1. Neuromuscular component of muscle quality assessment in older adults : narrative reviewKatarina Puš, Boštjan Šimunič, 2024, review article Abstract: The concept of muscle quality encompasses both microand macroscopic aspects of muscle architecture and composition and has gained increasing attention with inclusion in the definition of sarcopenia, indicating the significance of muscle quality in evaluating muscle function and strength among older individuals. Muscle quality consists of two main components: neuromuscular and morphological and is often defined as the ratio between the two. The aim of this review is to present currently used methods for assessment of muscle quality with an emphasis on neuromuscular component in older adults. The most used methods for assessing morphological component are imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry and non-imaging bioimpedance analysis. In the neuromuscular component upper and lower body strength are assessed with different methods such as hand grip strength, isokinetic lower limb strength and isometric lower limb strength. Currently, there are three proposed muscle quality assessment methods for field or population studies: muscle quality index, ultrasound sarcopenia index and bioimpedancederived phase angle. Despite the exploration of muscle quality through various assessment methods, a consensus on the most appropriate and universally applicable approach has yet to be established. Keywords: ageing, skeletal muscle, ultrasound sarcopenia index, muscle quality index, phase angle Published in DiRROS: 13.05.2024; Views: 243; Downloads: 140 Full text (347,88 KB) |
2. Quality checking of polymer modified bitumens in SloveniaMarjan Tušar, Lidija Ržek, Mojca Ravnikar Turk, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: For many years the properties of bitumen have been determined based on mechanical tests as needle penetration, Ring&Ball and Fraass fracture temperature. For elastomer (styrene-butadiene-styrene) polymer modified bitumens these tests are not sufficient to show the important differences in bitumens. Elastic recovery and cohesion provide better insight, but rheological properties cannot be adequately described with conventional test. The requirements of the polymer modified bitumens (PmB) in Europe were defined in EN14023 in 2010 [1]. Since then several new tests were introduced in the research field and their procedures improved. In the European Standards Committee (CEN) TC 336, there is on-going work to develop performance related specifications. New laboratory test methods from American standards were adapted and transformed into EN standards (bitumen laboratory aging methods and rheological tests). These test methods are not yet employed in the cur-rent PmB European standard, however, the draft prEN 14023, April 2020 [2] suggests these new tests. In the recent years at ZAG Laboratory for asphalts and bitumen-based products long-term aging of bitumen by pressure aging vessel (PAV) and rheological tests were introduced. Traditional bitumen test methods are performed together with new rheological testse.g. Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) testing, to characterize complex modulus and phase angle, and Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test (MSCRT) in order to develop a preliminary data base on PmB’s, which are frequently used in Slovenia. The paper presents the current requirements for PmB’s in Slovenia and test results on PmB 45/80-65, original, laboratory aged and extracted from produced asphalt mixtures. Keywords: polymer modified bitumen, recovered bitumen, laboratory ageing, dynamic shear rheometer, multiple stress creep recovery test Published in DiRROS: 28.02.2024; Views: 361; Downloads: 240 Full text (703,78 KB) This document has many files! More... |
3. Buddhism and an ageing society in Thailand as a part of Suvarnabhumi landSomboon Watana, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia that was once Suvarnabhumi land with a long history of 2600 years in parallel with the history of Buddhism here. Buddhi-sm, the major religion in Thailand, was originally propagated by two Indian Budd-hist monks named Sona and Uttara. Consequently, Buddhism has contributed to the Thai people for a long time. Obviously, in the first quarter of the 21st century, the situation of the elderly population around the world has been monitored and planned. Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia that has had an Ageing Society for more than 10 years. About 93.5% of the Thai population believe in Buddhism. According to Buddhism, elderly people are valuable because of their experience and contribution, and Buddhism always teaches gratitude. Therefore, to meet the challenge of an ageing society, appropriate age-related caregiving must be subject to accountability. In the Pāli Canon of Buddhism, there are many stories and tea-chings about the role and significance of elderly people along with caregiving, such as parents’ caregiving. The Buddha’s teachings have aimed to help provide human beings with physical, moral, emotional and wisdom development for the sake of their well-being. To follow the Buddha’s compassion, Buddhism in Thailand has been interpreted and applied to the well-being of ageing people. Keywords: religion, Buddhism, ageing society, Suvarnabhumi, Thailand Published in DiRROS: 28.02.2023; Views: 466; Downloads: 211 Full text (320,89 KB) This document has many files! More... |