Challenges and perspectives in applying the environmental sensitivity index to pipelines: a review on the prevention and management of oil spills disasters.

The oil spill environmental sensitivity index is a key tool for preventing and dealing with environmental disasters caused by oil spills. This study aims to review the available literature on the subject and highlight the importance of methodological advances to improve how the index is applied in continental areas, especially in regions crossed by pipelines. Most current mapping techniques focus on coastal areas and fail to consider the stretches of land that are vulnerable to geodynamic natural disasters. In this context, the need to implement environmental sensitivity indices specific for pipelines has become urgent. This study also presents an overview of the main accidents around the world and a detailed analysis of the history of Brazilian disasters related to oil spills along continental stretches, with a focus on pipelines and natural disasters. In addition, this work highlights the importance of carrying out new research in mountainous areas of Brazil and is aimed at preventing Natechs (natural hazard triggering technological disasters) and improving contingency plans. As a result, several pathways have been identified, which involves the necessity of resolving gaps in terrestrial environmental sensitivity mapping methodologies, particularly as applied to pipelines. Furthermore, solutions must be capable of integrating terrestrial, fluvial, coastal, and maritime environmental sensitivity mapping techniques. Moreover, the need to implement dynamic risk monitoring systems in real time is critical to help manage such a complex problem.

Otago Exercise Program Plus Cognitive Dual-task can Reduce Fall Risk, Improve Cognition and Functioning in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: The risk of falling increases with neuromusculoskeletal and cognitive changes resulting from aging. Physical exercise shows beneficial effects on the risk of falling, but the results are unknown when associated with cognitive activity dual-task (DT). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the impacts of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) plus DT cognitive activity on the risk of falling in older adults. METHODS: 36 older adults (83.5 ± 5.7 years) participated in a quasi-experimental study, distributed in two experimental groups and a control group: 1) OEP (OEPG; n=12), 2) OEP plus DT (OEPDTG; n = 12), and a control group (CG; n=12). Older adults were evaluated at pre- and post- 12 weeks of intervention. The thresholds for the risk of falling were considered as multiparameter scores of the 10 Meter Walking Test (10MWT), evocative 10MWT, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Sit to Stand Test (STS), and The Four-Stage Balance Test (Four-Stage), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), to test the cognitive impairment. RESULTS: At baseline, all groups were homogeneous. Post-intervention, the experimental groups presented significant functional differences, in comparison to the CG, for 10MWT (OEPDTG: p= 0.002; OEPG: p= 0.002); evocative 10MWT (OEPDTG: p=0.001; OEPG: p=0.001); TUG (OEPDTG: p=0.034); STS (OEPDTG: p<0.001; OEPG: p<0.001) and cognitive for MoCA (OEPDTG: p<0.019). Significant intra-group differences (pre-post) were observed in all intervention groups, but none in CG. The risk of falling (Four-Stage) in experimental groups (OEPDTG: 33.3%; OEPG: 41.7%) was considerably lower than CG (83.3%). CONCLUSION: Otago Exercise Program alone can reduce the risk of falling due to improved functionality, but adding the dual task also improves cognitive capacity in older adults. The clinical significance of these interventions goes beyond statistics.