A 13-level switched-capacitor-based multilevel inverter with reduced components and inrush current limitation.

This paper proposed a hybrid switched-capacitor inverter to reduce the number of components and achieve automatic capacitor balancing. The proposed structure combines a switched capacitor (SC) unit with a flying capacitor (FC). Significant advantages of the proposed design include a reduced number of components, simple control, voltage boosting capability, and limitation of the inrush current during capacitor charging.

Development of Seizures Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Study.

: The multifaceted impact of Traumatic brain injury (TBI) encompasses complex healthcare costs and diverse health complications, including the emergence of Post-Traumatic Seizures (PTS). In this study, our goal was to discern and elucidate the incidence and risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of PTS. We hypothesize that the development of PTS following TBI varies based on the type and severity of TBI.

Cost-effective soft-switching ultra-high step-up DC-DC converter with high power density for DC microgrid application.

DC microgrids are integral to smart grids, enhancing grid reliability, power quality, and energy efficiency while enabling individual grid independence. They combine distributed and renewable energy sources, reducing overall energy consumption. High-gain DC-DC converters are crucial for elevating voltages from low-voltage DC sources like solar panels and wind turbines in DC microgrids.

Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury in the General Adult Population of the USA: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. It has been estimated that 64-74 million individuals experience TBI from all causes each year. Due to these variations in reporting TBI prevalence in the general population, we decided to perform a meta-analysis of published studies to better understand the prevalence of TBI in the general adult population of the USA which can help health decision-makers in determining general policies to reduce TBI cases and their costs and burden on the healthcare system.

Effects of preinjury oral anticoagulants on the outcomes of traumatic brain injury in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: With the increasing cases of TBI cases in the elderly population taking anticoagulants for comorbidities, there is a need to better understand the safety of new anticoagulants and how to manage anticoagulated TBI patients.

Methods: A meta-analysis using a random-effect model was conducted to compare the effect of preinjury use of DOACs and VKAs on the outcomes following TBI.

Results: From 1951 studies, 49 studies with a total sample size of 15,180 met our inclusion criteria.

A new single magnetic core coupled-inductor based active switched Quasi Z-source inverter.

This paper presents a novel topology for Z-source inverters (ZSI). The new Z-Source network is based on the coupled-inductors and active switched boost. Features of the topology include high voltage boost ability, single magnetic-core, low voltage stress on the active switch, and capacitors.

Design and analysis of an interleaved step-up DC-DC converter with enhanced characteristics.

In this paper, an interleaved DC-DC step-up converter with improved characteristics based on a voltage multiplier rectifier is presented. The proposed converter is presented and analyzed for two different operating duty regions including operating region 1 (0 < D ≤ 0.5), and operating region 2 (0.

Risk Factors for Leaving Against Medical Advice in Patients Admitted for Upper Extremity Orthopedic Procedures.

Introduction: Patients who leave against medical advice (AMA) face increased risks of negative health outcomes, presenting a challenge for healthcare systems. This study examines demographic and hospital course factors associated with patients leaving AMA after an upper extremity (UE) orthopaedic procedure.

Methods: We analyzed 262,912 patients who underwent UE orthopaedic procedures between 2011 and 2020, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database.

Comparing the effects of mannitol and hypertonic saline in severe traumatic brain injury patients with elevated intracranial pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Controlling elevated intracranial pressure following brain injury with hyperosmolar agents is one of the mainstay treatments in traumatic brain injury patients. In this study, we compared the effects of hypertonic saline (HS) and mannitol in reducing increased intracranial pressure.

Methods: A total of 637 patients from 15 studies were included in our meta-analysis.

Decade-long Trends in Incidence of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in the United States: A Nationwide Database Analysis of Over 33 Million Patients.

Purpose: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a prevalent pediatric hip disorder linked to severe complications, with childhood obesity as a crucial risk factor. Despite the rising obesity rates, contemporary data on SCFE's epidemiology remain scarce in the United States. This study examined SCFE incidence trends and demographic risk factors in the United States over a decade.

Incidence of intracranial bleeding in mild traumatic brain injury patients taking oral anticoagulants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. Most TBI cases occur in older people, because they are at a higher risk of accidental falling. As the population ages, the use of anticoagulants is increasing.

Effectiveness of Levetiracetam versus phenytoin in preventing seizure in traumatic brain injury patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the subsequent Post-traumatic seizure (PTS) is a growing public health concern. Generally, anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) are recommended for PTS prophylaxis and treatment. This meta-analysis aimed to review the current state of knowledge and the evidence for the efficacy and safety of Levetiracetam (LEV) on the incidence of seizure in TBI patients compared to Phenytoin (PHT).

