bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on Metformin therapy at a single centre in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Kondlo Bafo , Cassimjee Zaheera , Olivier Courtney , Bayat Zaheer 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Metformin is a first-line oral hypoglycaemic agent for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies suggest that metformin use is associated with B12 deficiency. There is a paucity of data regarding this association in South Africa. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of B12 deficiency in a South African cohort of T2DM patients on metformin therapy.

Methods: The study was a retrospective clinical audit of patients recruited from a medical outpatient setting. A consecutive sampling technique was employed; T2DM patients who were 40 years or older and on metformin for a minimum of 6 months were recruited. B12 deficiency was defined as severe (<150 pmol/L), moderate (150–169 pmol/L) or mild (170–200 pmol/L).

Results: One hundred and one (n = 101) patients were enrolled, most of whom were females (65%). The prevalence of B12 deficiency was 14.9%, with most patients in the mild category. The majority of B12 deficient patients were female (67%), elderly (70.2 ±10.7 years) and of Coloured race (67%). The median duration of metformin use in B12 deficient and non-deficient patients was 10.9 (6–13) and 7 (3–12) years respectively (p =0.179). The median metformin dosage was 1700 mg. Older age (Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 6.67 (1.16–38.3), p = 0.033) and Coloured race (AOR 7.8(1.78–34.2) p = 0.006) were associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Conclusion: In our setting, vitamin B12 deficiency is prevalent amongst T2DM patients on metformin therapy. Older age and the novel finding of Coloured race were associated with B12 deficiency. We recommend screening for B12 deficiency amongst T2DM patients on metformin therapy.
La retroalimentación en la escritura universitaria en pandemia. El caso de estudiantes ingresantes a carreras de ciencias médicas en Chile
Authors: Vásquez-Rocca Liliana , Varas Magaly , Richards Constanza 
Published: April 2024

Durante la pandemia, gran parte del mundo se sometió a un confinamiento total, incluyendo a Chile. Esto implicó que las universidades desarrollaran las clases desde los hogares. Aunque se han realizado investigaciones sobre la retroalimentación de la escritura en la educación telemática, estas no han considerado el escenario pandémico. Por ello, este estudio explora la retroalimentación de la escritura universitaria en estudiantes de ciencias médicas durante la pandemia. Con un enfoque cuantitativo, la muestra consideró 341 estudiantes universitarios, a los que se les aplicó un cuestionario autoadministrado. Tras el análisis, los resultados indican lo siguiente: (a) la retroalimentación da cuenta de un proceso inicial eficiente; (b) los profesores no retroalimentarían en instancias intermedias, y (c) la retroalimentación sigue anclada en lo léxico-gramatical, prácticas similares a lo que ocurre en contextos presenciales.
Advancements in Expanded Clay Manufacturing Using "Clay-Desert Sand-Oil Sludge" Sludge Composite Materials
Authors: Narmanova Rosa 
Published: April 2024

This study explores the development of resource-saving expanded clay technology utilizing underutilized clay raw materials and oil extraction waste. Traditional expanded clay production is energy-intensive and often employs high-quality clay; however, our research identifies technological modes and parameters for producing expanded clay through plastic molding, incorporating substandard raw materials and oil sludge. This method eliminates the need for costly energy-releasing additives and reduces energy costs associated with drying and firing by 25-30%. The research aims to demonstrate the feasibility of this novel production technique in the Republic of Kazakhstan, considering the local availability of raw materials, energy resources, and regional demand for thermal insulation materials in industrial and civil construction. Our findings suggest that integrating 'Desert Sand-Oil Sludge' into the batch composition can effectively produce granulated porous thermal insulation material, aligning with the region's development strategy and offering significant economic and environmental benefits.
Highlights:

Resource Utilization: Uses oil waste and substandard clay to produce expanded clay, reducing reliance on high-quality materials.
Energy Savings: Cuts energy costs for production by 25-30% through innovative processing.
