bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 trends across borders: Identifying correlations among countries
Authors: Muhaidat Jihan , Albatayneh Aiman 
Published: July 2024

Objectives To enhance the accuracy of forecasting future coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and trends by identifying and analyzing correlations between the daily case counts of different countries reported between January 2020 and January 2023, to uncover significant links in COVID-19 patterns between nations, allowing for real-time, precise predictions of disease spread based on observed trends in correlated countries. Methods Daily COVID-19 cases for each country were tracked between January 2020 and January 2023 to identify correlations between nations. Current case data were obtained from reliable sources, such as Johns Hopkins University and the World Health Organization. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel using Pearson’s correlation coefficient to assess the strength of connections. Results Strong correlations (r > 0.80) were revealed between the daily reported COVID-19 case counts of numerous countries across various continents. Specifically, 62 nations showed significant correlations with at least one correlated (connected) country per nation. These correlations indicate a similarity in COVID-19 trends over the past 3 or more years. Conclusion This study addresses the gap in country-specific correlations within COVID-19 forecasting methodologies. The proposed method offers essential real-time insights to aid effective government and organizational planning in response to the pandemic.
Study on the recovery of bladder function in patients with cervical cancer after operation by portable ultrasound combined
Authors: Zhao Yu-Ting , Guo Shuai , Shang Zai-Chun , Ding Hong-Yi , Jin Jian-Hua , Chu Kai-Yue , Ge Bin-Bin , Xu Peng-Qin 
Published: July 2024

Background: Postoperative urination dysfunction is a common complication after surgery in patients with cervical cancer. Portable bladder ultrasound are commonly utilized in clinical practice for measuring residual urine volume. This study aimed to the effect of bladder function training combined with portable ultrasound monitoring on bladder function recovery in patients with cervical cancer after training. Methods: A total of 40 postoperative patients with cervical cancer were randomly divided into a control group (A) and an experimental group (B) of 20 cases each. Group A was given routine postoperative care, while group B was given bladder function training. Urgent urine bladder volume were taken twice daily after removal of the urinary catheter and monitored for five consecutive days. The difference of urgent urine bladder volume and bladder filling rate were compared by t-test and chi-square test respectively. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate the quality of life of patients before and after intervention, and compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative urgent urine volume between the two groups. After catheter removal, the bladder volume of patients in the B increased, while the bladder volume of patients in the A increased less and fluctuated greatly. The bladder filling rate in the A was significantly lower than that in the B (5/15 vs 17/18, p < 0.05). After intervention, the quality of life of the experimental group was better than that of the control group, including scores of general health, mental health, vitality, and physical role ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Postoperative cervical cancer patients trained to hold urine by portable ultrasound monitoring are able to recover bladder function.
The effect of Silver addition and deformation parameters on mechanostructure, biodegradation, antimicrobial and mechanical properties of Zn-based biodegradable alloys
Authors: Aksakal Bünyamin , Sezek Sinan , Macit Cevher Kürşat 
Published: July 2024

Although low mechanical properties, Zinc (Zn) alloy systems with Copper (Cu) and Silver (Ag) as alloying elements have strong biocompatibility and biodegradability characteristics. This study examined the effects of rolling parameters and Ag alloying on the mechanical, biodegradable, and final structure of an alloy based on Zn. Comparing treated and untreated specimens, the addition of Ag led to a considerable improvement in both hardness and compressive strength. The produced alloys with varying amounts of Ag (between 1 and 4 wt%) were cold rolled at 400–800 r/min and friction coefficients between 0.3 and 0.5. The alloys’ ultimate strength rose with an increase in rolling speed for Zn1Cu4Ag, and hardness and compressive strengths rose to 80HV and 470 MPa, respectively. It was demonstrated that rolling force rose somewhat with Ag concentration but significantly increased with rolling speed and friction. E. Coli and S. aureus were used to assess the biodegradable alloys’ antibacterial properties. For the Zn-1Cu-2Ag alloy, the inclusion of Ag resulted in a considerable (50%) rise in antibacterial activity that exceeded the effects seen in other alloy systems.
Investigating the low velocity impact response of additively manufactured tri-material composite structure with application on helmet
Authors: Al-Areqi Ammar M , Sivasankaran Subbarayan , Aloyaydi Bandar A , Al-Mufadi Fahad A 
Published: July 2024

