bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geochemistry, source area weathering and tectonic setting of Wabane soils, Mount Bamboutos, Cameroon Volcanic Line
Authors: Yiika Lemnyuy Prosper , Djibril Kouankap Gus Nono , Suh Guejeo Christian , Junior Emmanuel Eseya Mengu , Berinyuy Chin Thierry , Sekem Sharila Gillian , Rene Adze Meniemoh 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study is the first attempt to assess the source area weathering, tectonic setting and trace metal enrichment in Wabane soils, Mount Bamboutos, Cameroon based on geochemical data. Twelve soil samples were analysed for major and trace elements using inductive couple plasma mass spectrometry and mineral content by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Mineralogical investigation of soil samples indicate the present of plagioclase and pyroxene as primary minerals and kaolinite and gibbsite as secondary minerals. Chemical investigation revealed high concentrations of SiO2 (adj), Al2O3 and Fe2O3 in soil samples. Weathering indices (CIW, PIA, CIA and CIX) indicate moderate to intense weathering in source area; supported by Ruxton index (SiO2/Al2O3) and K₂O/Na₂O ratios, prevailing during hot humid pre-depositional period and reflect by removal of labile cations (Ca, Na, K) relative to stable residual constituents (Al and Ti). The Log (Fe2O3/K2O) versus log (SiO2/Al2O3) plot reveals mainly wacke and litharenite, consistent with the dominant aluminous siliceous composition of the parent rocks and soils. The tectonic setting discrimination plots indicate that alluvial sediments, parent material of soils, originate from an active continental margin while the discriminant function-based multidimensional tectonic diagram indicate continental rift setting suggesting that parent materials are from the Pan-African basement of the Central African Fold Belt. Trace metal enrichment indicate predominantly geogenic sources of trace metals in soils of Wabane, Mount Bamboutos, Cameroon. Weathering may result in the undesirable accumulation of certain trace elements which adversely can contaminate the soils and affect agriculture.
Research on rock burst prevention and control technology of steep extra-thick coal seam
Authors: Liang Kaihua , Zhao Hong , Li Yang , Pan Weihui , Ma Fuwu , LI Nannan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In order to study the prevention and control effect of the emergency relief measures of water injection before blasting on the sharp inclined ultra-thick coal seam, the south mining area of Wudong Coal Mine in Urumqi Mining area of China was taken as the research object. Based on the special geological conditions of the mine field, the methods of field investigation, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and field test were comprehensively applied. This paper analyzes the change law of stress distribution of rock pillar in the middle of steep extra-thick coal seam with the increase of mining depth, and puts forward a technology of pre-cracking blasting to relieve pressure of rock pillar by building construction chamber in the middle of rock pillar, so as to form buffer layer in rock wall and prevent stress from moving down effectively. The optimum blasting hole spacing is determined by combining the theoretical calculation and numerical simulation results with the field test. The results show that there is little difference between the theoretical calculated hole spacing and the simulated one, and the hole spacing can be increased from 8 m to 10 m by using the rock burst control scheme of water injection before blasting. The EH-4 high-resolution electromagnetic imaging system and Terra TEM subsurface transient electromagnetic instrument were used to detect the spatial structure of overlying rock before and after blasting, and it was confirmed that the pressure relief effect of surface blasting and underground blasting was obvious. The research results are of guiding significance for relieving pressure and preventing scour of rock pillars between coal seams in Wudong mine field, and provide reference for the selection of other mine blasting relieving pressure schemes under similar conditions.
A brain tumor segmentation method based on attention mechanism
Authors: Cao Juan , Liu Jinjia , Chen Jiaran 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

With the exacerbation of global population aging, the incidence of brain tumors continues to rise, placing unprecedented pressure on medical institutions in their diagnostic and treatment work. Therefore, in clinical practice, providing precise and reliable auxiliary diagnostic information to physicians has become crucial to meet the demand for efficient and accurate diagnostics. In order to assist neurosurgeons in accurate diagnosis and surgical planning on brain MRI data, this study proposes a novel attention-based brain tumor segmentation algorithm, named BSAU-Net. Considering the complexity and diversity of brain tumor edges, this study introduces an Edge Aware (EA) module to enhance the sensitivity of the BSAU-Net to tumor regions while preserving the integrity of their edge contours. The importance of global spatial relationships of tumors for precise segmentation is acknowledged by proposing a Spatial Self-Attention (SPA) module, which establishes correlations between global features, thereby improving the model's segmentation performance. To address the issue of class imbalance, a novel loss function, BADLoss, is designed to alleviate the performance degradation of BSAU-Net. The BSAU-Net algorithm, as proposed, demonstrates exceptional performance on the BraTS2018 and BraTS2021 datasets, with an average Dice coefficient of 0.7506, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 0.7863, and Sensitivity of 0.8998.