Regional Benefit: Aligns with Kazakhstan's strategy by utilizing local resources and supporting construction needs.

Keywords: Expanded Clay, Oil Sludge, Desert Sand
Localization of High-Titanium Dolerites in Kimberlite Fields: Possible Causes and a New Criterion for Kimberlite Search
Authors: Tomshin M.D. , Pokhilenko N.P. , Gogoleva S.S. , Zemnukhov A.L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
—The generalized chemical composition data on the studied dolerites from the Vilyui–Markha dike swarm (Vilyui paleorift) allowed detecting geochemically anomalous areas among them. It has been found that percentage of TiO2 and a number of heavy rare-earth elements (Th, Ta, Hf, Y, Nd) in the dolerites of dikes located within the kimberlite fields show almost twofold increase compared to the normal content for these elements in the Vilyui–Markha dolerites. Similar behavior of these elements is also observed in the dolerite dikes near the Kuoika kimberlite field (the Molodo dike swarm, Olenek paleorift). It is inferred that there is a connection between the increase in abundances of titanium and rare-earth elements in the dolerites and that the latter occur within the lithosphere blocks hosting kimberlite fields. The areas of lithospheric mantle roots linked with the formation of proto-kimberlites may have had bearing on the composition of tholeiite melt both in the processes of its generation and during its ascent to the Earth’s surface, which led to its local enrichment in titanium and a number of other elements. While the processes of the alignment of the geochemical composition between the high-titanium basites and the rest of the melt beyond the contours of the lithospheric blocks with kimberlite fields were weakly pronounced, they were responsible for appearance of zones enriched in titanium. Kimberlite fields that formed before or after basite magmas intrusion overlap with placements of high-titanium dolerite dikes. Thus, high-titanium dolerites in dike swarms (belts) can be used as one of the criteria for kimberlite searches. In view of the above, two new potential zones (Tenkelyakh and Kyulenke areas) for kimberlite exploration have been identified within the Vilyui–Markha dike swarm.
Antimalarial effect of ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia stem-bark in Plasmodium berghei-NK 65 infected mice.
Authors: Michael Lomi Oruchukwu , Joshua Parker Elijah , Amah Christian Chijioke , Okoro Ikechukwu Jacob , Felix Joshua Ogah 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: The use of Parinari curatellifolia for the management of malaria by Africans without scientific validation, prompted this study, to investigate the antimalarial effect of ethanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia stem bark (EEPCSB) in Plasmodium berghei (NK-65)-infected mice.
Method: Thirty mice (16 -21 g) were grouped into six of five mice each. Group 1 (uninfected) served as normal control while groups 2-6 were infected. Group 2 (positive control) was untreated while group 3 (standard control) received 20/120 mg/kg b.w. of arthemeter/lumefantrine, groups 4-6 received 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w. of EEPCSB respectively. The treatment lasted for four consecutive days. Parasitemia, heamatological and biochemical tests were carried out using established methods. The obtained data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Result: The extract significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the parasitemia, and produced significant (p < 0.05) increase in the PCV, RBC, and Hgb and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the WBC of groups 4-6 compared to the positive control. The liver function marker enzymes - AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin were all significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the treated animals, while there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL, and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the HDL of the infected animals compared to the positive control. While there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in lipid peroxidation marker MDA in the treated groups, the activities of the SOD and catalase, significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the positive control. The GSH concentration reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in the treated groups compared to the untreated group.
Conclusion: The extract showed excellent antimalarial effect by reducing parasitemia and reversing haematological and biochemical aberrations in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice as demonstrated in this study. Therefore, Parinari curatellifolia stem bark could be a source of lead compound for a novel and effective antimalarial drug.
