Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency ablation for pancreatobiliary disease: an updated review

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option in cases of malignant biliary obstruction, pancreatic cancer, and other pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Intraductal biliary RFA is safe, effective, and confers a survival advantage over stenting alone, where it should be used an adjunct to biliary stenting. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA can also provide pancreatic cyst resolution in patients who are not ideal operative candidates. The aim of this review is to describe the endoscopic applications and associated outcomes of RFA.
Surconvergence des représentations p-adiques: le cas relatif

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Mapping of Sensing Performance of Concentric and Non-Concentric Silver Nanoring

Sensors play a critical role in improving overall human quality of life. They have been employed in most aspects of our lives. A recently emerging sensing platform is based on plasmonic resonance at the boundary of metals and dielectrics. Localized surface plasmon resonances–based sensors offer miniaturization, a simple setup, and relatively high sensitivity for real-time measurements. The reported figure of merit (FOM) of the LSPR-based sensor is generally limited, primarily due to its broad resonance peak. Nanorings composed of metal nanoparticles are known for their broad-range resonance tunability, high field localization, and large sensing area. Asymmetry of the nanoring with the introduction of core offset relaxes the selection rule for mode mixing, thus resulting in a narrower resonance peak. This may overcome broad resonance peak restriction. Concentric and non-concentric nanorings were simulated using the boundary element method implemented with the MNPBEM toolbox. We map the performance of nanoring sensors over a wide range of geometrical variations, namely, diameter, ring shell thickness, and the offset of the inner ring to the center of the outer ring wall (core offset). Sensitivity and FOM were found to rely substantially on the nanoring size parameters. The sensing performance map helps to obtain optimized nanoring parameters for the intended spectral range region. The obtained high sensitivity and FOM are much higher than the data available in the literature over visible and NIR ranges. The findings demonstrate the potential of nanorings for biosensing applications. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-04 Full Text: PDF
Does China’s Education and Cultural Diplomacy Promote Economic Growth in the Belt and Road Countries?

Abstract By employing panel data estimation for the period 2010–2019 we test the economic effects of China’s education and cultural diplomacy in 56 Belt and Road countries. For empirical analysis, we used pooled ordinary least squares (POLS). Our empirical finding shows that China’s education and cultural diplomacy has a positive and significant impact on trade and economic growth and these findings are robust to the estimation approaches. It is suggested that developing countries from the Belt and Road Initiative should establish collaborations with China to establish “University-Industry Linkages” to capture the knowledge economy and to boost trade, economic and social development. Moreover, the Government of China should also pay more attention to the economic effects of China’s education and cultural factors like Confucius Institutes and Universities in policy design.
A Descriptive Analysis of Paediatricians’ Involvement in Community Child Health in Nigeria: So Far How Far?

Background: Community child health activities are considered an important professional role of Pediatricians as a child advocate. However practice constraints and personal factors may limit involvement. Objective: The objective was to analyze community involvement of paediatricians in 2017 and factors associated with participation. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire of all Paediatrician at the annual conference of Paediatrics Association of Nigeria (Panconf) 2017 at Zaria, in Nigeria was the tool. Questions on community child health outside of their clinical practice were elucidated. This includes questions on school health programme. Their willingness to volunteer and the timing of formal training were sought. We used Chi square statistics to measure associations of personal and practice characteristics. Logistic regression assessed independent contributions. Results: Analysis showed there were total of n = 260 in attendance. Fewer paediatricians were into community child health in 2017 (35.1%) outside their routine work, with a higher percentage participating as volunteers (79.5%). Most reported formal training at residency (80.2%). The older age, having children older than 5 years, urban settings and formal training were significant. In adjusted models, older age and formal training were associated with involvement (P < .05). Conclusions: Formal training during residency and older paediatricians are associated with community child health activities. Therefore, intensification of advocacy competencies and other community child health activities for all residents and retraining of paediatricians for refreshing of experiences and related skills are advocated.
The ball recovery as an action related performance indicator in Football – an example using distinct operational definitions

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the impact of different operational definitions (definition 1 – Amisco; definition 2 – Garganta, 1997; definition 3 – Garganta, 1997, adapted) over the frequency and location of ball recovery, and provide bases to select the most useful definition to an intended analysis. The sample is the first half of twelve matches from the Spanish soccer league. Matches were registered using AMISCO ® . Data were examined using Cochran’s Q test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results showed that the frequency and location of ball recovery differ depending on the operational definition used. Definitions 1, 2 and 3 identified 909, 272 and 310 ball recoveries, respectively (p< 0.001 for all pairs of comparisons). The median distance from the goal to the location of ball recovery was, in meters, 40.0 (35.7) using definition 1, 32.2 (34.8) using definition 2 and 32.7 (34.3) when definition 3 was used (p<0.001 for comparisons between definition 1 and 2, and definition 1 and 3). The operational definitions impact in match analysis and consequently in the interpretation of the play. The criteria used should incorporate an instrumental selectivity that points to the purposes of the assessment. Concerning the frequency, definition 1 is the most glade, and definition 2 the most restrictive. Regarding the location, there were no significant differences between definition 2 and 3. Definition 2 allows to gain suitable and meaningful comparisons as previous studies has already based on it. Despite the differences, both definition 1 and 2 have a practical value. Ultimately, it is important to verify if the measurement instrument satisfies the logical intentions of the observational system.
ON GROUP-LIKE BCI-ALGEBRAS

