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Variability In Practice And Outcomes Of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy And Bile Duct Exploration (Lcbde) For Treatment Of Bds – A Survey And Multi-Centre Audits Of Practice In The Uk, Andrei Jackson

Peninsula Medical School Theses

AbstractTitle: Variability in Practice and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) for Treatment of Bile Duct Stones– a Survey and Multi-Centre Audits of Practice in the UKIntroduction: The practice of managing suspected/confirmed bile duct stones (BDS) can vary significantly in the UK. The optimal management approach for suspected or confirmed BDS in patients with symptomatic gallstones remains unclear. We aimed to assess this variability in practice and outcomes of laparoscopic bile duct exploration in the UK.Methods: A UK-wide survey and two national multicentre audits were conducted. An electronic survey containing 40 questions on various aspects of management …

Metal–Insulator–Insulator–Metal (Miim) Ag/Sno2/Al2o3/Ag Diodes Fabricated By Ultraprecise Dispensing And Atomic Layer Deposition, Aboubacar Savadogo, Klaus Huska, Rohit D. Chavan, Thomas Nyachoti Nyangonda, Jan Feßler, Bernard Odhiambo Aduda, Ulrich Wilhelm Paetzold, Uli Lemmer, Mohamed Hussein

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Currently, high-frequency, ultra-fast, and tunneling diodes are mainly fabricated using traditional lithography and evaporation techniques, typically limited to wafer sizes. This work introduces a new method for fabricating metal–insulator–insulator– metal (MIIM) diodes using ultra-precise dispensing (UPD) printing techniques, providing a practical alternative to traditional lithography. Enabling highly precise material deposition, minimizing waste and boosting manufacturing efficiency. Both bottom and top electrodes of the MIIM diode are silver(Ag) and fabricated via UPD, while atomic layer deposition (ALD) is employed to deposit the insulating layers. 1 nm of tin oxide(SnO2) and 1 nm of aluminum oxide(Al2O3) sandwiched between the electrodes: The Ag/SnO2/Al2O3/Ag …

Current Status Of Aflatoxin Contamination And Mitigation Efforts In Mozambique: A Systematic Review, Ibraimo Teleha Chabite, Jamal Kussaga, Frida Nyamete, Rashid Suleiman

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aflatoxin continues to be a major problem for public health and trade in Mozambique. The use of products and sub-products based on maize, cassava, and groundnuts, which are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination is one of the main causes. This systematic review provides an overview of the current state of aflatoxin contamination and mitigation efforts in Mozambique. The study reviewed scientific articles published between 1st January 2004 and 31st July 2024 in peer reviewed journals, after conducting the evaluation process, 667 articles were excluded, and 68 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Based on these included …

Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Of Pearl Millet In The Senegalese Germplasm, Aliou Ba, Thomas L. Odong, Richard Edema, Arfang Badji, Oumar Diack, Tony Obua, Mildred Ochwo-Semakula, Paul Gibson, Ndjido. A. Kane, Phinehas Tukamuhabwa

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), a key cereal for food security in arid and semiarid regions, combines drought tolerance, high nutritional value, and adaptability to marginal environments. In Senegal, numerous landraces have been collected to develop breeding populations. However, genetic diversity and population structure of this germplasm remain poorly understood. This study characterized the genetic diversity and population structure of 169 genotypes, including 15 PMiGAP inbreds lines, 58 F5 ISMI lines, 94 F3 PLS lines, and 2 introgressions (29AW and ICMR088888). Genomic DNA was extracted using the CTAB protocol and genotyping was conducted on a DArTseq platform. Following quality control, 16,693 …

Access And Use Of Seasonal Weather Forecasts For Maize Production In Zimbabwe: Perspectives Of Farmers, Extension Officers And Policy Shapers, Joseph Manzvera, Kwabena Asomanin Anaman, Akwasi Mensah-Bonsu, Alfred Barimah, Selma Karuaihe

