Deep-seated landslides in high mountain terrain typically deform slowly over years to decades, making their internal kinematics difficult to characterise from field observations alone. Here we investigate the Leo Pargil landslide on the southwestern flank of the exhumed Leo Pargil gneiss dome in the northwestern Indian Himalaya, a large active deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) in the region. Multi-temporal persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PS-InSAR) analysis of Sentinel-1 data is combined with geological and structural information to characterise the landslide's present-day kinematics and internal segmentation. Ascending and descending Sentinel-1 data from 2018 to 2023 are combined to decompose InSAR-derived displacement into vertical and horizontal components, allowing spatial variations in displacement magnitude and direction to be resolved across the landslide body. The displacement field is strongly segmented, with faster-moving sections separated by sharp displacement gradients and relatively stable zones, indicating the presence of distinct internal sectors within the landslide. The upper part of the slope shows displacement patterns consistent with a rotational component near the headscarp, whereas the lower part is characterised by predominantly slope-parallel motion. Spatial variations in motion broadly follow mapped structural and lithological boundaries, indicating that inherited structures and slope geometry may influence the present-day deformation pattern. The results show that the Leo Pargil landslide is a segmented deep-seated gravitational slope deformation on the flank of an exhumed gneiss dome, with its present-day kinematics consistent with consistent with inherited structural heterogeneity and ongoing geomorphic processes.

To address the problems of ginger stalks being easily broken and incompletely cut during the clamp-pull ginger harvesting process, two ginger varieties, small yellow ginger and red ginger, were selected as experimental subjects. The basic biophysical parameters of the two varieties were measured, and the mechanical properties of their stalks were tested through shear, compression, tensile, and pull-out tests. The results showed that the mechanical properties of red ginger stalks were superior to those of small yellow ginger, and the stalks were less prone to breakage during harvesting. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the middle part of red ginger stalks were better than those of the upper and lower parts, making it more suitable as the clamping position in clamp-pull harvesting. The maximum shear strength of red ginger stalks was 1.42 MPa, the maximum compressive strength was 0.21 MPa, the maximum tensile strength was 4.31 MPa, and the average pull-out force was 68.45 N. This study provides a basis for low-damage ginger harvesting and for the selection of varieties suitable for mechanized harvesting.

Honeycomb sandwich structures have been studied for a variety of applications, particularly as blast resistant structures because of their high strength to weight ratio. The current numerical study investigates the response of a circular core sandwich panel made of a stainless-steel alloy, AL-6XN, with hollow cores, foam filled cores, and gel filled cores under air blast load of 1–3 kg of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) at a distance of 100 mm.Furthermore, the circular core sandwich models filled with different proportions of foam and gel, distributed either along the height of the core or across its area are analyzed in order to determine the most effective blast-proof panel with minimum weight. Three hybrid foam-gel models are compared in this study: (a) gel filled in the top half of the core and foam in the bottom half, (b) gel filled in top three-quarter parts of the core and foam in the lower quarter part, and (c) fully gel filled cores in the central 25% of the core tubes and the remaining outer core tubes fully filled with foam. A comparative analysis for mass vs deflection is carried out for all the gel-filled, foam-filled and hybrid gel-foam models w.r.t. the hollow core model. The fully gel filled core sandwich panel showed minimum back plate deflection compared all the core filled models, but at the same its mass showed notable increase. Amongst the hybrid foam-gel panels, the model having central 25% of the core tubes fully filled with gel showed a good combination of reduced panel mass with superior blast resistance capacity.

