by Prasanna N. de Silva

Received: 10 September 2020;  Published: 26 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004078

This study looked at secondary care utilization metrics as an effectiveness indicator of Clozapine initiation in 77 patients over the following year compared to the year prior to initiation. It was found that there was a marginal drop in psychiatric bed utilization, alongside reduced crisis team use. Medical and psychiatric outpatient use increased, as did physical health interventions. Overall, compared with costs over the year preceding Clozapine initiation, an estimated saving per patient of £3,867 (5,065) was a [...]

by Jared Tucker  and Victor Lai

Received: 28 June 2024;  Published: 17 December 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2404028

Many cells demonstrate variances in behavior due to their cell culture environment. To provide a mechanically-tunable, tissue-like environment, a 3D hydrogel for cell culture was formulated using collagen (Col) and hyaluronic acid (HA) to help provide a system for studying these dynamic cellular responses in a soft-tissue environment. A design of experiments was organized to study the effects of collagen concentration, HA fragment size, and Col: HA mass ratio on the hydrogel mechanical properties. Mechanical charac [...]

by Joana Sousa

Received: 09 December 2022;  Published: 16 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2301025

The present research was part of a cross-sectional project involving children aged 8 to 10 years in Porto, Portugal. The project involved a first research part at primary schools where the health tests and a questionnaire were performed and a second research part concerning environmental conditions. Two groups emerged from the health questionnaire answers: one group that reported “asthma diagnosed by a doctor” and/or “wheezing or whistling in the chest during last 12 months” and another that answered negatively to [...]

by Kimberly Bader  , James J. Lah  , Allan I. Levey  , Greg J. Esper  , Whitney Wharton  and Joe R. Nocera

Received: 27 December 2021;  Published: 08 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2203203

Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) have increased gait disturbances throughout disease progression. However, an understanding of gait impairment and progression in early versus late AD is lacking. Further, the longitudinal progression of gait impairment in AD as well as in those with MCI that transition to AD is lacking. Understanding gait pathology and progression of gait impairment is critical for implementation of strategies that could limit the high prevalence of gait [...]

by Hina Akram  , Shoaib Hussain  and Talib E. Butt

Received: 18 November 2022;  Published: 13 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2304049

Fusarium is the most common soil-borne pathogen that causes wilt in many plant crops, among which the tomato is one of the most susceptible crops. This experiment is conducted to analyse the impacts of inorganic carbon compounds i.e., calcium carbonate CaCO3, sodium carbonate Na2CO3 and potassium bicarbonate KHCO3 on the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) causing wilt in tomato plant in different culture media including Malt Extract Agar (MEA), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and V8. Three concentrati [...]

by Julia Henderson

Received: 05 November 2019;  Published: 17 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001101

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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 Deiby Bizerra  , João Nunes  , Chastryane Barros  , Raul Paixão  , Rosali Marques  , Francisco Simão Neto  , José Santos  , Rafael Melo  , Bruno Fernandes  and Maria Rios

Received: 29 March 2023;  Published: 09 August 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2303043

Carnauba straw (Copernicia prunifera), residual biomass derived from wax extraction, was evaluated as a potential feedstock for bioenergy production. The characterization was carried out using elemental analysis, proximate analysis, Higher Heating Value (HHV), FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and FRX. The carbonization, using a Muffle Furnace, was applied as a thermal conversion technique to improve the fixed carbon content, and preliminary densification was done to assess the potential for future production of briquettes. [...]

by Christopher Lavers

Received: 23 November 2022;  Published: 12 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2302036

This paper reviews the growing importance of satellite imagery to provide Normalized Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) maps, relevant to environmental land management assessment, in the context of resource and climate-related conflict based upon our own humanitarian project-related support. Near real-time space-based monitoring benefits land assessment, human rights observers, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), in the presence of unstable regimes or socio-economic upheaval. Access to areas to validate clai [...]

