Impact of sports participation on components of metabolic syndrome in adolescents: ABCD growth study

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the impact of sports participation (12 months of practice) on the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in both sexes. Methods This is an observational longitudinal study, a part of which is entitled “Analysis of Behaviors of Children During Growth” (ABCD Growth Study), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample was composed of 171 adolescents (112 boys and 59 girls), divided into non-sports and sports groups. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides, and glucose were analyzed by the colorimetric method of dry chemistry and processed biochemically. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured using an automatic device. Body fat was estimated using a densitometry scanner. Results Adolescents who practiced sports were younger (p-value=0.001) and had a lower peak height velocity (p-value=0.001) than the non-sports group. The differences (Δ) after 12 months were of greater magnitude for the sports group when compared to the non-sports group (p-value=0.013), glucose (moderate magnitude in favor of the sports group; p-value=0.001), HDL-c (small magnitude in favor of the sports group; p-value=0.0015), and MetS (moderate magnitude in favor of the sports group; p-value=0.001). Conclusions The practice of sports in adolescents had a protective effect on the metabolic components of MetS.

The Region of Metlaoui Facing Seismic Hazards: Study and Cartographic Approach (South Atlas of Tunisia)

The region of Metlaoui (South Atlas of Tunisia) is listed as one of the major seismotectonic zones of the national territory. About 10 major seismic events with moderate magnitude have occurred from the beginning of last century. The event of 7/11/1989 (Ms = 4.4) was undoubtedly the most important. It caused very significant material damage estimated at 224,525,000 Tunisian Dinars. This study uses a mapping tool to define areas with relatively high degrees of hazard and vulnerability. It also seeks to understand the active fault of the seismic events recorded in this region.

Genetic inbreeding depression load for fertility traits in Pura Raza Española mares

Fertility is a key factor in the economic success of horse farms. However, it has received little attention due to the difficulty of measuring fertility objectively. Since its studbook creation (1912), the Pura Raza Española (PRE) breed has been a closed population and become high in-bred resulting in inbreeding depression (poor phenotypic values). Nevertheless, heterogeneous effects of inbreeding depression have been detected among founders and non-founders. The aims of this study were (1) to analyse the genetic parameters for reproductive traits in mares of the PRE horse breed, and (2) to estimate, for the first time, the inbreeding depression load associated with common ancestors of the breed. A total of 22,799 mares were analysed. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.05 (interval between first and second foaling) to 0.16 (age at first foaling), while inbreeding depression load ratios ranged from 0.06 (parturition efficiency at 6 th foaling) to 0.17 (age at first foaling), for a partial inbreeding coefficient of 10%. While heritability is related to the variability expressed in the population, inbreeding depression load ratios measure the potential variability, whether expressed in the population or not. Most correlations between additive and inbreeding depression load genetic values were significant (P-values <0.001), and of low to moderate magnitude. Our results confirm that individual inbreeding depression loads allow us to select horses that have a genetic value resistant to the deleterious effects of inbreeding.

Sexualidade e sintomatologia depressiva em idosos residentes no nordeste do Brasil

