bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy based modeling and optimization of EDMed response of Zircaloy-2
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Soota Tarun , Sunil BD Y , Gupta Nakul , Rajput Sunil Kumar , Sachan Prachi , Saxena Kuldeep K , Jule Leta Tesfaye 
Published: April 2024

In this work, fuzzy model was developed that predicts response parameters and surface properties of an electrical discharge machined Zircaloy-2. Taguchi L18 mixed design was used to perform the experiments using different process parameters (polarity, pulse-on-time, pulse-off-time, tool electrode material, and peak current). Material removal rate (MRR) and tool wear rate (TWR) were chosen as machining response parameters, whereas number of particles (NoP) and the percentage particle area (PPA) for surface properties of EDMed surface. Digital image processing tool was used to evaluate the surface properties. Fuzzy-Sugeno (FS)-model was developed to predict MRR, TWR, NoP, and PPA. Model accuracy was found to be 94% for MRR and TWR, and 92% for NoP and PPA. Maximum MRR 1.53 × 10−3 mm3/min found when machining was performed using graphite tool with negative polarity. Fuzzy Sugeno-GRA method was successfully implemented to predict optimal response corresponding to high value of GRG.
The Equity Impact of Universal Home Visits to Pregnant Women and Their Spouses in Bauchi State, Nigeria: Secondary Analysis From a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Cockcroft Anne , Belaid Loubna , Omer Khalid , Ansari Umaira , Aziz Amar , Gidado Yagana , Mudi Hadiza , Mohammed Rilwanu , Sale Rakiya , Andersson Neil 
Published: April 2024

Background Socio-economically disadvantaged women have poor maternal health outcomes. Maternal health interventions often fail to reach those who need them most and may exacerbate inequalities. In Bauchi State, Nigeria, a recent cluster randomised controlled trial (CRCT) showed an impressive impact on maternal health outcomes of universal home visits to pregnant women and their spouses. The home visitors shared evidence about local risk factors actionable by households themselves and the program included specific efforts to ensure all households in the intervention areas received visits. Purpose To examine equity of the intervention implementation and its pro-equity impact. Research design and study sample The overall study was a CRCT in a stepped wedge design, examining outcomes among 15,912 pregnant women. Analysis We examined coverage of the home visits (three or more visits) and their impact on maternal health outcomes according to equity factors at community, household, and individual levels. Results Disadvantaged pregnant women (living in rural communities, from the poorest households, and without education) were as likely as those less disadvantaged to receive three or more visits. Improvements in maternal knowledge of danger signs and spousal communication, and reductions in heavy work, pregnancy complications, and post-natal sepsis were significantly greater among disadvantaged women according to the same equity factors. Conclusions The universal home visits had equitable coverage, reaching all pregnant women, including those who do not access facility-based services, and had an important pro-equity impact on maternal health.
Nail growth arrest under low body temperature during hibernation
Authors: Ishimoto Taiga , Kosumi Hideyuki , Natsuga Ken , Yamaguchi Yoshifumi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGrowth and differentiation are reduced or stopped during hibernation, an energy conserving strategy in harsh seasons by lowered metabolism and body temperature. However, few studies evaluated this in a same individual using a non-invasive method. In this study, we applied a non-invasive tracking method of the nail growth throughout the hibernation period in the same hibernating animals, the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). We found that nail growth was markedly suppressed during the hibernation period but rapidly recovered by the exit from the hibernation period. Our data suggest that nail growth was arrested during deep torpor, a hypometabolic and hypothermic state, but recovered during periodic arousal, a euthermic phase. Consistent with this, nail stem cells located in the nail matrix did not exit the cell cycle in the deep torpor. Thus, hibernation stops nail growth in a body temperature-dependent manner.
Basophil activation in insect venom allergy: comparison of an established test using liquid reagents with a test using 5-color tubes with dried antibody reagents
Authors: Waldherr Sebastian , Hils Miriam , Köberle Martin , Brockow Knut , Darsow Ulf , Blank Simon , Biedermann Tilo , Eberlein Bernadette 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Flow cytometry-based basophil activation tests (BAT) have been performed with various modifications, differing in the use of distinct identification and activation markers. Established tests use liquid reagents while a new development involves the use of tubes with dried antibody reagents. The aim of this pilot study was to compare these two techniques in patients with insect venom allergy.

Methods
Seventeen patients with an insect venom allergy were included in the study. The established “BAT 1” utilizes conventional antibody solutions of anti-CCR3 for basophil identification and anti-CD63 to assess basophil activation, whereas “BAT 2” uses dried anti-CD45, anti-CD3, anti-CRTH2, anti-203c and anti-CD63 for identification and activation measurement of basophils. Negative and positive controls as well as incubations with honey bee venom and yellow jacket venom at three concentrations were performed.

