bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Friction Characteristics of SUS440C/Si3N4 Lubricated by Polytetrafluoroethylene Under Cryogenic Environment
Authors: Kakudo Hiromitsu , Takada Satoshi , Hirayama Tomoko 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The friction characteristics of SUS440C-Si3N4 lubricated by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) under cryogenic environment have not been researched well. The lubrication mechanisms in such friction condition need to be clarified to improve the fidelity of performance modeling for ball bearings used in liquid rocket engine turbopumps. This research experimentally investigated the friction coefficient of bearing materials via PTFE lubrication under cryogenic environment to clarify the friction characteristics of cryogenic turbopump ball bearings. These experiments revealed the dependence of the contact pressure on the friction coefficient. By several analyses, it was found that lower friction and better wear-resistance characteristics were caused by PTFE film that strongly adhered to metal fluoride formed on the surface of SUS440C due to moderate friction energy.
University–Organization Collaboration in Sport for Development: Understanding Practitioners’ Perspectives and Experiences in Research and Evaluation Partnerships
Authors: Whitley Meredith A. , Welty Peachey Jon , Leitermann Julia , Shin NaRi , Cohen Adam 
Published: May 2023

Despite a growing body of scholarship exploring university–organization collaborations in the sport for development (SfD) field, there has been limited consideration of the experiences of practitioners and partnering organizations in these partnerships. The purpose of this study was to examine their experiences when partnering with academic institutions, programs, scholars, and/or students, with a specific focus on research and evaluation partnerships. Interviews were conducted with 22 participants working at 20 SfD organizations in the United States. Findings were organized into six main categories (e.g., motivations, factors that facilitate or impede collaboration, collaboration outcomes). A conceptual process framework for university–organization collaboration emerged from the data. This study is one of the first in the SfD field to examine practitioners’ perspectives of university–organization collaborations centered on research and evaluation activities. The findings help advance the SfD field, identifying the various factors at play as these partnerships are formed, activated, and sustained.
The Effects of Light Pressure Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization at Different Rates on Grip Strength and Muscle Stiffness in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Cheatham Scott W. , Martonick Nickolai , Krumpl Lukas , Baker Russell T. 
Published: May 2023

Context: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a popular myofascial treatment utilized by health care professionals. Currently, there is a lack of research on the effects of a light pressure IASTM treatment on the forearm region. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a light pressure IASTM technique at different application rates on grip strength and muscle stiffness. This study was considered exploratory with the goal of establishing methodology for future controlled studies. Design: Observational pretest and posttest clinical study. Methods: Twenty-six healthy adults underwent one light pressure IASTM treatment to their dominant forearm muscles. Participants were allocated to 2 groups of 13 based upon treatment rate: 60 beats per minute and 120 beats per minute. Participants were tested pretreatment and posttreatment for grip strength and tissue stiffness via diagnostic ultrasound. One-way analyses of covariance were used to assess group differences posttreatment for grip strength and tissue stiffness. Results: Statistically significant posttreatment changes for grip strength and tissue stiffness were not found. Despite the nonstatistical significance, there were small decreases in grip strength and tissue stiffness. Faster (120 beats/min) IASTM application may have produced clinically meaningful decreases in grip strength along with a small decrease in tissue stiffness. Conclusions: This report helps to establish methodology for future controlled studies on this topic. Sports medicine professionals should consider these results as exploratory and interpret them with caution. Future research is needed to confirm these findings and begin to postulate possible neurophysiological mechanisms.
All-cause and COVID-19 mortality in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: AlNuaimi Asma A , Chemaitelly Hiam , Semaan Sandy , AlMukdad Sawsan , Al-Kanaani Zaina , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Latif Ali Nizar , Al-Romaihi Hamad Eid , Butt Adeel A , Al-Thani Mohamed H , Bertollini Roberto , AbdulMalik Mariam , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Abu-Raddad Laith J 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate all-cause mortality, COVID-19 mortality and all-cause non-COVID-19 mortality in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA national, retrospective cohort analysis and national, matched, retrospective cohort studies were conducted between 5 February 2020 and 19 September 2022.ResultsThere were 5025 deaths during a follow-up time of 5 247 220 person-years, of which 675 were COVID-19 related. Incidence rates were 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.98) per 1000 person-years for all-cause mortality, 0.13 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.14) per 1000 person-years for COVID-19 mortality and 0.83 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.85) per 1000 person-years for all-cause non-COVID-19 mortality. Adjusted HR, comparing all-cause non-COVID-19 mortality relative to Qataris, was lowest for Indians at 0.38 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.44), highest for Filipinos at 0.56 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.69) and was 0.51 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.58) for craft and manual workers (CMWs). Adjusted HR, comparing COVID-19 mortality relative to Qataris, was lowest for Indians at 1.54 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.44), highest for Nepalese at 5.34 (95% CI 1.56 to 18.34) and was 1.86 (95% CI 1.32 to 2.60) for CMWs. Incidence rate of all-cause mortality for each nationality group was lower than the crude death rate in the country of origin.ConclusionsRisk of non-COVID-19 death was low and was lowest among CMWs, perhaps reflecting the healthy worker effect. Risk of COVID-19 death was also low, but was highest among CMWs, largely reflecting higher exposure during first epidemic wave, before advent of effective COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.