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

In Zimbabwe, the production, dissemination and use of seasonal weather forecasts in maize production is a system that involves the flow of information from a production point to a final point for farmers, through dissemination channels such as agricultural extension officers and more experienced farmers and elders, in the case of indigenous seasonal weather forecasts. This paper examines the perspectives of maize farmers (the general public or the masses) alongside the views of agricultural extension officers, policy shapers and influencers (key informants or elites) regarding seasonal weather forecasts and their role in improving farmers' access to this information. The findings …

Forecasting Future Adoption Rates Of Agroecological Innovations Using Machine Learning: Perspectives From Burkina Faso’S 45 Provinces From 2010 To 2020, Theodore Nikiema, Pamela Giselle Katic, Issaka Abdou Razakou Kiribou, Sylvain Kpenavoun Chogou, Eugene C. Ezin

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Implementation of agroecological innovations tends to be long-term processes, with the practices of one year often linked to those of previous years. However, previous studies have focused on understanding drivers of adoption at farm level, with adoption measured at a point in time. In this study, we use a decade of panel data from the Permanent Agricultural Survey in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2020 and machine learning approaches, to model adoption rates of agroecological innovations at the provincial level as an autoregressive process. This modeling approach allows us to exploit the time series nature of our dataset to forecast …

Detection Of Bacterial Internalization In Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) Leaves Grown In Aquaponic Systems With Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Under Microbial Challenge, Angélica Adiação Jossefa, Leonildo Dos Anjo Viagem, Karoline Moreira Barbuio, Brunno Da Silva Cerozi, Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Aquaponic systems are increasingly recognized as sustainable technologies for integrated fish and vegetable production. However, concerns remain regarding the potential internalization of human pathogens into vegetables grown in these systems. This study assessed the risk of pathogen internalization in lettuce leaves grown in aquaponic systems with Nile tilapia challenged with Escherichia coli or Vibrio cholerae. The system comprised nine fish tanks, eighteen hydroponic pipes, and eighty-one lettuce plants, with tanks assigned to three treatments. Samples of water, fish gut, fish blood, and lettuce leaves were collected. Microbiological analyses included selective culture, biochemical assays, and molecular identification. Although colonies consistent with …

Assessment Of The Life Cycle Of Photovoltaic Solar Technologies For Sustainable Energy Transitions: Implications For Climate Policy And Low-Carbon System Integration, Wakiang Emile Latchiba, Sebastian Waita, Robert Krueger, Julius M. Mwabora

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) deployment demands integrated environmental and economic evaluation of emerging technologies. This study compares crystalline silicon (c-Si), perovskite, and hybrid perovskite-silicon tandem PV systems using a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) combined with Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) to measure environmental impacts, resource efficiency, and cost performance. Environmental indicators include life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, total energy demand, water use, and overall impact, while economic performance is assessed through levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Sensitivity analysis explores the effects of energy payback time (EPBT), material efficiency, and perovskite stability. Results show manufacturing as the main hotspot, contributing …

Optimizing Machine Learning Algorithms Through Hyper-Parameter Tuning For Accurate Rice Yield Forecasting In North-East, Nigeria. International Journal Of Agricultural And Statistical Sciences, Ezra Daniel Dzarma, Guy Degla, Theophile Komlan Dagba, Nyor Ngutor

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Accurate prediction of rice yield is crucial for strengthening food security and improving agricultural decisionmaking in North-East Nigeria, where production systems are constrained by fluctuating input use and environmental variability. This study applies four machine learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN)to model rice yield using five primary farm inputs: Labour (B), Fertilizer (F), Herbicides (H), Seeds (S), and land (L)area. All models were optimized through hyper-parameter tuning to ensure reliable performance. The results show that SVM and XGB produced the strongest predictive accuracy, with RF achieving an RMSE of …

Bioeconomic Optimization Of Zinc And Iron Agronomic Biofortification In Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata [L.] Walp.) In Mozambique Under Tropical Field Conditions, Tancredo José Carlos Carlos, Leonel Domingos Moiana, Omar Jorge Sabbag, Boniface Hussein J. Massawe

