Longevity Index Research Articles

Genome integrity as a potential index of longevity in Ashkenazi Centenarian’s families

The aging process, or senescence, is characterized by age-specific decline in physical and physiological function, and increased frailty and genomic changes, including mutation accumulation. However, the mechanisms through which changes in genomic architecture influence human longevity have remained obscure. Copy number variants (CNVs), an abundant class of genomic variants, offer unique opportunities for understanding age-related genomic changes. Here we report the spectrum of CNVs in a cohort of 670 Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians, their progeny, and unrelated controls. The average ages of these groups were 97.4 ± 2.8, 69.2 ± 9.2, and 66.5 ± 7.0 respectively. For the first time, we compared different size classes of CNVs, from 1 kB to 100 MB in size. Using a high-resolution custom Affymetrix array, targeting 44,639 genomic regions, we identified a total of 12,166, 22,188, and 10,285 CNVs in centenarians, their progeny, and control groups, respectively. Interestingly, the offspring group showed the highest number of unique CNVs, followed by control and centenarians. While both gains and losses were found in all three groups, centenarians showed a significantly higher average number of both total gains and losses relative to their controls (p < 0.0327, 0.0182, respectively). Moreover, centenarians showed a lower total length of genomic material lost, suggesting that they may maintain superior genomic integrity over time. We also observe a significance fold increase of CNVs among the offspring, implying greater genomic integrity and a putative mechanism for longevity preservation. Genomic regions that experienced loss or gains appear to be distributed across many sites in the genome and contain genes involved in DNA transcription, cellular transport, developmental pathways, and metabolic functions. Our findings suggest that the exceptional longevity observed in centenarians may be attributed to the prolonged maintenance of functionally important genes. These genes are intrinsic to specific genomic regions as well as to the overall integrity of the genomic architecture. Additionally, a strong association between longer CNVs and differential gene expression observed in this study supports the notion that genomic integrity could positively influence longevity.

Mathematical Modeling Of The Active Life Expectancy Among The Famous Soviet Mathematicians

The author carried out the mathematical modeling of the longevity index among the famous mathematicians who had most of active life years during the existence of the Soviet Union. Based on a sample of statistical data, the probability distribution and density functions for the longevity of mathematicians who were born or worked in the Soviet Union were created. Modeling was done using polynomial functions through the Excel regression analysis tool. A comparative analysis of the probability distribution functions for the longevity of famous Soviet mathematicians and mathematicians who lived in different countries in the 20th century was performed.

The Concept of Active Longevity in Russia’s Policy on Aging

ABSTRACT Since the 1960s, the goal of active longevity has been mentioned repeatedly in Russian policy documents on aging and aging-related research. Analyzing current policy documents revealed divergences in the ways the term was interpreted, which in turn allowed for aging policy to develop in more than one direction. One policy development path considers active longevity to be more or less synonymous with the active aging concept. It focuses on older people’s potential, and measures policy progress according to the Active Longevity Index (ALI). Another takes a more holistic approach, seeing active longevity as a policy goal in itself, alongside healthy aging, employment, social participation, and older people’s contribution to society in ways that suit them. The latter approach accords with previous policy implementations in Russia and with extensive research data collected from various Russian regions since the 1940s. Preliminary observations on active longevity policy implementations show progress in health-care development and multiple opportunities for older people` social participation. However, data on older people’s employment and life expectancy challenge the effectiveness of policy and cast doubt on the reliability of the ALI. A more flexible approach and the application of accumulated data and knowledge may assist in achieving active longevity policy goals.

The Effects of Forest Accessibility on the Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Deadwood: A Comparison between Recreational and Natural Forests