Prediction of medical sciences students’ performance on high-stakes examinations using machine learning models: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Mastour Haniye , Dehghani Toktam , Jajroudi Mahdie , Moradi Ehsan , Zarei Mitra , Eslami Saeid 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionPredicting medical science students’ performance on high-stakes examinations has received considerable attention. Machine learning (ML) models are well-known approaches to enhance the accuracy of determining the students’ performance. Accordingly, we aim to provide a comprehensive framework and systematic review protocol for applying ML in predicting medical science students’ performance on high-stakes examinations. Improving the current understanding of the input and output features, preprocessing methods, setting of ML models and required evaluation metrics seems essential.Methods and analysisA systematic review will be conducted by searching the electronic bibliographic databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Web of Science. The search will be limited to studies published from January 2013 to June 2023. Studies explicitly predicting student performance in high-stakes examinations and referencing their learning outcomes and use of ML models will be included. Two team members will first screen literature meeting the inclusion criteria at the title, abstract and full-text levels. Second, the Best Evidence Medical Education quality framework rates the included literature. Later, two team members will extract data, including the studies’ general data and the ML approach’s details. Finally, the information consensus will be reached and submitted for analysis. The synthesised evidence from this review provides helpful information for medical education policy-makers, stakeholders and other researchers in adopting the ML models to evaluate medical science students’ performance in high-stakes exams.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review protocol summarises findings of existing publications rather than primary data and does not require an ethics review. The results will be disseminated in publications of peer-reviewed journals.
Assessing the unmet needs of patients with advanced cancer treated by biological and precision therapies: protocol for TARGET, a mixed methods study
Authors: Crowe Lisa , Brown Morven , Bojke Andy , Bojke Rona , Greystoke Alastair , Lecouturier Jan , Richardson James , Wells Mary , Todd Adam , Sharp Linda 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionBiological and precision therapies are increasingly used in cancer treatment. Although they may improve survival, they are also associated with various—and unique—adverse effects, which can be long lasting. Little is known about the experiences of people treated with these therapies. Moreover, their supportive care needs have not been fully explored. Consequently, it is unclear whether existing instruments adequately capture the unmet needs of these patients. The TARGET study seeks to address these evidence gaps by exploring the needs of people treated with these therapies with the aim of developing an unmet needs assessment instrument for patients on biological and precision therapies.Methods and analysisThe TARGET study will adopt a multi-methods design involving four Workstreams (1) a systematic review to identify, describe and assess existing unmet needs instruments in advanced cancer; (2) qualitative interviews with patients on biological and precision therapies, and their healthcare professionals, to explore experiences and care needs; (3) development and piloting of a new (or adapted) unmet needs questionnaire (based on the findings of Workstream 1 and Workstream 2) designed to capture the supportive care needs of these patients; and finally, (4) a large-scale patient survey using the new (or modified) questionnaire to determine (a) the psychometric properties of the questionnaire, and (b) the prevalence of unmet needs in these patients. Based on the broad activity of biological and precision therapies, the following cancers will be included: breast, lung, ovarian, colorectal, renal and malignant melanoma.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by National Health Service (NHS) Heath Research Authority Northeast Tyne and Wear South Research Ethics Committee (REC ref: 21/NE/0028). Dissemination of the research findings will take several formats to reach different audiences, including patients, healthcare professionals and researchers.