1, Bj a Β CI -algebra iva mean a non-ecipty set G together ν,i'ii a binary multiplicación denoted by juxtaposition and 'some distinguished element 0 such that the following axioms are satisf ied: 1; ( <>.y ) (xz) ) í7y j ~ 0, (2) xy = yx O implies χ = y, ί3) xO χ. This axiome sy¿;te.n is inöepenoent (c f . [ 3 ] ) · As a simple ccnsec)uencs of the afccvc í j c í o u l í system (c f . [ 3 ] » [ 6 J ? we obtains (4) (x(xy) )y = Of (5) XX = 0, (6) (xy)z = ( x*)y. A BCI-algebra is calleó a BC'*. -alga bra i f i t sat is f ies the identity (7) Ox = 0. Tha cles3 zi a l l BCK-sigabras is a prbper subquaeivariety of the quasivariely o? a l l K l -a lgebras . This sub^uasivarie". y is uniquely detìTì-. nac oy "-he indeoencent axioms system: (1 ) , (2 ) , (3) ami ("') (o f . [3] h On the ether . 'itrvî, o.ie e n ¿rove täat the quasivarioty of a l l BCI-algeüras coniai v. Bone cxasjes cf BCI-algebras which forti t> vaviîîy F ·ν «. Brit? t¡ae class cf a l l medial BCI -ai", e »rat' cìj. ¡2j ¡ , i . e . JCI-alge brae with the additional identity
Simultaneous and Visual Detection of KPC and NDM Carbapenemase-Encoding Genes Using Asymmetric PCR and Multiplex Lateral Flow Strip

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections constitute a threat to public health, and KPC and NDM are the major carbapenemases of concern. Rapid diagnostic tests are highly desirable in point-of-care (POC) and emergency laboratories with limited resources. Here, we developed a multiplex lateral flow assay based on asymmetric PCR and barcode capture probes for the simultaneous detection of KPC-2 and NDM-1. Biotinylated barcode capture probes corresponding to the KPC-2 and NDM-1 genes were designed and cast onto two different sensing zones of a nitrocellulose membrane after reacting with streptavidin to prepare a multiplex lateral flow strip. Streptavidin-coated gold nanoparticles (SA-AuNPs) were used as signal reporters. In response to the target carbapenemase genes, biotin-labelled ssDNA libraries were produced by asymmetric PCR, which bond to SA-AuNPs via biotin and hybridise with the barcode capture probe via a complementary sequence, thereby bridging SA-AuNPs and the barcode capture probe to form visible red lines on the detection zones. The signal intensities were proportional to the number of resistance genes tested. The strip sensor showed detection limits of 0.03 pM for the KPC-2 and 0.07 pM for NDM-1 genes, respectively, and could accurately distinguish between KPC-2 and NDM-1 genes in CRE strains. For the genotyping of clinical isolates, our strip exhibited excellent consistency with real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and gene sequencing. Given its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and rapid analysis accomplished by the naked eye, the multiplex strip is promising auxiliary diagnostic tool for KPC-2 and NDM-1 producers in routine clinical laboratories.
Diversity and prevalence of ornithophilic louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae: Ornithomyinae) in Serbia

: Ectoparasites are diverse organisms that exploit animal hosts using various strategies. One such group represents the louse flies (Hippoboscidae) from the subfamily Ornithomyinae, which are permanent, highly specialised, hematophagous ectoparasites of poultry and wild birds found worldwide. The main objective of this research is to examine the mean abundance, prevalence, and diversity of ornithophilic louse flies in Serbia. They have been detected through visual inspection or fumigation of caught birds. In total, 79 louse flies belonging to four genera and six species were collected from 62 individuals within 26 host species. A single louse fly infested the bulk of captured birds, while hippoboscid females were statistically dominant within the overall sample. Most detected louse flies belonged to the genus Ornithomya , with Ornithomya avicularia and Ornithomya fringillina being the most abundant at the species level. The prevalence was relatively low, along with the mean intensity and abundance. This study contributes to a better understanding of louse flies and their parasite-host associations in Serbia. It also fills a gap in the knowledge of their diversity and distribution in South-eastern Europe.
How the Maximal Evidence of P-Values Against Point Null Hypotheses Depends on Sample Size

