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On the Determination of the Speed of a Fast Solar Wind Stream Using Two Independent Measurements of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field
Get PDFThe fast solar wind stream which resulted from the helio-meridional crossing of an equatorial coronal hole on June 29th and 30th 2005 passed the Wind and Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft during July 1st and 2nd. This fast stream caused a moderate magnetospheric storm following a weak (though clearly defined) sudden commencement at 14:12 UT on July 1st. During the event, the two spacecraft were both in the vicinity of the L1 libration point, though separated in the Sun-Earth direction by about 150000 km. An algebraic method is described whereby the speed of the particle flux can be determined using measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field at the two spacecraft
Type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with intellectual disabilities: Examining incidence, risk factors, quality of care and related complications. A population-based matched cohort study
Get PDFAims
People with intellectual disabilities are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but there are currently gaps in our understanding related to risk of new onset, care of T2DM and complications.
Methods
We examined electronic health-record data from Jan 2010 to May 2022 in 189,172 people with intellectual disabilities and 306,697 age, sex and family practice matched controls. We estimated incidence rates per 1,000-person-years, incidence rate ratios (IRRs), risk factors for T2DM (odds ratio, OR), indicators of quality of care and complications (hazard ratio, HR).
Results
Incidence of T2DM in people with intellectual disabilities was 3.74 compared to 2.21 per 1,000 person-years in controls. After allowing for the younger age of T2DM onset in intellectual disabilities, the adjusted IRR was 6.91 (95 % CI 5.81–8.22). Impaired mobility was associated with T2DM incidence in people with intellectual disabilities (OR = 7.72, 5.87–10.15). People with intellectual disabilities received blood tests for HbA1c and cholesterol, and eye and foot examinations less often; and had a 12 % higher risk of developing macrovascular complications.
Conclusions
People with intellectual disabilities are at increased risk of T2DM at younger ages, have specific risk factors, experience inequities in care and are at risk for macrovascular complications
Developing a language screening scale that considers linguistic diversity in preschool children
Get PDFThis paper delivers an extensive analysis of the techniques adopted in the creation of a new language assessment instrument, the Screening Scale of Language Development (SSLD), which has been standardized in Cyprus to identify language deviations in children before they enter primary school. The findings of this research highlight how the scale items, which were informed by recent studies on clinical indicators and prognostic factors of developmental language disorders, were crafted to eEectively represent the language varieties utilized by Greek Cypriot preschool children. Apart from addressing the gap in assessment tools that consider the linguistic diversity in Cyprus, the SSLD initiative aimed to establish a tool with strong psychometric foundations that allows professionals to confidently detect language diEiculties. The study also showcases the findings of the psychometric evaluation of the SSLD, which strongly endorses its structural validity, emphasizing its usefulness as a reliable instrument for evaluating language growth in Greek Cypriot children
Indications of the DIEP flap in extra-mammary complex wounds: From head to extremity reconstruction
Get PDFThe deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is almost synonymous with autologous breast reconstruction. However, it can also provide large volumes of skin and subcutaneous tissue for reconstruction of other anatomical sites. It is associated with minimal donor site morbidity, leaving the patient with a concealed scar and the added benefit of an abdominoplasty. Its long pedicle and reliable vascular anatomy make it particularly useful when there are no reliable recipient vessels adjacent to a post-traumatic and post-radiotherapy defect, or in congenital disorders where there may be aberrant recipient vessels. We now report a case series using the DIEP flap for reconstruction of extra-mammary sites focusing on some of the important technical considerations
Using the Smileyometer to Measure UX with Children
Get PDFSince 2002, the Smileyometer has been much used for measuring UX with children, and limitations, extensions, and idiosyncrasies of it have been reported. We summarise this body of work drawing out the interesting observations and commentaries. Adapting the Smileyometer for small children, considering the effect on scores when rating a sequence of activities or products, and understanding how children might discriminate between products or services are three emerging themes that we examine in case studies. These studies show that adapting the Smileyometer for use with young children is possible, that an order effect can exist when rating items one after the other and this merits further investigation and that the tool does facilitate discrimination. We conclude with three guidelines to assist researchers in getting the best out of the tool by considering preparation, completion, and reporting when choosing the Smileyometer as a tool
Music Improvisation Magic
Get PDFThis book builds on Partridge’s successful doctoral thesis on group musical improvisation (2023) which reported on a sustained period with a single participant group. Aiding the research’s long-term aims to articulate functionality beyond technique in order to assist musicians and music educators in their improvisations, it translates thesis findings into accessible language and is updated to incorporate initial trialing of findings with a wider range of players through his ongoing public workshops.
Responding to extensive pedagogical experience, the format is innovative, not telling musicians what to do, rather, informing, inspiring and challenging. Intended as a primer, with heavy emphasis on practical exercises, diagrams, colour and original paintings, focused text gives potent advice on 34 key points. Prominence is given to Partridge’s ‘Offers System’ - providing a method to engage group improvisation. Whilst such systems are not unheard of (see Philip Morton’s ‘System 50/50’). Offers provides a unique six element breakdown - Active Listening, Engaging the Idea, Developing the Idea, Realizing an Idea is Tired, Finding a Way Out or to Move on and Ending. Ideal for teacher/facilitator use, this approach methodically develops individual and group practice. The text reinforces that how musicians learn vitally impacts their improvisations, particularly their work with pitch. Also highlighted is the need for improvisers to audiate – meaning to think in music. Partridge acknowledges the possibility within improvised music of what he labels ‘place’ - periods of time where the music identifiably stays around a musical idea, sound, rhythm or mood.
