bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical Outcome of Brunner's Gland Hamartoma: A Single-Centre Experience
Authors: Dhali Arkadeep , Ray Sukanta , Mandal Tuhin S. , Das Somak , Ghosh Ranajoy , Khamrui Sujan , Dhali Gopal K. , Sarkar Avik 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Introduction Brunner's gland hamartomas (BGH) are rare benign lesions with an incidence of <0.01%, accounting for 5 to 10% of all benign tumors of the duodenum. It requires expeditious management by a multidisciplinary team. The aim of the study is to report our experience with surgery for BGH.
Methodology Data of all patients who underwent surgical intervention for duodenal polypoidal mass between August 2007 and March 2020 were retrieved from our prospectively maintained gastrointestinal (GI) surgery database. All patients whose histopathology report of the resected specimen confirmed BGH (n = 9) were included in the present study. Other pathological diagnosis like duodenal lipoma (n = 2), ganglioneuroma (n = 1), adenoma (n = 10), and adenocarcinoma (n = 4) were excluded.
Results Nine patients had confirmatory histopathological diagnosis of BGH and met our inclusion criteria. Three (33.3%) of them were men with a median age of 45 (range: 24–61) years. The median interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of duodenal polyp was 14 (range: 4–180) days. Five patients (55.5%) presented with upper GI hemorrhage. Three (33.3%) patients presented with abdominal pain, and one (11.1%) patient presented with episodes of bilious vomiting. Diagnostic endoscopy could detect the lesion in all (100%) patients. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography detected duodenal polypoidal lesion in five (55.5%) patients. The mean size of tumor was 4.78 ± 1.36 cm. These lesions were symptomatic in all the patients and warranted intervention. In view of failed endoscopic intervention (n = 7, 77.7%), or extramural extension of the tumor (n = 2, 22.2%), surgical intervention was considered. Most commonly performed operation was duodenal polypectomy (n = 6, 66.6%). Three postoperative complications developed in two (22.2%) patients. There was no surgery-related mortality. After a median follow-up of 60 (12 -78) months, no patient developed GI bleed or intestinal obstruction.
Conclusion In this study, the clinical profile of BGH was explored from the surgeon's point of view. Although endoscopic management is the first-line treatment, surgery plays an important role, particularly, if this fails or is not feasible. In experienced hand, surgery can be performed with acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality and long-term satisfactory outcomes.
Short-Term Hip Fracture Outcomes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Walters Samuel , Raja Hassan , Ahmad Rachel , Tsitskaris Konstantinos 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Introduction Despite many significant changes as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and reductions in overall trauma workload, patients with fragility hip fractures continued to present to hospital. As we plan for ongoing service provision during future waves of the pandemic, valuable lessons can be learned from patients that have been treated surgically during the “first wave.”
Methods All patients admitted to our center (a busy District General Hospital in London, United Kingdom) with a hip fracture during a 13-week period representing the initial rise (“United Kingdom first wave”) in COVID-19 cases, from February 17th to May 17th, 2020 (study group) were compared with hip fracture patients from the equivalent 13-week period in February to May 2019 (control group). The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, and additional information was collected in terms of length of stay (LOS), SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing, and cause of death.
Results During the COVID-19 study period, 69 patients were admitted with a hip fracture, compared with 70 patients in the control group (p = 0.949). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between the two groups (5.8 vs. 7.1%, p = 0.747). Mean LOS was shorter in the COVID-19 period compared with the control group (11.6 vs. 19.6 days, p <0.001, effect size 0.572).Forty-six patients (66.7%) had a SARS-CoV-2 antigen swab test, as testing was not available in the early period, and 10 patients (14.5%) tested positive. None of the patients, who presented before the antigen testing was available, had clinical suspicion of COVID-19 retrospectively. Two “COVID-19 positive” patients (20%) died within 30 days of admission.
Conclusion We report reassuring short-term results demonstrating no statistically significant difference in the 30-day mortality rate of hip fracture patients admitted during the United Kingdom's first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the equivalent period in the previous year. Hip fracture incidence remained stable, and LOS was reduced, likely due to recent departmental changes as well as a drive to discharge patients quickly during the pandemic. We agree with existing reports that elderly hip fracture patients with COVID-19 have a higher risk of perioperative mortality, however, our results suggest that overall mortality for the whole hip fracture population was similar to the previous year, in which deaths were more commonly attributed to respiratory infections associated with other pathogens. Further work may be needed to evaluate the outcomes during subsequent waves of the pandemic as mutations in the virus and conditions may affect outcomes.
Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Specific Stents
Authors: Shah Rahul Haresh , Udawat Priyanka , Dhir Vinay 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe evolution of the endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) technique has necessitated the development of EUS-specific accessories and stents. In the earlier period, EUS-guided interventions mostly relied on borrowed accessories and stents from therapeutic endoscopy in particular ERCP. Traditional stents do not serve the purpose of EUS-guided transluminal stenting in all cases due to the length of the stent, no anchoring mechanism, and chance of migration. From 2011 onward, several EUS-specific stents became available, bringing a paradigm shift in interventional EUS. This article reviews current EUS-specific stents, indications, strengths, and weaknesses.
Kimura's Disease—A Rare Cause of Postauricular Swelling: A Case Report from the Hilly Region
Authors: Guleria Trilok C. , Singh Mahender , Singh Vishal , Azad Ramesh K. , Mohindroo Narender K. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractKimura's disease (KD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lymph node which is very rare in the Indian population. A 34-year-old female presented with left postauricular region swelling for the past 3 years at an outpatient department. On histopathological examination, it was diagnosed as KD. It should be kept in mind when treating a patient with lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia or a high immunoglobulin E level. This unique case report highlights this impressive clinical entity.
Building a corporate governance index (JCGI) for an emerging market: case of Jordan
Authors: Nsour Maen F. , Al-Rjoub Samer A. M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA comprehensive corporate governance index (JCGI, 0–100) is constructed to measure the quality of corporate governance practices of the universe of publicly traded Jordanian firms during 2018–2019. We survey all firms' corporate governance practices and manually collect governance data for listed corporations in Amman Stock Exchange to construct the first JCGI, which comprises five sub-indices and 60 elements.The results show that Jordanian companies did not progress in the corporate governance reform during the study period. The overall JCGI mean value is 67.80%. Sub-index results show that governance is weakest in both board procedure and disclosure, with a mean value of 57.36% and 52.43%, respectively. The board procedure subindex shows that most listed firms practice poor governance. Within the board structure sub-index, only 18% of the study sample has the policy to specify the board's professional qualifications and training requirements. Results of shareholders' rights show a rigid and nontransparent environment in the enterprises' control structure.
The Malabo Declaration and agenda 2063: making climate smart agriculture real with conservation agriculture in Africa.
Authors: Mkomwa Saidi , Kassam Amir , Bwalya Martin , Shula Reynolds K. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The African Union (AU) has provided the vision and even a hint of the future through Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, to be achieved, in part, through accelerated agricultural growth and transformation, leading to shared prosperity and improved livelihoods. The promulgation is contained in the Malabo Declaration of the AU Summit held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in June 2014. Attaining the ambitious commitments of ending hunger, doubling productivity, halving post-harvest losses and poverty, enhancing resilience in livelihoods and production systems to climate variability and other shocks, and reducing child stunting to 10% and numbers of underweight children to 5% by 2025 requires a definition of the strategies and the operative paradigms. The Declaration also calls for African agriculture to become climate smart. This chapter presents the strategic positioning of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in making climate smart agriculture (CSA) real in Africa and harnessing partnerships, informed by science and analyses of lessons from past interventions. We conclude that investing US$50 per household, in a capacity development programme in CA for 25 million households, has the potential to increase land productivity, produce food surpluses and transform livelihoods, thus attaining the Malabo Declaration targets. The investment in and adoption of CA-based CSA to that magnitude will not only move Africa's agriculture to a new level, where a significant proportion of agricultural land is managed with CA systems, but also supply competitively priced raw materials for transformative industrial and economic growth in Africa.
Assessing the application and practice of conservation agriculture in Malawi.
Authors: Bunderson W. Trent , Thierfelder Christian L. , Jere Zwide D. , Museka R. G. K. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The Conservation Agriculture (CA) system promoted by Total LandCare (TLC) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is based on 14 years of experience grounded on the principles of minimum soil disturbance, good soil cover and crop associations. The platform to promote CA in Malawi was to build a strong base of knowledge about best practices through an innovative non-linear research-extension approach. Long-term on-farm trials were conducted in multiple sites across Malawi to compare yields and labour inputs of CA with conventional ridge tillage on the same footing. Results showed the superiority of CA in terms of maize and legume yields with significant savings in labour and resilience to climate change. The results provided the basis to upscale CA although adoption was lower than expected. Key challenges included: (i) lack of exposure and training; (ii) conflicting extension messages; (iii) misconceptions about inputs and tools for CA; (iv) resistance to change unless CA is clearly seen to be a better practice; (v) fears about controlling weeds, pests and diseases under CA; and (vi) perceptions that increased termites and earthworms are harmful to soils and crops.
Research and technology development needs for scaling up conservation agriculture systems, practices and innovations in Africa.
