Measurement of the matter-radiation equality scale using the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey Quasar Sample

The position of the peak of the matter power spectrum, the so-called turnover scale, is set by the horizon size at the epoch of matter-radiation equality. It can easily be predicted in terms of the physics of the Universe in the relativistic era, and so can be used as a standard ruler, independent of other features present in the matter power spectrum, such as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). We use the distribution of quasars measured by the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) to determine the turnover scale in a model-independent fashion statistically. We avoid modelling the BAO by down-weighting affected scales in the covariance matrix using the mode deprojection technique. We measure the wavenumber of the peak to be $k_\mathrm{TO} = \left( 17.7^{+1.9}_{-1.7} \right) \times 10^{-3}h/\mathrm{Mpc}$, corresponding to a dilation scale of $D_\mathrm{V}(z_\mathrm{eff} = 1.48) = \left(31.5^{+3.0}_{-3.4}\right)r_\mathrm{H}$. This is not competitive with current BAO distance measures in terms of determining the expansion history but does provide a useful cross-check. We combine this measurement with low-redshift distance measurements from type-Ia supernova data from Pantheon and BAO data from eBOSS to make a sound-horizon free estimate of the Hubble-Lema\^itre parameter and find it to be $H_0=64.8^{+8.4}_{-7.8} \ \mathrm{km/s/Mpc}$with Pantheon, and$H_0=63.3^{+8.2}_{-6.9} \ \mathrm{km/s/Mpc}$ with eBOSS BAO. We make predictions for the measurement of the turnover scale by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey, the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) and MegaMapper, which will make more precise and accurate distance determinations.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

Independent evaluation of ARMED service: final report.

ARMED (HAS Technology, Lichfield, UK) is a falls prevention technology that combines a wrist-worn activity tracker with predictive analytics and machine learning to enable early intervention. Data from the tracker is augmented by weekly grip strength and body composition measurements. ARMED-in-a-box is a streamlined version of ARMED that does not use the grip strength or body composition measures, rolled-out in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This independent evaluation was commissioned by the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre and conducted by an interdisciplinary team from Robert Gordon University, the University of Aberdeen, and NHS Grampian. The purpose of the evaluation was to inform the potential for scalability of ARMED within the Scottish digital health and care context, and specifically to analyse and appraise the effectiveness of the current ARMED service and business models, aligning with the national technology enabled care (TEC) programme's existing test of change (TOC) activity

Which treatments are most effective for common tendinopathies? A systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

This is a preprint for a protocol. The purpose of the study described by the protocol was to compare the effectiveness of different treatment classes across a range of tendinopathies and outcomes, to better establish a treatment hierarchy. Where sufficient data were obtained, the potential for covariates - including patient demographics and condition specifics (e.g. symptom severity) - to explain statistical heterogeneity was explored

Comparison of exercise therapies across multiple tendinopathies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

This is a preprint for a protocol. The study described by the protocol aimed to use network structures to compare exercise treatments and treatment classes in attempts to identify a treatment hierarchy. Additionally, the large amount of data synthesised was used to explore relevant factors that may explain statistical heterogeneity

The effect of dose components on resistance exercise therapies for tendinopathy management: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate potential moderating effects of resistance exercise dose components including intensity, volume and frequency, for the management of common tendinopathies. The research was undertaken through a systematic review and meta-analysis, comprising an extensive search of databases and trial registries. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies included randomised and non-randomised controlled trials investigating resistance exercise as the dominant treatment class and reporting sufficient information regarding at least two components of exercise dose (intensity, frequency, volume). Non-controlled standardised mean difference effect sizes were calculated across a range out outcome domains and combined with Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis models for domains generating large (disability; function; pain) and small (range of motion; physical function capacity; and quality of life) effect size values. Meta-regressions were used to estimate differences in pooled mean values across categorical variables quantifying intensity, frequency and volume. Ninety-one studies presented sufficient data to be included in meta-analyses, comprising 126 treatment arms (TAs) and 2965 participants. Studies reported on five tendinopathy locations (Achilles: 39 TAs, 31.0%; rotator cuff: 39 TAs, 31.0%; lateral elbow: 25 TAs, 19.8%; patellar: 19 TAs, 15.1%; and gluteal: 4 TAs, 3.2%). Meta-regressions provided consistent evidence of greater pooled mean effect sizes for higher intensity therapies comprising additional external resistance compared to body mass only (large effect size domains: 0.39 [95% CrI: 0.00 to 0.82; p = 0.976]; small effect size domains (0.09 [95% CrI: -0.20 to 0.37; p = 0.723]) when data were combined across tendinopathy locations or analysed separately. Consistent evidence of greater pooled mean effect sizes was also identified for the lowest frequency (less than daily) compared with mid (daily) and high frequencies (more than daily) for both large effect size domain ( -0.66 [95% CrI: -1.2 to -0.19; p >0.999]; -0.54 [95% CrI:-0.99 to -0.10; p >0.999]) and small effect size domains ( -0.51 [95% CrI: -0.78 to -0.24; p >0.999]; -0.34 [95% CrI: -0.60 to -0.06; p = 0.992]) when data were combined across tendinopathy locations or analysed separately. Minimal and inconsistent evidence was obtained for differences for a moderating effect of training volume. The study concluded that resistance exercise dose is poorly reported within the tendinopathy management literature. However, this large meta-analysis identified some consistent patterns indicating greater efficacy on average with therapies prescribing higher intensities (through the inclusion of additional external loads) and lower frequencies, potentially creating stronger stimuli and facilitating adequate recovery

The effect of dose on resistance exercise therapies for tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

This is a preprint for a protocol. The purpose of the study described by the protocol was to investigate the effect of resistance exercise dose across multiple common tendinopathies (rotator cuff, lateral elbow, patellar or Achilles), where the frequency, volume and intensity can be accurately quantified. By combining a large data set with contemporary meta-analysis and meta-regression approaches (including relevant covariates within models), the systematic review attempted to explore statistical heterogeneity and better assess potential dose-response relationships that may exist. Where placebo and no-treatment arms were included, these studies were used to reduce heterogeneity and provide sensitivity analyses to support or refute analyses with larger, but more complex data

Empirically derived guidelines for interpreting the effectiveness of exercise therapy for tendinopathies: a protocol.

