Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The scope of elective surgical procedures and its implications on postgraduate training at MNH, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: Little is documented on the availability of surgical care both globally and locally. Majority of the countries have no data on surgical volume. Recent years have experienced the epidemiological transition, the multiplicity of surgical disorders among the increasingly noted. The increasing role of surgery therefore has been of paramount importance. Limited access to surgery can undoubtedly lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Training in surgery among other things relies on exposure and hands-on learning by students, on a variety of procedures. The importance of adequate volume of surgeries to that end, cannot be questioned, in line with the level of students’ involvement. Yearly volume of surgery both at surgeon and hospital level, has been found to be among parameters with significant influence on patient outcome as measured by length of hospital stay, mortality and complication rate. Thus an understanding of the quantity and distribution of surgical interventions is essential to guide efforts to improve its safety, address shortages of such services and improve on various aspects of training in surgery. Scope of surgical services is part of the components of quality assurance in general surgery and an important one especially in developing countries where resources are limited. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the scope of elective surgical procedures and its implications on postgraduate training at MNH, DSM. Methodology: This hospital based descriptive study looked into the volume of elective surgical procedures and the level of postgraduate involvement at MNH, DSM; from April to December 2013. It cut through general surgery, urology, cardiothoracic surgery, paediatric surgery, as well as plastic and reconstructive surgery. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total 2315 procedures were performed on the 2214 studied patients during the 9 months study period at MNH from April to December 2013. Majority of the patients were males, 1414 (63.9%) patients with M: F ratio of 1.76:1. The age ranged from 2 days to 112 years with a mean of 39.5± 26.1 years. The most common age group was over 50 years at
Effects of free-choice hay and straw bedding on digestion of nutrients in 7-week-old Holstein calves

ABSTRACT Objective Bedding with long straw improves animal health and performance but could affect digestibility measurements if calves consume the bedding. Feeding hay with calf starters is common practice; however due to the limited capacity of the young calf’s rumen, high levels of roughage can lead to decreased DMI, digestibility, and ADG. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of long-straw bedding and free-choice hay on nutrient digestibility in calves less than 2 mo old. Materials and Methods Sixteen calves (45.4 ± 1.18 kg of BW, 3 d of age) were bedded on long wheat straw or on rubber mats and fed diets with or without free-choice, long-grass hay. Calves were fed a 25% CP, 17% fat milk-replacer powder at 0.66 kg of DM 2 times per day for 35 d and then 0.33 kg of milk replacer 1 time per day for 7 d. Milk replacer was diluted to 14% DM. Calves were fed free-choice textured starter and water for the entire 56-d trial. Hay was 5.4% CP and 62.8% NDF (DM basis). Digestibility was estimated on d 47 to 51 using acid insoluble ash in feeds and feces as an internal marker. Results and Discussion Hay intake varied and reduced the digestion of dietary DM, OM, CP, and fat by calves. As hay intake increased, digestion of OM decreased linearly. Implications and Applications Long wheat straw as bedding did not change estimates of digestion in young calves consuming coarse, textured starter, whereas moderate- to low-quality hay intake reduced digestion.
Collaborative governance: a tool to manage scientific, administrative, and strategic uncertainties in environmental management?

Although uncertainty is a fundamental feature and challenge of environmental governance, the literature on how policy makers and resource managers can act effectively under that uncertainty is scarce. The focus is on managing scientific uncertainty, a lack of knowledge about the causes or consequences of an environmental problem or decision, when many other types of uncertainty can have drastic effects on decision makers’ ability to make timely, rational, or even satisficing decisions. Moreover, although suggestions on how to manage these uncertainties often revolve around collaborative governance, i.e., engaging scientists, decision makers, communities, and other stakeholders in joint decision making, collaboration is often framed as a one-size-fits-all approach. I aimed to broaden the conversation about collaboration as a tool for managing uncertainty, using a 4-year ethnographic study of a collaborative process to develop the operating license for a hydropower dam in California. Numerous types of uncertainties arose during the 4 years of negotiation, and these uncertainties often interacted in messy and hard-to-predict ways. Collaboration, especially creating the process and structure to openly discuss uncertainty, was an important tool for stakeholders to handle the uncertainties that arose, but it was insufficient to address all uncertainties. By exploring the many types of uncertainty that arose during negotiations, whether and how collaboration served to address these varieties of uncertainty, and how uncertainty affected the collaborative process, I aimed to add nuance to our understanding of when and where collaboration is a helpful tool for environmental decision makers.
Public investment and economic activity in Mexico, 1925–1981

