Comparison of Mental Toughness and Power Test Performances in High-Level Kickboxers by Competitive Success

Background Kickboxing is a high-intensity intermittent striking combat sport, which is characterized by complex skills and tactical key actions with short duration. Objectives The present study compared and verified the relationship between mental toughness (MT), countermovement jump (CMJ) and medicine ball throw (MBT) power tests by outcomes of high-level kickboxers during National Championship. Materials and Methods Thirty two high-level male kickboxers (winner = 16 and loser = 16: 21.2 ± 3.1 years, 1.73 ± 0.07 m, and 70.2 ± 9.4 kg) were analyzed using the CMJ, MBT tests and sports mental toughness questionnaire (SMTQ; based in confidence, constancy and control subscales), before the fights of the 2015 national championship (16 bouts). In statistical analysis, Mann-Withney test and a multiple linear regression were used to compare groups and to observe relationships, respectively, P ≤ 0.05. Results The present results showed significant differences between losers vs. winners, respectively, of total MT (7(7;8) vs. 11(10.2;11), confidence (3(3;3) vs. 4(4;4)), constancy (2(2;2) vs. 3(3;3)), control (2(2;3) vs. 4(4;4)) subscales and MBT (4.1(4;4.3) vs. 4.6(4.4;4.8)). The multiple linear regression showed a strong associations between MT results and outcome (r = 0.89), MBT (r = 0.84) and CMJ (r = 0.73). Conclusions The findings suggest that MT will be more predictive of performance in those sports and in the outcome of competition.Ministry of Higher Teaching and Scientific Research, Tunisi

Seismic risk assessment for developing countries : Pakistan as a case study

Modern Earthquake Risk Assessment (ERA) methods usually require seismo-tectonic information for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) that may not be readily available in developing countries. To bypass this drawback, this paper presents a practical event-based PSHA method that uses instrumental seismicity, available historical seismicity, as well as limited information on geology and tectonic setting. Historical seismicity is integrated with instrumental seismicity to determine the long-term hazard. The tectonic setting is included by assigning seismic source zones associated with known major faults. Monte Carlo simulations are used to generate earthquake catalogues with randomized key hazard parameters. A case study region in Pakistan is selected to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The results indicate that the proposed method produces seismic hazard maps consistent with previous studies, thus being suitable for generating such maps in regions where limited data are available. The PSHA procedure is developed as an integral part of an ERA framework named EQRAM. The framework is also used to determine seismic risk in terms of annual losses for the study region

Hidrotermalna sinteza i struktura jednog novog slojevitog cinkofosfata interkaliranog sa 3-metilaminopropilamin-katjonom

A novel layered zincophosphate (ZnPO–MPA) was prepared by hydrothermal crystallization using 3-methylaminopropylamine (MPA) as a structure-directing agent. The structure consists of macroanion [Zn2P3O8(OH)3]2- layers which are built up of 4-membered ring channels. The channels (of about 3.7 Å diameter) arise through the connection of the neighbouring rings by two oxygen bridges. The negative charge of the layers is compensated by diprotonated MPA molecules which are stacked parallel to the ring channels. ZnPO–MPA is stable up to 300 °C. At higher temperatures MPA decomposition begins followed by a dehydration, which occurs through condensation of the framework hydroxyl groups. The activation energy of the MPA decomposition is high due to the fact that the layers and MPA cations are held together by strong hydrogen bonds.Jedan novi slojeviti cinkofosfat (ZnPO–MPA) dobijen je hidrotermalnom kristalizacijom korišćenjem 3-metilaminopropilamina (MPA) kao agensa za usmeravanje strukture. Struktura se sastoji od makroanjonskih slojeva [Zn2P3O8(OH)3]2- koji su izgrađeni od kanala u vidu četvoročlanog prstena. Kanali (prečnika oko 3,7 Å) nastaju povezivanjem susednih prstenova preko kiseoničnih mostova. Negativno naelektrisanje slojeva kompenzovano je dvoprotonovanim MPA koji su naslagani paralelno prstenastim kanalima. ZnPO–MPA je stabilan do 300 °C. Na višim temperaturama počinje razlaganje MPA koje je praćeno dehidratacijom, a ova se dešava putem kondenzacije hidroksilnih grupa rešetke. Energija aktivacije razlaganja MPA je velika zbog toga što se slojevi i katjoni MPA uzajamno drže jakim vodoničnim vezama

Case Report Reduced Quadriceps Motor-Evoked Potentials in an Individual with Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Report

One male with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee underwent testing of corticospinal (CS) excitability (as quantified from motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the rectus femoris (RF) using transcranial magnetic stimulation) and quadriceps muscle strength. Baseline data indicated reduced MEP amplitudes in the RF of the affected limb compared to the unaffected limb. Increases in RF MEP amplitudes from both limbs were observed immediately following a 30-minute exercise session focusing on muscle strengthening. Following an 8-week muscle strengthening intervention, the participant exhibited increased MEP amplitudes and muscle strength in the affected limb. These findings suggest that alterations in peripheral muscle function found in patients with knee OA may have an origin centrally within the motor cortex and that interlimb differences may be evident in those with unilateral disease. These findings also suggest that CS excitability may be improved following a muscle strengthening intervention