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Study on mining deformation and fracture response mechanism and rock pressure law of super thick composite key roof
Prevalence of environmental tobacco smoke by industry in central America: findings from the II central American survey of working conditions and health
Slow onset of self-sustained oscillations in a fluctuating sideband-driven electromechanical resonator
The first using developed clean environment index for assessment of the environment pollution caused by littering behavior
Jumping performance and muscle–tendon characteristics of Maasai men of East Africa
Abstract The male Maasai of East Africa perform a ritual of repetitive jumping ceremonies and are known anecdotally for outstanding jumping performance. The aim of the present study was to assess vertical jumping ability and anatomical/biomechanical characteristics of Maasai jumpers. Twenty-two Maasai men performed maximal vertical countermovement jumps (CMJ), and repetitive jumps (RJ) on an instrumented force plate. Twelve age-matched Norwegian men served as controls (CON). Anthropometrics, kinematic/kinetic and electromyographic data were recorded during jumping. Resting and dynamic plantarflexor muscle architecture and Achilles tendon stiffness were measured using ultrasonography. Maximal jump height (CMJ and RJ) was similar between groups, however the Maasai jumped faster, with less vertical displacement, and greater ground-reaction peak forces and power in CMJ. In contrast, greater vertical displacement in RJ was seen for the Maasai compared to CON. The Maasai demonstrated longer relative leg length, and tendon structures, but lower fascicle pennation angles, shorter fascicle lengths and more compliant tendons. Although maximal jump height was similar, jump kinetics and kinematics differed between groups, which may relate to jumping tradition or to anthropometrical and/or muscle–tendon morphological/mechanical characteristics. Overall, the observed muscle–tendon characteristics of the Maasai may favor economy of movement during walking and perhaps during RJ.
Personalized medication recommendations for Parkinson’s disease patients using gated recurrent units and SHAP interpretability
Large-scale assessment of the impacts of invasive wild pigs on water quality in freshwater streams
Prevalence of common autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions in pregnant women in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study
Abstract The prevalence of recessive disorder carriers among Vietnamese women is still indistinct. This study aims to assess the prevalence of carriers for common autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions among Vietnamese pregnant women and to identify common mutations within these genes. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 8,464 Vietnamese pregnant women with indications for carrier screening tests for recessive disorders from November 2022 to August 2023 at the Institute of DNA Technology and Genetic Analysis. The survey includes demographic information, and the genetic screening was conducted using next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, focusing on 13 specific recessive conditions. 8,464 Vietnamese pregnant women’s records were involved in this study. 1,928 of them carried at least one genetic recessive condition, representing the frequency of a recessive disorder was 22.8%. The highest recessive disorders rate among pregnant women was found for the G6PD gene mutation (G6PD deficiency) at a rate of about 1 in 20 individuals, followed by the HBA1 and HBA2 gene mutations (Alpha Thalassemia) at a rate of about 1 in 25. Other common recessive carrier genes included SRD5A2 (5-alpha reductase deficiency) at a rate of about 1 in 27, HBB (Beta Thalassemia) at a rate of about 1 in 28, ATP7B (Wilson’s disease) at a rate of about 1 in 40, PAH (Phenylketonuria) at a rate of about 1 in 40, and SLC25A13 (Citrin deficiency) at a rate of about 1 in 45. The prevalence of recessive carriers among Vietnamese pregnant women is high, and at least 1 in 5 pregnant women carries one recessive gene. It is essential to encourage Vietnamese pregnant women to conduct recessive carrier screening tests to reduce mortality rates among children and to implement effective pregnancy planning and childbirth.
