bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forensic autopsies in Norway 1996–2017: A retrospective study of factors associated with deaths undergoing forensic autopsy
Authors: Lycke Ellingsen Christian , Alfsen G. Cecilie , Braut Geir Sverre 
Published: March 2021

Aims: Forensic autopsies are important for the investigation of deaths with a legal or public-health interest, as well as being a source for cause-of-death statistics. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of forensic autopsies in Norway, with a special emphasis on geographical variation. Methods: Data from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry for the years 1996–2017 included 920,232 deaths and 37,398 forensic autopsies. We used logistic regression to identify factors that were associated with the proportion of forensic autopsies, grouped according to the registered cause of death. Explanatory variables were age and sex, place of death, police district, population size and urbanity level of the municipality and distance to the autopsy facility. Results: The proportion of deaths undergoing forensic autopsy was 4.1%, with the highest being homicides (96.6%) and the lowest being deaths from natural causes (1.7%). Variation between police districts was 0.9–7.8%, and the span persisted during the study period. The most important explanatory variables across the strata were place of death (there were few autopsies of deaths in health-care facilities), police district and age of the deceased. Distance to the autopsy facility, sex, population size and the level of urbanity had only a minor influence. The variation between police districts was not fully accounted for by the other investigated factors. Conclusions: Unjustified differences in the frequency of autopsies may lead to insufficient investigation of possible unnatural deaths. In worst-case scenarios, homicides or other criminal cases might remain undetected. It may also introduce spurious shifts in the cause-of-death statistics.
PLAT 20(1) 2021: Enhancing Student Learning in Research and Educational Practice: The Power of Retrieval Practice and Feedback
Authors: Kubik Veit , Gaschler Robert , Hausman Hannah 
Published: March 2021

Students and instructors are looking for effective study and instructional strategies that enhance student achievement across a range of content and conditions. The current Special Issue features seven articles and one report, which used varied methodologies to investigate the benefits of practising retrieval and providing feedback for learning. This editorial serves as an introduction and conceptual framework for these papers. Consistent with trends in the broader literature, the research in this Special Issue goes beyond asking whether retrieval practice and feedback enhance learning, but rather, when, for whom, and under what conditions. The first set of articles examined the benefits of retrieval practice compared to restudy (i.e., the testing effect) and various moderators of the testing effect, including participants’ cognitive and personality characteristics ( Bertilsson et al., 2021 ) as well as the timing of the practice test and sleep ( Kroneisen & Kuepper-Tetzel, 2021 ). The second set of articles examined the efficacy of different types of feedback, including complex versus simple feedback ( Enders et al., 2021 ; Pieper et al., 2021 ) and positively or negatively valenced feedback ( Jones et al., 2021 ). Finally, the third set of articles to this Special Issue examined practical considerations of implementing both retrieval practice and feedback with educationally relevant materials and contexts. Some of the practical issues examined included when students should search the web to look for answers to practice problems ( Giebl et al., 2021 ), whether review quizzes should be required and contribute to students’ final grades ( den Boer et al., 2021 ), and how digital learning environments should be designed to teach students to use effective study strategies such as retrieval practice ( Endres et al., 2021 ). In short, retrieval and feedback practices are effective and robust tools to enhance learning and teaching, and the papers in the current Special Issue provide insight into ways for students and teachers to implement these strategies.
Optimal design of cluster randomised trials with continuous recruitment and prospective baseline period
Authors: Hooper Richard , Copas Andrew J 
Published: March 2021

Background: Cluster randomised trials, like individually randomised trials, may benefit from a baseline period of data collection. We consider trials in which clusters prospectively recruit or identify participants as a continuous process over a given calendar period, and ask whether and for how long investigators should collect baseline data as part of the trial, in order to maximise precision. Methods: We show how to calculate and plot the variance of the treatment effect estimator for different lengths of baseline period in a range of scenarios, and offer general advice. Results: In some circumstances it is optimal not to include a baseline, while in others there is an optimal duration for the baseline. All other things being equal, the circumstances where it is preferable not to include a baseline period are those with a smaller recruitment rate, smaller intracluster correlation, greater decay in the intracluster correlation over time, or wider transition period between recruitment under control and intervention conditions. Conclusion: The variance of the treatment effect estimator can be calculated numerically, and plotted against the duration of baseline to inform design. It would be of interest to extend these investigations to cluster randomised trial designs with more than two randomised sequences of control and intervention condition, including stepped wedge designs.
Leveraging historiometry to better understand teams in context
Authors: Burke C. Shawn , Wiese Christopher W. , Campbell Lauren N. P. 
Published: March 2021

