Natural Grass Research Articles

First Report of Tripylina Zhejiangensis Associated with Grassland in South Africa.

Specimens of Tripylina zhejiangensis, collected from natural grass in the Free State Province of South Africa, were identified morphologically and molecularly. This species characterizes by body length (1037 - 1128 μm), a = 27.3 - 35.3, b = 5.1 - 5.6, c = 16.1 - 19.8, c' = 2.5 - 3.4, V = 62 - 65. Molecular analysis was also undertaken, based on the 28S rDNA regions, and confirmed this population as T. zhejiangensis. Phylogenetic analysis using the Bayesian inference method, places this population in a clade close to T. zhejiangensis with a 1.00 posterior probability value. According to the knowledge, this is the first report of the genus Tripylina and its species from South Africa. Besides, this is the second report of T. zhejiangensis worldwide after the original description from China.

Alternate Leg Bounding Acutely Improves Change of Direction Performance in Women's Team Sports Players Irrespective of Ground Type.

Dann, E, Quinn, S, Russell, M, Kilduff, LP, Turner, AN, and Hills, SP. Alternate leg bounding acutely improves change-of-direction performance in women's team sports players irrespective of ground type. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1199-1203, 2023-This study aimed to assess whether body mass only alternate leg bounding performed post-warm-up on grass or a hard surface acutely improves preplanned change-of-direction performance in women's team sports players relative to a control condition and, if so, profile the time course of such changes. On 3 occasions, 14 amateur women's team sports players performed 20 m preplanned change-of-direction ("Pro-Agility") tests at 4, 8, and 12 minutes after interventions. Interventions were implemented immediately after a standardized warm-up and consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions of alternate leg bounding (5 ground contacts per limb) on a hard indoor surface (HARD) or natural grass (GRASS), or a control condition involving approximately 75 seconds of continuous walking with no bounding (CON). Performance was similar between conditions at 4-minutes postintervention. Performance at 8 minutes was greater in HARD (2.9%, p = 0.015) and GRASS (3.8%, p = 0.029) relative to CON, whereas GRASS also exceeded CON at 12 minute post-bounding (5.2%, p = 0.004). All effects were large. No differences existed between HARD and GRASS at any time. Irrespective of the ground surface, alternate leg bounding performed with body mass only can acutely improve indices of change-of-direction performance in women's team sports players when an appropriate post-stimulus recovery period is provided. Bounding on grass or a hard surface represents a feasible match-day practice that enhances subsequent change-of-direction performance and could therefore be used as part of practically applicable pre-match, half-time, and pitch-side (re)warm-up activities.

An investigation into performances of novice field-hockey players’ fundamental game skills when performed on natural and artificial grass surfaces

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative levels of engagement novice field-hockey players had with the intent of the game's fundamental performance variables while playing on natural and artificial grass surfaces. Twenty novice male and female players (mean age 10.28 ± 0.62 years) were randomly assigned to two groups. A cross-over study design was adopted to ensure players received sessions on natural and artificial grass surfaces. Sessions were delivered over a two-week period. Data was gathered from recorded games in weeks one and two using a video drone 25 m vertically above the hockey pitches. A computer notebook with video analysis software was used for lapsed-time analysis. A specific coding template was developed to determine the frequency of fundamental game skills of ball carrying (<5 m and >5 m); hitting (ball travels <5 m and >5 m); pushing (ball travels <5 m and >5 m), and ball contact during the games. The fundamental game skills of ball carrying, hitting, and pushing the ball >5 m, and ball manipulation, revealed significant ( p < 0.01) differences in favour of player performances when playing on artificial grass. In contrast, there was a significant ( p < 0.01) percent of short distance (<5 m) hitting and pushing the ball, and greater ball contact on natural compared to artificial grass. The artificial grass contexts allowed the players in this study to better perform the fundamental game skills within the intent of the game of field hockey that was measured in this study.