Study of the Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Helal Emad Hamdy , Abdella Ali Mohamed Ali , Hantera Mohamed Sayed , Faraghly Aymen Abdelahmid , Farhat Amgad Abdel Raouf 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) represents a condition affecting small arteries of the pulmonary vasculature, inducing progressive blockage that results in increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) as well as pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), which are defining features of such a disorder. This work was aimed at investigating the PH prevalence among chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases and its linkage to disease severity and the relations between CKD management and PH.
Methods
Our prospective observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 CKD patients at Chest Department, Tanta University Hospitals and Air Forces Specialized Hospitals from December 2020 to December 2022.
Results
The most frequent diagnosis of PH was Group 1 Pulmonary arterial hypertension (36.7%) followed by Group 2 Cardiac causes (30%) followed by Group 4 chronic thromboembolic PH (26.7%) and (6.7%) experienced normal pulmonary hemodynamics by RHC. Also, a statistically significant correlation was documented among CKD staging as well as risk assessment of PH (p 0.024). A significant association was documented among treatment as well as risks for developing PH (p 0.034). Patients on medical treatment (60%) showed low risk while (33.3%) of patients depending on dialysis showed high risk.
Conclusions
PH was diagnosed in 28 CKD patients confirmed by right (RT) side cardiac catheterization among 120 CKD patients studied for PH assessment representing 23.5%. Right Side Cardiac Catheterization is more accurate than echocardiography in confirming diagnosis of PH. Severity of PH showed significant association with CKD stage.
Explainable Predictive Models of Short Stature and Exploration of Related Environmental Growth Factors: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Liu Jiani , Zhang Xin , Li Wei , Bigambo Francis Manyori , Wang Xu , Teng Beibei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Short stature is a prevalent pediatric endocrine disorder where early detection and prediction are pivotal in improving treatment outcomes. However, existing diagnostic criteria often lack the necessary sensitivity and specificity due to the disorder's complex etiology. Hence, this study aims to employ machine learning (ML) techniques to develop an interpretable predictive model for short stature and to explore how growth environments influence its development.
Methods
We conducted a case-control study including 100 cases of short stature who were age-matched with 200 normal controls from the Endocrinology Department of Nanjing Children's Hospital from April to September 2021. Parental surveys were conducted to gather information on the children involved. We assessed 33 readily accessible medical characteristics and utilized conditional logistic regression to explore how growth environments influence the onset of short stature. Additionally, we evaluated the performance of nine ML algorithms to determine the optimal model. Subsequently, the Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) method was employed to prioritize feature importance and refine the final model.
Results
In multivariate logistic regression analysis, children's weight (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.96), maternal height (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.86), paternal height (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.91), maternal early puberty (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.39), and children's outdoor activity time exceeding 3 hours per day (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.68) were identified as protective factors for short stature. This study found that parental height, children's weight, and caregiver education significantly influenced the prediction of short stature risk, and the Random Forest (RF) model demonstrated the best discriminatory ability among 9 ML models.
Conclusions
This study indicates a close correlation between environmental growth factors and the occurrence of childhood short stature, particularly anthropometric characteristics. The Random Forest model performed exceptionally well, demonstrating its potential for clinical applications. These findings provide theoretical support for personalized interventions and preventive measures for short stature.
Heat Adaptation Benefits for Vulnerable groups In Africa (HABVIA): A study protocol for a controlled clinical heat adaptation trial
Authors: Deglon Michaela , Africa Chad , Soepnel Larske Marit , Kapwata Thandi , Aikins Ama de-Graft , Bedu-Addo Kweku , Howard Guy , Lambert Estelle Victoria , Rae Dale Elizabeth , Sibanda Martha , Gordon Christopher , New Mark , Dugas Lara 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background Temperatures across Africa are expected to rise at up to twice the rate of mean global temperatures, posing significant health threats to vulnerable communities. Prolonged exposure to high day- and night-time temperatures has been implicated in a myriad of adverse health outcomes. The built environment and inadequate housing can exacerbate these consequences, prompting the need to evaluate heat adaptation interventions as a sustainable adaptation strategy for low-income and informal settlement dwellers. The HABVIA: heat adaptation benefits for vulnerable groups in Africa study aims to assess the impact of passive cooling interventions in homes on several key physiologic and mental health outcomes, as well as building internal thermal conditions. Methods HABIVA is a 3-year prospective controlled study to identify, implement and assess heat adaptation solutions in four low-income communities in one urban and one rural site in Ghana and South Africa, respectively. In each site, N = 240 participants (N = 60 per site) will be assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention is focused on lowering the nighttime temperature of the home environment. Health and biometric data will be collected through a combination of physiological measurements, questionnaires, and biochemical measures taken at 3 time points during the hot season. Clinical outcomes include objective sleep behaviour, core body temperature, physical activity, blood pressure, blood glucose, anthropometrics and body composition. Indoor and outdoor environmental data will be collected continuously using fixed indoor sensors and automatic weather stations. Housing and community characteristics, and socio-economic information will be collected. Quantitative comparisons will be made between intervention and control conditions using generalised linear mixed models. Qualitative data from consultive workshops will be used to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the adaptations. Discussion Robust evaluation of the environmental and health outcomes of heat adaptations are limited for Africa, despite high climate vulnerability. HABVIA will address some of these gaps by assessing low-cost passive cooling interventions to promote heat resilience and improve health outcomes, providing real-world evidence for the feasibility of readily implementable and scalable adaptations in local contexts. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) PACTR202401521630856, version 1. Retrospectively registered on January 12, 2024.