The prevalence of teams in organizational settings has dramatically increased over the last 50 years, and as such, researchers have made much progress in understanding the conditions and intra-team dynamics that facilitate successful team performance. However, much remains to be learned due to the complexity of teams. This complexity often makes it difficult to study teams operating in context, especially when trying to examine longitudinal aspects of teams. Adding to this difficulty, studying teams in context is resource intensive and access is often a key barrier, especially if the focus is on teams that are elite or that operate in extreme environments. This drives a need to look outside the traditional methodological tools typically utilized to study teams. Thereby, the purpose of this manuscript is to highlight a method that while not typically utilized in the team literature can offer benefits when exploring team dynamics in context—historiometry.
The relation of anatomical distribution of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with HbA1c level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shatnawi Nawaf J. , Al-Zoubi Nabil A. , Hawamdeh Hassan M. , Khader Yousef S. , Heis Mowafeq , Al Omari Mamoon , Bataineh Bassem 
Published: March 2021

Aims: Increased level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is associated with an increased prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This study aimed to assess the relationship between the anatomical distribution of symptomatic PAD lesions in patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c levels at the time of PAD diagnosis. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was conducted at King Abdullah University Hospital during the period August 2011 to December 2015. Consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes presented with symptomatic PAD confirmed by computed tomography-angiography (CTA) were included in this study. CTA images were reviewed. Relevant information including demographic data, PAD symptoms, comorbidities, HbA1c level, lipid profile, C-reactive protein and the mean platelets volume were retrieved from medical records. Results: A total of 332 patients with type 2 diabetes (255 males and 77 females) were included in this study. The mean HbA1c at the time of PAD diagnosis was 8.68% (±2.06%). The prevalence of hemodynamic relevant atherosclerotic lesions of the superficial femoral artery, popliteal artery, leg vessels, femoro-popliteal, and crural segments was significantly higher in patients with HbA1c >7.5% compared with patients with HbA1c ⩽7.5%. Conclusion: The anatomical distribution of symptomatic PAD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus differed significantly according to HbA1c level at the time of PAD diagnosis.
The Influence of Endplate Morphology on Cage Subsidence in Patients With Stand-Alone Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF)
Authors: Hu Ziang , He Dengwei , Gao Jiawei , Zeng Zhongyou , Jiang Chao , Ni Weiyu , Yik Jasper H. N. , Zhao Xing , Fan Shunwu 
Published: March 2021

Study Design: A retrospective study of prospectively collected radiographic and clinical data. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between endplate morphology parameters and the incidence of cage subsidence in patients with mini-open single-level oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). Methods: We included 119 inpatients who underwent OLIF from February 2015 to December 2017. A total of 119 patients with single treatment level of OLIF were included. Plain anteroposterior and lateral radiograph were taken preoperatively, postoperatively, and during follow-up. The correlation between disc height, endplate concave angle/depth, cage position and cage subsidence were investigated. Functional rating index (Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire) were employed to assess clinical outcomes. Results: Cage subsidence was more commonly seen at the superior endplates (42/119, 35.29%) than at the inferior endplates (6/119, 5.04%) (p < 0.01). More importantly, cage subsidence was significantly less in patients with superior endplates that were without concave angle (3/20, 15%) than with concave angle (37/99, 37.37%) (p < 0.05). Cage subsidence correlated negatively with preoperative anterior disc height (r = −0.21, p < 0.05), but positively with disc distraction rate (r = 0.27, p < 0.01). Lastly, the distance of cage to the anterior edges of the vertebral body showed a positive correlation (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrated that endplate morphology correlates with cage subsidence after OLIF. Since relatively flat endplates with smaller concave angle significantly diminish the incidence of subsidence, the morphology of cage surface should be taken into consideration when designing the next generation of cage. In addition, precise measurement of the disc height to avoid over-distraction, and more anteriorly placement of the cage is suggested to reduce subsidence.
Comparison of Surgical Results of the Bridge Crane Technique Versus Laminectomy for the Treatment of Thoracic Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum
Authors: Sun Kaiqiang , Sun Xiaofei , Zhu Jian , Huang Fei , Huan Le , Xu Ximing , Zhang Peng , Sun Jingchuan , Shi Jiangang 
Published: March 2021