Deadwood is one of the main structural features of forest ecosystems and plays an important role in the nutrient cycle, in maintaining production and environmental heterogeneity, and acts as an indicator for assessing the biodiversity of forest ecosystems. This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of deadwood according to the influence of forest accessibility indicators in a comparison between natural and recreational forests. The studied area was divided into three accessibility classes based on the slope gradient range, the slope direction towards the nearest road, the road type, and distance from the road. These classes were: Easy-recreational forest (RE-F), Medium-natural forest 1 (NA-F1), and Difficult-natural forest 2 (NA-F2). In each accessibility class, three transects (750 × 50 m) were established, and three deadwood groups (snag, log, and stump) were recorded along the transects and their volume was calculated. The results of the analysis of variance show that accessibility has a significant effect on the presence of deadwood. The number and volume of snags, logs and dead stumps per hectare was higher in NA-F2 than in NA-F1 and RE-F. In each of the investigated classes, logs and stumps had the highest and the lowest number and volume of deadwood per hectare, respectively. The snag longevity index (= log volume/snag volume) decreased with accessibility. NA F2 showed the greatest value, while REF and NA F1 were not significantly different from each other. The results show that decay classes DC2 in NA-F2 and DC3 in NA-F1 and RE-F had the highest percentage of decay frequency. Finally, the forest accessibility indicators have a significant effect on the quantity, quality and distribution of different groups of deadwood in the forest. This is related to the collection of deadwood by local people who remove deadwood with different levels of intensity.

Modelling socio-economic mortality at neighbourhood level

AbstractIn this study, we quantify the relationship between socio-economic status and life expectancy and identify combinations of socio-economic variables that are particularly useful for explaining mortality differences between neighbourhoods in England. We achieve this by examining socio-economic variation in mortality experiences across small areas in England known as lower layer super output areas (LSOAs). We then consider 12 socio-economic variables that are known to have a strong association with mortality. We estimate the relationship between those variables and mortality rates using a random forest algorithm. Based on the resulting estimate, we then create a new socio-economic mortality index – the Longevity Index for England (LIFE). The index is constructed in a way that eliminates the impact of care homes that might artificially increase mortality rates in LSOAs with care homes compared to LSOAs that do not contain a care home. Using mortality data for different age groups, we make the index age-dependent and investigate the impact of specific socio-economic characteristics on the age-specific mortality risk. We compare the explanatory power of the LIFE index to the English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) as predictors of mortality. While we find that the IMD can explain regional mortality differences to some extent, the LIFE index has significantly greater explanatory power for mortality differences between regions. Our empirical results also indicate that income deprivation amongst the elderly and employment deprivation are the most significant socio-economic factors for explaining mortality variation across LSOAs in England.

ФЕНОМЕН ДОЛГОЖИТЕЛЬСТВА В СТРУКТУРЕ ГЛОБАЛЬНОГО НАРОДОНАСЕЛЕНИЯ

Significance. One of the main features of the demographic picture of the modern world is the population aging, which is becoming one of the most significant factors of the current and future socio-economic and cultural agenda of the global development. Despite the fact that the population aging is accompanied by increased life expectancy, reaching the age of ninety and over is yet a rare phenomenon. Identification of the factors determining the level of longevity remains an important medical and social objective. An important role here plays the understanding of spatio-temporal features of the longevity, which provide the basis for identifying and analyzing factors that can shed light on the causes of this phenomenon. The purpose of the study is to assess spatio–temporal features of the global longevity. Material and methods. The information base of the study was data of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, as well as scientific publications in periodical information sources. The study used general logical, analytical, statistical and cartographic methods. Results. At the turn of the XX–XXI centuries, there was a rapid increase in the number of long-livers on the planet. If in 1950 the share of people aged 90 and over equaled to 0.05% of the world population, by 2020 it added up to 0.27%, having increased almost six-fold. According to moderate projections of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 0.79% of the world population will survive until ninety and over by 2050, and 2.14% - by 2100. In the 1950-2020 timeframe, all macro-regions of the world show a positive trend in the share of population aged 90+. The increase in the share of long-livers is especially noticeable in Europe, North America and Oceania (Australia). Against this background the indicator the increase in Africa is less pronounced. The phenomenon of longevity is spatially represented rather heterogeneously, and clearly correlates with the country socio-economic status, and, as a consequence, with the population reproduction trends characteristic of this status. Longevity is most pronounced in the countries of the so-called "rich North" ("golden billion"). Of the "top ten" countries in terms of the share of population aged 90+, eight countries represent the European Union. Japan tops the list of the leading countries (1.88%). Russia ranks 37 with the long-liver share adding up to 0.53%. In the 1950-2020 timeframe, the increased longevity index was registered in all macro-regions of the planet. It has highly increased in the North America countries, Europe and Oceania. A relatively low increase in the longevity index was registered in Asia and Africa. At the country level, today, the maximum longevity index is registered in Japan, Uruguay and European countries. The global Top-10 includes 8 European countries, with France, Spain and Italy taking the lead. African countries remain the traditional outsiders. Longevity is determined by a complex set of hereditary factors and environmental conditions. According to experts, out of factors that determine life expectancy, heredity accounts for 15-20%, while other factors account for 75-80% including lifestyle, environment and habits. There is a relationship between the quality of life that includes physical (activity, daily activity, ability to perform activities of daily living), mental, emotional and social well-being of the individual, and life expectancy. The level of economic development can be considered as one of the predictors of longevity. Over the past seventy years, the maximum increase in the share of long-livers has been registered in the "golden billion" countries where the current number of people over 90 has reached 1% of the population, and is projected to increase up to 4-5%.by the end of the century. Genetics, constancy of the internal and external environment factors, quality of life, healthy diet, physical activity, regular work, and sense of purpose of one's own life and value-based attitude to life are important factors that determine the longevity level.