As the scale and complexity of underground structures continue to increase, seismic dynamic analysis places higher demands on numerical computing capacity. In this study, a seismic time-history analysis framework based on high-performance parallel computing is adopted, and a refined three-dimensional finite element model with more than five million elements is established to assess the feasibility of large-scale three-dimensional seismic analysis for complex underground structures. In addition, the dynamic response characteristics of a fully prefabricated underground metro station under E2-level earthquake excitation are systematically analysed. The displacement and stress responses of the soil-station system exhibit pronounced spatial non-uniformity, with high-response regions mainly distributed in the lower part of the model, along the soil-structure interface, and at structural geometric transitions and connection zones. Statistical results from representative monitoring points indicate that the locations of peak acceleration and peak displacement do not fully coincide. Further analysis shows that Kobe-wave input mainly amplifies the response without changing the dominant system-level response pattern, whereas changes in CHC joint stiffness primarily affect local response levels and the distribution of high-response regions. Taken together, these findings suggest that, with appropriate modelling and solution strategies, large-scale three-dimensional numerical simulations can effectively characterise the system-level dynamic response of fully prefabricated underground metro stations and provide a practical basis for the seismic assessment of complex underground structures.

Introduction Calls to French Poison Centres reflected the observed increase in attempted suicides during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among adolescent girls and young women. We aim to investigate, through French Poison Centres data, another poorly documented (particularly in France) characteristic of paediatric suicidal behaviours: the influence of school holiday periods on their frequency. Methods We performed a retrospective descriptive study of the weekly number of suicidal self-poisonings managed by French Poison Centres in patients under the age of 18 in mainland France from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2024. For comparison, weekly adult cases over the same period were also counted. Results Prior to (2017–2019), during (2020–2021) and following (2022–2024) the pandemic, a substantial fluctuation was observed in the weekly number of paediatric self-poisonings throughout each year. However, there was a notable synchronization in the low points between years, despite an overall increase of 79% in the annual numbers between the pre- and post-COVID-19 periods. These lower parts corresponded to weeks of school closure, planned holidays and not lockdowns. The sustained increase in annual cases affected girls (+90%) much more than boys (+27%), and the link with the school calendar was only valid for girls. Over the same eight-year period, neither an annual increase in cases nor a link with school holidays was observed among adults. Discussion Without overlooking the numerous factors outside the school environment that influence young people’s mental health, including the growing importance of their digital social life, our findings also suggest the existence of school-specific stressors to which girls may be particularly vulnerable. Although we cannot here identify and quantify the endogenous (self-esteem, pressure related to academic performance, etc.) and exogenous (bullying, relationships with teachers, etc.) components of these stressors, the link to French pupils’ low scores on numerous indicators from international studies on student well-being, with a pronounced gender disparity, seems worth considering. Conclusion At the French national level, our findings illustrate both the persistence of the “COVID-19 effect” of increased paediatric suicidal poisonings, particularly in girls, after the pandemic; and the strong association between these attempts and school time, specifically among girls and regardless of the pandemic.

ABSTRACT The Paleoarchean Antarctic Creek Member of the Mount Ada Basalt, Eastern Pilbara Terrane, Western Australia, includes beds of jasper and white chert composed of sand‐sized silica granules that often contain or are mixed with silt‐sized particles of haematite. Sedimentology of the granule beds can be interpreted in terms of a stratified ocean and the existence of a chemocline roughly coincident with storm wave base between anoxic, iron‐rich deeper waters and a weakly oxidising, well‐mixed, iron‐poor surface layer. Pure silica granules show features suggesting precipitation within the iron‐free surface layer. At depths near and just above the chemocline, a mixing zone developed. Within this mixing zone, haematite was precipitated and widely coated fine silica granules forming distinctive silt‐sized grains termed silica–haematite microgranules. These microgranules as well as discrete haematite particles were incorporated into larger, sand‐sized silica granules showing a more‐or‐less uniform internal distribution of haematite grains. Another distinctive population of silica–haematite granules formed by stirring of the soft, unconsolidated bottom sediment, probably by storms. These granules, which coagulated from the stirred sediment, were so fluid when formed that the included denser haematite particles settled to the lower parts of the still‐soft granules before solidification. Below the chemocline, laminated to banded, haematitic but sparsely granular sediments accumulated. Above the chemocline, deposition occurred in an environment that was commonly wave‐ and/or current‐active but with little significant erosion of the sea floor and no introduction by currents of extrabasinal sediment. These currents may reflect storms, deep circulation or deep tidal currents. The Antarctic Creek Member provides a detailed picture of a possibly widespread but heretofore poorly studied Archean marine sedimentary system dominated by precipitative processes.