Discovery of a novel genogroup feline calicivirus through molecular evolution in group-housed cats in China
Efficient in vitro regeneration and overcoming premature senescence of Chenopodium quinoa willd
Using extreme gradient boosting for predictive urban expansion analysis in Rustenburg, South Africa from 2000 to 2030
Abstract Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has experienced significant urban population growth, with major cities undergoing particularly rapid expansion. Understanding spatial urban expansion in developing cities, such as Rustenburg, is essential for sustainable infrastructure planning, environmental management, and service provision. This study modeled the spatial extent of urban growth in Rustenburg from 1994 to 2022 using Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) and predicted future urban expansion from 2022 to 2030 through the Cellular Automata Simulation in the MOLUSCE plugin. The results indicate that in 1994, water bodies covered 88,303 hectares, developed areas covered 125,763 hectares, and vegetation occupied 2,513,336 hectares. By 2022, vegetated regions covered 5,104,145 hectares, developed areas increased to 586,017 hectares, and mining zones expanded to 113,224 hectares. Furthermore, the landscape featured disjointed urban areas, varied natural ecosystems, and significant fragmentation in undeveloped zones. In 2022, the number of water patches increased to 27,845, built-up areas to 60,690, vegetated areas to 102,119, bare land to 80,921, and mining areas to 23,296 patches. The Kappa statistics ranged from 0.93 (93%) to 0.99 (99%), demonstrating high reliability in simulating urban growth patterns. An overall accuracy of 95% and a Kappa statistic of 0.93 are indeed higher than the mean scientifically accepted accuracy level of 85% for urban growth analysis. These findings highlight significant changes in land use and landscape fragmentation over time and provide critical insights into urban growth patterns and their implications for water security, sustainable development, and community livelihoods in Rustenburg, South Africa. By examining these patterns, we can better plan for sustainable infrastructure, manage environmental impacts, and improve service provision in rapidly expanding urban areas.
Experimental investigation of the shear behavior at the pervious concrete-sand interface under monotonic loading
Abstract Interaction between soil and structural materials plays a critical role in the overall stability of geotechnical systems such as piles, retaining walls, soil nails, and soil anchors. Pervious concrete is increasingly being used as an alternative for conventional concrete in applications such as evaporative or wet cooling, ground improvement using microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) biogrouting, or possibly geothermal foundations (energy piles). The motivation and the aim of the present experimental study is to improve the understanding of shear behavior at the interface between pervious concrete and cohesionless soil under mechanical loading. This paper presents results from a series of interface direct shear tests performed on smooth, conventional concrete, pervious concrete of variable surface roughness sheared against fine and medium sands. It was found that the surface roughness of tested surfaces has a remarkable influence on the shear strength and volume change responses at sand-concrete interfaces. In the sand-pervious concrete tests, the interface shear strength and soil dilation increase as the surface roughness increases, which was significantly influenced by the porosity of concrete specimens. The smooth (untextured) interface exhibited a soil contractive behavior and yielded lower interface shear resistance among all surfaces, which is considered as the lower bound of strength. The results presented show that pervious concrete mobilizes interface shear strength and volume change increases with specimen porosity (i.e., 15% vs. 30%) and confining (normal) stress, which yielded a value ranges between 2.82 and 3.46 times of sand-smooth (untextured) surface strength in medium and fine sands, respectively.
Longitudinal relationships between pet ownership and cognitive functioning in later adulthood across pet types and individuals’ ages
Abstract Pet ownership has been shown to have a positive influence on cognitive functioning and cognitive decline in late adulthood. However, there is limited understanding of how different species of pets are associated with these outcomes in different age groups. This study employed a multilevel modelling approach using data from eight waves of the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to longitudinally examine: (1) the relationship between pet ownership and cognitive decline over 18 years among adults aged 50 and older, (2) The moderating role of younger vs. older age subgroups on this relationship, and (3) the distinct role of owning dogs, cats, birds, and fish. The targeted cognitive domains were executive functioning and episodic memory. Results confirmed that pet ownership is associated with slower decline in both cognitive domains. While age group did not moderate this relationship, differences emerged in the relationship between cognitive decline and individual pet species. Dog and cat ownership was associated with slower cognitive decline compared to no pet ownership; bird and fish ownership showed no such association. These findings suggest that dog and cat ownership might act as a protective factor aiding to slow down cognitive decline, thus contributing to healthy cognitive ageing.