Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cervical Oesophagotomy and Removal of an Impacted Oesophageal Denture: Case Report and Literature Review

We present the case of a 46-year old man with a two-year history of losing his denture presenting with cachexia and a two-month history of dysphagia to both liquids and solids associated with odynophagia. Review at the ENT department where a diagnostic rigid oesophagoscopy was done under general anaesthesia showed a denture impacted to the wall of the oesophagus at 17 cm from the incisor. Attempts at retrieval were unsuccessful as the denture was deeply embedded in the oesophageal wall and bled easily on attempted removal. He subsequently underwent a 2-stage surgical management approach by the cardiothoracic surgical team. Patient first underwent nutritional rehabilitation for a month through a created feeding gastrostomy tube via a limited midline laparotomy. He then had a open cervical oesophagotomy and removal of the denture. Currently doing well six months after surgery and tolerating normal oral diet.
Effects of chestnut ( Castanea sativa ) meal supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of pigs

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of chestnut ( Castanea sativa ) meal (CNM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of pigs. Thirty-two crossbred pigs were randomly allocated equally into four groups and fed one of four diets containing 0, 30, 50, or 100 g kg−1 DM CNM for 49 days. The animals were housed individually into the cage, fed the diet ad libitum , and allowed to access water freely. Feed efficiency decreased quadratically, while carcass yield [. ]
How does the impact of foreign direct investment on institutional quality depend on the underground economy?

ABSTRACT This study sheds light on the impacts of FDI inflows and underground economy on institutional quality, as well as the moderating effect of underground economy on FDI – institutional quality nexus in 43 developing countries worldwide during 2002-2009. By using FGLS and SGMM for estimation, we find that FDI inflows have a positive impact on institutional quality, while underground economy and the interaction term between FDI and underground economy have negative impacts on institutional quality. Our results indicate that FDI inflows initially help improve institutional quality, but the presence of underground economy reduces this effect until the underground economy reaches a threshold, then above this threshold, the total impact of FDI on institutional quality turns negative. The findings imply that to foster the role of FDI in ameliorating institutional quality, governments in developing countries must control the underground economy at certain levels below the threshold. Highlights FDI inflows improve institutional quality in the host countries. The underground economy reduces institutional quality. The impact of FDI on institutional quality depends on the underground economy. There is a threshold of the underground economy. Below this threshold, FDI inflows enhance institutional quality; but FDI inflows jeopardize institutional quality when the underground economy is above this threshold.
Sliced, vacuum-packed frankfurter-type sausage: technological measures to inhibit the growth of listeriae

During normal commercial storage for 3 to 4 weeks at 7 °C Listeria monocytogenes grew by up to 7 powers of ten on sterilely sliced and vacuum-packed frankfurter-type sausage. In samples obtained from the trade, however, relatively low listeriae counts were often found at the end of the minimum shelf life. It was noted that at this time about 60 % of samples have a lactic acid bacteria count of more than 10 7 CFU/g at pH values between 5.6 and 5.7. 32 % of samples however contained fewer than 100 org. /g lactic acid bacteria. A noticeable inhibition of the growth of L. monocytogenes of up to 3 powers of ten could be achieved in sliced, vacuumpacked frankfurter-type sausage where there was contamination by at least 10 5 lactic acid bacteria/g during slicing. Inhibition of growth was increased to a maximum of 4 powers of ten by adding 0.1 % sodium acetate to the complete sausage mixture, given the same conditions. Adequate inhibition of Listeria growth, without contaminating flora impairing the sensory quality, was only achieved however when, where 0.1 % sodium acetate was added and contamination with lactic acid bacteria dispensed with, the storage temperature was lowered to at least 5 °C and the storage time reduced to 3 weeks. To avoid the risk of listeriosis from eating sliced, vacuum-packed frankfurter-type sausage it is rec ommended that these products should have 0.1 % sodium acetate added to them during manufac- ture, should be sliced under con ditions that are as sterile as possi- ble, should be stored at a maxi- mum temperature of 5 ° C and for a period limited to 3 weeks. Under these conditions it would be pos- sible to introduce the steps envis- aged for these products in the cat- alogue of measures of the BGA*) where, without enrichment, more than 100 L. monocytogenes org. /g are found in the directly streaked material
TRADE IN HUMAN CAPITAL: A QUANTITATIVE THEORY OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE IMPORT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