Authors: Mureithi Joseph , Mkomwa Saidi , Kassam Amir , Macharia Ngari 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Although the net agricultural production across all regions of Africa has experienced a significant increase, African agriculture has performed below its potential over recent decades. Many aspects have been fronted to curb this situation, including sustainable intensification of farming systems and value-chain transformation through Conservation Agriculture (CA) across Africa. Based on the latest update, Africa has about 2.7 million ha under CA, an increase of 458% over the past 10 years with 2008/09 as baseline. However, this constitutes a mere 1.5% of the global area under CA, and less than 1.4% of the total cropland area in Africa. A combination of modern techniques and the optimization of agroecological processes in CA systems and practices requires that agricultural research plays a bigger role in its evolution and focus in the different regions of Africa. This targeted research should crucially contribute towards making agriculture in Africa more productive, competitive, sustainable and inclusive in terms of its functionality towards the farmer, society and nature. Scientific solutions for agricultural transformation need to be pursued without losing sight of the potentials and fragility of Africa's agricultural environments, the complexity of its agricultural production systems and the continent's rich biodiversity. The agricultural research and development agenda in Africa must build on the rich traditional farming culture, knowledge and practices, supported by coherent longer-vision for investments in science for agricultural development. Most of these investments are expected to come from national public and private sources, with governments also expected to invest in generation of 'public goods' such as the national or global environmental benefits typical of CA, and to also catalyse innovation and support market growth. The absolute imperative is that farmers must shift from outdated conventional tillage-based methods to modern, well-tested and knowledge-based methods of land use. Making this transition will be difficult without the creation of an enabling environment. This chapter discusses the various roles and advances required in CA-based research that will support the adoption of CA systems by millions of smallholder farmers in Africa with a view to enhancing sustainable and effective agricultural development and economic growth.
Conservation agriculture for climate smart agriculture in smallholder farming systems in Kenya.
Authors: Micheni Alfred , Gicheru Patrick , Kitonyo Onesmus 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Climate change is any significant change in climatic conditions. Such changes may negatively affect productivity of the rain-fed agriculture practised by over 75% of the smallholder Kenyan farmers. The effect leads to failure to sustainably provide adequate food and revenue to famers. It is on this basis that an almost 8-year field study was conducted to evaluate and scale climate resilient agricultural technological options associated with Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems and practices (no-till; maintenance of permanent soil cover; and crop diversification - rotations and associations), complemented with good agricultural strategies. The activities involved were targeted to sustainably increase productivity of maize-legumes farming systems while reducing environmental risks. The results showed improved soil properties (physical, chemical and health) and consequently increased crop yields and human nutrition by over 30%. Such benefits were attributed to cost savings arising from NT and reduced labour requirement for weed control. This was further based on enhanced crop soil moisture and nutrients availability and use efficiency leading to over 25% yield increase advantage. Apart from the field trials, the study used the Agricultural Production Simulator (APSIM) computer model to simulate CA scenario with the aim of providing potential quick answers to adopting CA practices for farm system productivity. The results were inclusively shared, leading to over 21% increase in the number of farmers adopting the CA practices within and beyond the project sites. The study's overall recommendation affirmed the need to integrate the CA practices into Kenyan farming systems for sustainable agricultural livelihoods and economic opportunities.
Evaluation of the technical capacity of artisans to fabricate the animal-powered direct seeder super-eco in Sénégal.
Authors: Diakhaté Demba , Sarr Ibrahima , Soares Júnior Dimas , Havard Michel , Ralisch Ricardo , Fall Alioune 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

This study focused on the ability of local Senegalese artisans to fabricate the animal-powered no-till (NT) direct seeder Super-Eco to reduce the expensive import of seeders. Technical specifications and design of the animal-powered direct seeder Super-Eco were first given to 90 heads of artisanal workshops in three regions of the Southern Peanut Basin for them to reproduce the machine. Detailed information on their workshop equipment was collected in advance. A principal component analysis (PCA) was then used to classify artisan workshops. The results showed that Class 3 was very well equipped and was able to fabricate the direct seeder. It was followed by Class 2 which was fairly well equipped, but was only able to develop 90% of the seeder parts. Because of a low level of equipment, the third class of artisans was only capable of fabricating very few pieces of the seeder. Artisans from Class 3 were able to fully construct the animal-powered direct seeder. However, it was noted that the other classes of artisans were able to reproduce some parts of the animal-powered direct seeder Super-Eco but they could not make the seeder box with its nested seed metering device due to their low level of equipment. They instead buy it from the Sahelian Industrial Company of Mechanics, Agricultural Materials and Representations or from traders. The need to evaluate the performance of the seeders developed by local artisans is also noted.
