Present-Day Crustal Stress Field from Gcmt Focal Mechanisms Based on the Slip Model.

The Slip Model is applied to the Global Centroid Moment Tensor database to determine the present day state of stress. Thus, from each focal mechanism the horizontal shortening direction (Dey) and the shape factor of the strain ellipsoid (k`), defined as the relationship between the maximum horizontal shortening and the vertical axis, are calculated. Additionally, this method proposed the neoformed plane from the calculated nodal planes. In this study, to determine the stress configuration at crustal scale, only depths < 40 km are included. Focal mechanisms are grouped in reverse, strike-slip and normal, to analyse its distribution and to determine the b-parameter from Gutenberg-Richter law. Finally, global shape factor and horizontal shortening direction maps are presented

Alpine kink bands on foliated rocks of the Central System variscan basement

La asociación espacial y cinemática entre kink bands en rocas con foliación varisca y cabalgamientos alpinos en el basamento del Sistema Central, permiten deducir que los primeros tienen una edad cenozoica, y no varisca o tardivarisca. Sistemáticamente, la dirección de los ejes de los kinks es subparalela a los cabalgamientos. Se estudian tres afloramientos clave: El Cabalgamiento de Villares de Jadraque, el Cabalgamiento de Valdesotos y el Retrocabalgamiento de El Atazar.The spatial and kinematic association between kink bands in rocks with variscan foliation and alpine thrusts in the Central System basement, allow us to deduce that the former have a Cenozoic age, and not variscan or late-variscan. Systematically, the fold axes trend of the kinks is sub-parallel to the strike of the thrusts. Three key outcrops are studied: the Villares de Jadraque thrust, the Valdesotos thrust and the El Atazar back-thrust.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

The Role of pH Fronts in Reversible Electroporation

We present experimental measurements and theoretical predictions of ion transport in agar gels during reversible electroporation (ECT) for conditions typical to many clinical studies found in the literature, revealing the presence of pH fronts emerging from both electrodes. These results suggest that pH fronts are immediate and substantial. Since they might give rise to tissue necrosis, an unwanted condition in clinical applications of ECT as well as in irreversible electroporation (IRE) and in electrogenetherapy (EGT), it is important to quantify their extent and evolution. Here, a tracking technique is used to follow the space-time evolution of these pH fronts. It is found that they scale in time as , characteristic of a predominantly diffusive process. Comparing ECT pH fronts with those arising in electrotherapy (EChT), another treatment applying constant electric fields whose main goal is tissue necrosis, a striking result is observed: anodic acidification is larger in ECT than in EChT, suggesting that tissue necrosis could also be greater. Ways to minimize these adverse effects in ECT are suggested

El cabalgamiento de Valdesotos: consecuencias de la acomodación del acortamiento cenozoico en el zócalo del Sistema Central

We describe and study structural evidences concerning to Alpine tectonics at NE sector o f the Spanish Central System (SCS). In Valdesotos area, the Hercynian basement is uplifted over Mesozoic sediments, throughout a main SW verging thrust. Fault population analysis and geological mapping has been used to look at the relation between structures in the basement and in the cover. As a consequence of accommodation of strains in the basement, kink folds are developed, such as secondary thrust and folds in the tegument. All these meso- and macrostructures seem to answer to a shortening in agreement with the Cenozoic deformation

La deformación alpina en el Sistema Central Español

La idea del origen compresivo del Sistema Central (SC) se debe a Birot y Solé Sabarís (1954) [1], antes del establecimiento del papel que la tectónica de placas juega en el desarrollo de las estructuras intraplaca. Sin embargo, sus observaciones de campo no fueron tenidas en cuenta y, durante mucho tiempo, el SC fue considerado como una estructura extensiva [2]. Los primeros modelos de estructura del SC, en un contexto compresivo intraplaca, fueron propuestos por Vegas y Suriñach (1987) [3], que calcularon un engrosamiento cortical de 5 km, mientras que Warburton y Álvarez (1989) [4] construyeron una sección transversal con el desarrollo de una tectónica de piel fina asociada a un detachment intracortical proveniente de las Béticas y con un acortamiento asociado de 50 km. Esta idea fue también propuesta con menos detalle para el sector portugués, pero en relación a un estilo tectónico de piel gruesa y un acortamiento menor [5]. No obstante, estos trabajos carecían de observaciones de campo. En concreto, la sección de Warburton y Álvarez adolece de numerosas inconsistencias. El estilo tectónico propuesto durante la celebración de la III reunión de la Comisión de Tectónica de la SGE, que es el que se tiene en cuenta hoy en día, fue el de una tectónica de piel gruesa, sin despegues en la cobertera, con la formación de cabalgamientos imbricados de piel fina con implicación del basamento y pop ups dentro del basamento varisco de direcciones NE-SO a E-O. El acortamiento asociado se calculó en un 14% (20 km) [6, 7]

Evolution of differences in clinical presentation across epidemic waves among patients with COVID-like-symptoms who received care at the Mexican Social Security Institute