ABSTRACT Minimum Bayes factors are commonly used to transform two-sided p-values to lower bounds on the posterior probability of the null hypothesis. Several proposals exist in the literature, but none of them depends on the sample size. However, the evidence of a p-value against a point null hypothesis is known to depend on the sample size. In this article, we consider p-values in the linear model and propose new minimum Bayes factors that depend on sample size and converge to existing bounds as the sample size goes to infinity. It turns out that the maximal evidence of an exact two-sided p-value increases with decreasing sample size. The effect of adjusting minimum Bayes factors for sample size is shown in two applications.
An Early Presentation of Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation in a Very Low Birth Weight Neonate: A Case Report

Pneumoperitoneum is typically caused by breached hollow viscera and necessitates surgical intervention. This may have various etiologies, including spontaneous, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and obstruction. In these cases, spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) is a unique clinical entity with a better outcome than newborns with NEC-related intestinal perforation. Here, we present a rare case of SIP manifested in the form of pneumoperitoneum in the first eight hours of life, emphasizing the importance of differentiation between NEC and SIP, as each condition has variable treatment options and outcome considerations.
TAIL PROBABILITY ESTIMATES OF CONTINUOUS-TIME SIMULATED ANNEALING PROCESSES

We study the convergence rate of a continuous-time simulated annealing process ( X t ; t ≥ 0) for approximating the global optimum of a given function f . We prove that the tail probability P ( f ( X t ) > min f + δ ) decays polynomial in time with an appropriately chosen cooling schedule of temperature, and provide an explicit convergence rate through a non-asymptotic bound. Our argument applies recent development of the Eyring-Kramers law on functional inequalities for the Gibbs measure at low temperatures.
Exosome Analysis in Prostate Cancer: How They Can Improve Biomarkers’ Performance

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles (EV), that is, carriers of different biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, nucleic acids. Their composition and the fact that their release dramatically increases in cases of tumorigenesis open up different scenarios on their possible application to research into new biomarkers. The first purpose of the present review was to specifically analyze and compare different methodologies available for the use of exosomes in prostate cancer (PC). The most widely applied methodologies include ultracentrifugation techniques, size-based techniques, immunoaffinity capture-based techniques (mainly ELISA), and precipitation. To optimize the acquisition of exosomes from the reference sample, more techniques can be applied in sequence for a single extraction, thereby determining an increase in labor time and costs. The second purpose was to describe clinical results obtained with the analysis of PSA-expressing exosomes in PC; this provides an incredibly accurate method of discriminating between healthy patients and those with prostate disease. Specifically, the IC-ELISA alone method achieved 98.57% sensitivity and 80.28% specificity in discriminating prostate cancer (PC) from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An immunocapture-based ELISA assay was performed to quantify and characterize carbonic anhydrase (CA) IX expression in exosomes. The results revealed that CA IX positive exosomes were 25-fold higher in plasma samples from PC patients than in those from healthy controls. The analysis of PC-linked exosomes represents a promising diagnostic model that can effectively distinguish patients with PC from those with non-malignant prostatic disease. However, the use of exosome analysis in clinical practice is currently limited by several issues, including a lack of standardization in the analytical process and high costs, which are still too high for large-scale use.
Modality-invariant Visual Odometry for Embodied Vision

Effectively localizing an agent in a realistic, noisy setting is crucial for many embodied vision tasks. Visual Odometry (VO) is a practical substitute for unreliable GPS and compass sensors, especially in indoor environments. While SLAM-based methods show a solid performance without large data requirements, they are less flexible and robust w.r. t. to noise and changes in the sensor suite compared to learning-based approaches. Recent deep VO models, however, limit themselves to a fixed set of input modalities, e.g., RGB and depth, while training on millions of samples. When sensors fail, sensor suites change, or modalities are intentionally looped out due to available resources, e.g., power consumption, the models fail catastrophically. Furthermore, training these models from scratch is even more expensive without simulator access or suitable existing models that can be fine-tuned. While such scenarios get mostly ignored in simulation, they commonly hinder a model's reusability in real-world applications. We propose a Transformer-based modality-invariant VO approach that can deal with diverse or changing sensor suites of navigation agents. Our model outperforms previous methods while training on only a fraction of the data. We hope this method opens the door to a broader range of real-world applications that can benefit from flexible and learned VO models.
Testing gravity in the local universe