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre sexualidad y variables biosociodemográficas y síntomas depresivos en adultos mayores. Método: Se trata de un estudio seccional diseñado con 292 personas mayores. La recolección de datos se realizó entre agosto y octubre de 2020. Se utilizó la Escala de Experiencias Sexuales y Afectivas de Ancianos y la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica. Se utilizaron pruebas de Mann-Whitney, correlación de Spearman y pruebas de Kruskal-Wallis, adoptando un intervalo de confianza del 95% para todos los análisis estadísticos.Resultados: Predominaron los varones (52,1%) y entre 60 y 64 años (46,6%). La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue del 30,1% para los casos leves y del 8,6% para los graves. Los ancianos con síntomas depresivos experimentaron peor el acto sexual, las relaciones afectivas y las adversidades físicas y sociales relacionadas con la sexualidad. La única dimensión de la sexualidad que se asoció con las variables biosociodemográficas fue el acto sexual, mostrando que es mejor vivido por los ancianos en unión estable (p = 0.023) y entre quienes conviven con la pareja por un período ≤ 5 años, en comparación con los mayores de 20 años (p = 0,001). Además, solo la dimensión acto sexual se correlacionó negativamente y con magnitud moderada entre los síntomas depresivos graves (ρ = -0,442; p = 0,027), lo que indica que estas dos variables exhiben comportamientos inversamente proporcionales. Conclusión: La sexualidad se asocia con algunas variables biosociodemográficas y se correlaciona con síntomas depresivos severos en ancianos. Objective: To analyze the association of sexuality with the bio-sociodemographic variables and depressive symptomatology in the elderly. Method: This is a sectional study designed with 292 elderly people. Data were collected between August and October 2020. The Elderly Affective and Sexual Experiences Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale were used. Mann-Whitney, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used, adopting a 95% confidence interval for all statistical analyses.Results: The participants were predominantly male (52.1%) and aged between 60 and 64 years (46.6%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 30.1% for mild cases and 8.6% for severe cases. The elderly with depressive symptomatology experienced worse the sexual act, affective relationships, and physical and social adversities related to sexuality. The only dimension of sexuality that was associated with the bio-sociodemographic variables was the "sexual act," proving to be better experienced by the elderly in stable unions (p = 0.023) and among those who live with their partner for a period ≤ 5 years, when compared to those with living together for more than 20 years (p = 0.001). In addition, only the Sexual act dimension correlated negatively and with moderate magnitude with severe depressive symptoms (ρ = -0.442; p = 0.027), indicating that these two variables present inversely proportional behaviors.Conclusion: Sexuality is associated with some bio-sociodemographic variables and correlated with severe depressive symptoms among the elderly. Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a sexualidade com as variáveis biosociodemográficas e sintomatologia depressiva em idosos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo seccional delineado com 292 idosos. Realizou-se a coleta de dados entre agosto e outubro de 2020. Foi utilizada a Escala de Vivências Afetivas e Sexuais do Idoso e a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica. Utilizou-se os testes de Mann-Whitney, correlação de Spearman e Kruskal-Wallis, adotando intervalo de confiança de 95% para todas as análises estatísticas.Resultados: Predominaram-se os participantes do sexo masculino (52,1%) e com idade entre 60 e 64 anos (46,6%). A prevalência de sintomatologia depressiva foi de 30,1% para os casos leves e 8,6% para os severos. Os idosos com sintomatologias depressivas pior vivenciaram o ato sexual, as relações afetivas e as adversidades física e social relacionadas à sexualidade. A única dimensão da sexualidade que se associou com as variáveis biosociodemográficas foi o ato sexual, demonstrando ser melhor vivenciada pelos idosos em união estável (p=0,023) e entre aqueles que convivem com o parceiro por um período ≤ 5 anos, quando comparados a aqueles com convivência superior a 20 anos (p=0,001). Além disso, somente a dimensão ato sexual se correlacionou de maneira negativa e com moderada magnitude entre os sintomas depressivos severos (ρ= -0,442; p=0,027), indicando que essas duas variáveis apresentam comportamentos inversamente proporcionais.Conclusão: A sexualidade está associada à algumas variáveis biosociodemográficas e correlacionada às sintomatologias depressivas severas entre os idosos.

Analysis of M 5.3 Sumbawa, Indonesia earthquake 2020 and its aftershocks based on hypocenter relocation from BMKG seismic stations

The 2020 Sumbawa earthquake of moderate magnitude (M 5.3) produced very significant aftershocks. Based on the computation of Utsu’s method, those aftershocks would be ended after the 20th day. Those earthquakes along 20 days were relocated using double-difference method. The relocation results show the southwest-northeast orientation and getting deeper into the northwest direction. Those two directions show the strike and the dip from the fault plane of the earthquake which was consistent with the focal mechanism released by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG). Those results showed the majority of earthquakes occurred at a depth of shallower than 20 km. Those earthquake depths were fit with the previous study showing the crustal thickness beneath Sumbawa Island that was about 28 km. We also found that those earthquakes occurred at splay faults propagating to decollement structure. This study is beneficial for earthquake disaster mitigation especially in updating active faults on Sumbawa Island.

Genetic parameters in a clonal test of Tectona grandis in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Teak (Tectona grandis) is a high-value timber species in tropical regions. In Brazil, although teak has a high productivity, there are few studies related to its genetic improvement. This work aimed to estimate genetic parameters and evaluate potential gains of selection in a clonal test of teak installed in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The experimente is in a randomized block design, with five replications, 3x3 m spacing, 22 treatments, and plots with six individuals. At five years, the genotypes were evaluated for survival (S), tree total height (H) and girth at breast height (GBH). There was significance and feasibility of selection for S and GBH. For H, the result was not significant, indicating few gains with the selection. The genetic parameters of clonal mean heritabilities and accuracy were of moderate magnitude for S and GBH and low for H. To best of our knowledge, this is the first work that estimates genetic parameters in a clonal teak test in the field in Brazil.

Source Properties of Moderate-Magnitude Earthquakes Along the Alpine Fault, New Zealand