Study Design: A retrospective study. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the bridge crane technique versus laminectomy for the treatment of thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF). Methods: Totally 41 patients who underwent surgical decompression due to thoracic OLF from May 2017 to June 2018 in our institution were enrolled in this study and were divided into group BG (bridge crane technique, n = 19) and group L (laminoectomy, n = 22). Demographic data was collected from medical records and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system was used to evaluate the neurological outcomes during the follow-up. Surgery-related complications were analyzed. Results: The mean duration of follow-up was comparable between group BG (19.4 ± 1.5 months) and group L (19.6 ± 1.4 months). No statistical differences were observed between two groups in terms of gender, age, duration of symptoms, preoperative occupying rate, involved levels, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications. The JOA score significantly increased at the final follow-up in both groups. However, patients in group BG had higher JOA score and recovery rate ( P < 0.05). Four patients in group L experienced complications, including 3 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage and one postoperative hematoma. Only one patient in group BG had CSF leakage. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that bridge crane technique may be relatively safe and effective for patients with symptomatic thoracic OLF with more satisfactory clinical improvement. However, high-quality studies are still required to validate the results of this study.
Psychosocial Predictors of Medically Unexplained Infertility in Urban Working Women
Authors: Chakraborty Moumita , Gupta Parama , Ray Deepshikha 
Published: March 2021

Background: Infertility is one of the major causes of mental health issues among couples. Interestingly, a large percentage of this infertility cannot be always explained in terms of a medical diagnosis. Psychological distress has long been suspected as having an important impact on infertility. However, the exact nature of association between psychological factors and infertility has been a subject matter of scientific debate. For modern urban women, there is an additional obligation of balancing work and home responsibilities; this dual role inevitably leads to stress. In this context, an important yet less-explored area of infertility is the role of work-related stress on female infertility. Aims: This study tries to investigate the mediating role of certain psychosocial constructs viz (a) Self-efficacy related to work-family conflict—measured in terms of “work-family conflict self-efficacy scale” by Cinamon (2003), (b) perceived occupational stress—measured in terms of “work-to-family conflict scale” by Netemeyer et al (1996), (c) decision-making in family—measured in terms of “decision-making scale” by Blood and Wolfe, (d) perceived infertility stress—measured in terms of “fertility problem inventory” by Newton et al (1999) in 25 urban working women of the age range 28 to 40 years who have been experiencing medically unexplained infertility for at least 1 year; the severity of infertility being measured in terms of duration of involuntary childlessness. Results: The analysis reveals that severity of medically unexplained infertility can be explained in terms of “self-efficacy related to work-family conflict” and “perceived infertility stress”; 28.6% of variation in severity of unexplained infertility being contributed by “self-efficacy related to work-family conflict” and 46.9% of the variation in the severity of unexplained infertility being contributed by a conjunction of “perceived infertility stress” and “self-efficacy related to work-family conflict.” Conclusion: The findings imply that urban educated women tend to place more psychological emphasis on “motherhood,” and “perceived deficit in attaining motherhood” seems to be the important source of personal stress for these women in comparison to stressors emanating from occupational hazards and family dynamics related to decision-making.
Distal Iliotibial Band Z-lengthening for Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Authors: Dart Scott E. , Hyde Zane , Gwathmey Winston , Werner Brian C. 
Published: March 2021

Background: This technique video reviews an iliotibial band Z-lengthening procedure for iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome using a patient case example. Indications: Indications for considering surgical intervention include a diagnosis of iliotibial band syndrome, ruling out other possible etiologies of knee pain, and a minimum of 6 months of failed conservative treatment. Technique Description: There are several surgical techniques described in the literature, although the ITB Z-lengthening procedure is preferred at our institution. This technique uses a “Z”-type incision through the distal ITB to allow lengthening of the ITB and to allow access for surgical debridement of the underlying inflamed bursa. Nonabsorbable suture is then used for a side-to-side repair of the ITB in the elongated position. Results: Complications from this technique are uncommon, and the few published outcomes from this procedure show good clinical results and return to preactivity levels. Discussion/Conclusion: Preoperative planning should include analysis of lower extremity alignment and can include advanced imaging to rule out intra-articular pathology. Diagnostic arthroscopy is typically used at the start of the case for completeness. Distal iliotibial band Z-lenghtening can be a successful surgical option for patients who have failed extensive conservative treatment for iliotibial band syndrome.
Cyanobacteria and their secondary metabolites in three freshwater reservoirs in the United Kingdom
Authors: Filatova Daria , Jones Martin R. , Haley John A. , Núñez Oscar , Farré Marinella , Janssen Elisabeth M.-L. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Bloom-forming cyanobacteria occur globally in aquatic environments. They produce diverse bioactive metabolites, some of which are known to be toxic. The most studied cyanobacterial toxins are microcystins, anatoxin, and cylindrospermopsin, yet more than 2000 bioactive metabolites have been identified to date. Data on the occurrence of cyanopeptides other than microcystins in surface waters are sparse.