Lisfranc injury: Prevalence and maintaining a high index of suspicion for optimal evaluation

ABSTRACT Objectives To quantify the long-term prevalence of game-related Lisfranc trauma in college football on artificial turf and natural grass. Methods 32 universities were evaluated over 10 competitive seasons across all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences. Outcomes of interest included injury severity, injury category, primary type of injury, player and skill position, injury mechanism and situation, elective imaging and surgical procedures, and field conditions. Injury incidence rates (IIR) were calculated using injuries per 10 games = (number of injuries) number of games) × 10. Results Of the 1577 games documented, 783 games (49.7%) were played on a 3-layer artificial turf (≥9.0 lbs/ft2) infill system versus 794 games (50.3%) played on natural grass. In sum, 78 Lisfranc cases were documented with 34 (43.6%) occurring on artificial turf, and 44 (56.4%) on natural grass. MANOVAs indicated significant main effects by injury category (F3,74 = 6.439; P = .001), and injury mechanism (F5,72 = 3.372; P = .009) observed between surfaces, but not by injury severity (F2,75 = 0.720; P = .490), primary type of injury (F4,73 = 0.772; P = .547), overall player (F2,75 = 0.219; P = .804) and skill positions (F8,69 = 0.850; P = .563), injury situation (F10,67 = 1.030; P = .428), elective imaging and surgical procedures (F3,74 = 0.515; P = .673), or field conditions (F2,75 = 0.375; P = .688). Post hoc analyses indicated significantly greater incidences (P < .05) of Lisfranc trauma on natural grass attributed to shoe:surface interaction during noncontact play, and during no contact, foot rotation or planting. Ligament tears (n = 8; 57.1%), with minimal cases of subluxation/dislocations (n = 4; 28.6%) and fractures (n = 2; 14.3%) comprised grade 3 cases across both surfaces. Conclusion In regards to Lisfranc trauma, a 3-layer, heavyweight artificial infill surface is as safe or safer than natural grass. The findings of this study may be generalizable only to this level of football competition.

Blood Glucose and Urea Levels of Male Bali Cattle Fattened With Complete Feed Containing Fish Meal As a Protein Source

This research was conducted in 2021 for 3 months at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Timor. The purpose of this study was to determine the blood glucose and urea levels of male Bali cattle fattened with complete feed containing fish meal as a protein source. This research method uses a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 5 replications so that there are 15 experimental units with treatment given T1; natural grass 30% + milled corn 42% + rice bran 13% + pollard bran 11% + fish meal 4%, T2: natural grass 42% + milled corn 42% + rice bran 9% + pollard bran 11% + fish meal 8 %, T3: natural grass 30% + milled corn 42% + rice bran 5% + pollard bran 11% + fish meal 12%. The variables observed in this study were blood glucose and blood urea levels of male Bali cattle with a time of 0 hours before feeding, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours after feeding. The data obtained were tabulated and then analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) according to a completely randomized design procedure (CRD) using SPSS version 19.0. The results of this study showed that the use of complete feed containing fish meal as a protein source was not significantly different. Blood glucose levels (mg/dL) for each treatment were T1: 73.23±3.50, T2: 76.24±6.21, T3: 71.94±2.54; Blood urea levels (mg/dL) of male Bali cattle for each treatment were T1: 40.23±3.51, T2: 40.95±2.04, T3: 39.67±1.83. It was concluded that giving a complete feed containing fish meal as a protein source gave the same effect for all treatments and resulted in blood glucose and urea levels of fattened male Bali cattle in the normal range.

The Effect of The Use of Fish Flour as a Source of Protein in Complete Feeds on The Digestivenes of Fat, Crude Fiber and Nitrogen-Free Extract in Bali Cattle Fattened