The OSCA family proteins are pivotal mechanosensitive ion channels in plants, playing a crucial role in sensing osmotic stress and initiating drought adaptation pathways. Despite significant progress in structural biology, the dynamic conformational pathway of gating, the cooperative mechanism of key residues, and the mechanism of selective permeation for different cations remain largely elusive. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to systematically investigate the Arabidopsis OSCA3.1 channel in its contracted, expanded, and mutant open states. Conventional MD simulations reveal that the transition from the contracted to the open state is accompanied by a significant conformational rearrangement involving the tilting of the M6 helix. This movement drives the radial displacement and reorientation of key hydrophobic residues (e.g., F504, F505), thereby dismantling the hydrophobic gate composed of continuous hydrophobic residues and creating physical space for ion permeation. Steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations show that both K+ and Ca2+ must overcome substantial resistance when traversing the hydrophobic constriction. However, due to its higher charge density and dehydration energy, Ca2+ requires a significantly larger driving force than K+. Umbrella sampling calculations yielded potential of mean force (PMF) profiles, quantitatively revealing the free energy barrier differences for the permeation of the two ions for the first time. The results indicate that although their permeation pathways are similar, Ca2+ faces a significantly higher free energy barrier than K+ (Ca2+: ∼53 kcal/mol vs K+: ∼30 kcal/mol) due to stronger hydration and the higher energy cost of dehydration associated with its higher charge density. Electrostatic potential analysis further shows that the hydrophobic gating region within the pore is electrically neutral, facilitating the passage of various cations, while the lower part is electronegative, a distribution that may favor initial ion entry and subsequent guidance. This study demonstrates that the opening of the OSCA3.1 channel is a highly cooperative conformational reorganization process dominated by helical motion. Although its internal environment allows for the passage of multiple cations, from an energetic perspective, the conduction of monovalent K+ is more favorable in this expanded state. These findings demonstrate that OSCA proteins exhibit a "kinetic selectivity" rather than being "completely nonselective," where mechanical force or osmotic pressure modulates the degree of channel opening, thereby dynamically affecting the selective transport efficiency of potassium and calcium ions. This provides a novel atomistic mechanism and energetic theoretical basis for understanding how plants differentially regulate the transmembrane flux of the osmotic balance ion (K+) and the signaling ion (Ca2+) through the same channel when sensing osmotic stress.

In this study, the fractures of the Fahliyan limestone formation, the third hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir in southwestern Iran, were investigated. Despite previous studies on the Fahliyan Formation, a comprehensive workflow integrating conventional petrophysical logs, FMI image analysis, and velocity deviation logs for systematic fracture characterization has not yet been fully developed. In the first step, petrophysical parameters, including water and hydrocarbon saturation and the overall lithology of the reservoir (limestone with minor shale content), were evaluated using conventional petrophysical logs, such as gamma ray (GR), density (RHOB), neutron (NPHI), photoelectric factor (PEF), and resistivity logs (MSFL, LLS, LLD). In the second step, processing of the Formation Micro Scanner (FMI) image logs led to the identification of bedding with dips less than 30° toward the northeast and fractures, which mainly extended with dips of 75° in the directions S65E/N65W and S25W. A more detailed analysis of the fracture patterns and their relationship with bedding was made possible by combining manual and automated methods. Analysis of the in-situ stresses indicated that borehole breakouts had mirror-dip orientations of N40W-S40E, and induced fractures had mirror-dip orientations of N70E-S70W, which is consistent with the Zagros trend. In the third step, the velocity deviation log (VDL) results showed negative values in the fractured upper part and zero to positive values in the lower part of the Fahliyan formation. This study, through integration of conventional petrophysical logs and FMI images, enabled the quantification and classification of fracture systems in the Fahliyan formation and demonstrated their direct relationship with the velocity deviation logs and in-situ stress orientations. This methodology facilitates the prediction of high-permeability fractured zones and optimization of reservoir development.