Additively manufactured composite structures can be utilized in the production of engineering materials with enhanced mechanical properties. In this work, mono-, bi-, and tri-material structures (MMS, BMS, and TMS, respectively) were fabricated using additively manufactured PLA (poly-lactic acid) lattice frames embedded with Polyurethane (PU) foam and milled glass fibers (MGFs). TMS samples were reinforced with MGFs at 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, and 5.0 vol%, indicated as TMS-1, TMS-2, TMS-3, and TMS-4, respectively. The mechanical response of these composite structures was tested by applying a low-velocity impact load. The effects of MGF content and variations in applied impact energy, and variation in microstructure on the composite samples were investigated. Results revealed an enhanced mechanical response of TMS samples compared to MMS and BMS. Additionally, with increasing applied impact energy, the TMS samples showed an improved corresponding response, with a peak absorbed energy of 96.03% of the applied 60 J energy. Furthermore, to study the applicability of the composite structures in real-life applications, helmet prototypes made of MMS, BMS, and TMS were designed and tested under the applied low-velocity load, showing an improved response of TMS helmet samples compared to the other composite structures.
Fabrication of co-continuous morphology of polysulfone/nylon 6, 6 nanocomposites by varying the concentration of organically modified clay content
Authors: Rath Tanmoy , Alnaser Ibrahim A , Seikh Asiful H 
Published: July 2024

A unique morphology was fabricated using melt mixing of polysulfone (PSU) and nylon 6, 6, as well as organically modified clay to produce two blended nanocomposite compositions (80/20 and 60/40 w/w) of polysulfone and nylon 6, 6. The morphology of PSU/Nylon 6, 6 blend nanocomposites with various amounts of clay has been examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). In the case of 80/20 (w/w) PSU/Nylon 6, 6 without clay, the Nylon 6, 6 is dispersed in the PSU matrix with an average particle size of about 6.81 micrometers (μm). After adding clay (2%, 4%, and 8%), the domain size of nylon 6, 6 decreases, although the decrease rate is much slower than initially observed. However, we discovered that when the organoclay level exceeds 2%, the matrix-domain structure transforms into a co-continuous morphology for the 60/40 (w/w) blends. The TEM studies clearly demonstrate that the organoclay preferentially positions itself in the nylon 6, 6 phase, exhibiting a high degree of exfoliation, while the PSU phase of the nanocomposites remains devoid of clay, irrespective of the amount present. This study indicates that the size of clay platelets dispersed in the PSU/Nylon 6, 6 blend plays an important role in determining the morphology and stability of these blends. Moreover, the co-continuous structures were stable against further annealing at high temperatures, thus inhibiting the coalescence of the dispersed phase in addition to reducing interfacial tension.
Vibration and acoustic characteristics of aluminium-silicon carbide metal matrix composite plate under thermal environment
Authors: Reddy R Kiran Kumar , Sreekara Reddy M B S , Bhagat Vinod S 
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates the vibration and acoustic characteristics of an aluminium-silicon carbide (Al-SiC) simply supported composite plate under thermal loads. The vibrational response induced by the temperature rise is analysed using Kirchhoff’s plate theory and the weighted integral (Galerkin) method. Additionally, the plate is acoustically modelled in conjunction with the air medium to investigate its acoustic response. The acoustic far-field radiation equation determines the plate’s sound pressure level (SPL). The findings reveal that the MMC I (65% SiC/A356.2 MMC SiC particulates reinforced, with three different sizes) plate exhibits a lower overall sound pressure level in the lower frequency range than other MMCs. Moreover, replacing the aluminium plate with the MMC I plate reduces the overall sound pressure level by 5.54 dB due to the high stiffness associated with the mixture of silicon carbide reinforcement in the aluminium matrix.
Weight-adjusted waist index is a potential early predictor of degraded bone microarchitecture: A cross-sectional study of the national health and nutrition examination survey 2007-2008
Authors: Mi Baoguo , Zhang Jitao , Jiang Kuo , Meng Hailan , Shan Lequn , Hao Dingjun 
Published: July 2024