by Hawi Jihad Kedir  , Birhanu Zeleke Tilinti  and Kasahun Tsegaye Mekonnen

Received: 07 January 2025;  Published: 02 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2502013

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the largest vegetable crop produced and consumed in the world. Tomatoes are a top source of Vitamin A and C, contain more dietary fibre, beta-carotene, iron, lycopene, magnesium, niacin, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, and thiamine. Tomatoes have a limited shelf life in ambient conditions and are highly perishable. It creates glut during the production season and becomes scanty during the off-season. Short shelf life, coupled with inadequate processing facilities results in he [...]

by Kevin Bobeck  , Sarah Ordway  , Brett Sadowski  , Adam Tritsch  and Manish Singla

Received: 31 January 2019;  Published: 28 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.1902025

Diseases of the liver are commonly encountered in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). While the differential for IBD patients with elevated liver associated enzymes is broad, it is similar to that of the general population. This differential includes including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease in North America. When initial work-up for elevated liver associated enzymes is negative and patients have steatosis on ultrasound, we counsel IBD patients aggressively about [...]

by Carlos Armenta-Déu

Received: 21 April 2023;  Published: 04 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2303022

This paper studies and characterizes a solar collector with spherical geometry to produce hot water for sanitary and domestic applications and other facilities. The new geometry enlarges the solar collector surface and allows full sun tracking during the day without needing a solar tracking system. Although this geometry has been in use for some time, its market penetration is low due to the lack of perfect knowledge of solar collector behavior and the benefits compared with conventional solar collectors. The studi [...]

by Marcos Lacasa-Cazcarra

Received: 31 July 2024;  Published: 25 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/rpse.2501005

The main aim of this work is to analyze the impact of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) on wealth redistribution in Spain during the 2001-2021 period. This research addresses a fundamental question: Does increasing the minimum wage effectively reduce income inequality and contribute to a more equitable wealth distribution without negatively impacting overall economic growth and employment? Using a complete statistical census provided by the Spanish Tax Administration Agency, this study examines how the increase in th [...]

by Rukiye Öztekin  and Delia Teresa Sponza

Received: 27 August 2024;  Published: 17 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2404019

The aim of this study was to photodegrade the Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microplastics using Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/Zinc oxide/Carbon (ZIF-8/ZnO/C) nanocomposite generated under laboratory conditions. The produced nanocomposite was analysed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Photo Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectra (DRS) and Electron Spin R [...]

by A. Guillermo Bracamonte

Received: 26 May 2023;  Published: 04 August 2023;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2303030

This brief letter presents this Special Issue nominated as “Hybrid Graphene-based Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, Properties, and Applications”. This intends to show and discuss the main properties of Graphene and its derivatives; and how it could be synthesized, modified and tuned for Optics, Electro-Optics, Electronics, and Quantum characteristics. In this context, the synthesis and chemical modifications were highlighted for the design of Hybrid composites, platforms. In this context, it was afforded to [...]

by Tahere Mohammadpour  and Reza Mohammadzadeh

Received: 20 December 2023;  Published: 15 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2402227

Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder, affects more than 50 million individuals worldwide and is characterized by recurring seizures. Nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) found within coding regions of epilepsy-related genes are believed to have significant impacts on protein function. This is due to their tendency to cause mutations in the encoded amino acids, which can subsequently lead to pathogenic alterations in protein structure and function. Consequently, nsSNPs have the potential to [...]

by Ines Testoni  , Lavinia Tredici  , Gianmarco Biancalani  , Mihaela Bucuţă  , Maria Armezzani  and Hod Orkibi

Received: 16 August 2022;  Published: 30 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2204147

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted anti-violence centers for women. This study aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions affect: the assistance and protection functions of the anti-violence centers; the needs of women victims of violence; and the well-being of the professionals working with these women. Twenty-four Italian anti-violence centers were involved, and 29 women working there were interviewed. From the qualitative analysis of the texts, three main themes were identified regardi [...]