Abstract The authors construct a historical database of public investment (both total and broken down into its main components) for the period 1925 to 1981 in order to measure its impact on economic activity. Given the possible presence of crowding-out effects between public investment and private investment, in their analysis they control for the latter. The results suggest that: i) public investment had a significant impact on output, one which varies depending on the category of public investment considered, and; ii) private and public investment are positively related, i.e., public investment has a crowding-in effect on private investment, and both have a positive and significant impact on GDP. The results contrast with those of previous studies that have analyzed this relationship, though using a different time period, one that includes the economic liberalization era. Nevertheless, these differences can be rationalized by the findings of Ilzetzki et al. (How Big (Small? ) are Fiscal Multipliers? 2013), who point out that key country-specific characteristics such as trade openness and the exchange rate regime are determinant in the relationship between public investment and output.
How do audit fees change? Effects of firm size and section 404(b) compliance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the size of the audit firm and compliance with Section 404(b) on how audit fees change over time. Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel data and an OLS regression to examine the relationship between audit fee changes, firms’ size and Section 404(b) compliance. Findings Section 404(b)-compliant companies experience a larger change in audit fees if they are audited by Big 4 firms than second-tier firms. Second-tier audit firms increase the fees primarily for the companies which do not comply with Section 404(b). Practical implications Regulators have been concerned with the Big 4 fee premium for four decades. This study informs regulators that the Big 4 continue increasing their fees at a higher rate than second-tier firms for their Section 404(b)-compliant clients (even though recent research shows that second-tier firms have increased quality to match the Big 4). This suggests that the Big 4 fee premium increases for this subset of clients, adding to the regulatory concerns. Originality/value While prior research has established the existence of the Big 4 fee premium, little is known about how this premium changes over time. Prior research shows that audit fees increase when internal controls are weak; however, little is known about how Section 404(b) compliance (once control effectiveness is controlled) affects fee changes. This paper addresses these voids in research.
Characterization of Atrazine Accumulation by Excised Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Roots

Long-term absorption of 14C-atrazine [2-chloro-4 - (ethylamino) - 6 - (isopropylamino) - s - triazine] by excised velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) roots was investigated. A rapid, initial phase of absorption was followed by a long-term, linear phase of absorption, which resulted in atrazine accumulation in the tissue to concentrations above the external solution. This accumulation did not result from metabolism of the atrazine. Aging of the excised tissue appeared to be responsible for the accumulation. Dinitrophenol, but not cyanide, inhibited accumulation. Atrazine accumulation decreased as the temperature during absorption was decreased. The Q10 the absorption rate was ca. 2.5 between 15 and 25 C. Efflux of atrazine from the tissue occurred in two phases. At 25 C, loss of 80% of the atrazine occurred in 20 min. At 4C, the rate of this efflux was slower and the phase lasted longer. At both 4 and 25 C a second, slower phase of efflux occurred through at least 6 h and resulted in loss of equal amounts of atrazine at the two temperatures. These experiments show that, in addition to rapid absorption of atrazine to a passive equilibrium, excised velvetleaf roots accumulate atrazine by a metabolically dependent process over long periods of time.
R159Q Polymorphism in Leptin Gene and Its Correlation with Semen Quality Parameters in Nili-Ravi Buffalo Bulls

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: December 12, 2018 December 23, 2018 December 24, 2018 December 28, 2018 Genome analysis in animals has introduced new criteria for selection and development of strategies for increasing herd productive and reproductive potential through breeding. Leptin gene has been established as a potential candidate for marker assisted selection of animals. This study was aimed to find polymorphism in leptin gene and its relationship with male reproductive traits and semen quality parameters in 99 Nili-Ravi buffalo breeding bulls. DNA was extracted from whole blood for genome analysis of each experimental bull. PCR product was sequenced and data was analyzed for polymorphism. Results revealed the presence of R159Q polymorphism at position c.523. This polymorphism was heterozygous and the change of guanine to adenine (G>A) nucleotide was noted in experimental bulls. Sequence comparison of leptin gene revealed two genotypes, GG and GA, with frequencies of 68.69 and 31.31%, respectively. The allelic frequencies for A and G allele were 15.66 and 84.34%, respectively. Codon CGG was changed into CAG, which resulted in glutamine production instead of arginine (R>Q). Further analysis of data showed that the R159Q polymorphism was significantly negatively correlated with sperm motility after freezing. However, it had non-significant correlation with ejaculatory volume, mass activity, sperm concentration, individual sperm motility, sperm motility after dilution, live and dead sperm percentage. Findings of present study suggest that R159Q polymorphism of leptin gene might be considered as genetic marker for selection of buffalo bulls. Further study is needed to explore the mutations in other regions of this gene which may affect semen quality parameters in males of this specie. ©2018 PVJ. All rights reserved
Expression of Metribuzin Sensitivity in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Populations