WITHDRAWN: Crop management and distribution by linear programming method using the Excel software for planning the agricultural production
Authors: Fytilis Konstantinos , Karaouzas Ioannis 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors as it was submitted and made public without the full consent of all the authors. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
KRAS silencing alters chromatin physical organization and transcriptional activity in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Martins Flávia , Machado Ana Luísa , Ribeiro Andreia , Oliveira Susana Mendonça , Carvalho Joana , Matthiesen Rune , Backman Vadim , Velho Sérgia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Clinical data revealed that KRAS mutant tumors, while initially sensitive to treatment, rapidly bypass KRAS dependence to acquire a drug-tolerant phenotype. However, the mechanisms underlying the transition from a drug-sensitive to a drug-tolerant state still elude us. Here, we show that global chromatin reorganization is a recurrent and specific feature of KRAS-dependent cells that tolerated KRAS silencing. We show that KRAS-dependent cells undergo G0/G1 cell cycle arrest after KRAS silencing, presenting a transcriptomic signature of quiescence. Proteomic analysis showed upregulated chromatin-associated proteins and transcription-associated biological processes. Accordingly, these cells shifted euchromatin/heterochromatin states, gained topologically associating domains, and altered the nanoscale physical organization of chromatin, more precisely by downregulating chromatin packing domains, a feature associated with the induction of quiescence. In addition, they also accumulated transcriptional alterations over time leading to a diversification of biological processes, linking chromatin alterations to transcriptional performance. Overall, our observations pinpoint a novel molecular mechanism of tolerance to KRAS oncogenic loss driven not by specific gene alterations but by global reorganization of genomic information, in which cells transition chromatin domain structure towards a more quiescent state and gain transcriptional reprogramming capacity
Functional Transitions of the Default Mode Network Predict Self-Reported Resilience
Authors: Goh Joshua , Hsu Chun-Wei , Hsieh Shulan , Lin Wan-Rue , Chang Ya-Ting , Su Yu-Shiang , Yang Cheng-Ta , Chang Yun-Hsuan , Lin Sheng-Hsiang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
How the brain maintains stability in its internal states is fundamental to understanding human resilience of psychological states against external perturbations. Here, we evaluated the neurocomputational stability of the default mode network (DMN) using indices of its functional transitions based on multi-voxel states and conventional regional mean responses, and examined associations with self-reported resilience. Smaller DMN functional state transitions selectively predicted greater perceived self-resilience amidst lower life outlook or social support. Transitions of DMN mean responses were broadly associated with generic resilience measures, albeit susceptible to signal confounds. These findings form a foundational basis for making neurocomputational linkages between subjective experience and brain functional dynamics. Implications are also present for targeted interventions that fortify brain stability and mental resilience amidst environmental stressors.
Adversarial selective domain adaptation with feature cluster for skin cancer diagnosis
Authors: Gou Qiyu , Cui Guanxun 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Medical imaging approaches widely employ deep neural networks for the investigation and diagnosis of different skin disorders. However, recent studies suggest that even a proficient model based on deep learning might struggle with generalization when applied to datasets from disparate cohorts due to domain shift phenomena. Meanwhile, there are usually need many well-labelled images utilized for the training process to attain a stronger level of performance. In order to alleviate the domain shift and the necessity for adequate training data, we introduce a novel method termed as adversarial selective domain adaption with feature cluster (ASDA). It achieves effective performance improvement of model when the target dataset is smaller than the source dataset. Specifically, we generate a set of feature clusters for each sample in the target domain to alleviate the demand for data. Subsequently, a conditional domain adversarial network is used to mitigate domain shift. Finally, due to consistency issues between feature clusters and samples, we propose a method of selective minmax entropy to maintain consistency. Our method diverges from typical domain adaption approaches that solely target reducing the domain gap. Instead, we address both the discrepancy between domains and the problem of limited data in the target dataset simultaneously. Extensive experiments have been undertaken on datasets pertaining to skin cancer, that confirms ASDA's efficacy in skin cancer diagnosis for dermatoscopic and clinic image.