ДОЛГОЖИТЕЛИ В ДЕМОГРАФИЧЕСКОЙ СТРУКТУРЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ РОССИИ

The subject of the study is a cohort of the Russian population aged 90+ (centenarians). The purpose of the work is to conduct a theoretical study of the place of the cohort of centenarians in the demographic structure of the country's population. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that longevity is still a fairly rare phenomenon, attracting the attention of many specialists. The iden- tification of its determining factors remains an important medical, social, and state problem. Today there is no universal answer to the question "what determines the level of longevity?". In light of the search for an answer to it, it is necessary at least to give an accurate picture of longevity in Russia, both on the national scale and in the context of its regions. The scientific novelty consists in identifying the level of longevity in Russia and the spatial pattern of the spread of this phenomenon on the territory of the country. The statistical data of the Federal State Statistics Service, as well as analytical publications in periodicals, served as the information base of the study. The research methods include general logical, analytical, statistical, and cartographic methods. To measure the level of longevity, such indicators were used (including calculated) as the absolute number of centenarians (persons aged 90+); the proportion of centenarians (aged 90+) in the total population; the index of longevity or longevity for groups aged 90+. In the course of the study, the authors obtained the following results: indicators of the level of longevity in Russia and in its regions were determined. In order to visualize the obtained regional data, their mapping was carried out. Factors influencing spatial differences in the level of longevity in the country have been identified. The authors conclude about the positive dynamics of the longevity level of the population of Russia in 1990-2021. Among the macro-regions of Russia, the Central Federal District is the leader in terms of the absolute number of cen tenarians, their share in the total population, and the value of the longevity index. The Far Eastern Federal District is an outsider according to these parameters. At the same time, the territories that in Russia are traditionally considered “hotbeds” of longevity – the North Caucasus and Siberia – do not show high values of longevity indicators. Outsider regions in terms of the longevity of the population are mainly “areas of new development”.

Human capital as an effective resource contributing to the region's entry into the trajectory of balanced development

This study is devoted to the problem of ensuring a balanced innovative development of the region in the current conditions of digitalization based on the development of the most important resource of the economy human capital. The subject of the study is the quality of human capital on the example of the selected region, as well as organizational and economic relations in terms of human capital management, aimed at achieving a balance in the development of the region. The balanced economic development of the region largely depends on the factors of interest of the economic entities themselves, both moral and material, in achieving an effective result. The main component of economic growth aimed at achieving balanced development is the human resource. Achieving a balanced development in the production, economic and environmental spheres is impossible without achieving a balance in the social aspect, where human capital occupies a key place. Considering a person as the most important factor in achieving a balanced regional development, it is necessary to identify indicators of the balanced development of human capital itself. This study assessed the quality of human capital on the example of the Russian region, the Orenburg region, from the standpoint of balance. The assessment is based on a study of three components: standard of living, education and length of years. Based on the results of the assessment, imbalances in the development of the constituent parts of the human potential of the Orenburg region were revealed: high indicators of income and education indices and a low index of longevity. The low index of longevity is explained by the presence of an imbalance in the level of development of medicine and the unhealthy lifestyle of the population of the region, which is influenced by economic and environmental components, due to the fact that the Orenburg region is an export raw material region. The study analyzed the human development indices of the Orenburg region in comparison with other regions of the Volga Federal District of Russia, established a downward trend in this indicator, which negatively affects economic development indicators and which, of course, was affected by the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic, noted the role of the influence of digital and virtual space on the level of development of human capital in the region under study, the following problems are highlighted: digital inequality, departmental nature of the introduction of information and communication technologies, insufficient development of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas, which indicates a lack of balance in the development of information literacy of society in a digital economy. Theresults of the study are of theoretical and practical significance for the regional authorities in terms of developing strategic and policy documents in the field of economics, education, healthcare, aimed at improving the welfare of the population, which will create the necessary prerequisites for the formation of high-quality human capital in the region and the effective use of this resource. In the context of digital integration, when a person serves as a leading link, we consider it necessary to develop a mechanism for regulating a balanced system of health and education indicators by the regional authorities, which, in general, will help the region to reach a common trajectory of balanced innovative development.