<p><b>The Alpine Fault is a major active continental transform fault that is late in its typical cycle of large earthquakes. Extensive paleoseismic research has revealed that the central segment of the Alpine Fault ruptures in M7+ earthquakes every 291±23 years and last ruptured in 1717 AD. The paleoseismic results also reveal that some places along the fault, which coincide with pronounced along-strike changes in fault characteristics, act as conditional barriers to rupture. The geometry, seismicity rates and geology of the Alpine Fault change along three principal segments (North Westland, Central and South Westland segments) but it is unclear whether source properties (e.g. stress drop) of near-fault seismicity also vary between those fault segments, and whether these properties have some influence on conditional segmentation of the Alpine Faultduring large earthquake rupture.</b></p> <p>To examine whether source properties of earthquakes can influence or elucidate the conditional segmentation of Alpine Fault earthquakes, we have computed stress drops of moderate-magnitude earthquakes occurring on and close to the Alpine Fault. We use an empirical Green’s function (EGF) approach and require each EGF earthquake to be highly correlated (cross-correlation ≥0.8) with its respective mainshock. We use data from dense, temporary seismometer networks, including DWARFS (Dense WestlandArrays Researching Fault Segmentation), a new two-part network designed to constrain seismogenic behaviour near key transitional boundaries. Our results investigate the spatial variability of these source properties along the length of the Alpine Fault, focusing on whether earthquakes at the rupture segment boundaries behave differently to those in the middle of previously identified rupture segments.</p> <p>We analyse individual P- and S-wave measurements of corner frequency and stress drop for 95 earthquakes close to (within 5 km) and on the Alpine Fault. Overall, the calculated stress drops range between 1–352 MPa and show good agreement with other studies both within New Zealand and worldwide. The stress drop values obtained for the three Alpine segment are: 1–143 MPa (median values of 8 and 9 MPa for P- and S-waves, respectively) for the South Westland/Central segment boundary zone, 2–309 MPa (median values of 17 and 39 MPa for P- and S-waves, respectively) for the Central segment and 1–352 MPa (median values of 15 and 19 MPa for P- and S-waves, respectively) for the North Westland/Central segment boundary zone. There are no marked differences in stress drop values along the North Westland and Central segments, but those values are slightly higher than along the South Westland segment.</p> <p>This may indicate a bigger difference in fault geometry, slip and seismicity rate compare with other segments, or that the South Westland segment is weaker than the other segments. We see no clear dependence of stress drop values on depth, magnitude or focal mechanism.</p>

Source Properties of Moderate-Magnitude Earthquakes Along the Alpine Fault, New Zealand

<p><b>The Alpine Fault is a major active continental transform fault that is late in its typical cycle of large earthquakes. Extensive paleoseismic research has revealed that the central segment of the Alpine Fault ruptures in M7+ earthquakes every 291±23 years and last ruptured in 1717 AD. The paleoseismic results also reveal that some places along the fault, which coincide with pronounced along-strike changes in fault characteristics, act as conditional barriers to rupture. The geometry, seismicity rates and geology of the Alpine Fault change along three principal segments (North Westland, Central and South Westland segments) but it is unclear whether source properties (e.g. stress drop) of near-fault seismicity also vary between those fault segments, and whether these properties have some influence on conditional segmentation of the Alpine Faultduring large earthquake rupture.</b></p> <p>To examine whether source properties of earthquakes can influence or elucidate the conditional segmentation of Alpine Fault earthquakes, we have computed stress drops of moderate-magnitude earthquakes occurring on and close to the Alpine Fault. We use an empirical Green’s function (EGF) approach and require each EGF earthquake to be highly correlated (cross-correlation ≥0.8) with its respective mainshock. We use data from dense, temporary seismometer networks, including DWARFS (Dense WestlandArrays Researching Fault Segmentation), a new two-part network designed to constrain seismogenic behaviour near key transitional boundaries. Our results investigate the spatial variability of these source properties along the length of the Alpine Fault, focusing on whether earthquakes at the rupture segment boundaries behave differently to those in the middle of previously identified rupture segments.</p> <p>We analyse individual P- and S-wave measurements of corner frequency and stress drop for 95 earthquakes close to (within 5 km) and on the Alpine Fault. Overall, the calculated stress drops range between 1–352 MPa and show good agreement with other studies both within New Zealand and worldwide. The stress drop values obtained for the three Alpine segment are: 1–143 MPa (median values of 8 and 9 MPa for P- and S-waves, respectively) for the South Westland/Central segment boundary zone, 2–309 MPa (median values of 17 and 39 MPa for P- and S-waves, respectively) for the Central segment and 1–352 MPa (median values of 15 and 19 MPa for P- and S-waves, respectively) for the North Westland/Central segment boundary zone. There are no marked differences in stress drop values along the North Westland and Central segments, but those values are slightly higher than along the South Westland segment.</p> <p>This may indicate a bigger difference in fault geometry, slip and seismicity rate compare with other segments, or that the South Westland segment is weaker than the other segments. We see no clear dependence of stress drop values on depth, magnitude or focal mechanism.</p>

Post-operative patient education: a systematic review

Knowledge of the effects of the specific approach, mode of delivery, and dose of educational interventions is essential to develop and implement effective post-operative educational interventions. Understanding the relationships of patient characteristics to outcomes is important for educational interventions. Purpose and methodology: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine who would most benefit from post-operative education, given in what type of approach and mode, and at what dose? The sample included 58 studies involving 5271 participants. Major results: Findings indicate delivery of post-operative patient education through the individualization of content, use of combined media for delivery, provision of education on a one-on-one basis, and in multiple sessions is associated with improvement in educational/health outcomes. Samples that contained individuals younger than 50 years of age and higher percentages of males showed benefits in outcomes of moderate magnitude. Application: The results highlight the importance of attending to the characteristics of both the elements of post-operative educational interventions and the individual patients in the design and delivery of patient education.