bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome using an investigational lower leg brace. A pilot for a randomised controlled trial.
Authors: McNamara William , Longworth Thomas , Sunwoo Joo Y , Rizvi Syed MT , Knee Christopha J , Cole Brandi F 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveMedial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is common and often difficult to treat. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a lower leg brace on MTSS symptoms compared to a placebo.MethodsA pilot of a prospective double-blinded randomised placebo-controlled trial conducted in two private sports medicine practices. Included were those with symptomatic MTSS lasting 6 weeks or more. Excluded were those with other lower limb pathologies. Fourteen participants formed the study cohort who wore the brace or placebo. The brace applied counterforce pressure to the musculotendinous junctions of the soleus, compressed periosteum at the distal third of the posteromedial tibia and applied inferomedial torsion to the soleus muscle. Additional treatment modalities were recorded. Participants completed a standardised MTSS Severity Score at 0–6, 8, 12 and 24 weeks and recorded return to full activity.ResultsThe brace group demonstrated a significantly reduced MTSS severity score from 5 to 24 weeks (p<0.03) and had returned to full activity within 5 weeks. MTSS score in the placebo group remained unchanged (p >0.05), all participants experienced MTSS recurrence and none returned to full activity over 24 weeks.ConclusionThe lower leg brace demonstrated a reduction in MTSS symptoms from 5 weeks that was sustained over 6 months with a lower rate of MTSS recurrence compared with the placebo. If similar results are seen in a larger cohort, it has potential to benefit patients with MTSS as an adjunct to current treatment modalities. Further investigation regarding efficacy is needed.Trial registration numberACTRN12620000906954.
Inclusion of adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and or communication in research: triangulation from a mixed-methods study of current practice and values across multiple stakeholders
Authors: Killett Anne , Langdon Peter E , Ryan Hayley , Shiggins Ciara , Heywood Rob , Jimoh Oluseyi F , Redley Marcus , Bunning Karen 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesWe aimed to: (A) describe researcher decision-making when including or excluding adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and/or communication in research and (B) explore the underlying values and reasoning of stakeholders in research which falls under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005.DesignThe mixed-methods design included semistructured interviews with adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and/or communication, supporters, researchers, research ethics committee members and an online survey with researchers. Triangulation was used to integrate the data and examine the complementarity of the findings.SettingEngland and Wales.ParticipantsThere were 61 participants who took part in semistructured interviews, of which 39 were adults with conditions with potential to affect capacity and/or communication, 6 were in support roles for adults with conditions with potential to affect capacity and/or communication (including family members and professionals in advocacy organisations), 8 were members of research ethics committees flagged under the Mental Capacity Act to review research where there could be issues of mental capacity and 8 were researchers with experience of working with adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and/or communication. The online survey had 128 participants, researchers with experience of working with adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and/or communication.ResultsAll stakeholders were supportive of the genuine inclusion of adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and/or communication in research, and exclusion was seen as a form of discrimination. Many researchers were daunted by meeting the threshold within the legislation for including participants who may lack capacity.ConclusionFurther training, expertise and resources are required to promote the successful inclusion in research of adults with conditions that have the potential to affect capacity and/or communication.
Association between BUN/creatinine ratio and the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma-related acute respiratory distress syndrome: a single-centre retrospective cohort from the MIMIC database
Authors: Ma Huayi , Lin Song , Xie You , Mo Song , Huang Qiang , Ge Hongfei , Shi Zhanying , Li Sixing , Zhou Dan 
Published: April 2023

ObjectiveRecent studies have shown that blood urea nitrogen to creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio might be an effective marker for the prognosis of patients with respiratory diseases. Herein, we aimed to assess the association between BUN/Cr ratio and the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).DesignA retrospective cohort study.Setting and participants1034 patients were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III (MIMIC-III) database.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality, defined by the vital status at the time of hospital discharge (ie, survivors and non-survivors).ResultsOf the total patients, 191 (18.5%) died in hospital. The median follow-up duration was 16.0 (8.3–26.6) days. The results showed that high level of BUN/Cr ratio was significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (15.54–21.43: HR=2.00, 95% CI: (1.18 to 3.38); >21.43: HR=1.76, 95% CI: (1.04 to 2.99)) of patients with trauma-related ARDS. In patients with trauma-related ARDS that aged ≥65 years old, male and female, Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI)>98, Revised Trauma Score (RTS)>11, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS-II)>37 and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores≤7, BUN/Cr ratio was also related to the increased risk of in-hospital mortality (all p<0.05). The predictive performance of BUN/Cr ratio for in-hospital mortality was superior to BUN or Cr, respectively, with the area under the curve of receiver operator characteristic curve at 0.6, and that association was observed in age, gender, OSI, RTS, SAPS-II and SOFA score subgroups.ConclusionBUN/Cr ratio may be a potential biomarker for the risk of in-hospital mortality of trauma-related ARDS, which may help the clinicians to identify high-risk individuals and to implement clinical interventions.