General relativity (GR) has stood as the most accurate description of gravity for the last 100 years, weathering a barrage of rigorous tests. However, attempts to derive GR from a more fundamental theory or to capture further physical principles at high energies has led to a vast number of alternative gravity theories. The individual examination of each gravity theory is infeasible and as such a systematic method of examining modified gravity theories is a necessity. Studying generic classes of gravity theories allows for general statements about observables to be made independent of explicit models. Take, for example, those models described by the Horndeski action, the most general class of scalartensor theory with at most second-order derivatives in the equations of motion, satisfying theoretical constraints. But these constraints alone are not enough for a given modified gravity model to be physically viable and hence worth studying. In particular, observations place incredibly tight constraints on the size of any deviation in the solar system. Hence, any modified gravity would have to mimic GR in such a situation. To accommodate this requirement, many models invoke screening mechanisms which suppress deviations from GR in regions of high density. But these mechanisms really upon non-linear effects and so studying them in complex models is mathematically complex. To constrain the space of actions of Horndeski type to those which pass solarsystem tests, a set of conditions on the four free functions of the Horndeski action are derived which indicate whether a specific model embedded in the action possesses a GR limit. For this purpose, a new and surprisingly simple scaling method is developed, identifying dominant terms in the equations of motion by considering formal limits of the couplings that enter through the new terms in the modified gravity action. Solutions to the dominant terms identify regimes where nonlinear terms dominate and Einstein’s field equations are recovered to leading order. Together with an efficient approximation of the scalar field profile, one can
Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Pharmacist Counselling Services and the Factors Affecting It in Community Pharmacies

Background Community pharmacists play an important role in improving outcome by providing advice and counselling services to patients. Objectives The aim of this study was to measure the willingness to pay (WTP) for pharmacist counselling services in community pharmacies and identify determinant factors on consumers’ WTP. Methods A self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted in community pharmacies in Tehran (capital of Iran) from January 1, 2020 to February 20, 2021. Contingent valuation method was applied to evaluate respondents’ maximum WTP using three hypothetical scenarios illustrating different levels of counselling services. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between different variables and WTP for pharmacy services. Results Total number of participants who completed the questionnaire were 332 and 60% of the participants were male. In the first scenario 70.2% of participants were willing to pay for oral counselling pharmacy services. In the second and third scenario, percentage of people willing to pay increased to 79.5%. and 86.1%, respectively. In the first scenario, monthly income (OR = 0.041, P value = 0.04), the duration of underlying illness (OR = 0.04, P value = 0.04) and the using internet (OR = 2.59, P value = 2.59) had a statistically significant relationship with willingness to pay. In the third scenario, the willingness to pay increased as the age decreased. The possibility of using the internet (OR = 3.32, P value = 0.00) and the need for a community pharmacist (OR = 2.19, P value = 0.03) increased the chance of willingness to pay. Conclusions More consumers are willing to pay for more pharmacist counselling services. Therefore, improving the quality of counselling services could have positive economic effects on community pharmacies.
LEADERS’ CHARACTERISTICS IN INDONESIA: WHAT DOES THE DATA SAY?

Executive Summary Leaders’ qualities are an essential part of economic growth and policymaking. Nonetheless, in many cases, the information about leaders’ qualities and characteristics is limited. This study investigates and provides new information about leadership characteristics in Indonesia. We collect novel datasets from the curriculum vitae of local leaders (e.g., mayors, vice mayors, regents, and vice-regents) at districts in Indonesia to understand the leaders in Indonesia’s political environment. We ﬁnd that most of the local leaders in Indonesia are male, highly educated, experienced, and had experience in bureaucracy. Our results suggest that Indonesia’s political system is still dominated by speciﬁc groups and exclusive to certain groups. However, our study suggests that since it transitioned into a democratized country in 1998, the quality of elected leaders’ quality in Indonesia has improved. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether these characteristics lead to better policy choices.
Comparison of video and traps for detecting reef fishes and quantifying species richness in the continental shelf waters of the southeast USA

: The management of reef-associated fish species is challenging due to their life history characteristics and occurrence in rocky reef habitats that are difficult to sample using traditional sampling gears. We compared 2 common sampling gears for reef fish species, chevron traps and underwater video, using 5 yr of comprehensive paired sampling data (N = 7034) collected at reef habitats between North Carolina and Florida along the southeast United States Atlantic continental shelf. Most fish families (80%) and species (85%) were observed significantly more often on video than caught in traps, and only 2 species out of 40 (5%) — black sea bass Centropristis stri-ata and bank sea bass C.ocyurus — were caught significantly more often in traps than observed on video. Moreover, site-specific species richness was approximately 3−4 times higher on average for video compared to traps. We also used a generalized additive model to show that the ratio of trap-caught species to video-observed species was higher in shallower waters off North and South Carolina, especially when water clarity was low. Results demonstrate that video can be an efficient gear to sample most reef fishes around the world but may provide even greater benefits when paired with traditional sampling gears like traps to leverage the strengths of each gear for estimating relative abundance and species richness with more certainty.