Experimental study on mechanical properties and breakage of high temperature carbon fiber-bar reinforced concrete under impact load
Authors: Wang Hao , Lv Nao , Lu Ziyi , Wang Haibo , Zong Qi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

To investigate the effects of high temperature and carbon fiber-bar reinforcement on the dynamic mechanical properties of concrete materials, a muffle furnace was used to treat two kinds of specimens, plain and carbon fiber-bar reinforced concrete, at high temperatures of 25, 200, 400 and 600 ℃. Impact compression tests were carried out on two specimens after high-temperature exposure using a Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test setup combined with a high-speed camera device to observe the crack extension process of the specimens. The effects of high temperature and carbon fiber-bar reinforcement on the peak stress, energy dissipation density, crack propagation and fractal dimension of the concrete were analyzed. The results showed that the corresponding peak strengths of the plain concrete specimens at 25, 200, 400, and 600°C were 88.37, 93.21, 68.85, and 54.90 MPa, respectively, and the peak strengths after the high-temperature exposure first increased slightly and then decreased rapidly. The mean peak strengths corresponding to the carbon fiber-bar reinforced concrete specimens after high-temperature action at 25, 200, 400, and 600°C are 1.13, 1.13, 1.21, and 1.19 times that of plain concrete, respectively, and the mean crushing energy consumption densities are 1.27, 1.31, 1.73, and 1.59 times that of plain concrete, respectively. The addition of carbon fiber-bar reinforcement significantly enhanced the impact resistance and energy dissipation of the concrete structure, and the higher the temperature was, the more significant the increase. An increase in temperature increases the number of crack extensions and width, and the high tensile strength of the carbon fiber-bar reinforcement and the synergistic effect with the concrete material reduce the degree of crack extension in the specimen. The fractal dimension of the concrete ranged from 1.92 to 2.68, that of the carbon fiber-bar reinforced concrete specimens ranged from 1.61 to 2.42, and the mean values of the corresponding fractal dimensions of the plain concrete specimens after high-temperature effects at 25, 200, 400, and 600°C were 1.19, 1.21, 1.10, and 1.11 times those of the fiber-reinforced concrete specimens, respectively. The incorporation of carbon fiber-bar reinforcement reduces the degree of rupture and fragmentation of concrete under impact loading and improves the safety and stability of concrete structures.
HDR-DANet: Single HDR Image Reconstruction via Dual Attention
Authors: Ma Jindong , Zhang Haitao 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Restoring high dynamic range images with a single low dynamic range image is a challenging task due to the limited brightness range captured by most consumer camera sensors, leading to missing details in overexposed or underexposed areas of the image. The current methods suffer from weak reconstruction ability for inconspicuous complex features in the extreme exposure area, resulting in arti-facts still appearing in the extreme exposure area after reconstruction. This paper proposes an end-to-end network based on dual attention to solve this problem. Specifically, this paper designs a pixel-level spatial attention mechanism with luminance mask to refine the spatial attention to the pixel level, and can focus on inconspicuous feature areas in the overexposed and underexposed regions. This paper also designs a concentrated channel attention mechanism to maximize the use of image context information, accurately assigning the channel weight and effectively extracting the complex features in the image. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations show the superiority of our approach over state-of-the-art methods.