Exploiting matrix symmetry to halve memory footprint offers a substantial opportunity for accelerating memory-bound computations like Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication (SpMV). However, symmetric SpMV incurs data conflicts when concurrently writing the output vector. Previous approaches fail to address this issue efficiently, i.e., either are non-scalable or yield poor performance for large high-bandwidth irregular matrices. This paper extends DCS-SpMV , a D ivide-and- C onquer (DC) based shared-memory implementation of S ymmetric SpMV. The key idea of DCS-SpMV is to recursively divide and reorder the matrix-induced conflict graph into independent subgraphs for parallel execution, and construct separate subgraphs to avoid data conflicts. The DC approach naturally transforms the input matrix into a low-conflict part and a high-conflict part, which motivates us to design a conflict-aware hybrid solution DCH-SpMV that executes these two parts using DCS-SpMV and the standard SpMV, respectively. We also develop a machine learning model for DCH-SpMV to predict the optimal number of DC recursions on a given matrix and architecture. In this work, we further optimize the hybrid DC implementation by reducing data conflicts before the DC preprocessing. First, we present a conflict-pruning strategy to decouple certain highly dense columns or rows from the conflict graph of a symmetric matrix. Second, we implement a heuristic to adaptively select the lower or upper triangular part of a symmetric matrix, leading to fewer data conflicts. Our optimizations not only facilitate the DC preprocessing, but also improve the performance of DCH-SpMV. We evaluate our work on both x86 and ARM multi-core CPUs using 298 symmetric sparse matrices from the SuiteSparse Matrix Collection. Our new optimizations improve the performance of previous version [42] by up to 4.89 ×, demonstrating significant speedup over the state-of-the-art approaches including the vendor-tuned Intel oneMKL library.

Recognizing facial expressions is a fundamental aspect of social communication, yet certain emotions are frequently confused, particularly fear and surprise. Across two studies, we examined the production and recognition of these expressions. Our findings indicate that fear is more often misclassified as surprise when expressions are posed rather than spontaneous. Using fine-grained three-dimensional motion capture, we analysed the dynamic features of facial movement and showed that posed expressions of fear and surprise share highly similar kinematic profiles, which may account for their frequent confusion. In contrast, spontaneous expressions of fear exhibit greater amplitude and velocity of movement in the lower part of the face. These results underscore the importance of investigating spontaneous emotional expressions and caution against overgeneralizing conclusions derived from posed expression research.

Abstract High-density fluid (HDF) micro-inclusions commonly found in fibrous diamonds offer a unique opportunity to explore the metasomatic events in the lithospheric mantle, during which the micro-inclusions and their host diamonds formed. It has been suggested that saline and silicic HDFs are immiscible due to the absence of intermediate compositions between these two end-members. In the present study, however, SiO2- and Cl-rich HDFs with compositions parallel to the saline–silicic array were identified at the core–coat boundaries of coated diamonds from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). HDFs in these diamonds exhibit a consistent evolution from intermediate saline–silicic compositions at the core–coat boundary to more silicic ones in the inner layer, and then to more carbonatitic ones in the outer layer. Nitrogen-aggregation thermochronology, combined with diamond–inclusion isomekes and orthopyroxene thermobarometries, yields P–T ranges of 4.8–6.6 GPa and 1060–1200°C for the cores, and 4.1–6.5 GPa and 970–1020°C for the coats and included HDFs. These ranges correspond respectively to the higher and lower parts of the P–T range for octahedral diamonds from DRC. Compositional characteristics of these HDFs and features of different growth layers indicate that the HDF evolution spanning over a significant range of saline–silicic–carbonatitic compositions, along with the growth of different fibrous layers is the result of the continuous variation of source H2O/CO2 ratios during a metasomatic event. Cl-rich silicic fluids are possible to form in the mantle under high source H2O/CO2 ratios, which may not be conducive to diamond crystallization. This study provides new insights into the features and evolution of mantle fluids and reveals potential connections between diamond crystallization and fluid composition.