The book’s production significantly enhances research dissemination, enabling worldwide access via eBook and mail-order. Further aiding significance and contextual framing are interviews with 22 improvisers, from Partridge’s band members to Carl Palmer of ELP. Impact enhanced by a public launch in the Preston Jazz Festival, workshops inc. Blackburn College and a presentation at Huddersfield University
Developing IBD outcome effect size thresholds to inform research, guidelines and clinical decisions
Get PDFBackground
When designing clinical trials, interpreting trial outcomes for guideline development or sharing decisions with patients in clinical practice, the clinical outcomes used and the implicit choices on what constitutes a clinically significant finding can vary greatly. This can lead to diversity or even inequity in care offered to patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The GRADE approach to guideline development has proposed a process to address this prospectively to solve these issues, but this has never been used inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to develop the first international consensus set of outcome thresholds to establish their use in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Methods
A Delphi methodology was used to develop a consensus. An online survey was conducted by inviting stakeholders from the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) through a two-phase process. Participants were asked to select important clinically relevant outcomes and were asked about what magnitude of the effect they consider large, moderate, small, or trivial for each clinical trial outcome in line with the GRADE guidance. The results were fedback to all participants to ensure consensus agreement. Then, further surveys were sent to Europe and North America to ensure validity and international triangulation of the data set. Data are presented as mean percentages with standard deviation (SD).
Results
131 clinical stakeholders participated including clinicians, IBD nurses and a small number of patients with IBD. Clinical remission and serious adverse events were considered the most critical outcomes for Crohn’s disease while clinical remission and endoscopic remission were for ulcerative colitis. The consensus results for thresholds of small, moderate and large outcome effects size were agreed with as follows: clinical remission 11 (SD 6), 20 (8) and 31 (13), endoscopic remission 9 (5), 17 (9) and 28 (14), and serious adverse events 6 (6), 11 (9) and 17 (12) respectively. No significant differences were observed for responses for each condition.
Conclusion
This is the first study to develop a consensus on magnitude thresholds for outcomes in IBD. These thresholds have been used in the development of the 2024 BSG guidelines for the management of IBD but can and should also be used by study designers and mostly importantly for clinicians when discussing evidence with patients as part of shared decision making. Future work to validate these findings globally and with other groups, including patients, is neede
Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dental Workers in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFBackground:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are the main occupational health hazard among several clinicians, but its prevalence among dental workers in Nigeria has not been well-studied.
Objective:
This study evaluated the pattern and prevalence of WRMSDs among dental workers in the Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods:
Six hospitals with dental clinics participated in this cross-sectional survey in the Enugu metropolis. One-hundred and fifty (150) standardized musculoskeletal symptom (Nordic) questionnaires were adopted and distributed, of which 141 were returned. The questionnaire elicited data on demographic characteristics and carrier profiles, ergonomics, and the body parts involved in the occupational activities.
Results:
The results indicated that 83% of the respondents sustained musculoskeletal injury more than once. Bending (66%) and performing repetitive tasks (58.2%) were the most performed risk activities. The lower back (66%) was the most affected body part, followed by the upper back (58.9%), neck (51%), shoulder (47.5%), and hip (46.1%). The most common preventive measures taken by individuals were resting (57%) and avoiding lifting (53.2%).
Conclusion:
There is a high prevalence of WRMSD among dental workers, with potential to having negative effect on their work habits, and reduced productivity
Addressing the global challenge of Helicobacter pylori -induced dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease: socioeconomic, clinicopathologic, and clinico-pharmacological implications of the new treatment guidelines
Get PDFHelicobacter pylori-related dyspepsia and peptic ulcers persist as major health challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India, Nigeria and by extension other Subsaharan nations, where high infection rates, antibiotic resistance, and inequities converge. The 2024 American College of Gastroenterology guidelines endorse Bismuth Quadruple Therapy (BQT) – a 14-day regimen combining a proton-pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole – and vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, both showing high efficacy. However, real-world adoption is hindered by prohibitive costs (especially in regions reliant on out-of-pocket spending), fragmented diagnostics, cultural distrust of biomedicine, and unregulated antibiotic use. Genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in Asian populations reducing proton-pump inhibitor effectiveness, further impede treatment. Bridging this gap demands strategies: WHO-coordinated antibiotic resistance surveillance, tiered drug pricing for LMICs, regionally tailored protocols integrating genetic testing, and community health worker-led education to address cultural barriers. Parallel policies, like community-based insurance, could enhance access to novel therapies while curbing antibiotic misuse. Without these reforms, advancements like BQT and vonoprazan risk excluding vulnerable populations. Aligning biomedical innovation with equity necessitates shifting from universal guidelines to adaptive frameworks that address genetic, socioeconomic, and cultural determinants of H. pylori outcomes globally
Book review: Nurturing Modalities of Inquiry in Entrepreneurship Research: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Those who Research (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, 17) HigginsDavidBrentnallCatherineJonesPaulMcGowanPauric (eds), Nurturing Modalities of Inquiry in Entrepreneurship Research: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Those who Research (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, 17), United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing, 2024, 296 pp. ISBN (print hardcover): 978-1-80262-186-0£95.00, ISBN (online): 978-1-802621-85-3£95.00, ISBN (ebook): 978-1-80262-1-877£95.00 (ePub)
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