An Innovative Gamification Tool to Enhance Intercultural Competence and Self-Efficacy among Healthcare Professionals Caring for Vulnerable Migrants and Refugees
Authors: Moreno-Comellas Ruben , Murias-Closas Adria , Evangelidou Stella , Wylie Lloy , Serre-Delcor Nuria 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
This article explores the burgeoning challenge of providing adequate healthcare to vulnerable migrants and refugees (VMRs) within the European Union, an issue exacerbated by the recent surge in migration and asylum applications. A critical gap identified is the lack of intercultural competence (ICC) training in healthcare education, which impedes healthcare professionals' ability to offer culturally sensitive care. The study introduces an innovative educational tool, the "Refugee Escape Room" (RER), to address this gap.
Methods
The RER is a novel gamification-based initiative, conceptualized to enhance ICC, self-efficacy (SE), and knowledge among healthcare students and professionals. It employs an immersive learning approach, where participants engage in a simulated migratory scenario set in a future world crisis, necessitating collaborative problem-solving and decision-making under pressure. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including a pre-post intervention design with a newly validated questionnaire and thematic content analysis of qualitative feedback.
Results
Results from the 101 recruited participants indicate significant improvements in ICC (d=1.13; t=-12.64, p<0.001), SE (d=0.38; t=-3.56; p=0.001), and knowledge (d=1.19; t=-8.40; p<0.001) post-intervention. Participants reported enhanced understanding of VMRs' health challenges and increased empathy, translating their learning into improved attitudes and skills. The study also highlights the potential of educational escape rooms in engaging diverse learners and fostering experiential learning.
Conclusions
The RER, with its focus on VMRs and ICC training, is an innovative, acceptable and feasableeducational tool that attemps to fill a crucial gap in healthcare education. It represents a promising step towards more effective intercultural training in healthcare, thereby addressing health disparities and improving care quality for vulnerable populations. The study suggests the need for more structured research and methodological rigor to further assess the impact of novel educational tools in healthcare training.
Efficacy and Safety of Pasireotide Treatment in Acromegaly: A Systematic Review and Single Arm Meta-Analysis
Authors: Aliyeva Turkan , Muniz Juliana , Soares Gustavo Meira , Firdausa Sarah , Mirza Lubna 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Acromegaly is an uncommon chronic endocrine disorder which is associated with considerable comorbidities. Many patients fail to achieve biochemical control with current medical therapies, including surgery and first-generation somatostatin analogs. We aimed to perform a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of the multi-receptor ligand somatostatin analog Pasireotide in patients with active or uncontrolled acromegaly.
Methods
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies that assessed the efficacy of Pasireotide in patients with acromegaly and reported the outcomes of (1) biochemical control and its composite indicators; (2) normalized IGF1 level and (3) low GH levels. For the statistical analysis, we used R software.
Results
We included nine studies with a total of 590 patients: four clinical trials and five observational cohorts. The overall population consisted of inadequately controlled or active acromegaly patients. After a follow-up of 12 months, the overall population achieved a biochemical control rate of 26.50% (95% CI: 14.87-42.66). The prevalence of normalized IGF1 and low GH levels was 36.27% (95% CI 29.15-43.39) and 34.76% (95% CI 24.58-44.95), respectively. Additionally, biochemical response rates were sustained throughout the extension phase of these studies. In a pooled analysis including four studies with extension phase results, the prevalence of biochemical control rate in the overall population was 29.03% (95% CI: 11.49–46.58) with 76 events out of 281 patients. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal disturbances in 31.26% (95% CI: 7.44–72.01) and hyperglycemia in 29.55% (95% CI: 21.80–37.29) of patients. The incidence of diabetes mellitus significantly increased after pasireotide treatment, with a rate of 23.36% (95% CI: 19.58-27.13).