Results
We used a high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–HRMS/MS) method to analyse cyanotoxin and cyanopeptide profiles in raw drinking water collected from three freshwater reservoirs in the United Kingdom. A total of 8 cyanopeptides were identified and quantified using reference standards. A further 20 cyanopeptides were identified based on a suspect-screening procedure, with class-equivalent quantification. Samples from Ingbirchworth reservoir showed the highest total cyanopeptide concentrations, reaching 5.8, 61, and 0.8 µg/L in August, September, and October, respectively. Several classes of cyanopeptides were identified with anabaenopeptins, cyanopeptolins, and microcystins dominating in September with 37%, 36%, and 26%, respectively. Samples from Tophill Low reservoir reached 2.4 µg/L in September, but remained below 0.2 µg/L in other months. Samples from Embsay reservoir did not exceed 0.1 µg/L. At Ingbirchworth and Tophill Low, the maximum chlorophyll-a concentrations of 37 µg/L and 22 µg/L, respectively, and cyanobacterial count of 6 × 104 cells/mL were observed at, or a few days after, peak cyanopeptide concentrations. These values exceed the World Health Organization’s guideline levels for relatively low probability of adverse health effects, which are defined as 10 µg/L chlorophyll-a and 2 × 104 cells/mL.

Conclusions
This data is the first to present concentrations of anabaenopeptins, cyanopeptolins, aeruginosins, and microginins, along with microcystins, in U.K. reservoirs. A better understanding of those cyanopeptides that are abundant in drinking water reservoirs can inform future monitoring and studies on abatement efficiency during water treatment.
mtDNAcombine: tools to combine sequences from multiple studies
Authors: Miller Eleanor F. , Manica Andrea 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundToday an unprecedented amount of genetic sequence data is stored in publicly available repositories. For decades now, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been the workhorse of genetic studies, and as a result, there is a large volume of mtDNA data available in these repositories for a wide range of species. Indeed, whilst whole genome sequencing is an exciting prospect for the future, for most non-model organisms’ classical markers such as mtDNA remain widely used. By compiling existing data from multiple original studies, it is possible to build powerful new datasets capable of exploring many questions in ecology, evolution and conservation biology. One key question that these data can help inform is what happened in a species’ demographic past. However, compiling data in this manner is not trivial, there are many complexities associated with data extraction, data quality and data handling.ResultsHere we present the mtDNAcombine package, a collection of tools developed to manage some of the major decisions associated with handling multi-study sequence data with a particular focus on preparing sequence data for Bayesian skyline plot demographic reconstructions.ConclusionsThere is now more genetic information available than ever before and large meta-data sets offer great opportunities to explore new and exciting avenues of research. However, compiling multi-study datasets still remains a technically challenging prospect. The mtDNAcombine package provides a pipeline to streamline the process of downloading, curating, and analysing sequence data, guiding the process of compiling data sets from the online database GenBank.
Genome-wide analysis of AP2/ERF superfamily in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and the association between NnADAP and rhizome morphology
Authors: Cao Dingding , Lin Zhongyuan , Huang Longyu , Damaris Rebecca Njeri , Yang Pingfang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
The AP2/ERF family is widely present in plants and plays a crucial regulatory role in plant growth and development. As an essential aquatic horticultural model plant, lotus has an increasingly prominent economic and research value.

Results
We have identified and analysed the AP2/ERF gene family in the lotus. Initially, 121 AP2/ERF family genes were identified. By analysing their gene distribution and protein structure, and their expression patterns during the development of lotus rhizome, combined with previous studies, we obtained an SNP (megascaffold_20:3578539) associated with lotus rhizome phenotype. This SNP was in the NnADAP gene of the AP2 subfamily, and the changes in SNP (C/T) caused amino acid conversion (proline/leucine). We constructed a population of 95 lotus varieties for SNP verification. Through population typing experiments, we found that the group with SNP CC had significantly larger lotus rhizome and higher soluble sugar content among the population.

Conclusions
In conclusion, we speculate that the alteration of the SNP in the NnADAP can affect the size and sugar content of the lotus rhizome.