Results
Seven patients had to be excluded due to low basophil counts, high values in negative controls or negative positive controls. For the remaining 10 patients the overall mean (± SD) difference in activated basophils between the two tests was 0.2 (± 12.2) %P. In a Bland-Altman plot, the limit of agreement (LoA) ranged from 24.0 to -23.7. In the qualitative evaluation (value below/above cut-off) Cohen’s kappa was 0.77 indicating substantial agreement. BAT 2 took longer to perform than BAT 1 and was more expensive.

Conclusion
The BAT 2 technique represents an interesting innovation, however, it was found to be less suitable compared to an established BAT for the routine diagnosis of insect venom allergies.
Seasonal meropenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and influence of temperature-driven adaptation
Authors: Liu Xiaoxuan , Qin Pu , Wen Hainan , Wang Weigang , Zhao Jianhong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Recognition of seasonal trends in bacterial infection and drug resistance rates may enhance diagnosis, direct therapeutic strategies, and inform preventive measures. Limited data exist on the seasonal variability of Acinetobacter baumannii. We investigated the seasonality of A. baumannii, the correlation between temperature and meropenem resistance, and the impact of temperature on this bacterium.

Results
Meropenem resistance rates increased with lower temperatures, peaking in winter/colder months. Nonresistant strain detection exhibited temperature-dependent seasonality, rising in summer/warmer months and declining in winter/colder months. In contrast, resistant strains showed no seasonality. Variations in meropenem-resistant and nonresistant bacterial resilience to temperature changes were observed. Nonresistant strains displayed growth advantages at temperatures ≥ 25 °C, whereas meropenem-resistant A. baumannii with β-lactamase OXA-23 exhibited greater resistance to low-temperature (4 °C) stress. Furthermore, at 4 °C, A. baumannii upregulated carbapenem resistance-related genes (adeJ, oxa-51, and oxa-23) and increased meropenem stress tolerance.

Conclusions
Meropenem resistance rates in A. baumannii display seasonality and are negatively correlated with local temperature, with rates peaking in winter, possibly linked to the differential adaptation of resistant and nonresistant isolates to temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, due to significant resistance rate variations between quarters, compiling monthly or quarterly reports might enhance comprehension of antibiotic resistance trends. Consequently, this could assist in formulating strategies to control and prevent resistance within healthcare facilities.
Lidocaine effects on neutrophil extracellular trapping and angiogenesis biomarkers in postoperative breast cancer patients with different anesthesia methods: a prospective, randomized trial
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Liu Jiao , Li Xiaohui , Bai Zhixia , Sun Yan , Chen Xuexin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Anesthesia techniques and drug selection may influence tumor recurrence and metastasis. Neutrophil extracellular trapping (NETosis), an immunological process, has been linked to an increased susceptibility to metastasis in individuals with tumors. Furthermore, recurrence may be associated with vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a mediator of angiogenesis. This study investigates the impact of lidocaine (combined with sevoflurane or propofol anesthesia ) during breast cancer surgery inhibits the expression of biomarkers associated with metastasis and recurrence (specifically H3Cit, NE, MPO, MMP-9 and VEGF-A).

Methods
We randomly assigned 120 women undergoing primary or invasive breast tumor resection to receive one of four anesthetics: sevoflurane (S), sevoflurane plus i.v. lidocaine (SL), propofol (P), and propofol plus i.v. lidocaine (PL). Blood samples were collected before induction and 3 h after the operation. Biomarkers associated with NETosis (citrullinated histone H3 [H3Cit], myeloperoxidase [MPO], and neutrophil elastase [NE]) and angiogenesis were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results
Patient and breast tumor characteristics, along with perioperative management, did not differ between study groups. In intra-group comparisons, S and P groups demonstrated a statistically significant increase in post-operative MPO (S group: 10.39[6.89–17.22] vs. 14.31[8.55–20.87] ng ml-1, P = 0.032; P group: 9.45[6.73–17.37] vs. 14.34[9.87–19.75] ng ml-1, P = 0.035)and NE(S group: 182.70[85.66-285.85] vs. 226.20[91.85-391.65] ng ml-1, P = 0.045; P group: 154.22[97.31–325.30] vs. 308.66[132.36-483.57] ng ml-1, P = 0.037) concentrations compared to pre-operative measurements, whereas SL and PL groups did not display a similar increase. H3Cit, MMP-9, and VEGF-A concentrations were not significantly influenced by the anesthesia techniques and drugs.