The hydrojet-shield machine, a rapidly advancing shield machine type, uses slurry for excavation and muck removal via a pipeline system. The pipeline includes a flushed feeding system that injects slurry into areas at risk of obstruction. This study provides a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the flow characteristics of a large hydraulic shield machine, proposing the Particle Lifting Coefficient (L) and Regional Improvement Ratio (I) as innovative criteria to evaluate the effects of flow rate distribution and cutting wheel rotational velocity. By adjusting the proportion of scouring flow in the lower part of the chambers to 30%, 50%, and 100%, three flow distribution strategies, labeled as FC1, FC2, and FC3, were obtained to suit normal slurry transport conditions, address cutterhead mud accumulation, and deal with the deposition of rock and soil particles at the bottom of the chamber, respectively. The FC3 strategy amplifies the flow of symmetric jets in the lower scouring region, strengthening the upward flow that entrains surrounding fluid, thereby significantly increasing the L and I values in the targeted area and showing great potential for inhibiting the settlement and deposition of rock and soil debris. This study also emphasizes the need to integrate slurry jet distribution strategies with real-time monitoring of cutterhead mud accumulation and chamber deposition, while adjusting cutterhead rotation speed based on geological conditions.

Bottom air diffusion caused by separation and re-attachment processes is a typical flow feature downstream of chute aerators. A rapid air–water mixture process occurs during bubble count and size evolution as the entrained air diffuses cross-sectionally from the chute bottom. In this study laboratory experiments are conducted to investigate the air diffusion in the flow re-attachment region. According to the separation of the extremal maximum air concentration near the bottom of the chute, the air diffusion patterns can be divided into lower and upper parts. For the lower part close to the bottom, the coupling effects of the increase in the bubble count and size result in an increase in the air concentration, and the bubble count is more dominant than the slight increase in the bubble size. In the upper part, the air concentration decreases, accompanied by an increase in bubble size and a reduction in bubble count. The uniform pattern of the cross-sectional air diffusion is independent of the aerated flow re-attachment process.

ABSTRACT The integrated analysis of lithofacies, mineralogy and geochemistry of the hemipelagic marine succession exposed in La Cerradura section (South‐Iberian Palaeomargin) provides new information to characterise the palaeoenvironmental conditions during the latest Pliensbachian to early Toarcian, including the Jenkyns Event. The area was located within the semiarid climate belt dominated by physical weathering, indeed by high illite content, sporadic record of kaolinite and low Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and Plagioclase Index of Alteration (PIA). The end of Pliensbachian, recorded in a densely bioturbated marl–marly limestone alternation, is characterised by enhanced semiarid conditions (increase of quartz/clay ratio, high illite content and aeolian detrital proxies, low values of fluvial detrital proxies, CIA and PIA), confirming physical weathering in the emerged areas. Subsequently, the polymorphum Zone (earliest Toarcian) shows an opposite trend to relatively humid conditions (decreasing quartz/clay ratio and aeolian detrital proxies, and increasing fluvial detrital proxies, CIA and PIA). The Jenkyns Event phase is marked by the record of a negative carbon isotopic excursion, the decrease of carbonate content and the debut of dark marls. This phase begins on an omission surface. The disappearance of trace fossils in the lower part of the Jenkyns Event points to oxygen‐depleted conditions in the sea bottom. The climate turns to drier conditions (prevalence of illite, increase of quartz/clay and aeolian proxies, and decrease of fluvial proxies, CIA and PIA). The productivity proxies are consistent with low carbonate content and the biotic crisis of calcareous nannoplankton. After the Jenkyns Event the dark marls are poorly burrowed pointing to progressive improvement of sea bottom oxygenation. Climatic conditions are relatively less arid (decrease of quartz/clay and aeolian proxies, and increase of fluvial proxies, CIA and PIA), evidencing more humid conditions and intensified chemical weathering (sporadic record of kaolinite). However, dominance of illite points to prevalent physical weathering.