Effect of modified alternate day fasting diet on the severity of premenstrual syndrome and health-related quality of life in women with overweight or obesity: a trial study protocol
Authors: Hooshiar Saeedeh Hosseini , Yazdani Akram , Jafarnejad Sadegh 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) includes a range of physical, behavioural and psychological symptoms and decreases women’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It has been proposed that increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with menstrual problems and decreased HRQoL. The body fat amount plays a role in menstrual cycles by altering the oestrogen/progesterone ratio. Alternate day fasting as an unusual diet results in the improvement of anthropometric indices and reduction of body weight. This study aims to investigate the effect of a daily calorie restriction diet and a modified alternate day fasting diet on PMS and HRQoL.Methods and analysisThis 8-week open-label parallel randomised controlled trial examines the impact of a modified alternate-day fasting diet and daily caloric restriction on the severity of PMS and HRQoL in obese or overweight women. Using simple random sampling, women between the ages of 18 years and 50 years and 25 ≤ BMI ˂ 40 who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be chosen from the Kashan University of Medical Sciences Centre. Patients will be randomised, based on BMI and age through stratified randomisation. Then by the random numbers table, they are allocated to fasting (intervention) or daily calorie restriction (control) groups. Outcomes are chosen for the trial: the difference in the severity of PMS, HRQoL, BMI, body fat mass, fat-free mass, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference, per cent body fat, skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat area from baseline to 8 weeks.Ethics and disseminationThe Kashan University of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee has approved the trial (IR.KAUMS.MEDNT.REC.1401.003) (17 April 2022). Results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and the participants will be informed via phone calls.Trial registration numberIRCT20220522054958N1.
Holistic needs assessment in outpatient cancer care: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Snowden Austyn , Young Jenny , Roberge Denis , Schipani Stefano , Murray Esther , Richard Claude , Lussier Marie-Therese , White Craig 
Published: May 2023

DesignAnalyst blinded, parallel, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (RCT).ParticipantsPeople with confirmed diagnoses of cancer (head and neck, skin or colorectal) attending follow-up consultation 3 months post-treatment between 2015 and 2020.InterventionHolistic needs assessment (HNA) or care as usual during consultation.ObjectiveTo establish whether incorporating HNA into consultations would increase patient participation, shared decision making and postconsultation self-efficacy.Outcome measuresPatient participation in the consultations examined was measured using (a) dialogue ratio (DR) and (b) the proportion of consultation initiated by patient. Shared decision making was measured with CollaboRATE and self-efficacy with Lorig Scale. Consultations were audio recorded and timed.RandomisationBlock randomisation.BlindingAudio recording analyst was blinded to study group.Results147 patients were randomised: 74 control versus 73 intervention.OutcomeNo statistically significant differences were found between groups for DR, patient initiative, self-efficacy or shared decision making. Consultations were on average 1 min 46 s longer in the HNA group (respectively, 17 m 25 s vs 15 min 39 s).ConclusionHNA did not change the amount of conversation initiated by the patient or the level of dialogue within the consultation. HNA did not change patient sense of collaboration or feelings of self-efficacy afterwards. HNA group raised more concerns and proportionally more emotional concerns, although their consultations took longer than treatment as usual.Implications for practiceThis is the first RCT to test HNA in medically led outpatient settings. Results showed no difference in the way the consultations were structured or received. There is wider evidence to support the roll out of HNA as part of a proactive, multidisciplinary process, but this study did not support medical colleagues facilitating it.Trial registration numberNCT02274701.
‘The fact that I know I can do it is quite a motivator now’: a qualitative study exploring experiences maintaining weight loss 6 months after completing a weight loss programme for knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Lawford Belinda , Hinman Rana S , Jones Sarah , Keating Catherine , Brown Courtney , Bennell Kim L 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveTo explore experiences maintaining weight loss 6 months after completing a multicomponent weight loss programme for knee osteoarthritis.DesignQualitative study based on an interpretivist paradigm and a phenomenological approach that was embedded within a randomised controlled trial.SettingSemistructured interviews were conducted with participants 6 months after completing a 6-month weight loss programme (ACTRN12618000930280) involving a ketogenic very low calorie diet (VLCD), exercise and physical activity programme, videoconferencing consultations with a dietitian and physiotherapist, and provision of educational and behaviour change resources and meal replacement products. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and data were analysed based on the principles of reflexive thematic analysis.Participants20 people with knee osteoarthritis.ResultsThree themes were developed: (1) successfully maintained weight loss; (2) empowering self-management of weight (understand importance of exercise; increased knowledge about food and nutrition; resources from programme still useful; knee pain as a motivator; confidence in ability to self-regulate weight) and (3) challenges keeping on track (loss of accountability to dietitian and study; old habits and social situations; stressful life events or changes in health).ConclusionParticipants had overall positive experiences maintaining their weight loss since completing the weight loss programme and were confident in their ability to self-regulate their weight in the future. Findings suggest a programme incorporating dietitian and physiotherapist consultations, a VLCD, and educational and behaviour change resources supports confidence maintaining weight loss in the medium term. Further research is required to explore strategies to overcome barriers like loss of accountability and returning to old eating habits.