Conclusion
Pasireotide demonstrates biochemical control in patients with active or uncontrolled acromegaly. Although a high rate of hyperglycemic adverse events and diabetes mellitus related to the treatment were observed, most of them were manageable.
Malaria Risk Assessment Based on the Use of Insecticide Treated Nets in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Nsemani William , Ubachukwu Patience , Boadu Isaac 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: Malaria remains a global pressing issue despite several interventions to reduce the disease prevalence. One of the key interventions that has gained public interest is the use of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to control the malaria-mosquito vector. This study sought to determine malaria prevalence, ITN ownership and usage and assess the effectiveness of damaged ITNs in malaria prevention in peri-urban communities in Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in three communities (Nsukka, Obimo and Edem) of Nsukka Local Government Area. A total of 317 participants from 125 randomly selected households were screened for malaria using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and confirmed with microscopy. Socio-demographic data and information related to ITN were collected using structured questionnaires and field observation. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine socio-demographic and ITN characteristics associated with Malaria.
Results: Malaria prevalence among participants was 23.7% (RDT) and 14.5% (microscopy). Prevalence of malaria differed significantly among the age group (p<0.01), with 5-15 years having the highest prevalence both by RDT (6.9%) and microscopy (5.4%). Severity of malaria cases revealed 54.3%, 30.4% and 15.3% for moderate, low and severe parasitemia respectively. Of the 125 household surveyed, less than half (44.0%) possessed at least one ITN with only a few (18.2%) in good condition. Members of households without ITN were 1.32 more likely to have malaria using RDT (0.23-3.81, p=0.09). Not using ITN (aOR=1.5, CI=0.45- 3.62) and the use of damaged ITN (aOR=3.81, CI=1.24- 9.71) were significantly associated with having malaria by the use of RDT.
Conclusion: Malaria prevalence was high among the study participants particularly the older children. Most of the ITNs used by households were damaged. Participant who did not have ITN were more at risk of being affected with malaria. There is the need for regular provision of ITNs among the risk populations and increased community sensitization on the need to use ITN to prevent human-mosquito contact.
LSD1 and GCN5 inhibition facilitates Am80 (tamibarotene)-mediated differentiation therapy in RARA-high non-APL AML
Authors: Schenk Tino , Zadegan Faezeh Ghazvini , Fiedler Franziska , Stanko Clara , Ölsner Laura , Schuett Jacqueline , Özcan Setenay , Schnöder Tina , Sbirkov Yordan , Szymanski Lukasz , Stengel Sven , Dittrich Peter , Müller Jörg , Heidel Florian , Hochhaus Andreas , Scholl Sebastian , Brioli Annamaria 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a challenging disease with a poor prognosis, necessitating more personalized therapeutic strategies. Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) activation is crucial for myeloid differentiation, but non-APL AML cells resist differentiation induced by the pan-RAR agonist all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Am80, a specific RARA agonist, has been reported to partially overcome this resistance in AML with high RARA expression. However, its effects on myeloid differentiation, especially in comparison to ATRA, remain understudied. We compared the effects of Am80 and ATRA in non-APL AML samples, focusing on subsets with high RARA and/or RARG expression, using molecular and phenotypic differentiation assessments. Contrary to previous findings, high RARA levels alone did not foster myeloid differentiation upon Am80 treatment in primary AML. At cellular and molecular levels, Am80 and ATRA induced identical molecular and differentiation responses. Nevertheless, combined treatment of both retinoids with LSD1 and GCN5 inhibitors efficiently unlocked differentiation in various types of non-APL AML, particularly in those with higher RARA levels. Our findings highlight the potential of Am80 in the field of personalized AML treatment, particularly when utilized in conjunction with epigenetic modifiers in RARA-high AML, warranting further clinical investigation.
Seismic Vulnerability Assessment for a Reinforced Concrete Buildings in the Historic Center: Case Study of Villavicencio, Colombia.
Authors: Granados Luis Felipe , Choque Bregy , Solarte Alexander , Chicangana German , Lozano Emiro 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Reinforced concrete construction has been important for the development of cities as we know them today, in addition many of the concrete structures present in urban centres have several decades of construction, this passage of time has influenced the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures and generates uncertainty in those people who inhabit them. This situation made it necessary to assess seismic vulnerability of a building in urban centre of Villavicencio,, to know their degree of vulnerability to an earthquake and take measures to reduce it. It was possible to show that the buildings analysed presented different structural deficiencies and pathological problems, which in several cases make it necessary to incorporate them to comply with the norm of the current seismic code. With this work, it was found that some buildings require reinforcement of their structural elements, and it was possible to show that they presented both the ISE and the IFL greater than 1.0, which implies that they require reinforcement of their structural elements.