The association of dairy cattle longevity with farm level technical inefficiency.

Prolonging dairy cattle longevity is regarded as one of the options to contribute to a more sustainable milk production. Cattle longevity is a direct result from culling decisions, which is primarily driven by economic considerations. As a consequence, at the herd level, cattle longevity can have effects on the efficiency of dairy production. This study investigates the technical inefficiency of dairy input, and its association with cattle longevity under Dutch commercial dairy production conditions, using a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. First, the technical inefficiency of capital, labor, land, seed & crop protection expenses, veterinary services, livestock purchase & services, feed purchase, miscellanea, livestock units and total input on total farm revenues was computed using DEA. Secondly, a bootstrap truncated regression analysis was applied to identify the association of cattle longevity with the evaluated input-specific and total input scores for technical inefficiency. Data were compiled from performance and accountancy records of 1,037 commercial Dutch dairy herds over the period of 2007 to 2014. In general, Dutch dairy farms displayed a relatively good overall technical efficiency, represented by an average inefficiency score of 0.09. The economic benefit of extending cattle longevity was evidenced by the negative association of cattle longevity with total input inefficiency. Of the evaluated inputs, the utilization of livestock units and feed was most efficient, with inefficiency scores below 0.26. This contrasts with the poor input efficiency of capital and livestock purchase & services with inefficiency scores around 0.52. Although the strength of the evaluated associations was generally low, the regression results illustrated that, except for labor, the age of culled cows was significantly negatively associated (P < 0.05) with each of the input inefficiencies. This contrasts with the significant associations of input inefficiencies with lifetime milk production, which were mostly positive. Since lifetime milk production is driven by length of cattle lifespan in combination with production level of the cows, the reverse direction of the associations with the two longevity indices illustrates that prolonging cattle longevity can improve efficiency performance of a dairy farm as long as the milk yield per cow remains unchanged.

&lt;/br&gt; A PESSOA IDOSA INSTITUCIONALIZADA: AUTOPERCEÇÃO DE SAÚDE &lt;/br&gt;

Introduction : At a global level, demographic changes are notorious, as a result of the increase in aging and longevity indices. Aging is assumed to be transversal to all regions of the world. In Portugal, the projections indicate a doubling of the aging index until the year 2080. In the face of the changes (sociocultural, political and economic), which are quite significant in the current family dynamics, institutionalization is affirmed as the solution that best responds to the needs of the family of elderly person, who sees their independence and/or autonomy limited, not allowing them to stay at home. In this sense, evaluating the elderly person's perception of health, namely physical, mental and social well-being, may enable an effective knowledge of their needs and limitations. Objective: To identify the health perception of residents of a residential structure for the elderly in the municipality of Évora. Methods: Descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The EASYcare survey was used as a data collection tool. This allows the identification of perceived limitations and needs. Intentional sample of 58 people aged ≥ 65 years, living in a nursing home in the municipality of Évora. Results: Mean age 87.8 years, mostly women. The self-perception of health was validated as “reasonable” by 36.2%, 20.7% as “poor” or “very good” and 3.4% as “excellent”. Conclusion: The perception of health of the population studied is evidenced in a diminutive way in the face of physical, cognitive and social changes. Keywords: Aged; Aging; Health; Institutionalization; Self Concept.

Soil Seed Bank Persistence Across Time and Burial Depth in Calcareous Grassland Habitats.