Association of preoperative spirometry tests with postoperative pulmonary complications after mediastinal mass resection: protocol for a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Fu Yu , Zhang Nan , Yu Jing , Wen Zongmei 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionPatients with a mediastinal mass are at risk of pulmonary complications in the perioperative period. Preoperative spirometry tests are recommended in patients scheduled for thoracic surgery. Our objective is to investigate the association between preoperative spirometry results and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications in patients following mediastinal mass resection, which may determine the usefulness of spirometry tests in the prediction of the perioperative respiratory risk.Methods and analysisThis protocol describes a retrospective cohort study of patients with mediastinal masses in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between 1 September 2021 and 1 September 2022, with a planned sample size of 660 patients. The primary aim of this study is to explore the association between preoperative spirometry results and the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications after mediastinal mass resection. Logistic regression analysis will be used to calculate the adjusted incidence rate difference and incidence rate ratios (with 95% CIs).Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the ethics committee of Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (K21-372Y). The results of the study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed biomedical journal for publication and presented at relevant conferences.
Impact evaluation of the TAMANI project to improve maternal and child health in Tanzania
Authors: Hetherington Erin , Harper Sam , Davidson Rebecca , Festo Charles , Lampkin Nadia , Mtenga Sally , Teixeira Clarissa , Vincent Ilona , Nandi Arijit 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundThe Tabora Maternal and Newborn Health Initiative project was a multicomponent intervention to improve maternal and newborn health in the Tabora region of Tanzania. Components included training healthcare providers and community health workers, infrastructure upgrades, and improvements to health management. This study aimed to examine the impact of trainings on four key outcomes: skilled birth attendance, antenatal care, respectful maternity care and patient–provider communication.MethodsTrainings were delivered sequentially at four time points between 2018 and 2019 in eight districts (two districts at a time). Cross-sectional surveys were administered to a random sample of households in all districts at baseline and after each training wave. Due to practical necessities, the original stepped wedge cluster randomised design of the evaluation was altered mid-programme. Therefore, a difference-in-differences for multiple groups in multiple periods was adopted to compare outcomes in treated districts to not yet treated districts. Risk differences were estimated for the overall average treatment effect on the treated and group/time dynamic effects.ResultsRespondents reported 3895 deliveries over the course of the study. The intervention was associated with a 12.9 percentage point increase in skilled birth attendance (95% CI 0.4 to 25.4), which began to increase 4 months after the end of training in each district. There was little evidence of impact on antenatal care visits, respectful treatment during delivery and patient–provider communication.ConclusionInterventions to train local healthcare workers in basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care increased skilled birth attendance but had limited impact on other pregnancy-related outcomes.
Characteristics of long working hours and subsequent psychological and physical responses: JNIOSH cohort study
Authors: Ochiai Yuko , Takahashi Masaya , Matsuo Tomoaki , Sasaki Takeshi , Sato Yuki , Fukasawa Kenji , Araki Tsuyoshi , Otsuka Yasumasa 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the prospective association among objectively measured average working hours (AWHs), frequency of long working hours (FLWHs; defined as ≥205 working hours/month (≥45 hours/week)) for 6 months, and workers’ self-reported psychological and physical health.MethodsThe study included 15 143 workers from 5 Japanese companies. We collected monthly attendance records over 6 months before distributing a questionnaire survey on psychological/physical stress responses and work-related demographics. We then evaluated the associations of those attendance records with psychological/physical measures using analysis of covariance adjusted for sex, age, employment, job type, working conditions, work site and experience of emergency state due to COVID-19.ResultsIrritability, anxiety and depression were significantly greater at ≥180 hours (≥45 hours/week), and fatigue and lack of vigour were greater at ≥205 hours than those of the normal working-hour group (140–180 hours/month [35–45 hours/week]). Psychological indices increased significantly with FLWH, with ≥3 times for irritability, depression and fatigue; ≥2 times for lack of vigour; and ≥1 time for anxiety when compared with no long working hours. No significant associations were observed between AWH or FLWH and physical stress responses.ConclusionsLonger AWH was associated with higher levels of psychological stress responses. The effects of FLWH in the past 6 months varied among the psychological stress responses and did not occur for physical complaints. Under circumstances requiring long hours, workers’ mental health should be protected through minimising the frequency of long work hours.
