Browse Articles

Effects of jockey position and surfaces on horse movement asymmetry and horse-jockey synchronisation during trotting exercise

Racehorses and jockeys can incur injuries, not only during gallops, but also during routine trotting exercise to access gallop tracks or warm-up. Understanding how jockey position affects racehorse movement may influence safety, and this may vary across different surface conditions. This study used inertial sensing technology (XSens MTw sensors) and linear mixed models to quantify and determine the significance (p ≤ 0.05) of jockey riding position (‘rising’ versus ‘two-point seat’) and surface type (artificial, grass and tarmac) on: 1) time offsets between stance and flight phases; 2) horses’ vertical upper body movement asymmetry and 3) time lags (in % of stride time) between horse and jockey maximum and minimum vertical displacements. Six ex-racehorses were recruited on a convenience basis from the British Racing School and were ridden by one jockey. Surface type did not significantly influence timings between the stance and flight phases or horse asymmetry. Jockey riding position was linked to a 1.8% difference in stance phase offsets (p < 0.001) and 0.9% difference in flight phases (p = 0.015) for two-point seat versus rising trot. Jockey riding position also affected horse movement asymmetry at the poll across stance phases (weight bearing asymmetry, p = 0.005) and symmetry at the withers and sacrum across flight phases (push-off asymmetry, p < 0.001). In rising trot, the jockey reduced poll asymmetry around the seated stance phase, but increased withers and sacrum push-off asymmetries after the seated stance phase. Time-offsets between the horse and jockey minimum and maximum displacements around stance and flight phases, respectively, were also significantly affected by jockey riding position (all p < 0.001). As the jockey stood up in their stirrups at stance, in either the rising component of rising trot or in the two-point seat, their delay in following the horse’s movements increased by 2.8–4.5%, compared to when they were seated (p < 0.001). There was also an increased delay of the jockey by 0.6–0.8% around stance on tarmac compared to on the artificial surface (p ≤ 0.019). During flight phases, jockey displacement maximums were reached 5.5–7.0% and 9.3–11% after the horse following the seated stance in rising trot and during two-point seat, respectively, but jockey movements preceded horse movements around the post-standing flight phases by 4.9–7.3% in rising trot. In summary, jockey position had a greater impact on horse movement asymmetry and horse-jockey synchronisation than surface type. However, further work is required to relate study outcomes to injury risk.

Multi-omics and AI-driven immune subtyping to optimize neoantigen-based vaccines for colorectal cancer

The saturation effect of a body shape index on lumbar bone mineral density in US adults: Findings from a nationwide survey

Background Many studies have demonstrated that obesity is closely linked with bone metabolism. A body shape index (ABSI) is a newly developed obesity indicator, which provides superior reflection of central obesity compared to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Nevertheless, investigation of the association between ABSI and bone mineral density (BMD) remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between ABSI and lumbar BMD among US adults. Methods We analyzed data of adults aged 20 years and older from 2011–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weighted multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the linear relationship between ABSI and lumbar BMD. Weighted smooth curve fitting and two-segment linear model were applied to explore the nonlinear association. Subgroup analysis stratified by age, gender, race, and BMI was performed. Results A total of 10991 subjects was enrolled in the study. In the fully adjusted model, the ABSI was negatively related to lumbar BMD (β = −0.007, 95% CI: −0.009, −0.005). The adverse correlation remained significant across all subgroups among stratified analysis. The saturation effect between ABSI and lumbar BMD was identified, with the turning point at the ABSI value of 0.08. Similar nonlinear trends were also observed in participants aged <40 years, males, Non-Hispanic White, BMI < 25 kg/m2, and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Conclusion This study revealed a prominently negative correlation and saturation effect between ABSI and lumbar BMD in US adults. Our findings may provide valuable inspiration for further prevention and intervention of osteoporosis.