This is a preprint for a protocol. The aim of the study described by the protocol was to perform a large synthesis of the available research investigating exercise therapy for tendinopathies, creating empirically derived thresholds to benchmark interventions and explore potential differences across tendinopathy types and outcome domains

Exercise therapy for tendinopathy: a scoping review mapping interventions and outcomes.

The aim of this research was to comprehensively map exercise interventions and outcomes across all tendinopathies. The study took the form of a scoping review. Eligibility criteria (PCC) included: 1) participants - any age or gender, with any tendinopathy; 2) concept - supervised or unsupervised exercise, of any type or format, delivered by any professional and any outcome used to evaluate any exercise intervention; 3) context - any setting in any country listed as very high on the human development index. The study used nine databases, four trial registries and six grey literature sources. At least two reviewers independently conducted title, abstract and full text screening. Data extraction was conducted using a bespoke tool developed for this review, informed by the TIDieR checklist and ICON health-related domains, to interpret exercise reporting and outcomes across included studies. Extracted data from 555 included studies from 31 countries incorporated 25,490 participants with mean study ages ranging from 15-65 years. A range of exercise interventions including strengthening, flexibility, aerobic, proprioceptive, and motor control were identified; showing rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, Achilles, patellar and lateral elbow tendinopathies were most studied. A range of health-related domains were measured by numerous outcome tools, with little consistency within domains or tendinopathies. Reporting of participant characteristics, interventions and adherence was highly variable. This first comprehensive map of exercise and outcomes for tendinopathy has identified four recommendations to be considered for future tendinopathy research: 1) Specific robust high quality research study designs; (2) Comprehensive research reporting; 3) Patient/practitioner lived experience; and 4) comprehensive high quality evidence synthesis

Effect of resistance exercise dose components for tendinopathy management: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to investigate potential moderating effects of resistance exercise dose components - including intensity, volume and frequency - for the management of common tendinopathies. The study was conducted through a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regressions, using sources that included (but were not limited to) MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, ClinicalTrials.gov and the ISRCTN Registry. Selection criteria were based on randomised and non-randomised controlled trials investigating resistance exercise as the dominant treatment class, reporting sufficient information regarding two or more components of exercise dose. A total of 110 studies were included in meta-analyses (148 treatment arms (TAs), 3953 participants), reporting on five tendinopathy locations (rotator cuff: 48 TAs; Achilles: 43 TAs; lateral elbow: 29 TAs; patellar: 24 TAs; gluteal: 4 TAs). Meta-regressions provided consistent evidence of greater pooled mean effect sizes for higher intensity therapies comprising additional external resistance compared to body mass only (large effect size domains: βBodyMass:External = 0.50 [95% CrI: 0.15 to 0.84; p = 0.998]; small effect size domains βBodyMass:External = 0.04 [95% CrI: -0.21 to 0.31; p = 0.619]) when combined across tendinopathy locations or analysed separately. Greater pooled mean effect sizes were also identified for the lowest frequency (less than daily) compared with mid (daily) and high frequencies (more than once per day) for both effect size domains, when combined or analysed separately (p ≥ 0.976). Evidence for associations between training volume and pooled mean effect sizes was minimal and inconsistent. The study found that resistance exercise dose is poorly reported within tendinopathy management literature. However, this large meta-analysis identified some consistent patterns indicating greater efficacy on average with therapies prescribing higher intensities (through inclusion of additional loads) and lower frequencies, potentially creating stronger stimuli and facilitating adequate recovery

Which treatment classes and combinations are more effective for the management of common tendinopathies? A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

The aim of this research was to quantify the comparative effectiveness of treatment classes used for the management of the most common tendinopathies. The project studied network meta-analyses comparing combinations of exercise, non-exercise, and non-active treatments across a range of tendinopathy locations and outcome domains. The review covered randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials including an exercise arm and persons with a tendinopathy diagnosis at any location, and of any severity or duration. Outcome measures included outcomes assessing disability, function, pain, shoulder range of motion, physical function capacity, or quality of life. Through network meta-analyses, broad (exercise/non-exercise/combined/non-active) and more specific (exercise/biomechanics/injection/electrotherapy/manual-therapy/non-active/surgery) treatment class models were fitted with hierarchical Bayesian models. Results were interpreted using pooled standardised mean difference effect sizes and ranking through Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curves (SUCRA). Treatment hierarchies were assessed using the GRADE minimally contextualised framework. Two-hundred studies comprising 458 treatments arms were identified. Many comparisons were within the same class reducing data available to assess comparative effectiveness. Data from 85 studies generating 140 pairwise comparisons consistently identified the superiority of combining exercise and non-exercise treatment classes (SUCRA: 0.70 to 0.88). Central estimates indicated that combining exercise and non-exercise treatments increased effect sizes by ~0.1 to 0.3 compared with exercise alone. Analysis of more specific treatment classes identified with low/very low certainty the superiority of combining exercise with either biomechanical (e.g. taping, bracing or splinting; SUCRA: 0.73) or injection therapies (SUCRA: 0.72). The study concluded that clinicians should consider combining exercise and non-exercise therapies as a starting point for tendinopathy management. The most effective treatment combinations include exercise with the use of biomechanical or injection therapies