Measuring Progress: The Ottoman Revival of Systematist Music Theory, c.1900
Authors: Olley Jacob 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This article traces the historical and intellectual origins of modern Turkish music theory in the late Ottoman period. It examines debates about music theory in the Ottoman Turkish press during the 1880s and 1890s, focusing particularly on the earliest publications of Raʾūf Yektā (1288–1353/1871–1935). The article shows how the modern Turkish theory of pitch was created by Yektā and his collaborators through the rediscovery of Arabic and Persian treatises associated with the Systematist school of mathematical music theory, which flourished between the seventh/thirteenth and ninth/fifteenth centuries. It argues that this project to bring Ottoman music into the modern “age of progress” was shaped by the ideals of both scientific positivism and Islamic modernism.
An Analytic Model for the Clear-Sky Longwave Feedback
Authors: Koll Daniel D. B. , Jeevanjee Nadir , Lutsko Nicholas J. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Climate models and observations robustly agree that Earth’s clear-sky longwave feedback has a value of about −2 W m−2 K−1, suggesting that this feedback can be estimated from first principles. In this study, we derive an analytic model for Earth’s clear-sky longwave feedback. Our approach uses a novel spectral decomposition that splits the feedback into four components: a surface Planck feedback and three atmospheric feedbacks from CO2, H2O, and the H2O continuum. We obtain analytic expressions for each of these terms, and the model can also be framed in terms of Simpson’s law and deviations therefrom. We validate the model by comparing it against line-by-line radiative transfer calculations across a wide range of climates. Additionally, the model qualitatively matches the spatial feedback maps of a comprehensive climate model. For present-day Earth, our analysis shows that the clear-sky longwave feedback is dominated by the surface in the global mean and in the dry subtropics; meanwhile, atmospheric feedbacks from CO2 and H2O become important in the inner tropics. Together, these results show that a spectral view of Earth’s clear-sky longwave feedback elucidates not only its global-mean magnitude, but also its spatial pattern and its state dependence across past and future climates.
Significance Statement
The climate feedback determines how much our planet warms due to changes in radiative forcing. For more than 50 years scientists have been predicting this feedback using complex numerical models. Except for cloud effects the numerical models largely agree, lending confidence to global warming predictions, but nobody has yet derived the feedback from simpler considerations. We show that Earth’s clear-sky longwave feedback can be estimated using only pen and paper. Our results confirm that numerical climate models get the right number for the right reasons, and allow us to explain regional and state variations of Earth’s climate feedback. These variations are difficult to understand solely from numerical models but are crucial for past and future climates.
Southern Annular Mode: A New Factor Impacts the East African Short Rains after the Early 1990s
Authors: Mbigi Dickson , Xiao Ziniu 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
It is well known that the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are closely related to rainfall variability over East Africa. This study found that the preceding August–October (ASO) Southern Annular Mode (SAM) can influence East African rainfall from October to December [i.e., East African short rains (EASR)], with a strong and significant relationship during the period of 1992–2019 than 1971–91. This is likely a result of the changes in SAM variations. It is further revealed that, during 1992–2019, the ASO SAM, via air–sea interactions, can excite meridional dipole sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) and warm SSTA over the southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans, respectively. In contrast, during 1971–91, the SAM induces warm SSTA over the southern Indian Ocean. Further analysis indicated that these ASO SAM-related SSTA patterns persist through the following October–December and exert a contrasting influence on the EASR. Based on the possible mechanism, the enhanced influence of SAM on EASR appears to be achieved through significant meridional circulation in the Indian Ocean basin, with anomalous sinking motion in the extratropics and the rising motion in the tropical Maritime Continent (MC) region. Correspondingly, strong convection is enhanced over the MC, altering zonal vertical circulation. This process results in anomalous westerlies in the tropical Indian Ocean, which reduces the atmospheric moisture, weakens convection, and suppresses rainfall over the central-western Indian Ocean, including the study region. Further analysis suggests that the prediction skill of the EASR related to the SAM, ENSO, and IOD was enhanced during 1992–2019.

Significance Statement
Several studies have investigated the influence of tropical climate anomalies, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean dipole, on the rainfall variability over East Africa. The region continues to be plagued by numerous climate-related disasters, including flooding and drought, and the associated varying impacts have been detrimental. As such, there is a need to understand further the factors and associated physical processes that cause such events and improve forecasting accuracy. This research emphasizes the role of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), finding a strengthened lagged relationship with East African rainfall in recent decades. This implies that changes in the SAM should be considered in understanding present and future rainfall variability in the region.