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and trabecular bone score (TBS) and to assess the ability of WWI to identify individuals with degraded bone microarchitecture (DBMA). Methods This cross-sectional study included participants aged 20 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Furthermore, WWI was calculated by waist circumference and body weight. In addition, linear regression models were employed to investigate the association between WWI and TBS, while logistic regression models were employed to determine the association between WWI and the risk of DBMA. Finally, the performance of WWI in identifying individuals with DBMA was using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with area under the ROC curve. Results A total of 4,179 participants with a mean age of 49.90 years were included in the final analysis. WWI was negatively associated with TBS and positively associated with an increased risk of DBMA. Furthermore, the associations between WWI and TBS, as well as DBMA risk, were stable regardless of stratification by age, sex, race, or body mass index (BMI). Moreover, WWI achieved good performances in identifying individuals with DBMA or low TBS. In addition, the combination of WWI and BMI showed better performances in identifying individuals with DBMA or low TBS than WWI or BMI alone. Conclusion WWI established a negative association with TBS and a positive association with the risk of DBMA. Clinicians should be alert to the potential risk of DBMA among individuals with high WWI. Moreover, WWI, alone or in combination with BMI, has the potential to serve as an early screening strategy in identifying individuals with DBMA.
Integrating an Interventional Pain Management Curriculum in Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Training: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Campbell Emily Marquez , Konda Chaitanya , Lau Kelsey , Wang Winnie 
Published: July 2024

Background Pain is a common symptom for patients with cancer. Hospice and Palliative Medicine (HPM) physicians are expected to be experts in both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of pain for this patient population. Insufficient knowledge of non-pharmacologic, interventional approaches to pain management is a barrier to providing optimal care. This study assesses the feasibility and effectiveness of an interventional pain management curriculum on HPM fellow knowledge at a single institution. Objectives The primary objective was to implement an interventional pain management curriculum for HPM fellows’ and secondly to measure its effects on their knowledge and confidence in interventional pain management approaches. Methods We executed an interventional pain management curriculum for HPM fellows. The curriculum consisted of 6 fifty-minute virtual lectures. Anonymous pre- and post-curriculum surveys were used to assess curricular impact. Results Post-course surveys showed a significant increase in HPM fellows’ knowledge and confidence in interventional pain management techniques. Conclusions An interventional pain management curriculum for HPM fellows is a feasible and promising intervention to significantly impact fellows’ knowledge and confidence in non-pharmacologic treatment of cancer pain.
Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors and the Risk of Genitourinary Infections at HbA1c ≥10%: A Population Health-Based Retrospective Review
Authors: Ashby Bryce , Kawaguchi-Suzuki Marina , Grando Holman Yvette , Harris Jackie , Chlasta Rachel , Wargo Ryan 
Published: July 2024

Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. Evidence has shown a 3- to 5-fold increase in the risk of genitourinary infections with their use due to inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption, resulting in glucosuria. Increased glucosuria is thought to increase the risk of genitourinary infections at a greater degree in patients with a significantly elevated HbA1c (≥10%), and initiation of SGLT2i is often delayed in these patients. While a limited body of evidence exists indicating that A1c level is not an independent risk factor for SGLT2i-induced genitourinary infection, pragmatically this concern remains a barrier to SGLT2i utilization. Objective: Evaluate the real-world genitourinary (GU) infection rate in patients receiving SGLT2i with a baseline HbA1c ≥10% compared to patients with a baseline HbA1c <10%. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated data from 5542 adult patients treated between January 2013 and January 2023, who were prescribed an SGLT2i. Data collected included sex, age, race/ethnicity, renal function, date of SGLT2i start, number of SGLT2i orders, name and dose of SGLT2i, HbA1c, and a predetermined set of diagnosis codes related to bacterial and fungal genitourinary infections. The primary outcome was the overall GU infection rate after SGLT2i initiation within groups of baseline HbA1c of ≥10% and <10%, and the secondary outcome was total GU infections within these same groups. Results: The primary outcome was equivalent between those with HbA1c <10% and HbA1c ≥10% (0.0064 ± 0.0565 vs 0.0030 ± 0.0303 infection per month [mean ± standard deviation]; P < 0.0001 for both lower and upper bounds). There was no statistically significant difference in total GU infections between the same groups (0.027 ± 0.21 vs 0.015 ± 0.14, P = 0.11). Female gender and prior recurrent infection were associated with increased GU infection after SGLT2i. Conclusion and relevance: A baseline HbA1c ≥ 10% was not significantly associated with an increased risk of GU infection following the initiation of SGLT2i compared to those with a baseline HbA1c of <10%.
Health State Utilities and Cost-Effectiveness Economic Evaluation for Treatment of a Symptomatic Accessory Navicular
Authors: Cirrincione Peter M. , Bram Joshua T. , Nichols Erikson T. , Beber Samuel A. , Matsuzaki Yukiko , Fabricant Peter D. , Scher David M. 
Published: July 2024

Background: Treatment strategies for a symptomatic accessory navicular include both operative and nonoperative approaches. The primary aim of this study is to define health utility values for 7 health states experienced by those with a symptomatic accessory navicular who undergo operative and/or nonoperative treatment. Secondarily, the study incorporates the health utility values with treatment costs, probabilities of various outcomes, and duration of health states into a cost-effectiveness model comparing the nonoperative treatment protocol at our institution vs surgical excision. Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained to call parents of patients 10-20 years old at the time of interview who were evaluated for a symptomatic accessory navicular from February 1, 2016, to March 2, 2023, at a single institution by one of 4 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Participants were asked to rate 7 health states from 0 to 100, with 0 representing death (if 18 years or older) or the worst health imaginable (if under 18 years) and 100 representing perfect health. Using published values for the probabilities of various treatment outcomes, time spent in various health states, and Medicare costs from the perspective of the payor and society, a decision analysis was constructed. Results: Health utility values for 7 health states were obtained. Operative treatment was preferred to nonoperative treatment in the base case model. Surgery was more expensive ($16 825) than nonoperative treatment ($7486). Using a willingness-to-pay threshold of <$50 000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), surgery was cost-effective compared to nonoperative treatment with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $20 303/QALY. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the only variable that indicated a preference for nonoperative treatment is a 71% likelihood of nonoperative treatment resolving the condition. Conclusion: Unless a physician suspects at least a 71% chance of a symptomatic accessory navicular resolving without operative treatment, surgical excision is recommended from a cost-effectiveness perspective.
Early Functional Outcomes and Complications of Tibial and/or Peroneal Sesamoidectomy Utilizing a Burr Through a Medial Approach
Authors: Engasser William M. , Coetzee J. Chris , Seybold Jeffrey D. , Dock Carissa C. , Seiffert Kayla J. , Stone McGaver Rebecca , Attia Ahmed Khalil , Den Hartog Bryan D. 
Published: July 2024