Digital literacy impacts quality of life among older adults through hierarchical mediating mechanisms

Study on interfacial shear characteristics and progressive failure model of geotextile bags

Geotextile bag dams withstand the earth pressure of tailings in tailings reservoir by the shear stress on interface of geotextile bags. To improve the interfacial friction characteristics, pull-out tests were conducted on geotextile bags filled with fine tailings slurry containing various cement content, and the influences of cement content on the interfacial shear characteristics were explored. To describe the progressive failure of the interface, the theoretical analysis of interface pull-out behavior was performed. The results revealed that adding content cement into fine tailings slurry not only augmented the shear strength and residual strength ratio of the interface but also postponed interface softening. The optimal amount of cement was 3%, and the apparent friction angle which played a dominant role in interface strength was increased 17.4%, compared with no cement used. The elastic-plastic model and trilinear softening model were respectively improved to conform to the interfacial shear characteristics obtained in pull-out tests under low normal stress (< 60 kPa) and high normal stress (≥60 kPa). The interface shear stiffness of geotextile bag with the interfacial displacement within 20 mm and the dynamic compression modulus along the drawing direction were regarded as significant model parameters. The comparative analysis of shear stress-displacement curves, which were obtained from model calculating and test measuring, was carried out to verify the reliability and rationality of the model. The evolution patterns of the plastic zone, softening zone and residual zone of the interface were analyzed based on the model, and the warning values for interface failure were proposed. The development degree of interfacial plastic zone, softening zone and residual zone can be approximately calculated by quadratic polynomial of normalized pull-out force. The research results of this paper will provide reliable theoretical support for the design, construction and operation management of geotextile bag dams.

Data-driven diabetes mellitus prediction and management: a comparative evaluation of decision tree classifier and artificial neural network models along with statistical analysis

Patients perceived challenges in seeking dental care in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Background Access to dental care services remains a global challenge, with millions encountering barriers that hinder their utilization, despite the recognized importance of oral health to overall well-being. The intricate relationship between oral health and general well-being highlights the severe impact of oral disorders on global economies and public health systems when access barriers exist. This study aimed to assess the perceived challenges in seeking dental care among patients at the Oral Health Directorate of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods This study employed a mixed methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research methods for 130 respondents. With the quantitative approach: it was a cross-sectional design where structured questionnaires were administered to participants and data was analyzed using SPSS IBM version 23. The qualitative approach on the other hand, utilized semi-structured interviews to explore participants’ experiences, perspectives, and challenges related to accessing dental care. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns within the responses. The study had a response rate of 94.89%. Results Most respondents were females (56.2%) and aged 25–34 (26.9%). Approximately 55.4% had encountered barriers, with cost and lack of appointment times being major concerns. Regarding challenges at the dental clinics, lengthy waits (63.2%) and dental anxiety (77.0%) were the most common concerns. Gender and marital status were the only demographic characteristics which were statistically significantly associated with quality of care sought. Gender had a p-value of 0.00, indicating strong evidence of an association, while marital status had a p-value of 0.055, suggesting moderate evidence of an association. Marital status and education were found to be statistically significantly associated with perceived treatment-seeking behaviours, with p-values of 0.012 and 0.009 respectively. Postponement of dental care results in deteriorating oral health, higher expenses, and emotional strain for patients. The study identified long wait times, unclear communication, and financial barriers as key challenges. Patients proposed solutions including streamlined appointments, jargon-free explanations, and more affordable care options to improve dental experiences and accessibility. Conclusions Over half of respondents faced obstacles like cost and limited appointment availability. Patients also encountered challenges during dental visits, such as anxiety and long wait times. Demographics like gender, marital status, and education were linked to treatment-seeking behavior, suggesting potential disparities in access and utilization. Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay between socio-demographic factors, perceived barriers, patient experiences, and suggestions for enhancing dental care accessibility and quality.

In situ epoxidation of hybrid waste cooking oil and oleic acid via peracid mechanism

A novel spectral analysis-based grading system for gastrointestinal activity

Intestinal sounds, primarily generated by the movement of digested gas and liquids during peristalsis, are acoustic signals that provide valuable insights into intestinal functioning. Traditionally, doctors have relied on stethoscopes to assess the degree of gastrointestinal activity. Recent advancements in computer-aided technologies and electronic stethoscopes have enhanced the understanding and analysis of these sounds. Studies utilizing advanced techniques like deep learning and convolutional neural networks have shown promise in analyzing bowel sounds. Nevertheless, the reliance on personal judgment and the need for large labeled datasets limit the broader applicability of these methods. This study introduces an innovative, unsupervised grading system to objectively evaluate gastrointestinal motility by analyzing bowel sounds through spectral feature analysis. This system offers a practical alternative to traditional listening techniques or complex models. It computes an activity score for digital audio using a cost-effective numerical grading method to assist doctors in quantifying gastrointestinal motility. The method’s reliability, validated by Spearman’s rank correlation, confirms its accuracy in assessing activity levels and highlights its potential as a reliable and practical tool for supporting objective medical assessments of bowel activity.