Observed Interannual Relationship between ITCZ Position and Tropical Cyclone Frequency
Authors: Liao Xiaoqing , Holloway Christopher E. , Feng Xiangbo , Liu Chunlei , Lyu Xinyu , Xue Yufeng , Bao Ruijuan , Li Jiandong , Qiao Fangli 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
There are no well-accepted mechanisms that can explain the annual frequency of tropical cyclones (TCs) both globally and in individual ocean basins. Recent studies using idealized models showed that the climatological frequency of TC genesis (TCG) is proportional to the Coriolis parameter associated with the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) position. In this study, we investigate the effect of the ITCZ position on TCG on the interannual time scale using observations over 1979–2020. Our results show that the TCG frequency is significantly correlated with the ITCZ position in the North Atlantic (NA) and western North Pacific (WNP), with more TCG events in years when the ITCZ is farther poleward. The ITCZ–TCG relationship in NA is dominated by TCG events in the tropics (0°–20°N), while the relationship in WNP is due to TCs formed in the east sector (140°E–180°). We further confirmed that ENSO has little effect on the ITCZ–TCG relationship despite the fact that it can affect the ITCZ position and TCG frequency separately. In NA and WNP, a poleward shift of ITCZ is significantly associated with large-scale environment changes favoring TCG in the main development region (MDR). However, the basinwide TCG frequency has a weak relationship with the ITCZ in other ocean basins. We showed that a poleward ITCZ in the eastern North Pacific and South Pacific favors TCG on the poleward flank of the MDR, while it suppresses TCG on the equatorward flank, leading to insignificant change in the basinwide TCG frequency. In the south Indian Ocean, the ITCZ position has weak effect on TCG frequency due to the mixed influences of environmental conditions.
Magnetic field induced alignment of graphene nanoplatelets in epoxy resin to develop model nanocomposite
Authors: Tiwari Anupam , Panda Saroja Kanta 
Published: April 2023

In this work, a mathematical model is developed to optimize the alignment parameters of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNP) and Fe3O4-GNP applying a weak DC magnetic field (0.05 T), considering rotation, translation, migration, and slackening mechanisms of the nanoparticle in the epoxy. The characteristic magnetic, viscosity and hydrodynamic parameters required by the mathematic model are determined experimentally by synthesizing the magnetite ferric oxide (Fe3O4) and attaching them to GNP to increase its magnetic susceptibility. A highly aligned Fe3O4-GNP nanocomposite is fabricated at 0.05 T magnetic field and 40 Pa-s dynamic viscosity of epoxy, as evident from the optical image analysis. The mass magnetic susceptibility for the nanoparticles are determined at different magnetic field. Time needed for the alignment process at 0.05 T and viscosity range 10–50 Pa-s are compared among the rotation, chaining, migration and the slackening phenomena. The procedure demonstrated to prepare fully cured nanocomposite with aligned Fe3O4-GNP can be used in advanced structures.
Quality of life and tomography indices in patients with keratoconus
Authors: Al Bdour Muawyah , AlRyalat Saif Aldeen , Salameh Razan , Alomari Laith , Riyalat Ahmad , Fakhouri Zaid , Al-Abdallat Laith , Naser Kamal , Alshrouf Mohammad A. , Al-Amer Ahmad 
Published: April 2023

Objective Keratoconus is a corneal ectasia that leads to thinning and steepening of the corneal surface. We aimed to assess the relationship between quality of life and corneal tomography indices, irrespective of visual acuity. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using a translated and validated Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ) in Arabic language. We screened patients with keratoconus using the Belin/Ambrósio D-Index. We included the best-seeing eye in each patient with keratoconus, with a best corrected visual acuity better than 0.5. We collected variables including KORQ scores, flattest meridian keratometry, steepest meridian keratometry, mean keratometry front, maximum simulated keratometry, astigmatism front, Q value front, and thickness at the thinnest location. We performed linear regression analysis to identify predictors of the visual function score and symptom score. Results Sixty-nine patients were included in this study, 43 (62.3%) male and 26 (37.7%) female patients, with a mean age 34.0 ± 11.50 years. The only predictor for visual function score was sex (β = 11.64, 95% confidence interval: 3.50–19.78). None of the topographic indices were related to quality of life. Conclusion In this study, quality of life in patients with keratoconus was not related to specific tomography indices and might be related to visual acuity itself.
The Use of Chemical Coupling Agents in Glass Reinforced Polyolefins
Authors: Cameron R. , Constable R.C. 
Published: April 2023

European demand for glass filled reinforced polyolefins continues to show significant growth rates. The main drive behind this is material replacement within the automotive and household appliance markets. In particular the automotive industry is turning towards glass filled polypropylene components both to reduce weight and increase recyclability. One route by which the performance of glass filled composites can be improved is by incorporating chemical coupling agents. In this paper the property enhancement achievable with POLYBOND 3002, supplied by BP Chemicals, is described. In addition development work with glass filled polymer alloys is presented.