Seed persistence in the soil is crucial for population dynamics. Interspecific differences in soil seed mortality could be a mechanism that may stimulate species coexistence in herbaceous plant communities. Therefore, understanding the levels and causes of seed persistence is vital for understanding community composition and population dynamics. In this study, we evaluated the burial depth as a significant predictor of the temporal dynamics of soil seed persistence. We suppose that species differ in this temporal dynamics of soil seed persistence according to burial depth. Furthermore, we expected that burial depth would affect soil seed persistence differently concerning the species-specific type of dormancy, light, and fluctuating temperature requirements for germination. Seeds of 28 herbaceous species of calcareous grasslands were buried in the field into depths of 1, 5, and 10 cm under the soil surface. Seed viability was tested by germination and tetrazolium tests several times for three years. Species-specific seed traits—a type of dormancy, light requirements and alternating temperature requirements for germination, and longevity index—were used for disentangling the links behind species-specific differences in soil seed persistence. Our study showed differences in soil seed persistence according to the burial depth at the interspecific level. Generally, the deeper the buried seeds, the longer they stayed viable, but huge differences were found between individual species. Species-specific seed traits seem to be an essential determinant of seed persistence in the soil. Seeds of dormant species survived less and only dormant seeds stayed viable in the soil. Similarly, seeds of species without light or alternating temperature requirements for germination generally remained viable in the soil in smaller numbers. Moreover, seeds of species that require light for germination stayed viable longer in the deeper soil layers. Our results help understand the ecosystem dynamics caused by seed reproduction and highlight the importance of a detailed long-term investigation of soil seed persistence. That is essential for understanding the fundamental ecological processes and could help restore valuable calcareous grassland habitats.

ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНОСТІ ТА СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ СИСТЕМИ МЕХАНІЗМІВ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЗДОРОВ’ЯЗБЕРЕЖУВАЛЬНОГО ПРОСТОРУ ОСВІТИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article analyzes the level of developing the system of management mechanisms of the health-saving space of education, innovative activity in the economy and society. The factors affecting the country's place in the competitive dynamics of the world hierarchy, the speed of passing through the steps of technological structures to the knowledge society have been established. Attention is focused on aggregated indicators for building a general index of human development from the perspective of a life safety specialist. The following indicators are used to quantitatively represent the three basic dimensions of human development: average life expectancy at birth, longevity index, where aspects of health care play a leading role; the share of literates among the population aged 15 years and older and the total share of education seekers among the population of the corresponding age, indicators of education; adjusted real GDP per person, an indicator of material well-being. The idea of introducing a medium program, which must be implemented and carried out together with the minimum program through the preparation of society for progress, institutionalization for a specific purpose based on the ideas of sustainable development of the system management mechanisms of the health- preserving space of education, is considered. It is proposed to integrate different approaches and views on one integral, complex problem, the introduction of interdisciplinary terminology, the publication of general conclusions will accelerate the opportunity for current and future managers to implement optimal strategies in order to change the vector of instability on the way to sustainable ecologically safe development. It was concluded that the scientific support of the innovative development path of Ukraine from the side of economists, sociologists, ecologists, psychologists, can be carried out under the condition of reforming the system of education and science management mechanisms through the formation of a powerful motivational health care system. The search for optimal opportunities for the transition to an innovative strategy, or a strategy of sustainable, balanced, sustainable ecologically safe, harmonious, health-preserving education space development through the formation of environmental culture and competitiveness, was carried out.

Environmental factors associated with human papillomavirus vaccine coverage in adolescents: 2016-2020 analysis.

to analyze the association between the factors of the social environment and the coverage rates of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in adolescents, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. this is an epidemiological, ecological study, with panel and trend analysis from 2016 to 2020. The population consisted of adolescents aged 9 to 13 years. The environmental variables were coverage rates, the municipal index of human development, income, education, and longevity; and the rate of violence. The Prais-Winsten autoregression and the panel regression model were used, in addition to the estimate of the mean annual percentage variation. the vaccination coverage rates are below the goals recommended by the Ministry of Health for all regions analyzed. Moreover, these rates are associated with factors related to the application of the first dose and to aspects inherent to the social environment, such as the rate of violence. our findings showed that, although tenuous, aspects of the environment, in addition to individual characteristics, provide relevant information to understand the occurrence of health outcomes, since this vaccination campaign presents a strong influence of the environment and age as factors associated with the low rates. (1) The coverage of human papillomavirus vaccination is below the target in Minas Gerais.(2) The rates are associated with aspects inherent to the social environment, such as violence.(3) The environment provides relevant information for understanding health outcomes.