Regional and age related variations in hepatitis A virus incidence in China 2004 to 2018: a descriptive epidemiological study

Frequency of ventricular arrhythmias in apparently healthy, large breed dogs during seven-day Holter monitoring

Continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter) is commonly used to diagnose and manage various cardiac arrhythmias in dogs. Despite its widespread use, data on the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias and its day-to-day variability in healthy, large-breed dogs without known predisposition to cardiomyopathy remains limited. This study assessed the frequency, complexity, and spontaneous day-to-day variation of ventricular arrhythmias in clinically healthy, large-breed dogs using seven-day Holter monitoring. Thirty-one, apparently healthy dogs without any history of systemic illness and normal physical examination findings underwent continuous 7-day Holter monitoring. Two dogs were excluded due to the occurrence of significant systemic disease soon after enrolment. The results from 29 dogs showed that most dogs (86%) had fewer than twenty ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) per 24-hour period, with significant day-to-day variation (up to 93%) in 4 dogs with over twenty VPCs. Complex ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular couplets, triplets, and ventricular tachycardia, were rare. No correlation was found between age and VPC frequency (p = 0.409) in this population of predominantly older dogs. These findings suggest that large-breed dogs without a predisposition to cardiomyopathies exhibit low arrhythmia frequencies with significant day-to-day variation in some dogs.

Pivotal role of fibrous roots in drought tolerance of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and mitigation of oxidative stress by penconazole

Comparing migration of Whinchats Saxicola rubetra from the non-breeding grounds in Liberia and Nigeria: Differences due to geography but otherwise very similar

Migrant birds in the Afro-Palearctic region are declining, so understanding general migration characteristics, such as site use, connectivity, and phenology is crucial for their conservation. We tracked 64 whinchats Saxicola rubetra, a declining Palearctic-breeding passerine, from non-breeding sites in Nigeria and Liberia, to Europe and back, in multiple years. We predicted differences, resulting from the geographical location of the two non-breeding sites, in location of respective breeding areas (migratory connectivity), number of non-breeding and stopover sites, migration distance and duration, degree of loop migration and phenology. But we predicted similarities, resulting from optimising migration behaviour, in migration leg distance duration, and stopover duration. Liberian tagged birds bred mainly in central and northern Europe, with Nigerian birds mainly in eastern Europe. Migratory spread was large resulting in range overlap and low connectivity. About 25% of whinchats used more than one sub-Saharan non-breeding site, their location dependent on geographic availability. Liberian birds had longer migrations in distance and duration, and more stopovers, but only Nigerian birds showed a statistically significant difference in longitude comparing spring and autumn migrations (i.e., a clear loop migration). Nigerian birds departed later than Liberian birds, independent of breeding latitude or migration distance, although latitude determined arrival time for breeding. Spring migration leg distance and stopover duration, and all leg durations, were similar for both populations; but Nigerian birds had longer duration stopovers and shorter distance migration legs in autumn. Whinchats were shown to have varied migration routes and characteristics, with a variable pace of migration that allows them between 50 and 75% of daylight hours to rest and forage, but with major stopover duration possibly being affected by site quality. One whinchat moved from sub-Saharan non-breeding site to northern European breeding site in 7 days, and 8% of complete migration durations were 14 days or less. This suggests whinchats are well adapted to the current variable geography and so may have the capacity to adapt to potential climate change across Europe and West Africa, although average quality and availability of stopover sites may be contributing to declines.

Investigating the first case of permafrost degraded subsidence in Lahaul & Spiti region of Tethyan Himalayas

Incentives and constraints: An optimization mechanism for improving the performance of farmland protection entities