Conclusions
Regardless of the specific technique employed for general anesthesia, there was no increase in the postoperative serum concentrations of MPO and NE after perioperative lidocaine infusion compared to preoperative serum concentrations. This supports the hypothesis that intravenous lidocaine during cancer surgery aimed at achieving a cure may potentially decrease the likelihood of recurrence. Further interpretation and discussion of clinical implications are warranted, emphasizing the significance of these findings in the context of cancer surgery and recurrence prevention.

Clinical trial registration
ChiCTR2300068563.
The relationship between serum manganese concentration with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a retrospective and population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Ou Jianyun , Sun Yunfei , Tong Jie , Tang Weihong , Ma Genshan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
The study aimed to explore the association between manganese concentration and all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related, and cancer-related mortality in the general population of the United States.

Methods
We integrated the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018. A total of 9,207 subjects were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relationship between manganese concentration and all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related mortality was analyzed by constructing a Cox proportional hazard regression model and a restricted cubic spline (RCS) plot. Additionally, subgroup analyses stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic heart disease, chronic heart failure, angina pectoris, heart attack, stroke, and BMI were further performed.

Results
In the full adjusted model, compared with the lowest quartile, the adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause, CVD-related, and cancer-related mortality across manganese quartiles were (1.11 (0.87,1.41), 0.96 (0.74, 1.23), and 1.23 (0.96, 1.59); P-value for trend =0.041), (0.86 (0.54, 1.37), 0.87 (0.55, 1.40), and 1.07 (0.67, 1.72); P-value for trend =0.906), and (1.45 (0.92, 2.29), 1.14 (0.70, 1.88), and 1.26 (0.75, 2.11); P-value for trend =0.526), respectively. The RCS curve shown a U-shaped association between manganese concentration and all-cause mortality and CVD-related mortality (P-value for nonlinear <0.05). However, there was an increase and then a decrease in the link between manganese concentration and cancer-related mortality (P-value for nonlinear <0.05). Manganese exposure was positively correlated with sex (correlation coefficient, r =0.19, P-value <0.001) and negatively correlated with age (correlation coefficient, r =-0.11, P-value <0.001) and serum creatinine (correlation coefficient, r =-0.12, P-value <0.001), respectively.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that elevated serum manganese concentrations are associated with all-cause and CVD-related mortality in the U.S. population and that maintenance of serum manganese between 8.67-9.23 µg/L may promote public health.
Diagnostic value of LGE and T1 mapping in multiple myeloma patients’heart
Authors: Cui Qian , Yu Jing , Ge Xihong , Gao Guangfeng , Liu Yang , He Qiang , Shen Wen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Unidentified heart failure occurs in patients with multiple myeloma when their heart was involved. CMR with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 mapping can identify myocardial amyloid infiltrations.

Purpose
To explore the role of CMR with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 mapping for detection of multiple myeloma patients’heart.

Material and methods
A total of 16 MM patients with above underwent CMR (3.0-T) with T1 mapping (pre-contrast and post-contrast) and LGE imaging. In addition, 26 patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 26 healthy volunteers were compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls without a history of cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, or normal in CMR. All statistical analyses were performed using the statistical software GraphPad Prism. The measurement data were represented by median (X) and single sample T test was adopted. Enumeration data were represented by examples and Chi-tested was adopted. All tests were two-sided, and P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results
In MM group, LVEF was lower than healthy controls and higher than that of non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy group, but without statistically significant difference (%: 49.1 ± 17.5 vs. 55.6 ± 10.3, 40.4 ± 15.6, all P > 0.05). Pre-contrast T1 values of MM group were obviously higher than those of healthy controls and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy group (ms:1462.0 ± 71.3vs. 1269.3 ± 42.3, 1324.0 ± 45.1, all P < 0.05). 16 cases (100%) in MM group all had LGE.