Study protocol of an open-label proof-of-concept trial examining the safety and clinical efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD
Authors: Davis Alan K , Levin Adam W , Nagib Paul B , Armstrong Stacey B , Lancelotta Rafaelle L 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionPsilocybin-assisted therapy has shown significant promise in treating the cluster of mood and anxiety symptoms that comprise post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has yet to be tested specifically in this condition. Furthermore, current pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments for PTSD are difficult to tolerate and limited in efficacy, especially in the US Military Veteran (USMV) population. This open-label pilot study will examine the safety and efficacy of two psilocybin administration sessions (15 mg and 25 mg), combined with psychotherapy, among USMVs with severe, treatment resistant PTSD.Methods and analysisWe will recruit 15 USMVs with severe, treatment resistant PTSD. Participants will receive one low dose (15 mg) and one moderate/high dose (25 mg) of psilocybin in conjunction with preparatory and post-psilocybin therapy sessions. The primary safety outcome will be the type, severity and frequency of adverse events and suicidal ideation/behaviour, as measured by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. The primary outcome measure for PTSD will be the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-5. The primary endpoint will be 1 month following the second psilocybin administration session, and the total follow-up time will be 6 months.Ethics and disseminationAll participants will be required to provide written informed consent. The trial has been authorised by the Ohio State University Institutional Review Board (study number: 2022H0280). Dissemination of results will occur via a peer-reviewed publication and other relevant media.Trial registration numberNCT05554094.
Cohort profile: The Swedish Tattoo and Body Modifications Cohort (TABOO)
Authors: Nielsen Christel , Andréasson Kristofer , Olsson H , Engfeldt Malin , Jöud Anna 
Published: May 2023

PurposeThe Swedish Tattoo and Body Modifications Cohort (TABOO) cohort was established to provide an infrastructure for epidemiological studies researching the role of tattoos and other body modifications as risk factors for adverse health outcomes. It is the first population-based cohort with detailed exposure assessment of decorative, cosmetic, and medical tattoos, piercing, scarification, henna tattoos, cosmetic laser treatments, hair dyeing, and sun habits. The level of detail in the exposure assessment of tattoos allows for investigation of crude dose–response relationships.ParticipantsThe TABOO cohort includes 13 049 individuals that participated in a questionnaire survey conducted in 2021 (response rate 49%). Outcome data are retrieved from the National Patient Register, the National Prescribed Drug Register and the National Cause of Death Register. Participation in the registers is regulated by Swedish law, which eliminates the risk of loss to follow-up and associated selection bias.Findings to dateThe tattoo prevalence in TABOO is 21%. The cohort is currently used to clarify the incidence of acute and long-lasting health complaints after tattooing based on self-reported data. Using register-based outcome data, we are investigating the role of tattoos as a risk factor for immune-mediated disease, including hypersensitisation, foreign body reactions and autoimmune conditions.Future plansThe register linkage will be renewed every third year to update the outcome data, and we have ethical approval to reapproach the responders with additional questionnaires.
Incidence and predictors of perioperative mortality in a low-resource country, Ethiopia: a prospective follow-up study
Authors: Endeshaw Amanuel Sisay , Kumie Fantahun Tarekegn , Molla Misganew Terefe , Zeru Gashaw Abebe , Abera Kassaw Moges , Zeleke Zebenay Bitew , Lakew Tigist Jegnaw 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the incidence and identify predictors of perioperative mortality among the adult age group at Tibebe Ghion Specialised Hospital.DesignA single-centre prospective follow-up study.SettingA tertiary hospital in North West Ethiopia.ParticipantsWe enrolled 2530 participants who underwent surgery in the current study. All adults aged 18 and above were included except those with no telephone.Primary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was time to death measured in days from immediate postoperative time up to the 28th day following surgery.ResultA total of 2530 surgical cases were followed for 67 145 person-days. There were 92 deaths, with an incidence rate of 1.37 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.68) deaths per 1000 person-day observations. Regional anaesthesia was significantly associated with lower postoperative mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.62). Patients aged ≥65 years (AHR 3.04, 95% CI 1.65 to 5.75), American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status III (AHR 2.41, 95% CI 1.1.13 to 5.16) and IV (AHR 2.74, 95% CI 1.08 to 6.92), emergency surgery (AHR 1.85, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.36) and preoperative oxygen saturation <95% (AHR 3.14, 95% CI 1.85 to 5.33) were significantly associated with a higher risk of postoperative mortality.ConclusionThe postoperative mortality rate at Tibebe Ghion Specialised Hospital was high. Age ≥65, ASA physical status III and IV, emergency surgery, and preoperative oxygen saturation <95% were significant predictors of postoperative mortality. Patients with the identified predictors should be offered targeted treatment.