On the Characteristic Isolation of Compact Subgroups within Loose Groups of Galaxies

We have explored the hypothesis that compact subgroups lying within dense environments as loose groups of galaxies, at a certain stage of their evolutionary history, could be influenced by the action of the tidal field induced by the gravitational potential of the whole system. We argue that empty rings observed in projection around many compact subgroups of galaxies embedded in larger hosts originate around the spherical surface drawn by the tidal radius where the internal binding force of the compact subgroup balances the external tidal force of the whole system. This effect would torn apart member galaxies situated in this region determining a marked isolation of the subgroups from the rest of the host groups. If so, subsequent evolution of these subgroups should not be affected by external influences as the infall of new surrounding galaxies on them. Following this idea we have developed a statistical method of investigation and performed an application to show evidences of such effect studying a loose group of galaxies hosting a compact group in its central region. The system UZC 578 / HCG 68 seems to be a fair example of such hypothesized process.Comment: 12 pages, match version accepted for publication in TOAJ, corrected typo

What is known from the existing literature about the available interventions for pelvic floor dysfunction among female athletes? A scoping review

Background: Female athletes may be at higher risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). However, despite the great number of epidemiologic studies, the interventions have not been standardized. Aim: The present scoping review aimed to map and summarize the literature to identify the available interventions for PFD among female athletes. Methods: Seven databases were searched up to May 2021. Studies considering female athletes practising sports at any performance level with any type of PFD were eligible for inclusion. Any clinical intervention and any context were considered. No language, study design, and publication type restrictions were applied. Additional studies were identified through gray literature and the reference lists of articles included. The results were presented numerically and thematically. Results: From 2625 initial records, 35 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority of articles were narrative reviews, considering athletes with urinary incontinence practising multiple or high-impact sports. Authors discussed a wide range of interventions: preventive (n = 8); conservative (n = 35), pharmacological (n = 12), and surgical (n = 10). In particular, the Pelvic Floor Muscle Training was considered in 30 studies. Conclusions: This is the first scoping review to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. Besides the great number of available interventions, specific programs and randomized controlled clinical trials for female athletes are still limited. Findings highlighted evident gaps in the primary research confirming that the current management is based on expert opinion. This review may be useful for the overall management, and it may represent a starting point for future research

On the Adromeda to Milky Way mass-ratio

We have explored the hypothesis that the total mass-ratio of the two main galaxies of the Local Group: Andromeda Galaxy(M31) and the Milky Way (MW) can be constrained measuring the tidal force induced by the surrounding mass distribution, M31 included, on the MW. We argue that the total mass-ratio between the two groups can be approximated, at least qualitatively, finding the tidal radius where the internal binding force of the MW balances the external tidal force acting on it. Since M31 is the massive tidal perturber of the local environment, we have used a wide range of M31 to MW mass-ratio combinations to compute the corresponding tidal radii. Of them, only few match the distance of the zero-tidal shell i.e. the shell identified observationally by the outermost dwarf galaxies which do not show any sign of tidal effects. This is the key to constrain the best mass-ratio interval of the two galaxies. Our results favour a solution where the mass-ratio ranges from 2 to 3 implying a massive predominance of M31.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, Accepted for publication in Mon. Not. of Royal Astron. So

Rééducation Posturale Globale in musculoskeletal diseases: scientific evidence and clinical practice

SUMMARY Several studies on the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases with physiotherapy and clinical experiences on the basis of a method called Rééducation Posturale Globale (RPG), have highlighted the usefulness of this treatment. Although such treatment technique is commonly used in physical therapy practice, only few studies support its therapeutic effectiveness. Objective: To search the literature for evidence of RPG effectiveness, in order to identify the most appropriate therapeutic contexts for its use. Methods: A review of the literature through the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, Pedro, and Medscape. The keywords used for the search in the databases are: Rééducation Posturale Globale, Souchard, Posture, and Manual Therapy. The following clinical studies were selected: randomized controlled studies, non-randomized controlled studies, observation studies, and case reports, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Results: Out of 18 studies found, 9 were analyzed: 2 randomized controlled studies, 2 non-randomized controlled studies, 3 non-controlled studies, and 2 case reports. Conclusions: The RPG method has been shown to be an effective treatment technique for musculoskeletal diseases, in particular for ankylosing spondylitis, acute and chronic low back pain, and lumbar discherniation. Although the scarcity of rigorous experimental trials on a large scale does not allow the drawing of undisputable conclusions, the results gathered up to now are an encouragement to carry on research in the field of conservative treatment

Is there a relationship between self-efficacy, disability, pain and sociodemographic characteristics in chronic low back pain? A multicenter retrospective analysis

Background: Pain-related self-efficacy is defined as the beliefs held by people with chronic pain that certain activities can be carried out despite the pain. Poor self-efficacy is an obstacle to the recovery and predicts longterm disability. The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence of poor pain self-efficacy in Italian subjects with chronic low back pain (LBP), and to inquire the relationships between self-efficacy, disability, pain, and main demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A secondary multicenter retrospective analysis was done on 310 outpatients with chronic non-specific LBP. The pain self-efficacy measured with the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), the disability measured with the Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire, and the pain intensity measured with the Numerical Rating Scale were considered variables to investigate, whereas demographic and clinical variables were considered predictors or potential confounders. A 40/60 PSEQ score was adopted as cut-off to distinguish between good and poor selfefficacy. Results: 199 subjects (64.2% of the sample) showed poor self-efficacy. The odds of having poor self-efficacy appeared significantly related to female gender (OR=1.80, 95%CI [1.12;2.90]; p =0.015) and drugs use (OR=1.68, 95%CI [1.06;2.70]; p=0.029). Significant relationships also emerged between disability and higher age (\u3b2=0.07, 95%CI [0.01; 0.12]; p =0.02), being female (\u3b2=1.80, 95%CI [0.32;3.29]; p=0.018), low educational level (\u3b2= 121.68, 95%CI [ 122.59;-3.29]; p<0.001), higher height (\u3b2= 120.08, 95%CI [ 120.158;-0.002]; p=0.045), pain duration [mos] (\u3b2= 0.01, 95%CI [0.001;0.021]; p=0.041), and drugs use (\u3b2=2.86, 95%CI [1.44;4.27]; p<0.001). The amount of pain appeared significantly related to educational level (\u3b2= 120.47, 95%CI [ 120.76;-0.182]; p <0.001), smoking (\u3b2=0.56, 95%CI [0.09; 1.03]; p=0.021), height (\u3b2= 120.03, 95%CI [ 120.05; 120.002]; p=0.036), and drugs use (\u3b2=0.81, 95%CI [0.399;1.22]; p <0.001). No significant correlation appeared among weight, body mass index, and referred pain neither in relation to self-efficacy, nor in relation to pain/disability. Conclusions: The majority of our sample, composed of Italian people complained of chronic LBP, shows poor selfefficacy. Female gender and drugs use are significantly related to poor self-efficacy, low educational level negatively influences the amount of perceived pain and disability, and older age and smoking are related to disability and pain intensity, respectively. The knowledge of these sociodemographic and clinical characteristics potentially influencing chronic LBP may be useful to address more efforts towards the most negatively impacted subjects, among the entire population complained of chronic LBP