The research has been carried out for 3 months, starting from May 13 to August 13, 2021 in the experimental cage of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Timor, while the analysis of digestibility of fat, crude fiber, and Extract Material Without Nitrogen (EMWN) at the Chemistry Laboratory of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Nusa Cendana. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using fish meal as a protein source in a complete feed on the digestibility of fat, crude fiber, and EMWN in fattened male bali cattle. The method used in this study was a completely randomized design (CRD) which consisted of 3 treatments and 5 replications so that there were 15 experimental units. The treatments were: T1= Natural grass 30% + Milled corn 42% + Rice bran 13% + Brand Pollard 11% + Fish meal 4%, T2= Natural grass 30% + Milled corn 42% + Rice bran 9% + Brand Pollard 11% + fish meal 8%, T3=. Natural grass 30% + Milled corn 42% + Rice bran 5% + Brand Pollard 11% + fish meal 12%. The variables tested included Fat Digestibility (%), Crude Fiber Digestibility (%) and EMWN Digestibility%. The results of analysis of variance showed that digestibility of crude fat and digestibility of crude fiber had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) and digestibility of EMWN had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the percentage of digestibility of fat produced T1: 19.06%; T2; 34.11%; T3: 69.31%, digestibility of crude fiber produced T1: 42.13%; T2: 29.02%; T3: 18.52% and the resulting EMWN T1: 65.01%; T2: 60.28%; T3: 62.31%. It can be concluded that the use of completed feed prepared with fish meal containing 12% protein increased the crude fat digestibility value but the crude fat digestibility was lower when compared to 4% fish meal and 8% in fattened bali cattle. Meanwhile, the digestibility of EMWN was not affected by the use of different levels of fish meal in complete feeds.

Player Sex and Playing Surface Are Individual Predictors of Injuries in Professional Soccer Players.

The factors contributing to soccer injuries and their influence on the occurrence of injury are controversial and inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the association between player characteristics and playing factors with injuries in professional soccer players. One hundred and fifty-two professional soccer players completed a self-administered questionnaire that asked about demographic information and injury profile, the type of playing surface on which they sustained their injury, medical treatment, and the time lost due to soccer injury at the end of the soccer season. The injury rate was 44.74% (n = 68; males: 61.50% (n = 56), females: 19.70% (n = 12)). Players' age (OR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.05-1.25, p &lt; 0.002) and BMI (OR: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.06-1.38, p &lt; 0.003) were significantly associated with soccer injuries. After adjusting for age and BMI, players' sex (OR: 5.39, 95%CI: 2.11-13.75, p &lt; 0.001), previous soccer injury (OR: 3.308, 95%CI: 2.307-29.920, p &lt; 0.001), and playing surfaces (OR: 11.07, 95%CI: 4.53-27.03, p &lt; 0.001) were the significant predictors of soccer injuries. Players' age, BMI, sex, previous soccer injury, and playing surface were associated with injuries among professional soccer players. Old male athletes with high BMI, previous soccer injuries, and playing on natural grass were more likely to sustain soccer injuries than young female players with low BMI who had no previous injuries and played on synthetic surfaces.

Primary School Playground and Pupils Physical Skill Acquisition

Primary school playground and pupils’ physical skill acquisition is a crucial issue that needs urgent attention because empirical studies have shown that primary school playground can go a long way in influencing pupils’ holistic development and pupils’ physical skill acquisition need to be fully involve in the educational setting. The instrument used was checklist titled primary school playground, material, qualities and activities (PSPMQA); another instrument used was rating scales named pupils physical skill acquisition (RSPA); T-test was used to determine the reliability and index obtained from the instrument were 0.75. The findings revealed that the Primary school playgrounds in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State have enough space for children to play, it is free from dangerous object, it is safe and secure and also it has grasses. Activities that are always done on playground includes running, hide and seek, passing of ball and kicking of ball. Available playground materials are swings, play sand and natural grass. The level of pupils’ physical acquisition is low (weighted mean= 1.57), Primary school playground qualities have significant influence on pupils’ physical skill acquisition (F (1,375) = .719, P &lt; 0.05), Primary school playground activities have significant influence on pupils’ physical skill acquisition (F (1, 375) = 0.11, P &lt; 0.05), There was no significant difference in pupils’ skill acquisition in Ilorin west Local Government Area, Kwara State based on gender (t = -2.698; df = 374; P &gt; 0.05), The finding revealed that there was no significant difference in pupils’ skill acquisition in Ilorin west Local Government Area, Kwara State school type (t = -2.444; df = 374; P &gt; 0.05). Teacher should allow the pupils to make use of playground to develop their holistic development. It was recommended that the ministries and other concerned agencies should set workshop, seminar and conference on the important of playground on physical skill acquisition on the development of the pupils’.

Internet-based survey evaluating the impact of ground substrate on injury and performance in canine agility athletes.