Final design of the Fiber-Optic Current Sensor bundle in the ITER buildings
Authors: Danisi A. , Barbero Soto J.L. , Gomez A. , Gray D. , Zubiaga I. , Vayakis G. , Walsh M. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The Fiber-Optic Current Sensor (FOCS) will be used in ITER to measure the total plasma current using Faraday effect. Sensing spun fibers will be placed around the Vacuum Vessel (VV) on a poloidal loop in two different VV sectors. To link the loop fibers with the reading instruments, placed several tens of meters away in electrical cabinets, a fiber bundle link is needed. This fiber bundle would start from the tokamak building port-cell, cross several rooms and end in the ITER diagnostics building. The design of such bundle needs to fulfil the unique requirements of ITER buildings, some of them related to safety, such as non-propagation of smoke and fire, as well as maximum allowable leak rate, between two separate rooms. To this regard, the FOCS fiber bundle is classified as a Safety-Relevant (SR) component. To fulfil these requirements, and at the same time achieve a good design using as many Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components as possible, the fiber bundle design entailed a complete qualification procedure, aimed at benchmarking the use of the selected components against the required constraints. This paper presents the final design and qualification of the FOCS fiber bundle, from the applicable requirements to the final technical solution, benchmarked through careful qualification tests. Being the first work addressing qualification of safety-relevant fiber bundles in ITER buildings, this work is also considered to be relevant for current and future diagnostics in ITER using similar components.
Characterization of vacuum HV microdischarges at HVPTF through X-ray bremsstrahlung spectroscopy
Authors: Kushoro M.H. , Croci G. , Mario I. , Muraro A. , Rigamonti D. , Cancelli S. , De Lorenzi A. , Fincato M. , Fontana C. , Gobbo R. , Grosso G. , Lotto L. , Mc Cormack O. , Putignano O. , Pino F. , Spada E. , Spagnolo S. , Tardocchi M. , Pilan N. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The development of MITICA, the prototype for a neutral beam injector for ITER, drives the interest in investigating high HV insulation in vacuum. The High Voltage Padova Test Facility (HVPTF) is an experimental device with the aim of studying the fundamental processes leading to discharges, offering a framework to develop new diagnostics, models, and mode of operations for MITICA. For this purpose, HVPTF features a vacuum chamber containing two electrodes which can achieve an HV difference up to 800 kV. X-ray bremsstrahlung radiation produced by free charges accelerated by the HV was proven to be a promising monitoring mechanism in the past; as such, two scintillating crystals, a LYSO and a LaBr3, coupled with fast electronics were used to conduct hard X-ray spectroscopy. This work describes a newly custom-developed software tool to analyze the spectroscopy from scintillators and integrate it with the HVPTF analog data. The tool was employed to study two experimental sessions, reaching promising results in the characterization of microdischarges, especially in terms of time resolution. Detection limits imposed by pile-up and other processes were identified and addressed, finding the best range of operation of the two scintillators. The performed study opens the way for the analysis of data obtained in all 2020 and 2021 experimental campaigns, thus giving the possibility to implement future improvements in HVPTF X-ray spectroscopy.
High sensitivity Thomson spectrometry: analysis of measurements in high power picosecond laser experiments
Authors: Scisciò M. , Consoli F. , Salvadori M. , Rosmej O. N. , Zähter S. , Di Giorgio G. , Andreoli P.L. , Cipriani M. , Cristofari G. , De Angelis R. , Günther M. M. , Gyrdymov M. , Tavana P. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Thomson spectrometers (TS) are designed to detect and distinguish protons from heavier ions in experiments of intense laser-matter interaction. The combination of electric and magnetic field allows for deflecting ion species with different mass-to-charge ratio on different trajectories. However, even small distortions of the internal fields of the device can lead to a degradation of the measurement quality. Hence, TS are sensitive to both high electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) and fields due to static charge accumulation caused by the interaction. Here we report on the analysis of data obtained with a TS designed to have high sensitivity and robustness with, optimized shielding against EMPs, even when the device is placed at short distances from the interaction point, where the electromagnetic radiation is more intense. To test this, the spectrometer was thus placed ∼50 cm far from the target during an experiment at the PHELIX laser at GSI (∼180 J energy, >1020 W/cm2 intensity, sub-picosecond laser pulses on solid targets). Despite the presence of strong EMPs (beyond 100 kV/m at 1 m distance from the target), the tests were successful and the TS was able to retrieve a good-quality signal. Indeed, the close proximity to the interaction point caused a significant number of electrons, produced by the intense laser-target interaction, entering the TS and causing internal electrostatic fields up to tens of kV/m. These induced fields altered the trajectories of the detected ions, making the interpretation and characterization of the particle species not straightforward. This effect was analyzed with ad-hoc particle tracking simulations. This study is of high importance for the effective implementation of this type of high-sensitivity TSs in experiments with PW-power lasers.