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Aims: This study aims to examine the construct validity of Physical Activity Neighborhoods Environment Scales, Oman (PANES-O), and compare the subjective perceptions with objective measures in Muscat, the capital area of Oman. Methods: Walkability index scores using GIS maps were calculated for 35 study areas in Muscat based on which five low and 5 high walkable study areas were randomly selected. A community survey was then conducted in November 2020 in each study area using the 16-item PANES-O instrument to measure the participants' perception of neighborhood density, land use mix, infrastructure, safety, aesthetics, and street connectivity. Due to pandemic restrictions, a social media-based purposive sampling strategy was utilized to reach community-based networks and complete digital data collection. Results: Significant differences between the low and high walkablehigh-walkable neighborhoods were observed for 2 of 3 macroenvironment subscales, density and land use. Respondents in high walkable neighborhoods perceived their areas as having more twin villas (P = 0.001) and apartment buildings (P < 0.001), greater access to destinations (like more shops, and places to go within walking distance; P < 0.001), easy access to public transport (P < 0.001), and more places to be active (P < 0.001); than their counterparts in low walkable neighborhoods. In terms of microenvironmental attributes, respondents in high walkablehigh-walkable neighborhoods perceived their areas to have better infrastructure, better aesthetic qualities, and better social environment than their counterparts in low walkablelow-walkable neighborhoods. Significant differences in perceptions across 12 of the 16-item PANES tool confirmed that 6 of the 7 subscales were significantly sensitive to built environment attributes between the low and high walkable study areas. Respondents in high walkable neighborhoods perceived their areas as having greater access to destinations (like more shops, places to go within walking distance; P ≤ 0.001), easy access to public transport (P ≤ 0.001), more places to be active (P ≤ 0.001), better infrastructure (like more sidewalks, facilities to bicycle; P ≤ 0.001), and better aesthetic qualities (P ≤ 0.001). PANES-O also was able to rate high walkable neighborhoods to be higher in residential density and land-use mix compared to the low walkable neighborhoods demonstrating its sensitivity to the GIS maps' objective measures. Conclusions and recommendations: These results provide preliminary strong support for the construct validity of PANES-O, suggestingconfirming that it is a promising tool for assessing macroenvironmental perceptions related to physical activity in Oman. Further research using objective measures of microenvironments and device-based physical activity scores is needed to confirm the criterion validity of the 10 micro-environmental attributes of PANES-O using objective measures for the microenvironment. PANES-O could be used to generate and develop the needed evidence on the most appropriate approaches to improving the built environment to promote physical activity and urban planning in Omanthe country.

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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to adapt the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale (PANES), which is a 17-item tool for assessing environmental factors relevant for walking and bicycling in the community, to the Omani context. METHODS: The adaptation process was conducted in three steps: (1) revision by local experts, (2) Arabic translation and cognitive testing and (3) test-retest reliability testing with a sample of 33 Omani women and men, between September 2016 and August 2017. RESULTS: Four of the 17 items of the PANES were modified and one was removed, resulting in a 16-item PANES, Oman (PANES-O) questionnaire. The test-retest reliability scores ranged from 0.436-1.000; scores for more than half (n = 9) were almost perfect (0.8-1.0), demonstrating a good level of consistency and good psychometric performance similar to other studies. CONCLUSION: The PANES-O demonstrated good test-retest reliability and appears to be a promising tool for assessing environmental perceptions related to physical activity in Oman. However, construct validity should be confirmed before wider use.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare ultrasound images of the kidney obtained, randomly or in a controlled manner (standardizing the physical aspects of the ultrasound system), by various professionals and with different devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated a total of 919 images of kidneys, obtained by five professionals using two types of ultrasound systems, in 24 patients. The images were categorized into four types, by how they were acquired and processed. We compared the gray-scale median and different gray-scale ranges representative of virtual histological tissues. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences among the five professionals, regardless of the type of ultrasound system employed, in terms of the gray-scale medians for the images obtained (p < 2.2e-16). Analyzing the four categories of images-a totally random image (without any standardization); a standardized image (with fixed values for gain, time gain control, and dynamic range); a normalized version of the random image; and a normalized version of the standardized image-we determined that the random image, even after normalization, differed quite significantly among the professionals (p = 0.006098). The analysis of the normalized version of the standardized image did not differ significantly among the professionals (p = 0.7319). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a gray-scale analysis of ultrasound images of the kidney performs better when the image acquisition process is standardized and the images undergo a process of normalization.

OBJETIVO: Comparar imagens renais ultrassonográficas obtidas de maneira aleatória e controlada (padronizando fatores físicos do aparelho de ultrassom) por diferentes profissionais e aparelhos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram obtidos quatro tipos de imagens, de acordo com sua aquisição e processamento por cinco profissionais e dois tipos de aparelhos de ultrassonografia, em 24 pacientes, totalizando 919 imagens. Comparamos a mediana de escala de cinza e diferentes intervalos de tons de cinza representantes de tecidos histológicos virtuais. RESULTADOS: As medianas de escala de cinza de imagens renais obtidas por dois tipos de aparelhos foram estatisticamente diferentes (p < 2.2e-16). Analisando os quatro tipos de imagens, partindo de uma totalmente aleatória (sem qualquer padronização), uma padronizada (fixado o ganho, time gain control e dynamic range), e essas duas passando por um processo de normatização, obteve-se que a imagem aleatória é totalmente diversa entre os profissionais (p = 0,006098), mesmo passando pelo processo de normatização. A imagem padronizada, após passar pelo processo de normatização, apresentou resultados equivalentes, não possuindo diferença estatística (p = 0,7319). CONCLUSÃO: Constatou-se que na análise de tons de cinza deve-se usar um mesmo tipo de máquina e uma imagem em que sejam padronizados aspectos físicos, passando por um processo de normatização/padronização.

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Morphological characterisation of the genital organs of primates may bring significant contributions to the understanding of different reproductive behaviours and support new conservation strategies. However, relevant or detailed descriptions of genital morphology of several primate species are still lacking. This study describes the gross and microscopic anatomy of the internal and external genitalia of Marca's marmoset (Mico marcai). The same organs described in other primate species were identified here, but some anatomical particularities were detected, such as absence of a dartos tunic, presence of a vas deferens ampulla, absence of spongious erectile tissue in the pelvic urethra, separation of prostate gland lobes by a longitudinal sulcus and lack of septation in the corpus cavernosus and spongiosus at the level of the shaft and free portion of the penis. Keratinised type 1 spicules arising from epidermal or dermal projections were found in the free portion of the penis. Microscopic analysis revealed a small bone (baculum) consisting of peripheral compact bone and a central, non-ossified area filled with vascular tissue at the distal end of this portion of the penis. Results of this study may support further comparative studies of primates' reproductive ecology.

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