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Agronomic biofortification with zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) has emerged as a promising approach to enhance crop productivity while improving food and nutritional security. However, fertilizer recommendations based exclusively on maximum biological yield may not maximize farmers’ economic returns. This study integrated agronomic and economic analyses to identify the biologically and economically optimal Zn and Fe fertilization strategies for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) under tropical field conditions in Mozambique. A randomized complete block design with a 3 × 4 × 4 factorial arrangement was used to evaluate three fertilization methods (soil, foliar, and combined soil + foliar) and …

Xrf And Xrd Approaches For Evaluation Of Heavy Metal Contamination And Physicochemical Properties Of Soil And Plants In Tungsten And Tin Mining Sites In Rwanda, Gaspard Bizimungu, S.K. Kolawole, D.O Afolayan

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The increasing of tungsten (W) and tin (Sn) exploitation in some Rwandan mines requires an understanding of their distribution. It was also critical to assess the degradation of main and tertiary concentrates in soils, plants, and mining equipment. In this study, the concentration of elements, and the effect of contamination by W, Sn and other heavy metals (HMs) on soils and plants, as well as on the dump truck tyres were evaluated. The risks to humans, and the tyre composition degradation used at the mining sites, were also assessed. Metal compositions in the random samples collected at 50 m intervals …

Green Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Nio/Sio2 Nanocomposites From Citrus Sinensis Extract As An Emulsion Stabilizer For Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications, Godfrey Osemudiamhen Eseigbe, Sunday Sunday Ikiensikimama

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Orange peels or Citrus sinensis peels are considered plant waste that can be discarded and become a nuisance to the environment. They can be used to create useful products that are economically advantageous. In this paper, Citrus sinensis peels extract was utilized to synthesize NiO/SiO2. The nanoparticles were characterised using various analytical methods including Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Dispersed X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Thermogravimetric Analysis TGA. Based on the characterisation results, irregular NiO/SiO2 nanocomposites with an average diameter of 16.6 nm were observed via the XRD analysis. The DLS gave …

Evaluating Quahog (Mercenaria Mercenaria) Nursery Methods And Production Costs To Support Diversification Of Maine’S Fisheries And Aquaculture Sector, Hannah G. Wolf

Honors Theses

Populations of wild and farmed quahogs in Maine are expanding, driven by warming waters, declining soft-shell clam populations, and the need to diversify fisheries. The Northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) is a potential species to diversify Maine’s marine sector, as its geographical range is expanding, and they appear more resistant to green crab predation. Enhancing wild quahog stock provides economic and social advantages for both the aquaculture and wild harvest industries. However, there is limited understanding about the commercial viability of producing quahog seed on existing farms for wild shellfish enhancement in Maine. This research, part of a larger NOAA …

Assessing Medical Professionalism In Future Physicians: A Nationwide Perspective From Saudi Arabia, Jawad S Albashri, Waad I Barnawi, Abdullah F Albukhari, Ahmed S Albashri, Abdullah S Algarni, Khalid Alzahrani, Ramy Samargandi

Health Professions Education

Background:

Medical professionalism is a core competency in medical education and a cornerstone of professional identity formation. In Saudi Arabia, where medical education is rapidly expanding under Vision 2030, limited nationwide evidence exists on professionalism among medical students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2024 using the validated Learners’ Attitudes on Medical Professionalism Scale (LAMPS). A convenience sample of 1,234 students from the 2nd–6th years across all five regions and both governmental and private universities completed the survey. LAMPS scores were compared by academic year, gender, GPA, region, and university type using Mann-Whitney U …

Cohen's D In Medical Education Assessment: A Double-Edged Sword For Quality Assurance, Majid Ali

Health Professions Education

No abstract provided.