BackgroundTimely monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial to effectively managing both prevention and treatment efforts. In this paper, we aim to describe demographic and clinical patterns of individuals with COVID-19-like symptoms during the first three epidemic waves in Mexico to identify changes in those patterns that may reflect differences determined by virus variants.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive analysis of a large database containing records for all individuals who sought care at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) due to COVID-19-like symptoms from March 2020 to October 2021 (4.48 million records). We described the clinical and demographic profile of individuals tested (3.38 million, 32% with PCR and 68% with rapid test) by test result (positives and negatives) and untested, and among those tested, and the changes in those profiles across the first three epidemic waves.ResultsIndividuals with COVID-19-like symptoms were older in the first wave and younger in the third one (the mean age for those positive was 46.6 in the first wave and 36.1 in the third wave; for negatives and not-tested, the mean age was 41 and 38.5 in the first wave and 34.3 and 33.5 in the third wave). As the pandemic progressed, an increasing number of individuals sought care for suspected COVID-19. The positivity rate decreased over time but remained well over the recommended 5%. The pattern of presenting symptoms changed over time, with some of those symptoms decreasing over time (dyspnea 40.6 to 14.0%, cough 80.4 to 76.2%, fever 77.5 to 65.2%, headache 80.3 to 78.5%), and some increasing (odynophagia 48.7 to 58.5%, rhinorrhea 28.6 to 47.5%, anosmia 11.8 to 23.2%, dysgeusia 11.2 to 23.2%).ConclusionDuring epidemic surges, the general consensus was that any individual presenting with respiratory symptoms was a suspected COVID-19 case. However, symptoms and signs are dynamic, with clinical patterns changing not only with the evolution of the virus but also with demographic changes in the affected population. A better understanding of these changing patterns is needed to improve preparedness for future surges and pandemics

Analysis of changes in the association of income and the utilization of curative health services in Mexico between 2000 and 2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A common characteristic of health systems in most developing countries is unequal access to health services. As a result, members of the poorest population groups often do not receive formal attention for health services, because they cannot afford it. In 2001 in Mexico, to address income-related differences in the use of health services, the government launched a major healthcare reform, which includes a health insurance program called <it>Seguro Popular</it>, aimed at improving healthcare access among poor, uninsured residents. This paper analyzes the before and after changes in the demand for curative ambulatory health services focusing on the association of income-related characteristics and the utilization of formal healthcare providers vs. no healthcare service utilization.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>By using two nationally representative health surveys (ENSA-2000 and ENSANUT-2006), we modeled an individual's decision when experiencing an illness to use services provided by the (1) Ministry of Health (MoH), (2) social security, (3) private entities, or (4) to not use formal services (no healthcare service utilization).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Poorer individuals were more likely in 2006 than in 2000 to respond to an illness by using formal healthcare providers. Trends in provider selection differed, however. The probability of using public services from the MoH increased among the poorest population, while the findings indicated an increase in utilization of private health services among members of low- and middle-income groups. No significant change was seen among formal workers -covered by social security services-, regardless of socioeconomic status.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall, for 2006 the Mexican population appears less differentiated in using healthcare across economic groups than in 2000. This may be related, in part, to the implementation of <it>Seguro Popular</it>, which seems to be stimulating healthcare demand among the poorest and previously uninsured segment of the population. Still, public health authorities need to address the remaining income-related healthcare utilization differences, the differences in quality between public and private health services, and the general perception that MoH facilities offer inferior services.</p

Ambulatory health service users' experience of waiting time and expenditure and factors associated with the perception of low quality of care in Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A principal reason for low use of public health care services is the perception of inferior quality of care. Studying health service user (HSU) experiences with their care and their perception of health service quality is critical to understanding health service utilization. The aim of this study was to define reference points for some aspects of health care quality and to analyze which HSU experiences resulted in perceptions of overall low quality of care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from the National Health Survey 2006 were used to compare the experiences of HSUs with their ambulatory care at Ministry of Health and affiliated institutions (MOH), social security institutions (SSI) and private institutions (PrivI). Reference points of quality of care related to waiting time and expenditure were defined for each of the three types of institutions by analyzing HSU experiences rated as 'acceptable'. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the principal factors associated with the general perception of low quality of care.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 11,959 HSUs were included in the analysis, of whom 37.6% (n = 4,500) HSUs received care at MOH facilities; 31.2% (n = 3,730) used SSI and 31.2% (n = 3,729) PrivI. An estimated travel and waiting time of 10 minutes respectively was rated as acceptable by HSUs from all institutions. The differences between the waiting time rated as acceptable and the actual waiting time were the largest for SSI (30 min) in comparison to MoH (20 min) and PrivI (5 min) users. The principal factors associated with an overall perception of low quality of care are type of institution (OR 4.36; 95% CI 2.95-6.44), waiting time (OR 3.20; 95% CI 2.35-4.35), improvement of health after consultation (OR 2.93; CI 2.29-3.76) and consultation length of less than 20 minutes (2.03; 95% CI 1.60-2.57).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The reference points derived by the HSUs' own ratings are useful in identifying where quality improvements are required. Prioritizing the reduction of waiting times and improving health status improvement after consultation would increase overall quality of care ratings.</p

Characterizing the Epidemiological Transition in Mexico: National and Subnational Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors

Gretchen Stevens and colleagues estimate deaths and loss of healthy life years (measured in disability-adjusted life years, DALYs) for Mexico as a whole and its 32 states