Agility is a rapidly growing canine performance sport worldwide, yet the literature is sparse regarding the impact of ground substrate on performance and injury. Approximately 1/3 of dogs participating in agility trials will experience a performance-related injury. The impact of ground material has been well-documented in racing greyhounds, equine athletes, and humans, but has been minimally investigated in agility dogs. In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 300 respondents (handlers, owners, and trainers) of 308 agility dogs completed an online survey regarding their dog's training and competition regimen, history of injury, perceived association between injury and substrate and/or agility obstacle, markers of decreased performance (MDPs) observed on different substrates, and changes to routine following injury. 35.7% of dogs sustained a training injury (TI) and 11.2% sustained a competition injury (CI). The most commonly reported sites of injury were the shoulder (TI: 33.9%, CI: 25.4%), forelimb digits (TI: 14.7%, CI: 11.9%) and iliopsoas muscle (TI: 11.9%, CI: 13.6%). Dogs most commonly trained on natural grass (85.3%), artificial turf (50.8%), and dirt (34.5%). Significantly fewer MDPs were observed on natural grass than any other substrate except dirt. Significantly more MDPs were noted on rubber mat compared to natural grass, artificial turf, dirt, sand, or foam mat. Rubber mat had the highest Incidence Proportion (IP) (32.0%) of TI and was perceived to be related to TI in 87.5% of cases. Obstacles perceived to be associated with injuries included jumps (TI: 37.5%, CI: 27.8%), contacts (TI: 29.7%, CI: 22.2%), weaves (TI: 11.9%, CI: 13.9%), and tunnels (CI: 25.0%). Overall, agility dogs were perceived to perform best on natural grass and dirt, while rubber mat was associated with injury and decreased performance. Respondents were willing to make significant alterations to their dog's routine due to a perceived association between substrate, injury, and performance. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of substrate composition and maintenance, and inform evidence-based recommendations to maximize performance and minimize performance-related injury in agility dogs.

Effect of Ambient Temperatures on Dairy Production in Africa. A Critical Literature Review

Purpose: Dairy farming together with crop farming for decades has been a source of livelihood among the rural residents in Africa. The majority of people practice agriculture for capital creation and food security. The overall objective of this study was to examine influence of ambient temperatures on dairy production in Africa.&#x0D; Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps.&#x0D; Findings: This study concluded that climate variability was evident in the area with variations in temperature and precipitation. Temperature and precipitation had rose from maximum averages across the years in the past 30 years. From the findings it is arguable that different places with Africa continue to be affected by climate variability. To the dairy productivity, exotic and indigenous dairy breeds are affected differently by climate variability. As per productivity, exotic breeds tend to be least affected unlike indigenous breeds. For instance, some common animal vegetative crops were highly hit and lowly heat by climate variability like Napier grass and natural grass respectively.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study recommended that creation of awareness on matters pertaining to temperature and its effects on the dairy sector by the relevant country environmental ministry. This will build capacity about amplified challenges emerging from ambient temperatures to dairy farming. For instance, spread of diseases, delayed fodder growth and hampered animal feeding behavior.

Comparison of Young Football Players’ Sprint, Agility, and Dribbling Performances on Natural Grass and Artificial Grass

Comparison of Young Football Players’ Sprint, Agility, and Dribbling Performances on Natural Grass and Artificial Grass

Assessment of Natural Plant Communities through the Use of Remote Sensing Data of the Stavropol Territory Steppes

Introduction. The relevance of the study of steppe phytocenoses is caused by the unsatisfactory state of natural grass stands, namely a low level of biodiversity and a high degree of degradation. The aim of the work is to determine the features of the connection of the Earth remote sensing data with the state and degree of degradation of natural grass stands in unstable moistening zone and arid zone of the Stavropol Territory. The Earth remote sensing data with certain temporal and spatial resolutions make it possible to carry out almost continuous monitoring of the state of natural grass stands. Materials and Methods. The study of steppe phytocenoses was carried out in 2016–2020 on the ground at discount areas (100 m2) according to the requirements of methods generally accepted in phytocenology. Vegetation condition was assessed using the Earth remote sensing data based on the values of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. According to the satellite data, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index cartograms were constructed for each point of the study. Results. The proportion of polygons with a high degree of degradation is 18.8% of research objects located in the zone of unstable moistening and the proportion of polygons with an average degree of degradation is 37.5%, while in the arid zone 70.6 and 23.5%, respectively. In the zone of unstable moistening, the highest coefficients of rank correlation between the degradation degree and the area occupied by herbaceous vegetation with a certain value of the vegetation index are observed in the case if Normalized Difference Vegetation Index is in the range of 0.0–0.4, and in the arid zone 0.0–0.3 (at 0.01 significance level). Discussion and Conclusion. When using the Earth remote sensing data to assess the degree of degradation of steppe ecosystems of the Stavropol Territory, it is necessary to use regression models specific to various soil and climatic conditions.

