Newmark displacement data for low to moderate magnitude events in the Betic Cordillera

Land-use decisions in relation to seismic-induced landslide hazard are usually made through the preparation of hazard maps. The rigid-block method is probably the most used for this purpose. Under this method, Newmark displacement is computed for each slope unit and this displacement is used as a guide for establishing categories of hazard. At present, most relations used for computing Newmark displacement are established from moderate-to-high magnitude earthquakes (Mw ≥ 6.5). This data article provides Newmark displacements computed from accelerograms recorded in the Betic Cordillera for low-to-moderate magnitude earthquakes (Mw = 3.5–6.3). Records come from the Spanish Strong Ground Motion database (Instituto Geográfico Nacional). Newmark displacements were computed focusing on yield accelerations frequently recorded in such scenarios (0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10), although higher accelerations were also considered (0.125, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 g's). These data are useful for the study of the hazard in seismic scenarios of low-to-moderate magnitude, very frequent in practice. These data have been used in the study by Delgado et al

Knowledge and perception towards net care and repair practice in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are a key malaria control intervention. Although LLINs are presumed to be effective for 3 years under field or programmatic conditions, net care and repair approaches by users influence the physical and chemical durability. Understanding how knowledge, perception and practices influence net care and repair practices could guide the development of targeted behavioural change communication interventions related to net care and repair in Ethiopia and elsewhere. METHODS: This population-based, household survey was conducted in four regions of Ethiopia [Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Southern Nations Nationalities Peoples Region (SNNPR)] in June 2015. A total of 1839 households were selected using multi-stage sampling procedures. The household respondents were the heads of households. A questionnaire was administered and the data were captured electronically. STATA software version 12 was used to analyse the data. Survey commands were used to account for the multi-stage sampling approach. Household descriptive statistics related to characteristics and levels of knowledge and perception on net care and repair are presented. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with net care and repair perceptions. RESULTS: Less than a quarter of the respondents (22.3%: 95% CI 20.4-24.3%) reported adequate knowledge of net care and repair; 24.6% (95% CI 22.7-26.5%) of the respondents reported receiving information on net care and repair in the previous 6 months. Thirty-five per cent of the respondents (35.1%: 95% CI 32.9-37.4%) reported positive perceptions towards net care and repair. Respondents with adequate knowledge on net care and repair (AOR 1.58: 95% CI 1.2-2.02), and those who discussed net care and repair with their family (AOR 1.47: 95% CI 1.14-1.89) had higher odds of having positive perceptions towards net care and repair. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of reported knowledge on net care and repair, as well as the low level of reported positive perception towards net repair need to be addressed. Targeted behavioural change communication campaigns could be used to target specific groups; increased net care and repair would lead to longer lasting nets

Seismotectonic and geologic characterization of the february 1999 Mb: 4,8 Mula earthquake using geological data, seismological data and RADAR interferometry (INSAR)

La secuencia sísmica de Mula (Murcia) iniciada el 2 de Febrero de 1999 con un terremoto máximo de Mb: 4,8 alcanzó una intensidad MSK máxima de VI-VII causando numerosos daños materiales. Los datos sismológicos existentes hasta la fecha, y concretamente la profundidad hipocentral y los mecanismos focales difieren de forma significativa en función del método de cálculo usado. En este trabajo se ha utilizado una técnica novedosa como es la interferometría de RADAR (INSAR) con el fin de identificar posibles deformaciones superficiales asociadas el terremoto que ayuden a identificar la fuente sismogenética. La combinación de los resultados obtenidos con esta técnica unidos a los datos geológicos de superficie apunta, como fuente más probable, a la reactivación de la falla de Crevillente con una componente de desgarre importante y con un epicentro somero (profundidad inferior a 10 km).The 1999 Mula (Murcia) seismic sequence started in February 2nd with a Mb: 4.8 mainshock, that reached a MSK intensity VI-VII. This earthquake produced significant economic losses in the region. The seismological data available to date give different focal mechanisms and different focal depths depending on the applied method. In this work we used a modern technique as RADAR interferometry (INSAR) with the aim to identify coseismic surface displacements linked with the Mula earthquake. The correlation of the results from RADAR interferometry with geological data support a reactivation of the Crevillente fault, with a high strike-slip component and a shallow hipocenter (less than 10 km), as the more likely seismic source.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEEspaña. Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologíapu