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 Linh Nguyen Thi Phuong  , Khoa Le Duc  , Khanh Do nam  , Hao Tran Thi  , Huong Dang Thi  , Giang Le Minh  and Van Hoang Thi Hai

Received: 11 October 2023;  Published: 30 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2304199

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a considerable burden on frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), thus increasing their vulnerability to developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our study aimed to examine the relationship between possible PTSD symptoms and resilience and identify associated factors with possible PTSD symptoms among Vietnamese frontline HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. We conducted a cross-sectional study across medical facilities at three administrative levels: provincial, district, [...]

by Haris Muhammad  , Muhammad Hammami  , Peng-sheng Ting  , Cem Simsek  , Behnam Saberi  and Ahmet Gurakar

Received: 02 February 2020;  Published: 24 April 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2002046

Liver transplantation has steadily increased worldwide resulting in a large number of patients on the waiting list. Due to the opioid epidemic in the US, the pool of Hepatitis C seropositive donors increased significantly in recent years. Direct acting antivirals played an instrumental role in making liver transplantation with hepatitis C positive allograft an acceptable option. Although hepatitis C positive liver transplantation to hepatitis C positive recipients is a common practice, there is limited data and agr [...]

by Gaëtan Collignon  , Aminata Bicego  , Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville  , Olivia Gosseries  , Vincent Bonhomme  , Dominique Dive  , Corine Sombrun  , Antoine Bioy  and Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse

Received: 14 August 2024;  Published: 05 March 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2501012

Auto-induced cognitive trance (AICT) is a method for voluntarily entering modified state of consciousness. The therapeutic implications of AICT are still unknown. Since complementary approaches based on modified states of consciousness are recognized to be beneficial for patients suffering from chronic pain (e.g., hypnosis, meditation), we here present the first case report of a 68-year-old man with a long history of chronic pain linked to an open Spina Bifida L4-L5, who used AICT to improve his health condition. S [...]

by Recent Progress in Materials Editorial Office

Received: 05 January 2022;  Published: 06 January 2022;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2201001

The editors of Recent Progress in Materials would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2021. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificate of re [...]

by Mario Muselli  , Loreta Tobia  , Eleonora Cimino  , Carlo Confalone  , Martina Mancinelli  , Leila Fabiani  , Stefano Necozione  and Vincenza Cofini

Received: 30 March 2024;  Published: 06 August 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2403237

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges globally, impacting various aspects of daily life, including education. This study examines the effects of the pandemic on stress levels and substance use among Italian medical students. Two independent surveys were conducted: 388 medical students were interviewed before the epidemic, and 222 medical students a year after the COVID-19 epidemic began. Results revealed significant changes in stress levels, with a reduction in mild stress and an increase in sev [...]

by Shih-Ang Hsu

Received: 12 March 2023;  Published: 20 June 2023;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2302037

For wind-wave interaction studies, from the literature, two criteria for the wind sea are used: one is the wave age and the other wave steepness. Analysis of pertinent datasets from a data buoy near the passage of Hurricane Matthew in 2016 indicates that CpU10 = -15 HsLp + 1.3. Here CpU10 is the wave age and HsLp is the wave steepness, where Cp is the phase speed of the peak wave, U10 is the wind speed at 10 m, Hs is the significant wave height, and Lp is the peak or dominant wave length. It is found that 87% of th [...]

by Giulio E. Lancioni  , Nirbhay N. Singh  , Mark F. O'Reilly  , Jeff Sigafoos  , Gloria Alberti  and Marta Olivetti Belardinelli

Received: 09 September 2023;  Published: 15 December 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2304202

The paper presents an overview of recent studies assessing technology-aided strategies aimed at helping people with intellectual and multiple disabilities reach relevant rehabilitation goals. The 16 studies included in the paper addressed four specific rehabilitation goals, that is, (a) performance of functional activities, (b) access to leisure and communication and performance of functional activities, (c) increase of adaptive responses and decrease of problem behavior or inadequate posture, and (d) increase of a [...]