Classification of pre-seismic gravity perturbation and background noises based on scattering network
Authors: Gou Jianing , Liu Zhenghua , Li Ji , Liu Ziwei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The surge of tidal gravity data collected in China is outpacing our abilities for analysis, and it is challenging for human expert to deal with such huge datasets. Moreover, there is no chance for experts to detect earthquake related signal in time due to sophisticated signal processing procedure. In this paper, we attempt to use scattering network to extract features from continues gravity data, and apply gaussian mixture model to classify earthquake-related signals and background noises in an unsupervised way. We take The Yangbi and Maduo earthquakes for example. The Yangbi Ms6.4 (99.87°E, 25.67°N) and Maduo Ms7.4 (98.34°E, 34.59°N) Earthquake occurred successively on May 21–22, 2021 in Dali, Yunnan Province and Guoluo, Qinghai Province of China. The 1Hz sampling records from 4 tidal gravimeters near the epicenter, including one superconductivity gravimeters (#066) and three gPhone gravimeters (YL, GRM and LS stations), altogether spanning from 11th May to 22th May, 2021, were obtained and analyzed. Just simple preprocessing for the raw gravity data (earth tide and air pressure corrections), various signals are identified using scattering network, including background noises, coseismic gravity change and possible preseismic gravity perturbation, which could be caused by the slow strike-slip of fault during earthquake preparation. YL station, about 53 km away from the epicenter of the Yangbi earthquake, show no obvious anomaly signal in spectrogram on May 15–19, but the possible gravity perturbation could be detect indirectly using scattering network, same for the other stations. In this paper, we demonstrate how scattering network may be used to identify weak pre-seismic gravity anomaly signals, enabling real-time seismic monitoring with tidal gravimeters array.
Giant impact on early Ganymede and its subsequent reorientation
Authors: Hirata Naoyuki 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The origin and early evolution of the Jovian moon Ganymede, known to have an internal ocean1,2, have garnered considerable interest in the field of origin of satellites and life. Ganymede has an ancient impact structure, called a furrow system3-7. The furrow system is the largest impact structures in the outer solar system and the impact should have significantly affected Ganymede’s early history; however, its impact is poorly understood. Here we show that mass redistribution induced by the furrow-forming impact caused a reorientation (true polar wander) of Ganymede. The center of the furrow system is located close to the tidal axis, indicating that the impact created a positive mass anomaly that reoriented the impact site toward the tidal axis. We found that an impactor with a radius of 150 km and an incidence angle between 60° and 90°can reproduce the current location of the furrow system. Furthermore, this ejecta model is adoptable in Pluto’s reorientation. Although it is proposed that Pluto’s reorientation indicates the presence of a global ocean8,9, our model indicates that it occurs even if no ocean.
HPV vaccine uptake, HPV infection and vaccination related knowledge and health beliefs among health sciences students in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu: An analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Sanjay Madhavan , Narendranath Raveendran , Seetharaman Narayanan , Naidu Deepika , Kumar Mohan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. However, it is preventable.
Objectives:To determine the prevalence of HPV vaccine uptake among health sciences students in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu; and to determine the levels of knowledge and health beliefs regarding HPV infection and vaccination.
Methods:This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among health sciences students in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu between November 2022, and January 2023.
Results: A total of 1139 participants of mean (SD) age 19.5 years (1.5) were enrolled. More than two thirds were females (68.1%). The prevalence of HPV vaccine uptake was 5.0%; of which 87.6% were recommended by doctors. Of the 1082 participants who had not taken HPV vaccine, 35.8% were willing to take if provided free of cost. Only 4.8% participants had adequate overall knowledge regarding HPV infection and vaccination; with 9.8% having adequate general HPV knowledge, 29.3% having adequate HPV vaccine knowledge, 4.0% having adequate HPV testing, and 4.0% having adequate HPV vaccine availability knowledge. One in five (19.4%) participants had favourable/appropriate health beliefs regarding HPV infection and its vaccination – with 43.5% having perceived benefits, 39.5% having perceived sensitivity, 34.6% having perceived severity, and 19.8% having perceived obstacles. The overall HPV – Knowledge scale scores (HPV-KS) and overall HPV infection and vaccine health belief model scale (HBMS-HPVV) scores had a significant positive correlation (r=0.251; p=<0.001). Participants with employed mothers, from upper socioeconomic status, with history of HPV vaccination in the family, and uptake of HPV vaccine for self were associated with significantly higher overall HPV-KS scores. Similarly, overall HBMS-HPVV scores were significantly higher among participants from urban family residence, with literate mothers, and from upper socioeconomic status.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of multifaceted interventions that address knowledge gaps, dispel myths or misconceptions, and tailor messaging to resonate with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.