Background: Sesamoid pathology can lead to significant pain and disability both with activities of daily living and high-impact athletic movements. Sesamoidectomy is a widely used procedure for patients who fail conservative treatment measures. Traditional dorsal or plantar approaches for sesamoidectomy have shown to successfully alleviate pain, but complications were reported. A proposed alternative medial approach using a burr may provide many advantages compared with traditional approaches. This study presents patient outcomes and complications for this technique. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing sesamoidectomy (tibial, peroneal, or both) using a burr through a medial approach to the sesamoid metatarsal articulation. Data collected included patient demographics, radiographic analysis, and outcomes: Veterans Rand 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), visual analog scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, and complications. Results: Twenty-seven patients (29 feet) were included. The mean age was 38.4 years followed up for a mean of 30.9 months. VR-12 physical component improved from 35.98 ± 7.86 to 51.34 ± 8.01 ( P < .001), FAAM ADL and sport improved from 58.33 ± 16.61 to 83.27 ± 18.28 ( P < .001) and 26.37 ± 20.31 to 63.75 ± 29.74 ( P < .001), respectively. Patient satisfaction with the treatment was 80.59% ± 27.06%. The overall complication rate was 11 (37.9%) whereas the overall reoperation rate was 4 (13.7%) of 29 feet. Complications included 1 arthrofibrosis, 1 flexor hallucis longus subacute rupture, and 1 asymptomatic hallux valgus. There were no sesamoid excision revisions. Conclusion: Sesamoidectomy using a medial approach with a burr provided significantly improved short-term functional outcomes, 80% patient satisfaction rate, with a relatively acceptable complications rate including 20% persistent pain. The medial approach is familiar to orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons, provides adequate exposure, and eliminates the possibility of a painful plantar scar while avoiding disruption of the plantar plate, flexor hallucis brevis tendon, and ligamentous structures attached to the sesamoids. Larger studies with long-term follow-up from other centers are needed.
Five-Year Results of the Salto XT Revision Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Sundet Mads , Gyllensten Karen S. , Dybvik Eva , Eikvar Kari H. , Hallan Geir , Lillegraven Siri , Lund Eriksen Marianne 
Published: July 2024

Background: The treatment of failed ankle replacements is debated, and little is published about the medium- and long-term results of revision implants. We wanted to examine prosthesis survival and physical function at least 5 years after insertion of the Salto XT revision prosthesis. Methods: All consecutive patients operated with a Salto XT revision prosthesis underwent clinical and radiologic examinations preoperatively and after 3, 12, 24, and 60 months. Complications and reoperations are described, and changes in patient-reported outcome measures and clinical scores are reported. Results: Thirty patients were operated with a Salto XT revision prosthesis between March 2014 and March 2017. Three of these were revised (1 to a fusion and 2 to a new prosthesis), and 3 patients were reoperated with screw removal. A concurrent subtalar fusion was performed on 13 patients, and there was 1 case of likely nonunion after these procedures, but no reoperations. The mean AOFAS score increased from 39.2 (95% CI 30.8-47.5) preoperatively to 75.1 (95% CI 67.3-82.9) after 5 years, and the mean improvement was 34.2 points (95% CI 23.8-44.6). Mean EQ-5D increased from 0.36 (95% CI 0.30-0.42) preoperatively to 0.74 (95% CI 0.64-0.85) after 5 years, an improvement of 0.34 (95% CI 0.19-0.49). Radiolucent lines were present in all but 3 patients. Five-year prosthesis survival was 93% (83.6-100). Conclusion: This is the first study to present medium-term results of this implant. We found good improvement in outcome scores and good implant survival, but also a high prevalence of radiolucent lines.
Effect of conversion time on the stability of mixed-flow pump in rotating speed conversion
Authors: Xuan Yifan , Zhu Guojun , Luo Xingqi , Tang Zhenbo , Wang Yang 
Published: July 2024

The rotating speed conversion strategy has a significant impact on the stability of the variable speed operation of the mixed flow pump. Taking a mixed-flow pump as the research object, this paper collects the shaft vibration, pressure pulsation, and external characteristic parameters under different conversion times based on the synchronous acquisition system, and analyzes the influence of conversion time on these parameters. Finally, based on the improved TOPSIS evaluation method, the influence of different conversion time on the stability of the mixed-flow pump is evaluated. The results indicate that the conversion time is positively correlated with the amplitude of shaft vibration and pressure pulsation in the pump during the transition of rotating speed reduction. The local rubbing of the shaft can induce the vibration component corresponding to the high harmonics frequencies such as 2 f n, 3 f n, and 4 f n. The high correlation frequency band of the impeller outlet pressure pulsation and shaft vibration is located between 64 Hz and 120 Hz. And this frequency band is not affected by the conversion time. According to the TOPSIS evaluation results, in the transition process of speed reduction, the longer the rotating speed conversion time, the worse the stability of the mixed-flow pump during the conversion process.