Both the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation and the Upper Permian Dalong Formation shales in southern China are organic-rich with well-developed nanoscale reservoir pores, demonstrating significant shale gas exploration potential. However, the current lack of in-depth research on the differential depositional and reservoir evolution characteristics of these two shale sequences has left the main controlling factors of the reservoirs unclear, thereby constraining breakthroughs in shale gas development. Focusing on the Longmaxi and Dalong formation shales in the Sichuan Basin, this study employed various analytical methods, including major and trace element analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), nitrogen adsorption, CO2 adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Investigations into the depositional paleoenvironment, paleoproductivity, organic matter enrichment, and microscopic difference mechanisms of nanoscale reservoirs reveal that the Longmaxi Formation shale represents a passive continental margin shelf facies. It is characterized by strong terrigenous input, a predominance of quartz and clay minerals, and consists mainly of siliceous and argillaceous shale facies with high organic matter abundance. In contrast, the Dalong Formation shale was deposited in an intra-platform basin under the influence of intra-platform rifting. It features weak terrigenous input, highly reducing conditions, and strong paleoproductivity. Dominated by quartz and carbonate minerals, its lithofacies are primarily siliceous and calcareous shales. Within the Dalong Formation, the diagenetic dissolution of carbonate minerals promotes the development of micrometer-scale pores larger than 100 μm, while the extensive thermal evolution of organic matter fosters the formation of honeycomb- and embayment-like nanoscale micropores and mesopores, rendering it a relatively superior shale reservoir. Ultimately, the high-TOC shales in the lower part of the Longmaxi Formation and the upper part of the Dalong Formation are identified as the primary sweet spot intervals for future shale gas development.

Photodynamic therapy combined with radiofrequency ablation and systemic therapy for KRAS-mutant advanced low rectal cancer: A case report.

The study aimed to improve flood hazard assessment in the lower reaches of the Shkumbin River (Albania) using two-dimensional modelling that takes into account hydrologic uncertainty of the flow.The study compared the extent of the hazard map where the maximum flow includes hydrological uncertainty versus that without hydrological uncertainty.The research methodology included statistical analysis of long-term hydrological observations from the Rrogozhina hydrometeorological station and two-dimensional hydraulic modelling of floods for the lower reaches of the Shkumbin River, followed by hazard assessment using Australian classification approaches.This uncertainty was taken into account by accepting the upper limit of the confidence interval with 95% certainty when estimating quantiles for different return periods.The results of the study showed that the extent of the hazard map was directly affected by hydrological uncertainty.The flood hazard index assessment showed an expansion of the map for H1, H2, and H5 by 149%, 67%, and 50%, respectively, for a 100-year return period, confirming the high sensitivity of the floodplain system to hydrological uncertainty.The analysis confirmed the high sensitivity of the lower part of the Shkumbin River to intensive flood processes, which was reflected in the expansion of the risk areas.The analysis also confirmed the importance of the condition of the embankments, since it was precisely the damaged areas where their height is not according to the design that became the reason for the expansion of the flood.The results obtained can be used by water management institutions, spatial planning authorities and civil protection services to develop hazard maps, optimise flood management systems and plan sustainable infrastructure in floodplain areas.