Farmland is the most crucial resource for food production, and implementing farmland protection is a long-term strategy to achieve the sustainable use of this vital resource. Farmland protection is not only a priority for policymakers but also requires the cooperation of management departments and policy implementation bodies. Within China’s “county-township-village” farmland protection organizational structure, the current pressing issue is how to align the performance of grassroots governments using an incentive-constraint system and guide village-level cooperation to effectively implement farmland protection. This paper establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model focused on the incentive-constraint system for farmland protection, analyzing the demands and preferences of stakeholders and examining the strategic choices under the influence of multiple factors, such as farmland protection benefits, collusion behavior, accountability, financial support, and incentive-constraint standards. The optimal strategy combination for the tripartite game is discussed. The study found the following: (1) Village collectives tend to adopt active farmland protection strategies regardless of whether township governments provide financial support. (2) The increase in administrative rewards and punishments weakens the concealment behavior of township governments, becoming more effective as the success rate of assessments increases. (3) In areas with a high success rate of assessments, administrative incentives effectively improve stakeholder behavior; in areas with a low success rate, a higher level of incentive and constraint combinations can improve multi-party cooperation. (4) Administrative incentives for township governments must not fall below the administrative costs of strict supervision. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimization strategy for coordinating stakeholders in farmland protection in China. It suggests that county governments should strictly implement supervision and assessment, prioritize the use of incentive mechanisms to enhance the transparency of township government supervision, and encourage village collectives to develop a self-consciousness and behavior conducive to farmland protection.

Microbiome analysis for artificially establishing the symbiotic relationship between Hebeloma hiemale and Quercus mongolica

Surgical mechanical properties of perfused decellularized massive bone allografts: An comparative in vivo test

Massive bone allograft decellularized by perfusion is a solution for large bone defect reconstructions. Perfusion-based decellularization offers a solution by removing cellular components while preserving the non-immunogenic matrix. This study evaluates the in vivo integration and mechanical properties of perfusion-decellularized bone grafts compared to “fresh-frozen” grafts, both before implantation and after explantation. Standardized porcine femoral grafts were categorized into non-irradiated, irradiated, and explanted groups, with half undergoing perfusion decellularization. Biomechanical tests, including screw pull-out test, compression, and 3-point bending test, were performed. Results indicate that while decellularization increases graft brittleness, Vickers indentation and compression tests showed no significant differences between groups. In our study, decellularization reduced the mechanical strength of allografts both before and after implantation. However, since the risk of rupture occurred only under mechanical loads exceeding the physiological range, perfusion-decellularized bone grafts remain a valid strategy for bone repair.

Eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Equisetum diffusum D. Don. with broad-spectrum antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant potentials

Abstract The present study reports, the eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Equisetum diffusum D. Don. extract, a medicinal plant known for its therapeutic properties. Phytochemicals present in the extract served as reducing and stabilizing agents for synthesizing stable AuNPs with an average size range of 68.8 nm. The biosynthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods, confirming their stability, morphology, and crystalline nature. The green synthesized ED@AuNPs exhibited promising biological activities, including broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones from 24 to 37 mm. The anticancer activity was assessed through an MTT assay against hepatic carcinoma (HePG2) cells, revealing dose-dependent cytotoxicity with maximum inhibition at 200 µg/mL (47.62%). Antidiabetic activity was demonstrated by starch hydrolysis and enzyme kinetics, with significant α-amylase inhibitory activity up to 70.85%, comparable to the standard drug Acarbose. Moreover, antioxidant activity was conformed through FRAP and DPPH assays, indicating strong free radical scavenging activity and reducing ability. The study demonstrates the potential of biosynthesized ED@AuNPs as multifunctional agents with applications in biomedicine, particularly in antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant therapies, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for nanoparticle synthesis.

Does LLM translation align with translation universals? A cross-genre simplification study on English-Chinese translation based on dependency grammar

This study examines the presence of simplification, a translation universal (TU), in English-to-Chinese translation by comparing the Mean Dependency Distance (MDD) and Mean Hierarchical Distance (MHD) of Crowdsourcing human translations, Large Language Model (LLM) translations, and original Chinese texts across fifteen genres. Through analysis of three balanced comparable corpora, the research found that: (i) Compared to original Chinese texts, both human-translated and LLM-translated Chinese texts demonstrated significant syntactic simplification across all genres. (ii) Human translations exhibited a more pronounced tendency toward syntactic simplification than LLM translations across all genres. These findings not only validate the simplification hypothesis at the syntactic level but also highlight the different cognitive and processing mechanisms underlying human and LLM translation processes. The research indicates that human translators possess an active ability to optimize complex syntax that current LLMs lack, providing valuable reference for future development of LLMs and methods for LLM-assisted translation. Additionally, by adopting MDD and MHD as holistic measures of syntactic complexity, this study offers new perspectives for TU research and provides empirical insights into the linguistic nature of crowdsourcing translations from an English-to-Chinese perspective.

A multi-scale cross-dimension interaction approach with adaptive dilated TCN for RUL prediction