Opportunities and Challenges of Bali Fatting Business in Napano Kusambi District, Muna Barat Regency

This study aims to determine the opportunities and challenges of the Bali cattle fattening business in Napano Kusambi District, West Muna Regency which was carried out in July 2021. Determination of the research location by Purposive Sampling with a sample of 10 respondents/village, with a total of 60 respondents from 6 villages using the method survey utilizing interviews, observation, and documentation and analyzed descriptively. The results of the research on opportunities for developing a Bali cattle fattening business in Napano Kusambi District are the age of the breeder is classified as productive, the experience of raising livestock, the family workforce involved, the ownership of 1-5 cattle, natural grass feed is still available, the ownership of livestock between 1-5 heads, land which is quite extensive and the challenges of developing a fattening business are livestock as a sideline business, the number of males is small, an extensive maintenance system, no addition of concentrate feed, unavailable cages, fattening is still a pasture fattening system, lack of disease management, and lack of livestock extension workers.

Land use change and climate dynamics in the Rift Valley Lake Basin, Ethiopia

Land use and climate dynamics have a pronounced impact on water resources, biodiversity, land degradation, and productivity at all scales. Thus, in this study, we present the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use change and climate aiming to provide a scientific evidence about gains and losses in major land use categories and associated drivers and significancy and homogeneity of climate change. To this end, Landsat images and historical climate data have been used to determine the dynamics. In addition, population census data and land use policy have been considered to assess the potential drivers of land use change. The spatio-temporal land use dynamics have been evaluated using transition matrix and dynamics index. Likewise, shifts in the climate data were analyzed using change point analysis and three homogenous climate zones have been identified using principal component analysis. The results show that, from 1989 to 2019, the areal percentage of agricultural land increased by 27.5%, settlement by 0.8%, and barren land 0.4% while the natural vegetation, wetland, water body, and grass land decreased by 24.5%, 1.6%, 0.5%, and 2.1%, respectively. The land use dynamics have been stronger in the first decade of the study period. An abrupt shift of climate has occurred in the 1980s. In the last four decades, rainfall shows a not significant decreasing trend. However, a significant increasing trend has been observed for temperature. Rapid population growth, agricultural expansion policy, and climate variability have been identified as the underlying drivers of land use dynamics.

Advanced Medical Procedures Following College Football Upper Extremity Surface Trauma On Artificial Turf And Grass

With the perception of a higher incidence of injuries on artificial turf, and the potential for long term sequelae of sport injuries leading to increased medical costs as well, no long term studies have compared elective imaging and medical procedures following upper extremity (UE) trauma on artificial turf (AT) with natural grass (NG). PURPOSE: To quantify elective imaging and surgery following UE surface-related college football game trauma on AT and NG fields. METHODS: 39 universities were evaluated over 15 seasons (2006-2020) across all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences. Playing surfaces were divided into two groups: a heavyweight AT infill system (≥9.0 lbs infill/ft2) and NG. Outcomes of interest included elective procedures across injury severity, primary type of injury, anatomical location, and extremity disorder. Data were subject to MANOVA and Wilks’ λ criteria, and expressed as incidence rates (lR) per 10 games. RESULTS: Of the 2,215 games documented, 1,097 games (49.5%) were played on the heavyweight AT and 1,118 games (50.5%) played on NG. In sum, of the 9,137 total injuries reported, 650 were UE surface-related cases, with 244 injuries reported on AT and 406 on NG. UE surface-related trauma on AT resulted in 123 elective imaging and 35 surgical procedures, with 172 imaging and 46 surgeries ordered following injuries on NG. MANOVA indicated significant main effects by advanced medical procedures (F3,291 = 4.436; P = .004) between surfaces. Post hoc analyses indicated significantly lower (P < .05) incidence of total UE surface-related trauma [2.2, (95% CI, 2.0-2.5) vs 3.6 (3.4-3.9)], substantial UE trauma requiring elective imaging [0.2, (95% CI, 0.1-0.3) vs 0.5 (0.4-0.6)], number of radiographs ordered [0.8, (95% CI, 0.7-1.0) vs 1.1 (1.0-1.3)], and elective imaging procedures combined [1.1, (95% CI, 0.9-1.3) vs 1.5 (1.3-1.8)] on heavyweight AT when compared to NG fields, respectively. CONCLUSION: The significantly lower incidence of injury and subsequent elective imaging following UE surface-related trauma during competitive play on heavyweight AT translates to lower health care costs than observed on NG surfaces. This is the first longitudinal study that directly compares and addresses elective medical procedures as they relate specifically to UE surface-related football injury.