For a developing economy transitioning into knowledge-intensive sectors, the lack of capacity for advanced education poses a natural challenge. Many successfully industrialized countries used high-skilled foreign teachers to overcome this challenge. I present a stylized quantitative model of trade in high-skilled human capital, in which colleges in a developing country can hire high quality teachers from a developed country. In the model, the use of foreign teachers is proposed as a possible mechanism to build domestic capacity for advanced education. Quantitative calibrations of the model show two main results. First, there are significant frictions in human capital trade, as measured by the wedge between the level of human capital observed in the data versus the level simulated under the assumption of no frictions. Removal of the wedge can narrow the average income gap between the USA and other countries by about 14–24%. Second, relative to countries with the lowest and highest incomes, middle-income countries appear to gain the most from removing the wedge.
A Prospective Study On The Prevalence Of Retinal Lesions Among The Hypertensive Patients

To estimate the prevalence of retinal lesions among patients with hypertension. Hypertensive patients of both the genders above 18 years of age, who were willing to participate in the study, were included and patients who were having diabetes, previous retinal abnormalities and below 18 years of age were excluded from this study. The hypertensive patients were screened for the presence of retinal lesions and were categorised based on the severity of damage to the retinal arterioles and veins.In this study, about 876 patients who were diagnosed with hypertension were recruited and screened for retinal lesions. After screening, around 125 (14.3%) patients were observed with retinal lesions. In case of severity of retinal lesions in the hypertensive patients, most of the patients were found to be in Grade-I (40.8%) followed by Grade-II (37.6%). After treating with various types of treatment approaches, about 40 patients who were observed with retinal lesions of Grade-I severity were returned to a healthy state, and about 27 patients who were with retinal lesions of Grade-II severity were recovered to Grade-I. About six patients with retinal lesions of Grade-III was improved to Grade-II, and no patient recovered with the retinal lesions of Grade-IV severity.In this study, the prevalence of retinal lesions among the hypertensive patients was observed to be 14.3%, and the males were found to be more predominant with retinal lesions when compared to the females. The elevated blood pressure for a prolonged duration in hypertensive patients impacts the severity of retinal lesions increasing the risk of retinopathy. It is the responsibility of the clinical pharmacist to create awareness among the hypertensive patients regarding the occurrence of hypertensive retinopathy as it may cause severe complications if left untreated. Hence, regular follow-ups are required for hypertensive patients, which may help to prevent retinal complications.
The Role of Agriculture in Ensuring Food Security in Developing Countries: Considerations in the Context of the Problem of Sustainable Food Production

Ensuring food security has become an issue of key importance to countries with different degrees of economic development, while the agricultural sector plays a strategic role in improving food availability. The aim of this paper is to identify relationships between the undernourishment scale and selected characteristics describing the agricultural sector within identified clusters of developing countries. Typological groups of countries were separated using Ward’s method. It results from the analyses that the greatest problems with maintaining food security are observed in the developing countries with a high share of agriculture in their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adverse conditions hindering agricultural production and deficient infrastructure. Based on research results desirable and tailored strategies for food security improvement in individual clusters were developed. Promoting investments in agricultural infrastructure and extension services along with adopting measures aimed at increasing the households’ purchasing power, especially those in rural areas, appear to be key drivers for improving both food availability and food access. The paper focuses not only on identifying the reasons of undernourishment, but also contributes to recognition of the most effective ways to solve the hunger problem under a country’s unique conditions. It offers a comprehensive perspective for the policy formulation in various areas world-wide, which may be of interest to scholars and policy makers.
Effect of different concentrations of potassium and magnesium on performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared in low-salinity water and a biofloc system

ABSTRACT Effect of K+ and Mg2+ in water on the performance of Litopenaeus vannamei using bioflocs was evaluated. Control had water with K:Mg (1:4.57) and other treatments (K:Mg of 1:5.4, 1:4.65, and 1:3.77), both with salinity of 4 g/L. Initial mean weight of shrimp was 0.08 ± 0.007 g. No difference in shrimp growth performance and survival was observed (P > 0.05) except in the control. Our results suggest that it is possible to culture postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei in low-salinity water with bioflocs when the water has an initial potassium concentration of 30.90 ± 8.5 mg/L and magnesium of 167.0 ± 3.9 mg/L.
ROAD TO MYTHIC: CONCEPTUALIZATION OF INTERNET GAMING FROM THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SYMPTOMATIC FILIPINO YOUTH