Conclusion
LGE joint T1 mapping wider clinical use techniques and follow-up the patients’disease severity.
Stability analysis and numerical evaluations of a COVID-19 model with vaccination
Authors: Izadi Mohammad , Waezizadeh Tayebeh 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA novel (nonlinear) mathematical model for the transmission of Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) with eight compartments and considering the impact of vaccination is examined in this manuscript. The qualitative behavior of the system such as the boundedness of solutions, the basic reproduction number, and the stability of the equilibrium points is investigated in detail. Some domestic real data collected from the Kerman University of Medical Science (KUMC) is used to estimate the parameters of the proposed model. We predict the dynamical behavior of the system through numerical simulations based on a combined spectral matrix collocation methodology. In this respect, we first linearize the nonlinear system of equations by the method of quasilinearization (QLM). Hence, the shifted version of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind (SCPSK) is utilized along with the domain-splitting strategy to acquire the solutions of the system over a long time interval. The uniform convergence and upper bound estimation of the SCPSK bases are proved in a rigorous manner. Moreover, the technique of residual error functions is used to testify the accuracy of the QLM-SCPSK method. The presented numerical results justify the robustness and good accuracy of the QLM-SCPSK technique. The achieved numerical orders of convergence indicate that the QLM-SCSK algorithm has exponential rate of convergence. Using the linearization technique in one hand and the domain-splitting strategy on the other hand, enable us to predict the behaviour of similar disease problems with high accuracy and maximum efficiency on an arbitrary domain of interest.
Ascertaining the Francophone population in Ontario: validating the language variable in health data
Authors: Batista Ricardo , Hsu Amy T. , Bouchard Louise , Reaume Michael , Rhodes Emily , Sucha Ewa , Guerin Eva , Prud’homme Denis , Manuel Douglas G. , Tanuseputro Peter 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundLanguage barriers can impact health care and outcomes. Valid and reliable language data is central to studying health inequalities in linguistic minorities. In Canada, language variables are available in administrative health databases; however, the validity of these variables has not been studied. This study assessed concordance between language variables from administrative health databases and language variables from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) to identify Francophones in Ontario.MethodsAn Ontario combined sample of CCHS cycles from 2000 to 2012 (from participants who consented to link their data) was individually linked to three administrative databases (home care, long-term care [LTC], and mental health admissions). In total, 27,111 respondents had at least one encounter in one of the three databases. Language spoken at home (LOSH) and first official language spoken (FOLS) from CCHS were used as reference standards to assess their concordance with the language variables in administrative health databases, using the Cohen kappa, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV).ResultsLanguage variables from home care and LTC databases had the highest agreement with LOSH (kappa = 0.76 [95%CI, 0.735–0.793] and 0.75 [95%CI, 0.70–0.80], respectively) and FOLS (kappa = 0.66 for both). Sensitivity was higher with LOSH as the reference standard (75.5% [95%CI, 71.6–79.0] and 74.2% [95%CI, 67.3–80.1] for home care and LTC, respectively). With FOLS as the reference standard, the language variables in both data sources had modest sensitivity (53.1% [95%CI, 49.8–56.4] and 54.1% [95%CI, 48.3–59.7] in home care and LTC, respectively) but very high specificity (99.8% [95%CI, 99.7–99.9] and 99.6% [95%CI, 99.4–99.8]) and predictive values. The language variable from mental health admissions had poor agreement with all language variables in the CCHS.ConclusionsLanguage variables in home care and LTC health databases were most consistent with the language often spoken at home. Studies using language variables from administrative data can use the sensitivity and specificity reported from this study to gauge the level of mis-ascertainment error and the resulting bias.
Strategies that facilitate the delivery of exceptionally good patient care in general practice: a qualitative study with patients and primary care professionals
Authors: O’Malley Roisin , O’Connor Paul , Lydon Sinéad 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
In recent years, proactive strengths-based approaches to improving quality of care have been advocated. The positive deviance approach seeks to identify and learn from those who perform exceptionally well. Central to this approach is the identification of the specific strategies, behaviours, tools and contextual strategies used by those positive deviants to perform exceptionally well. This study aimed to: identify and collate the specific strategies, behaviours, processes and tools used to support the delivery of exceptionally good care in general practice; and to abstract the identified strategies into an existing framework pertaining to excellence in general practice; the Identifying and Disseminating the Exceptional to Achieve Learning (IDEAL) framework.

Methods
This study comprised a secondary analysis of data collected during semi-structured interviews with 33 purposively sampled patients, general practitioners, practice nurses, and practice managers. Discussions explored the key factors and strategies that support the delivery of exceptional care across five levels of the primary care system; the patient, provider, team, practice, and external environment. For analysis, a summative content analysis approach was undertaken whereby data were inductively analysed and summated to identify the key strategies used to achieve the delivery of exceptionally good general practice care, which were subsequently abstracted as a new level of the IDEAL framework.

Results
In total, 222 individual factors contributing to exceptional care delivery were collated and abstracted into the framework. These included specific behaviours (e.g., patients providing useful feedback and personal history to the provider), structures (e.g., using technology effectively to support care delivery (e.g., electronic referrals & prescriptions)), processes (e.g., being proactive in managing patient flow and investigating consistently delayed wait times), and contextual factors (e.g., valuing and respecting contributions of every team member).

Conclusion
The addition of concrete and contextual strategies to the IDEAL framework has enhanced its practicality and usefulness for supporting improvement in general practices. Now, a multi-level systems approach is needed to embed these strategies and create an environment where excellence is supported. The refined framework should be developed into a learning tool to support teams in general practice to measure, reflect and improve care within their practice.