Effects of grass cultivation on soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community in a tangerine orchard

Grass co-cultivation has been widely adopted to increase fruit quality by improving soil fertility. However, the response characteristics of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community in tangerine orchards under grass co-cultivation environments is still poorly understood. Therefore, in order to reveal the effects of the co-cultivation of different grasses in tangerine orchards on the community structure and diversity of rhizospheric arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), as well as soil properties, a 10 year study was undertaken at a tangerine orchard with four treatments: sod cultures with either white clover, ryegrass, natural grass or clear tillage as the control. The results showed that grass co-cultivation increased soil nutrient contents and AMF community richness, but had no significant effect on AMF community diversity (P > 0.05). The AMF detected in all soil samples belonged to one phylum, three classes, four orders, five families and five genera. The composition and structure of the AMF community varied among four treatments. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that ​soil physicochemical properties impacted variations in the AMF community characteristics diversely. Furthermore, network analysis showed that grass co-cultivation increased the scale and complexity of the microbial co-occurrence network. In summary, grass co-cultivation in tangerine orchards not only improved soil fertility and soil structure, but also improved the stability and stress resistance of soil AMF community, which is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of the tangerine industry.

Effects of Living Grass Mulch on Soil Properties and Assessment of Soil Quality in Chinese Apple Orchards: A Meta-Analysis

Soil degradation has exacerbated the gap between crop yield and increasing food demands, and unreasonable field management is one of the main reasons for soil degradation. As a classic orchard soil management mode, living grass mulch can effectively change the hydrothermal environment and soil physicochemical properties of the ‘soil–vegetation–atmosphere’ microclimate of apple orchards. However, these improvement effects are mainly affected by climatic conditions, mulch methods, vegetation varieties and continuous grass-growing years. To evaluate the different effects of living grass mulch and the main influencing factors on soil physicochemical properties of apple orchards in China, in this study, we conducted a meta-analysis using data from 53 peer-reviewed publications to carry out soil quality assessment. The results showed that compared with clear tillage, continuous living grass mulch in apple orchards could improve soil function and performance by about 56% and increase soil enzyme activities by 10–120%, on average, whereas the soil organic matter under the effect of artificial grass and natural grass significantly increased by 29.6% and 14.6%, respectively. Artificial grass in temperate and warm, temperate, semi-humid climate regions had a greater overall improvement effect on the soil physicochemical environment than natural grass. Clover was found to be the most suitable for planting in apple orchards in temperate, semi-humid climate regions, whereas both clover and ryegrass were the best choices in warm, temperate, semi-humid climate regions. The interaction effects of different soil physicochemical properties in apple orchards in warm, temperate, semi-humid climate regions were greater than those in warm, temperate, arid climates and temperate, semi-humid climate regions. The response sensitivity of soil organic matter, organic carbon, urease, catalase, sucrose and cellulase to the living grass mulch effect of apple orchards was greater than that of other soil properties.