In the Sahel and West Africa, the yields of rice are marginally low and other parts of the world, mainly attributed to soil-related constraints such as poor soil fertility, salinity, water management, poor land development and inadequate adherence to best agronomic practices. The objective of the research was to evaluate the growth, yield and economic returns of Sahel 134 rice variety in low land irrigated rice ecology. The research was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four (4) treatments 2, 3, 4,5 and control treatment.The data collected were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that percentage of ripened grains in the 2and 5-weeks old seedling age is significantly higher of 80%than 2 weeks andcontrol of 69% at 3 weeks old. The Sahel 134 exhibited highest paddy yield from 3 weeks of 12.27 t/ha and obtained 13.02 t/ha at 5 weeks while lowest yield scored was 9.82t/ha at 2 weeks respectively. The result shows that, with the production cost of D75,550 per hectare and the selling price of D20/kg.Furthermore, the results indicate that, at 5 weeks seedling performed optimally with significant improvement on yield and economic returns.In conclusion, at 5 weeks of seedling age enhances productivity and profitability of Sahel 134 rice variety with optimal economic returns. The research finding reveals implication to policy makers, researchers and rice farmers in their quest to improve on rice production, productivity and economic returns.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a malignancy that originates in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, and is caused primarily by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, with approximately 660,000 new cases and about 350,000 deaths reported in 2022. This study aimed to assess the facilitators and barriers influencing the utilization of cervical cancer health services among childbearing women aged 15-49 in Lusaka District of Zambia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized to investigate the facilitators and barriers that influence the utilization of cervical cancer health services among women of reproductive age. Ethical approval was sought and obtained from Lusaka Apex Medical University Biomedical Research Ethics Committee IRB number 00799-24. Results: The study disclosed that a large proportion of respondents were Christians (83.8%) and were not employed (45.8%). Research revealed that while 51.4% of respondents have heard about cervical cancer, a significant majority of them (67.6%) are still unaware of risk factors, endorsed frequency (73.2%) and acceptable methods (64.8%) of cervical cancer screening and the importance of early cervical cancer detection and management (73.2%). The study further disclosed that, while 64.8% of women have been encouraged by healthcare professionals, and the convenience of multiple healthcare facilities (64.8%) across the district, a significant proportion of respondents (84.5%) do not attend educational awareness campaigns on cervical cancer. Not only that, the study also disclosed that, many study participants (67.6%) are still unaware of government initiatives about cervical cancer. The study also revealed that, 64.8% of study participants have never received information about cervical cancer health services through community awareness campaigns in Lusaka District. Age, marital status, social class, religion, level of education, occupation and number of children were found to have statistically significant association with respondents’ level of awareness of cervical cancer (P < 0.05). The study also found that, most of the study participants’ significant challenges faced when accessing and utilizing cervical cancer health services include transportation issues and lack of privacy, each affecting 90.3% of study participants, and financial constraints impacting 67.9% of respondents. The study further uncovered that, 67.6% of women feel that the distance to healthcare facilities is another major obstacle to cervical cancer services accessibility and utilization. The study also disclosed that 64.8% of respondents are still unaware of available free cervical cancer health services due to lack of availability of health information and education among women of reproductive age. The study further disclosed that, most of the respondents (73.2%) do not perceive fear or anxiety about cervical cancer screening procedures to affect their willingness to utilize cervical cancer health services in the district. Conclusion: The study found that utilization of cervical cancer health services among women of childbearing age in Lusaka District remains suboptimal, largely due to low levels of awareness, limited access to health information, and persistent structural barriers such as transportation challenges, financial constraints, distance to health facilities, and concerns regarding privacy. Socio-demographic factors, including age, marital status, education, occupation, religion, and parity, were significantly associated with awareness of cervical cancer services. In response, the study recommends that the Lusaka District Health Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), strengthen community engagement, social mobilization, and health education campaigns to improve awareness of cervical cancer risk factors, screening services, and HPV vaccination. Additionally, capacity building for healthcare providers in culturally sensitive communication, patient confidentiality, stigma-free care, and the expansion of mobile outreach services is essential to address existing access-related barriers.

The article analyzes the biogeochemical problems of irrigated soils with varying degrees of salinity. In particular, it provides a comprehensive discussion of the composition, structure, and geochemical characteristics of biogeochemical barriers formed as a result of the development of arzik–shoxli and shox–arzikli horizons in irrigated meadow–saline soils of the Central Fergana region. In addition, within the group of radial barriers, two-sided (bipolar) barriers are distinguished, and the geochemical as well as physicochemical differences between their upper and lower parts are scientifically characterized. The research findings indicate that the processes and properties occurring in the upper part of the horizon differ significantly from those observed in its lower part, confirming the complex nature of matter and element migration within the soil profile.