancer, with more patients living longer post-esophagectomy surgery. Unintentional weight loss is a common unintended feature seen in patients post-esophagectomy done with curative intent. Many recent studies have demonstrated the links between the pathophysiolog [...]

by Marta Evelia Aparicio-García  and Roberto Andrés Lasso Báez

Received: 06 November 2023;  Published: 27 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2401271

Older trans people have been largely unaddressed both in the context of the LGBTIQ+ community and in studies on geriatrics and aging. This literature review compiles up-to-date information on transgender elders, providing a summary of the Spanish historical context in which trans people have been raised, and analyzes the areas in which to center possible courses of action and research on a global scale. The themes tackled are the presence of victimization and violence; the effects of medical transition, taking into [...]

by Masoume M. Raeissi  and Rob Knapen

Received: 07 April 2025;  Published: 12 August 2025;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2503028

Environmental science addresses critical global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability. These complex topics generate a vast amount of both structured and unstructured data, from remote sensing output to policy documents, guidelines, and scientific literature. Effectively processing and utilizing this information is essential for advancing research and supporting decision-making. Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown remarkable capabilities in natural language understanding an [...]

by Max F. Platzer  and Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn

Received: 28 January 2020;  Published: 29 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2002005

The current status of a project is described which aims to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of converting the vast wind energy available over the globe’s oceans and lakes into storable energy. To this end, autonomous high-performance sailing ships are equipped with hydrokinetic turbines whose output is stored either in electric batteries or is fed into electrolysers to produce hydrogen which then is compressed and stored in tanks. In the present paper, the previous analytical studies which showed [...]