Increased Risk of ACL Injury for Female but Not Male Soccer Players on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background:Both natural grass (NG) and artificial turf (AT) are popular playing surfaces for soccer. Biomechanical studies have found increased frictional forces on AT that may lead to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The increased risk of ACL injury during soccer in female participants may amplify this effect.Purpose:To systematically review the literature for studies comparing ACL injury risk in soccer players on AT versus NG and to specifically determine whether there were differences in injury risk in male versus female players when considering the playing surface.Study Design:Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A systematic review was performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Three databases were searched for studies with evidence level 1 to 3 that compared the incidence of ACL injuries on AT versus NG in soccer players. Data recorded included study characteristics, sex, competition level, exposure setting (games or practices), turf type, and ACL injury information. Study methodological quality was analyzed using the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) score, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated.Results:Included were 7 articles (3 studying professional soccer, 3 collegiate soccer, 1 youth-level soccer; 4 male cohorts, 2 female cohorts, and 1 male and female cohort; mean MINORS score, 20 ± 0.8). Pooled ACL injury IRRs demonstrated no significant differences in overall ACL injury risk when playing soccer on AT compared with NG (IRR = 0.57 [95% CI, 0.21-1.53]; P = .31). A significantly increased risk of ACL injury in games played on AT compared with NG was detected for female (IRR = 1.18 [95% CI, 1.05-1.31]; P = .004) but not for male players (IRR = 1.18 [95% CI, 0.97-1.42]; P = .09). Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in injury risk for games (IRR = 1.07 [95% CI, 0.97-1.18]; P = .20) or practices (IRR = 0.21 [95% CI, 0.04-1.23]; P = .09).Conclusion:Findings indicated that female soccer players had a significantly higher risk of ACL injury when playing games on AT versus NG, whereas no significant difference was seen in male players. No differences were found for the combined male/female cohort or for soccer games or training sessions played on AT compared with NG.

Identifying priority conservation areas based on ecosystem services change driven by Natural Forest Protection Project in Qinghai province, China

Natural Forest Protection Project (NFPP) is a national project, with great significance to promote the sustainable development of society and economy. NFPP has driven land use change significantly, altering the provision of ecosystem services (ESs) and influencing human well-being. The selection of priority conservation areas would provide a reference for the further implementation of the NFPP. Here we used the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs) model to perform a comprehensive spatio-temporal assessment of the impact of NFPP on ESs provision, and ordered weighted averaging (OWA) method to identify priority conservation areas by balancing ESs tradeoffs in Qinghai province, China. The results showed that ESs were changed with the increase in forest land due to the implementation of the NFPP from 2000 to 2020. Soil retention, habitat quality, carbon storage and water purification increased significantly, while water yield showed a downward trend during the 2000–2020. By selecting priority conservation areas based on multi-scenarios analysis, the priority conservation areas were mainly distributed in the southern regions of Qinghai province and eastern regions of the Haibei Prefecture, and the area of forest, shrub and natural grass accounted for 6.10%, 32.30% and 69.54%, respectively. This study provides critical knowledge of the impact of ecological engineering on provision of multiple ESs. Selecting the priority conservation areas will be beneficial to ecosystem management and ecological sustainable development of the regions.

Optimization of Synergetic Seismic and Energy Retrofitting Based on Timber Beams and Bio-Based Infill Panels: Application to an Existing Masonry Building in Switzerland

This paper presents an optimization process for the design of a novel synergetic seismic and energy retrofitting strategy that combines the favorable mechanical properties of timber and the attractive thermal insulation properties of bio-based materials. The novel method, defined as Strong Thermal and Seismic Backs (STSB), comprises the attachment of timber frames and bio-based thermal insulation panels on the vertical envelope and the facade walls of existing masonry buildings, thus improving both the seismic behavior and the energy performance of these buildings. This strategy is integrated and visualized in a novel synergetic framework for the holistic evaluation of the seismic behavior, the energy performance and the carbon footprint of existing buildings, defined as the Seismic and Energy Retrofitting Scoreboard (SERS). The benefit of the novel retrofitting strategy is quantified based on the numerical simulation of the seismic behavior of an unreinforced masonry building located in Switzerland, an assessment of the energy performance of the building and an evaluation of the carbon footprint of the proposed retrofit solution. Three retrofitting alternatives are investigated for the synergetic seismic and energy retrofitting of the building, comprising timber beams and two different bio-based materials for the thermal insulation of the vertical envelope of the building: cork and recycled natural grass. The optimal seismic and energy retrofitting strategy for the building among the alternatives assessed in this study is chosen based on a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) procedure.