Two winter wheat cultivars are known to differ in sensitivity to metribuzin: TAM W-101 (tolerant) and Vona (sensitive). Their reciprocal F1, reciprocal F2, and backcross populations were compared to determine the genetic expression of metribuzin sensitivity. TAM W-101 showed a much wider range of response to metribuzin than Vona with little overlap between the two distributions. Both sets of reciprocal F1 and F2 populations resembled Vona in metribuzin response, but the variances of maternal TAM W-101 populations exceeded those of maternal Vona populations. Genetic segregation in metribuzin response was expressed in TAM W-101/Vona F2 but not in Vona/TAM W-101 F2. The greater variability observed in the metribuzin-tolerant parent TAM W-101 and maternal TAM W-101 populations could not simply be interpreted as the result of differential sampling of male and female gametes from TAM W-101.
Some Improved Razumikhin Stability Criteria for Impulsive Stochastic Delay Differential Systems

This paper is devoted to study the Razumikhin stability theorem for a class of impulsive stochastic delay differential systems. By developing a new lemma, stochastic analysis technique, and Razumikhin approach, several novel criteria of the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$</tex-math></inline-formula>th moment exponential stability are derived for the related systems. The key feature of the criteria is that time-derivatives of the Razumikhin functions are allowed to be indefinite, which loosens the constraints of the existing results greatly. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the usefulness and significance of the theoretical results.
EARLY ISOMETRIC EVERSION AND INVERSION CHANGES AFTER ACUTE ANKLE SPRAINS

Research background and hypothesis. Most of the methods used to monitor ankle condition after acute ankle sprains do not provide knowledge about the functional state of the ankle, which is mostly dependent on muscles and proprioception. For this purpose we used isometric testing. Research aim: to detect early isometric eversion and inversion peak torque changes after acute ankle sprains, and to compare them to the usual methods. Research methods. The subjects were 80 athletes with acute grade II ankle sprain. All subjects were randomized into Isometric Testing Group (40 subjects), and Control Group (40 subjects). Both groups underwent the same rehabilitation programme. We measured isometric peak torque and peak torque differences between the healthy and injured legs in eversion and inversion movements of the ankle. The outcome measures were pain on activity, swelling, Lower Extremity Functional Scale score, isometric eversion and inversion strength, Square hop test, and Figure of Eight hop test. Research results. There were no significant differences between parameters measured in both groups. Statistical analysis indicated significantly lower eversion and inversion strength of the injured limb, significant eversion and inversion deficit changes during the whole study. Pain on activity, and swelling changes were significant only on the first two weeks. Lower Extremity Functional Scale score changes were significant all three weeks. Eversion and inversion deficit correlated with Lower Extremity Functional Scale score. Conclusion. Isometric testing detects early eversion and inversion changes and helps monitoring rehabilitation after acute lateral ankle sprains.
Improved prostate cancer imaging with SPECT/CT and MRI/MRSI

We present a combined imaging technique for prostate cancer using /sup 111/In-ProstaScint/spl reg/ SPECT/CT and MRI/MRSI. When used alone, either SPECT/CT or MRI/MRSI has limitations in assessing the patient undergoing clinical prostate cancer management. However, combined imaging can use MRI/MRSI to assess the prostate gland while SPECT/CT /sup 111/In-ProstaScint/spl reg/ imaging can evaluate nearby and distant lymph nodes for metastases. The combined imaging study thereby provides complementary information useful for the cancer management. /sup 111/In-ProstaScint/spl reg/ SPECT data are reconstructed using an iterative algorithm that includes CT-derived attenuation correction and depth-dependent collimator blurring compensation. 3D MR spectra are overlaid on the T2-weighted MR image. Images from a patient who sequentially received /sup 111/In-ProstaScint/spl reg/ SPECT/CT and MRI/MRSI in one and half months suggest that the findings from both studies are correlative and complementary to each other in that MRI/MRSI generally provides better specificity for the cancer detection in the prostate bed, and better anatomic details of the prostate than /sup 111/In-ProstaScint/spl reg/ SPECT/CT. Yet, /sup 111/In-ProstaScint/spl reg/ SPECT/CT improves sensitivity for detection of distant lymph node metastases, and also is more sensitive when the patient is undergoing androgen deprivation therapy and thereby provides useful diagnostic information that is not readily available from the MRI/MRSI study alone.
Microbiological evaluation of some frozen and salted fish products in Egyptian markets