A 17-level quadruple boost switched-capacitor inverter with reduced devices and limited charge current.

In this paper, a quadruple boost switched-capacitor multi-level inverter is proposed. The proposed structure utilizes a DC source, 11 switches, and a diode to achieve 17-level output voltage levels. This structure consists of three capacitors with the ability for self-balancing voltages.

Angioembolization Has Similar Efficacy and Lower Total Charges than Preperitoneal Pelvic Packing in Patients With Pelvic Ring or Acetabulum Fractures.

Objectives: To compare cost, hospital-related outcomes, and mortality between angioembolization (AE) and preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) in the setting of pelvic ring or acetabulum fractures.

Design: Retrospective database review.

Setting: National Inpatient Sample, years 2016-2020.

Rates and Characteristics of Patients Leaving against Medical Advice after Spine Surgery.

Introduction: Leaving against medical advice (AMA) has been associated with higher rates of readmission and worse postoperative outcomes in various surgical fields. Patients who have undergone spine surgery often require careful postoperative follow-up to ensure an uncomplicated recovery. In this study, we aim to investigate the demographic and hospital variables that may have contributed to patients leaving the hospital AMA following spine surgery.

Comparing Common Risk Assessment Tools to Predict Outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: A number of tools exist to aid surgeons in risk assessment, including the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), and various measures of frailty, such as the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFR). While all of these tools have been validated for general use, the best risk assessment tool is still debated. Risk assessment is particularly important in elective surgery, such as total joint arthroplasty.

Capacitor based topology of cross-square-switched T-type multi-level inverter.

In this paper, a new topology is introduced for capacitor-based multi-level inverters. The proposed topology is based on combination of two Cross-Square-Switched T-Type inverters. This structure can be generalized in two modular and cascaded modes.

A modified frailty index predicts complication, readmission, and 30-day mortality following the revision total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: This study aimed to develop a modified frailty index (MFI) to predict the risks of revision total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Data from the American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were analyzed for patients who underwent revision THA from 2015 to 2020. An MFI was composed of the risk factors, including severe obesity (body mass index > 35), osteoporosis, non-independent function status prior to surgery, congestive heart failure within 30 days of surgery, hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin < 3.

Two Decades of Stroke in the United States: A Healthcare Economic Perspective.

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA and has implications on the financial health of patients, families, and healthcare systems. The objective of this study aimed to determine the economic perspective of stroke on the national healthcare system for the past 2 decades.

Methods: This retrospective study of inpatient subjects from 2000 to 2020 with stroke was collected from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).

The effect of induced hypertension in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A narrative review.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage ‎(aSAH) ‎accounts for 2-5% of all strokes, and 10%-15% of ‎aSAH patients will not survive until hospital admission. Induced hypertension (IH) is an emerging therapeutic option being used for the treatment of vasospasm in ‎aSAH. For patients with cerebral vasospasm (CVS) consequent to SAH, IH is implemented to increase systolic blood pressure (SBP) in order to optimize cerebral blood flow (CBF) and prevent delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI).

Consciousness Recovery in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review Comparing Modafinil and Amantadine.

Objectives: Acute traumatic brain injury is one of the most common causes of death and disability. Reduction in the level of consciousness is a significant complication that can impact morbidity. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most widely used method of assessing the level of consciousness.

Forced inspiratory suction and swallow tool (FISST): an automation of Valsalva maneuver variants for therapeutic interventions.

Introduction: The Valsalva maneuver and its modifications have been utilized across several conditions in medicine; however, there have been difficulties in its application. Thus, at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, we designed and patented an affordable and accessible device that mimics Valsalva called " (FISST).

Areas Covered: In this review, we discuss the premise for the design of FISST, based on applications of the law of conservation energy, the continuity equation, and Bernoulli's principle.

Early Versus Late Tracheostomy in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A US Nationwide Analysis.

Background: One of the most critical issues in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) is protecting the airway and attempting to keep a secure airway. It is evident that tracheostomy in patients with TBI after 7-14 days can have favorable outcomes if the patient cannot be extubated; however, some clinicians have recommended early tracheostomy before 7 days.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of inpatient study participants was queried from the National Inpatient Sample to include patients with TBI between 2016 and 2020 undergoing tracheostomy and outcomes between the two groups of early tracheostomy (ET) (< 7 days from admission) and late tracheostomy (LT) (≥ 7 days from admission) were compared.

Comparison between clevidipine and nicardipine in cerebrovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The term "cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs)" refers to a broad category of diseases that affect the brain's blood vessels and cerebral circulation. Controlling acute hypertension (HTN) by antihypertensive drugs such as clevidipine and nicardipine can be a highly efficient method of lowering the incidence of CVDs.

Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study.