Sub-national prevalence survey of tuberculosis in rural communities of Ethiopia

Abstract Background Tuberculosis is a major public health problem with varying prevalence in different settings. National prevalence surveys provide evidence for planning and decision making. However, they lack the capacity to estimate subnational magnitude that affected the capacity to make selected intervention based on the prevalence. Ethiopia is among high TB burden countries with estimated prevalence of 108 per 100,000 population varying by regions. We aimed to study sub national prevalence of smear-positive TB in rural communities of southern Ethiopia. Methods This cross-sectional study, enrolled community members aged over 14 years who had cough of at least two weeks duration. Two sputum samples were collected and examined by using smear microscopy. Results 38,304 eligible people were enumerated (10,779 from Hadiya, 10,059 from Gurage and 17,466 from Sidama) and indentified 960 presumptive cases. 16, 14 and 14 smear-positive pulmonary TB cases were identified respectively. The point prevalence of smear-positive TB were 148 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 91–241) in Hadiya, 139 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 83–234) in Gurage and 80/100,000 population (95%CI: 48–135) in Sidama zone. Gurage zone had the highest prevalent to notified cases of seven to one. Conclusions The prevalence of smear positive TB varies by districts and is high in rural southern Ethiopia compared to the estimated national prevalence. More TB patients remain missed and unreached, impacting negatively on health outcomes. TB case finding approaches should be revisited and innovative approaches and tools to identify missing people with TB should be scaled up

Global, regional, and national burden of epilepsy, 1990 - 2016 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

Background: Seizures and their consequences contribute to the burden of epilepsy because they can cause health loss (premature mortality and residual disability). Data on the burden of epilepsy are needed for health-care planning and resource allocation. The aim of this study was to quantify health loss due to epilepsy by age, sex, year, and location using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. Methods: We assessed the burden of epilepsy in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016. Burden was measured as deaths, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; a summary measure of health loss defined by the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] for premature mortality and years lived with disability), by age, sex, year, location, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility). Vital registrations and verbal autopsies provided information about deaths, and data on the prevalence and severity of epilepsy largely came from population representative surveys. All estimates were calculated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Interpretation: Despite the decrease in the disease burden from 1990 to 2016, epilepsy is still an important cause of disability and mortality. Standardised collection of data on epilepsy in population representative surveys will strengthen the estimates, particularly in countries for which we currently have no or sparse data and if additional data is collected on severity, causes, and treatment. Sizeable gains in reducing the burden of epilepsy might be expected from improved access to existing treatments in low-income countries and from the development of new effective drugs worldwide

Global, regional, and national burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.

BACKGROUND: The number of individuals living with dementia is increasing, negatively affecting families, communities, and health-care systems around the world. A successful response to these challenges requires an accurate understanding of the dementia disease burden. We aimed to present the first detailed analysis of the global prevalence, mortality, and overall burden of dementia as captured by the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study 2016, and highlight the most important messages for clinicians and neurologists. METHODS: GBD 2016 obtained data on dementia from vital registration systems, published scientific literature and surveys, and data from health-service encounters on deaths, excess mortality, prevalence, and incidence from 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016, through systematic review and additional data-seeking efforts. To correct for differences in cause of death coding across time and locations, we modelled mortality due to dementia using prevalence data and estimates of excess mortality derived from countries that were most likely to code deaths to dementia relative to prevalence. Data were analysed by standardised methods to estimate deaths, prevalence, years of life lost (YLLs), years of life lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; computed as the sum of YLLs and YLDs), and the fractions of these metrics that were attributable to four risk factors that met GBD criteria for assessment (high body-mass index [BMI], high fasting plasma glucose, smoking, and a diet high in sugar-sweetened beverages). FINDINGS: In 2016, the global number of individuals who lived with dementia was 43·8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 37·8-51·0), increased from 20.2 million (17·4-23·5) in 1990. This increase of 117% (95% UI 114-121) contrasted with a minor increase in age-standardised prevalence of 1·7% (1·0-2·4), from 701 cases (95% UI 602-815) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 712 cases (614-828) per 100 000 population in 2016. More women than men had dementia in 2016 (27·0 million, 95% UI 23·3-31·4, vs 16.8 million, 14.4-19.6), and dementia was the fifth leading cause of death globally, accounting for 2·4 million (95% UI 2·1-2·8) deaths. Overall, 28·8 million (95% UI 24·5-34·0) DALYs were attributed to dementia; 6·4 million (95% UI 3·4-10·5) of these could be attributed to the modifiable GBD risk factors of high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, smoking, and a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. INTERPRETATION: The global number of people living with dementia more than doubled from 1990 to 2016, mainly due to increases in population ageing and growth. Although differences in coding for causes of death and the heterogeneity in case-ascertainment methods constitute major challenges to the estimation of the burden of dementia, future analyses should improve on the methods for the correction of these biases. Until breakthroughs are made in prevention or curative treatment, dementia will constitute an increasing challenge to health-care systems worldwide