DECAY PARAMETERS OF AFTERSHOCK SEQUENCES GLOBALLY DISTRIBUTED

The evaluation of the parameters c and k of the decay law of the aftershocks in an earthquake sequence has been carried out in this study. For this reason 170 seismic sequences globally distributed, during the time period 1964-1986, were performed. All of them modelled well by Omori’s law. We estimated that the mean global values of and parameters , are 0.660+0.181 and - 0.341+0.090, respectively. The values of these parameters are also estimated for different regions of the world, west and east part of circum-Pacific rim, as well as for the Eurasia belt.The parameters c and k calculated for the various regions of the world found to be spread around the global average, although admittedly few exceptions to this generalization are also observed to exist

An analysis of the three-dimensional kinetics and kinematics of maximal effort punches among amateur boxers.

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport on 27-9-18, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2018.1525651The purpose of this study was to quantify the 3D kinetics and kinematics of six punch types among amateur boxers. Fifteen males (age: 24.9 ± 4.2 years; stature: 1.78 ± 0.1 m; body mass: 75.3 ± 13.4 kg; boxing experience: 6.3 ± 2.8 years) performed maximal effort punches against a suspended punch bag during which upper body kinematics were assessed via a 3D motion capture system, and ground reaction forces (GRF) of the lead and rear legs via two force plates. For all variables except elbowjoint angular velocity, analysis revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences between straight, hook and uppercut punches. The lead hook exhibited the greatest peak fist velocity (11.95 ± 1.84 m/s), the jab the shortest delivery time (405 ± 0.15 ms), the rear uppercut the greatest shoulder-joint angular velocity (1069.8 ± 104.5°/s), and the lead uppercut the greatest elbow angular velocity (651.0 ± 357.5°/s). Peak resultant GRF differed significantly (P < 0.05) between rear and lead legs for the jab punch only. Whilst these findings provide novel descriptive data for coaches and boxers, future research should examine if physical and physiological capabilities relate to the key biomechanical qualities associated with maximal punching performance

How psychotherapy clients in recovery from harmful substance use experience the process of therapeutic change: A constructivist grounded theory analysis

The purpose of the present study is to explore the process of therapeutic change from the perspective of individuals who have found psychotherapy helpful in assisting their recovery from substance misuse. Based upon the premise that substance misuse psychotherapy research has been criticised for lacking a qualitative focus that encompasses the client’s view and subjective perceptions of change in the process of recovery (Miller, 2016), this research utilised a constructivist version of Grounded Theory (Charmaz, 2014) to analyse data collected from individual, semi-structured interviews with 12 participants (six male, six female; age range: 30 to 65 years) who had recently completed a course of psychotherapy at a London-based drug and alcohol service. Detailed analysis of the interview transcripts resulted in the construction of a theoretical model which consisted of four main categories: ‘addressing the substance relationship’, ‘therapist-client engagement’, ‘becoming one’s own therapist’ and ‘ultimate therapeutic change outcome’. These categories and their properties (i.e., more focused subcategories) were identified as representing key psychosocial processes involved in participants’ experiences of therapeutic change and recovery from substance misuse over time. A core connecting category, termed ‘Broadening’, was also identified as applying to all therapeutic change dimensions that were extracted from participants’ accounts. These findings are discussed in light of relevant theoretical and research literature in order to provide explanatory support for the constructed grounded theory model as well as contribute new insights which may be useful to future research and practice in this field of inquiry. Last but not least, this study also aims to respond to recent calls to increase the presence of the profession of Counselling Psychology in the field of substance misuse through engagement in relevant areas of research an

Active fault geometry and kinematics in Parnitha Mountain, Attica, Greece

none8The Parnitha mountain range lies between two Quaternary rift systems in central Greece: the Gulf of Corinth Rift and the Gulf of Evia rift. We suggest that the range was formed by footwall uplift on active normal faults striking WNW–ESE and NE–SW. We investigated the scarp appearance, geometry and slip rates of three normal faults bounding this mountain range by field mapping at 1:5000 scale. Active faults studied include the 8.5 km long Fili Fault, the 4.7 km long Maliza Fault and the 4 km long Thrakomakedones Fault. We calculated comparable mean slip rates for all mapped faults (Fili: 0.18 mm/yr, Avlon: 0.2 mm/yr, Thrakomakedones: 0.24 mm/yr); however, we suggest that the WNW–ESE structures are more active during the Late Quaternary because of abundant field evidence of recent movements along slip surfaces (fresh basal stripes and slickenlines). In addition, stress axes analysis shows a N7°E–N25°E (NNE–SSW) oriented, extensional stress field, which is compatible with the focal mechanism of the Athens 1999 earthquake. The fault-slip data from the Parnitha faults show orientations similar to other low-strain areas in central Greece, such as the Gulf of Evia Rift to the north. Our slip rate estimates may explain the low recurrence of large earthquakes in Attica as opposed to high slip rate areas in central Greece such as the neighbouring Gulf of Corinth.noneGanas A.; Pavlides S.; Sboras S.; Valkaniotis S.; Papaioannou S.; Alexandris G.A.; Plessa A.; Papadopoulos G.A.Ganas, A.; Pavlides, S.; Smporas, Sotirios; Valkaniotis, S.; Papaioannou, S.; Alexandris, G. A.; Plessa, A.; Papadopoulos, G. A