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to capture the lived experiences of Filipino College Students excessively immersed in online gaming for a year or more with five or more symptoms of Internet Gaming Disorder (I.G.D.). Methodology: This is a qualitative research using the phenomenological approach. Internet Gaming Disorder Scale – Short form (IGD9-SF) was used to identify participants. Using Paul Colaizzi’s Procedure, field text was carefully transcribed and analyzed to determine the statement verbalizations and musings, which collectively described the phenomenon. Main Findings: The conceptual model “E-Loop of I.G. D. ” or the “Entertain-Engulfed-Entangle-Escape” has emerged. The findings of this study established the severity of the adverse effects of I.G. D. To students and the severe gaming dysregulation, this resulted in a vacuum in their personal development. Applications of this study: This model provided a clear picture of a vicious cycle of dysregulated internet gaming behaviour which would equip mental health experts’ richer understanding and analysis of action related to gaming. Ultimately, this inference offers an appropriate basis for intervention or treatment programs in assisting students with I.G. D. symptoms. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study provided a novel conceptual framework of internet gaming disorder based on the lived experiences of the symptomatic gamers. Further, it offered more definite conceptions on the vicious cycle of I.G. D.
A model for female South African investors’ financial risk tolerance

Abstract Research relating to the influence of investor’s demographic factors and personality traits on financial risk tolerance receives increasing attention. Financial risk tolerance refers to the degree of uncertainty an investor is willing to bear, with regards to the financial risks taken on. The investor’s personality refers to the stable characteristics an individual tends to display in any given situation. Personality traits may therefore also be considered as a driver in investor financial decisions. Understanding the influence gender and personality traits have on an investor’s financial risk tolerance, will assist in predicting their financial and investment decisions with regards to their asset portfolios. The purpose of this article is to develop a structural equation model for investment firms to more accurately profile their female investors, considering their personality traits, level of risk tolerance and level of education. Results from this study are in line with previous investment and portfolio management research. Results indicate that male investors are more risk-tolerant than their female counterparts. Furthermore, investors’ level of education significantly influenced their level of financial risk tolerance. Personality traits were found to influence female investors financial risk tolerance.
The affiliations and characteristics of female directors and earnings management: evidence from Turkey

This study aims to investigate whether the presence of female directors with specific attributes has an effect on earnings quality in a patriarchal emerging country with a collectivistic culture and a substantial gender equality gap and where the majority of companies are controlled by large business groups. ,The current study uses a unique hand-collected data set that covers all non-financial companies listed on the Borsa Istanbul between the years 2009 and 2017, using the GMM method to overcome potential omitted variables and reverse causality problems. ,The current study demonstrates that the presence of female directors on company boards is not associated with earnings management. Similar results are obtained for the percentage of female directors with specific attributes such as busyness, professional expertise and audit committee membership. Surprisingly, the results suggest that there is a negative (positive) relationship between the percentage of female directors that are affiliated (unaffiliated) with controlling business groups and earnings management. ,The current study tests the relationship between the presence of female directors and earnings management in a cultural and institutional setting that is substantially different from countries where the majority of previous research on female directors has been conducted. In addition, this study puts a special emphasis on female director affiliation and provides evidence that contradicts the expectation regarding the direction of the relationship between the percentage of affiliated female directors and earnings management.
Hysteretic temperature sensitivity of wetland CH4 fluxes explained by substrate availability and microbial activity

Abstract. Methane (CH4) emissions from wetlands are likely increasing and important in global climate change assessments. However, contemporary terrestrial biogeochemical model predictions of CH4 emissions are very uncertain, at least in part due to prescribed temperature sensitivity of CH4 production and emission. While statistically consistent apparent CH4 emission temperature dependencies have been inferred from meta-analyses across microbial to ecosystem scales, year-round ecosystem-scale observations have contradicted that finding. Here, we show that apparent CH4 emission temperature dependencies inferred from year-round chamber measurements exhibit substantial intra-seasonal variability, suggesting that using static temperature relations to predict CH4 emissions is mechanistically flawed. Our model results indicate that such intra-seasonal variability is driven by substrate-mediated microbial and abiotic interactions: seasonal cycles in substrate availability favors CH4 production later in the season, leading to hysteretic temperature sensitivity of CH4 production and emission. Our findings demonstrate the uncertainty of inferring CH4 emission or production rates from temperature alone and highlight the need to represent microbial and abiotic interactions in wetland biogeochemical models.
Performance information and learning effects on citizen satisfaction with public services

ABSTRACT This article examines the learning effects of citizen perceptions on satisfaction with public services. Using an experimental method with internet survey data in Michigan, the study observed the relationship between performance minus expectations (PME) and satisfaction became linear after providing concrete information, indicating that citizens’ antigovernment recognition can be modified by information. Moreover, the learning effect in counties was larger than in municipalities since citizens tend to clearly recognize services for regional governments. Governments should provide preferential treatment to citizens to improve the quality of cognitive process depending on individuals in different PME conditions across different governance levels.
Synthesizing and deposition of nickel oxide nanoparticles on glass mat using sol–gel method (morphological and magnetic properties)