ОЦЕНКА КОМПЛЕКСА ФАКТОРОВ, ПОТЕНЦИАЛЬНО ВЛИЯЮЩИХ НА УРОВЕНЬ ИНДИКАТОРА «ФИЗИЧЕСКОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ» ДЛЯ ЛИЦ СТАРШЕГО ПОКОЛЕНИЯ

Significance. Priorities in active longevity include health maintenance among older people and their adherence to active lifestyle. Increase in the Active Longevity Index (ALI) in Russia is mainly hampered by low physical activity among older people making identification of factors potentially affecting ALI relevant. The purpose of the study is to evaluate a complex of factors potentially affecting decrease in physical activity among older people in Russia. Material and methods: a sociological method (questionnaire) was used to study the complex of potential factors affecting the ALI decrease - physical activity among older people exemplified by the six Russian federal districts (n =352). Study results were analyzed based on the descriptive statistics methods. The initial level of statistical significance is p&lt;0.05. Results. The study has identified that the older people contingent is mainly represented by people aged 55-64 (63.3%), with higher education (45.9%) and secondary vocational education (31.2%), 81.7% of the respondents confirm presence of disability, 46.8% are not under a regular medical follow-up, 47.7% spend less than 60 minutes a week on physical activities and sports and 15.5% of the respondents never do physical activities or sports. Conclusion. 48.6% of older people lack physical activity, 47.7% of them exercise for less than an hour a week. To evaluate physical activity indicator under the "Independent, healthy, safe life" ALI domain, it is necessary to take into account the following complex of indirect factors, such as: gender, age, level of education, presence of a disability group, and frequency of regular medical examination.

Living the past? Do historical legacies moderate the relationship between national chauvinism/cultural patriotism and xenophobic attitudes toward immigrants

This study seeks to understand how national chauvinism and cultural patriotism are related to xenophobic attitudes toward immigrants. It does this by examining the extent to which historical legacy, in terms of geopolitical threats and national identity, moderates this relationship. A multilevel analysis across 24 European countries combines measures of national chauvinism, cultural patriotism, and xenophobic attitudes at the individual level with historical data, the geopolitical threat scale, and the national identity longevity index at the country level. Findings demonstrate that, according to these measures, historical legacies of threats and conflicts do not have an interaction effect, but the longevity of national identity moderates the relationship between national chauvinism/cultural patriotism and xenophobic attitudes. That is, in countries with greater national identity longevity, the positive relations between national chauvinism and xenophobic attitudes are weaker, but the negative relations between cultural patriotism and xenophobic attitudes are stronger. These findings contribute to the understanding of national identity by suggesting how it is related to a nation’s historical legacy.

Explaining the longevity characteristics in China from a geographical perspective: A multi-scale geographically weighted regression analysis.

Longevity is a near-universal human aspiration that can affect moral progress and economic development at the social level. In rapidly developing China, questions about the geographical distribution and environmental factors of longevity phenomenon need to be answered more clearly. This study calculated the longevity index (LI), longevity index for females (LIF) and longevity index for males (LIM) based on the percentage of the long-lived population among the total number of elderly people to investigate regional and gender characteristics at the county level in China. A new multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model and four possible geographical environmental factors were applied to explore environmental effects. The results indicate that the LIs of 2838 counties ranged from 1.3% to 16.3%, and the distribution showed obvious regional and gender differences. In general, the LI was high in the East and low in the West, and the LIF was higher than the LIM in 2614 counties (92.1%). The MGWR model performed well explaining that geographical environmental factors, including topographic features, vegetation conditions, human social activity and air pollution factors have a variable influence on longevity at different spatial scales and in different regions. These findings enrich our understanding of the spatial distribution, gender differences and geographical environmental effects on longevity in China, which provides an important reference for people interested in the variations in the associations between different geographical factors.