Sixty random samples of fish and fish products (frozen fish: Tilapia nilotica and imported basa fillet– salted fish: Mugil cephalus and sardine) (15 of each) were collected from different supermarketsin Egypt. All collected samples were microbiologically examined for determination of AerobicPlate Count (APC), coliforms, Escherichia coli, Mould & yeast and Staphylococcal aureuscounts (log10 cfu/g). Isolation and identification of salmonella, liesteria monocytogenes and Vibrioparahaemoliticus. The bacteriological examination revealed that the mean values of APC in theexamined fish samples were 4.80± 0.16, 4.63±0.18, 2.35±0.18 and 2.70±0.13 (log10 cfu/g) forfrozen Tilapia nilotica, Basa salted Mugil cephalus and Sardine respectively, 1.48± 0.22, 2.19±0.19,2.10±0.16 and 2.52±0.11 average coliform counts in examined samples respectively, and E.colicount with an average of 2.52±0.14, 2.01±0.17, 1.31±0.11and 1.64±0.14. Mould & yeast averagecounts were 0.93±0.18, 1.22±0.16, 1.67±0.021 and 1.69±0.18 in examined fish samples,respectively, and the Staphylococcal counts were 1.30±0.17, 1.58±0.26, 2.12±0.14, 1.46±0.23 and2.17±0.17 in examined fish samples, respectively. The incidence of food poisoning organisms(Salmonella & Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio parahaemolyticus also was investigated and oneof both Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were isolated in frozen Basa filletsamples with a percentage of 33% and 33% from the examined samples.
Flaws in the ether-drift experiments, nature of light and hydrodynamic features of the ether: possible role of a dilatant vacuum.

By now, it has become clear that space cannot be treated as mere geometry if we want to achieve a theory of quantum gravity. Evidences from cosmology, dark sector, quantum vacuum, Higgs field and, recently, also dilatant vacuum, suggest that physical vacuum may be endowed with hydrodynamic properties but this contrasts with the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment and of subsequent tests, which have excluded any dark fluid permeating all space. This is the reason for this new review of the ether-drift experiments, starting from the Michelson-Morley. This analysis shows major flaws in these experiments. The velocity of an apparatus with respect to the stationary ether is more complex to define; apparent ether wind has been confused with ether wind; the transverse path observed in the frame of the ether has not been correctly thought of and invalidates the length-contraction solution to the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment, which is rather due to the unchanged delta after rotation. The investigation continues by pointing out that thinking of a generic ether can be misleading and specific hydrodynamic properties of the vacuum, as for instance its dilatancy, have to be defined and might explain at the same time both the nature of light and the null results of the ether-drift experiments after the Michelson-Morley, eventually giving a quantum basis to special relativity.
Do the Angle and Length of the Eustachian Tube Affect the Success Rate of Pediatric Cartilage Type 1 Tympanoplasty ?

Hemangiomas are very common tumors characterized by large numbers of vessels filled with blood. Capillary hemangioma is the most common type of hemangioma, whereas capillary hemangiomas of the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal are extremely rare vascular tumors. The authors present capillary hemangioma of the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal in a 54-year-old woman with right-sided aural fullness for 3 months. Under local anesthesia, the mass was resected by transcanal microscopic surgery. Histologically, the tumor was composed of thinwalled capillaries with scant stroma and diagnosed as capillary hemangioma. After surgery, her symptoms improved and she did not exhibit any signs of recurrence for 1 year. The authors also review the relevant literature related to this report.
Frequency dynamics constrained unit commitment with battery energy storage

The decline of system inertia due to the increasing displacement of synchronous units by renewable units has introduced a major challenge on the frequency dynamics management of a power system. This paper discusses how fast-response battery energy storages can be used to maintain the frequency dynamic security. Immediately following a generation loss, the injections of batteries are adjusted instantly to ensure minimum power imbalance in the system. This control strategy is included in a novel formulation of the frequency dynamics constrained unit commitment, in which the impact of wind uncertainty is dealt with using interval-based optimization. The reformulation-linearization technique is applied to reformulate the original nonlinear model as a mixed-integer linear programming problem. Case studies on a six-bus system and the modified RTS-79 system demonstrate that the proposed method guarantees frequency security while still preserving economy without curtailing wind generation.
A theory of learning to infer

Bayesian theories of cognition assume that people can integrate probabilities rationally. However, several empirical findings contradict this proposition: human probabilistic inferences are prone to systematic deviations from optimality. Puzzlingly, these deviations sometimes go in opposite directions. Whereas some studies suggest that people under-react to prior probabilities (base rate neglect), other studies find that people under-react to the likelihood of the data (conservatism). We argue that these deviations arise because the human brain does not rely solely on a general-purpose mechanism for approximating Bayesian inference that is invariant across queries. Instead, the brain is equipped with a recognition model that maps queries to probability distributions. The parameters of this recognition model are optimized to get the output as close as possible, on average, to the true posterior. Because of our limited computational resources, the recognition model will allocate its resources so as to be more accurate for high probability queries than for low probability queries. By adapting to the query distribution, the recognition model “learns to infer. ” We show that this theory can explain why and when people under-react to the data or the prior, and a new experiment demonstrates that these two forms of under-reaction can be systematically controlled by manipulating the query distribution. The theory also explains a range of related phenomena: memory effects, belief bias, and the structure of response variability in probabilistic reasoning. We also discuss how the theory can be integrated with prior sampling-based accounts of approximate inference.