Abstract This research aimed to study the structure and magnetic properties of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO) synthesized with various precursors in acidic and basic media deposited on glass mat. These nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel method using two different precursors such as nickel nitrate hexahydrate and nickel chloride hexahydrate at optimal temperature with the same concentrations. Deposition on glass mat was done during the synthesis process. According to X-ray diffraction pattern of synthesized nickel oxide nanopowders, it can be seen that the structure of samples is simple cubic with high crystallinity whose sizes were calculated applying Debye–Scherrer equation and it has shown that Nickel nitrate hexahydrate sample in basic medium has the smallest crystallite size (23 nm). The results of energy dispersive X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the amount of nickel elements in the nickel nitrate hexahydrate sample in basic medium was more than that in other samples. Scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy used for morphological study of nickel oxide nanoparticles indicated that NiO nanoparticles were spherical in shape and the sizes of nanoparticles ranged from 52 to 54 nm. Additionally, the images showed that the nanoparticles in each sample arranged in a specific pattern on glass mat fibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for the investigation of the chemical structure of the fabrics. Vibrating-sample magnetometer analysis has revealed that the obtained samples had ferromagnetic properties and only nickel nitrate sample in acidic medium reached saturation. Also, it can be seen that the magnetic properties of powder form of these nanoparticles are more powerful as compare with produced magnetic glass mat.
Technical efficiency of the small-scale tea processors in Kenya: a stochastic metafrontier approach

PurposeImportance of small-scale tea producers in Kenya is not in doubt. They account for 60% of all tea produced in the country, serve about 560,000 tea farmers and employ about 10,000 people directly. However, the subsector faces a myriad of challenges ranging from declining yields and rising costs of production to fluctuating world prices. Thus, it is imperative that the producers entrench efficiency as a critical success factor. This makes it important for the producers to understand their relative performances to inform decisions on improving input use. Congruent with this motivation, this study sought to analyze the technical efficiency (TE) of the country's small-scale tea processors within and across the regions under the management of Kenya Tea Development Authority.Design/methodology/approachTo allow comparison across regions, this study adopted a stochastic metafrontier approach and to be able to decompose inefficiency into persistent and time-varying components, the study adopted regression analysis.FindingsResults showed that the small-scale tea processors operated at a mean TE level of 76% with a technology gap ratio (TGR) of 97%. This implies that the prevailing level of output could be maintained even if inputs were reduced by 24%. Persistent inefficiency could be reduced possibly through rationalization of structural and managerial components of the firms.Research limitations/implicationsWhile it is important to adopt yield-enhancing technologies and innovation, small-scale tea processors have the latitude to improve their earnings through enhanced TE. They can save up to 24% of their input and be able to pay farmers better even with the fluctuating global tea prices. Enhancing TE should be given priority because it is within the control of the individual firms.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering study in panel data analysis of TE of small-scale tea processors within and across regions in Kenya.
Tracing Isomanifolds of Fixed Dimension in Polynomial Time

Isomanifolds are the generalization of isosurfaces to arbitrary dimension and codimension, i.e. submanifolds of R d defined as the zero set of some multivariate multivalued smooth function f : R^d → R^{d−m} where m is the intrinsic dimension of the manifold. A natural way to approximate a smooth isomanifold M is to consider its Piecewise-Linear (PL) approximation or meshM based on a triangulation T of the ambient space R d. In this paper, we present a simple algorithm to construct such an approximation for arbitrary m and d up to a given precision D. The complexity of our algorithm is polynomial in d and δ, and exponential in m. Since, by previous results,M is O(D 2)-close and isotopic to M when δ = Ω(d 2.5), our algorithm constructs a geometrically close and topologically correct PL-approximation of isomanifolds of low dimensions in polynomial time. The algorithm is practical and can handle cases that are far ahead of the state-of-the-art. Combining this algorithm with dimensionality reduction techniques, the dependency on d in the sizes of the output sample and mesh can be completely removed with high probability. The crux of our algorithm is to use for the ambient triangulation T a regular triangulation from a particular family. This family consists of Freudenthal-Kuhn triangulations and their images through affine mappings. It also includes Coxeter triangulations of typeA d. We introduce an elegant and very compact data structure to implicitly store the full facial structure of such triangulations. This data structure allows to retrieve the faces or the cofaces of a simplex of any dimension in an output sensitive way, which is essential for our application and is of independent interest.