Geographical distinctions of longevity indicators and their correlation with climatic factors in the area where most Chinese Yao are distributed.

Longevity research is a hot topic in the health field. Considerable research focuses on longevity phenomenon in Bama Yao Autonomous County, which has a typical karst landform and is located in Southwest China. This study aims to illustrate the spatial feature of longevity indicators in other Yao areas, to analyze the correlation between climatic factors and longevity indicators, and to provide new clues and targets for further longevity studies. We collect and integrate population, climate, and terrain data into a spatial database. The main analysis methods include spatial autocorrelation, high/low clustering, and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). Two longevity clusters are identified in Guijiang River Basin (longevity index (LI%): 2.49 ± 0.63) and Liujiang River Basin (LI%: 2.13 ± 0.60). The spatial distribution of longevity indicators is autocorrelative (Moran's I = 0.652, p < 0.001) and clustered significantly (Z score = 4.268, p < 0.001). MGWR shows that the atmospheric pressure significantly affects the spatial distribution of LI% (estimate value (EV) = - 0.566, p = 0.012), centenarity index (CI%) (EV = - 0.425, p = 0.007), UC (EV = - 0.502, p = 0.006), and CH (EV = - 0.497, p = 0.007). Rainfall significantly affects the spatial distribution of LI% (EV = 0.300, p = 0.003) and CI% (EV = - 0.191, p = 0.016). The spatial distribution of the main longevity indicators shows significant heterogeneity and autocorrelation, and they cluster in the Guijiang River and Liujiang River basins. Atmospheric pressure and rainfall may contribute to the longevity phenomenon through complex mechanisms. The longevity phenomenon in the Yao nationality in Guijiang River Basin requires further study to improve our understanding of the health effect of meteorological, environmental, and social conditions on longevity.

POLYGENIC RISK SCORES, PGT-P, AND IVF: SIBLING AND NON-EUROPEAN ANCESTRY VALIDATIONS

Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) are under intense investigation by research groups all around the world. Large genomic datasets and machine learning methods have produced predictors for common disease conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, schizophrenia, and breast cancer. The objective of this study is to further validate PRS and related health and longevity indices, using sibling (family) cohorts and non-European (African, South Asian, and East Asian) ancestry groups.

Development of a Comprehensive Multi-Factor Method for Comparing Batting Performances in One-Day International Cricket

In cricket, one-day-international (ODI) batsmen have traditionally been compared on the dimensions of batting average (BA) and strike rate (SR). The conventional method of computing BA assumes that runs scored by a batsman follow an exponential or geometric distribution. This results in unreasonably equating batting inconsistency with batting mean. Our study shows that a Weibull distribution model gives a very sensible assessment of a batsman’s inconsistency, independent of his BA. It also provides a superior fit to batting scores of ODI batsmen. We also introduce a measure for ‘quality-runs’ scored by a batsman which takes into account the difficulty level of opposition. Additionally, longevity index and opposition diversity index are defined to make comparisons more holistic. A substantial amount of data engineering effort is made in segregating available data into home, away and neutral matches. The measures proposed in this paper are more comprehensive and granular than those found in the literature. Various combinations of these six criteria are used to rank a select group of great ODI batsmen by assigning objective weights derived from principal component analysis. Finally, multivariate statistical outlier detection procedure produces different lists of outstanding players corresponding to different combinations of criteria. Our proposed methodology may be gainfully used by a team management to select best batsmen in a given situation.

Statistical Estimates of the Number of Progenitors in Russian Regions

The paper explores the phenomenon of grandparen-tal labor as the activity of grandparents in relation to their grandchildren, the content of which is care, assistance to grandchildren, and their development. Methodological principles for estimating the number of actors of grandparental labor are formulated. On the basis of statistical data, the age of entry into the grandparenting is estimated, and the proportion of grandparents actively engaged in grandparental labor in the regions of Russia is calculated. The re-sults show that the involvement of women in grandparental labor is higher than that of men, and there is a positive correlation between these indica-tors; in Russia, there is a high regional differentia-tion of the involvement of grandparents in grandpa-rental labor. Creating conditions for the activation of grandparental labor in the Russian regions would increase the values of the active longevity index and get all the positive effects that arise in society when the involvement of grandparents in the life of their grandchildren increases.