"Cap No Belong To Busha:" Property-In-Labor And Apprenticeship In Jamaica, 1834-1838, Ashley S. Getting

Dissertations and Theses

The four-year period of apprenticeship in Jamaica was a critical period in the transition of labor relations between enslaver/enslaved and master/apprentice. This study examines the Abolition of Slavery Act of 1833 and colonial office records to consider the ways masters and apprentices interpreted property-in-labor and how they employed those interpretations to begin negotiation what a 'free labor' sugar economy might look like post-apprenticeship. Using the lens of freedom practices to examine colonial dispatches and court records, I construct the apprentice understanding of their new labor relation. Apprenticeship meant a new legal status where individuals were no longer chattel, and the …

Painted By Hand, Written In The Sky: Martin Wong’S Fingerspelling As Invented Visual Language, 1982-1985, Bella Clemente

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis examines Martin Wong's (1946-1999) hand-painted fingerspelling as an invented personal visual language and vehicle of self-portraiture, analyzing three paintings created during his time in New York between 1982 and 1985: Attorney Street: Handball Court with Autobiographical Poem by Piñero (1982-1984), Compulsion (1984-1985), and Stanton Near Forsyth Street (1983). Through iconographic analysis of lingual elements in each work, including fingerspelling, graffiti, calligraphy, and poetry, this thesis argues that Wong's stylized adaptation of the American Sign Language manual alphabet reflects an evolving sense of self-identity, drawing on influences from Chinese artistic traditions, calligraphy, Kufic script, and the Nuyorican poetry and …

Student Perspectives On Learning With Teaching-Research Methods In Initial Teacher Education, Paulo Marinho, Carlinda Leite, Fátima Sousa-Pereira

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This article explores the perceptions of student teachers enrolled in an initial teacher education programme who attended a curricular unit organised around research-based teaching strategies. Data were gathered from reflective class diaries produced during one semester and analysed through qualitative content analysis. The findings suggest that, from the participants’ perspective, the curricular unit supported investigative autonomy, critical reflection and argumentation, links between theory and school-based observations, and perceived preparation for the future teaching profession. At the same time, the diaries highlighted time pressure and workload as important constraints. Highlighting student teachers’ voices on how a research-based unit was experienced during …

Audio-Visual Essay Assessment In Initial Teacher Education: An Exploration Of Pre-Service Teachers’ Experiences, Kristina Turner, Andrea Ng

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Assessment in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) plays an important role in shaping Pre-Service Teachers’ (PSTs) understanding of assessment in their future classroom practices. While research highlights the value of authentic and multimodal assessment in higher education, little is known about the use of audio-visual essay assessments within ITE. This qualitative interpretive study explored PSTs’ experiences of completing an audio-visual essay assessment in an Australian undergraduate ITE course. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 PSTs and analysed using an inductive qualitative thematic analysis informed by Saldaña’s two-cycle coding framework. Three themes were identified: initial apprehension and overcoming challenges, advantages …

The Role Of Coursework In Promoting Doctoral Candidates’ Research Competence: A Case Study Of Professional Doctorates In Education, Fred Y. Mgata, Luqman Hakeem, Justo M. Lemesaya, Zhiyong Zhu, Huan Song, Jimmy E. Kihwele

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Doctorate programs with coursework aim to develop research-competent graduates who can contribute knowledge and work outside academia. This study explored the influence of coursework on doctoral candidates' development of research competence. The study employed a qualitative case study approach within the Professional Doctorate in Education programs at a Chinese university. The researchers interviewed 13 doctoral candidates, reviewed 10 course syllabi, and conducted a thematic analysis of the data. The findings revealed that coursework contributes to candidates' knowledge base, research direction, skills, and critical thinking. Instructors and peers promote candidates' research competence through instruction, mentoring, collaborative research projects, and peer feedback. …

Research-Based Learning For Pre-Service Teachers’ Meta-Reflexivity: Insights From English Language Teacher Education In Türkiye, İrem Çomoğlu, Eda Ceylan, Eda Akgün-Özpolat, Kenan Dikilitaş

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Drawing on Cramer et al.’s (2023) framework for meta-reflexive teacher education, we conducted a case study to examine how research-based learning (RbL) helps pre-service teachers (PSTs) develop meta-reflexivity. The data was collected in an undergraduate course in Türkiye where 81 PSTs engaged in RbL through developing, explaining, and exploring their pedagogical puzzles (PPs). Analysis of data from written reflections and class recordings generated themes indicating that PSTs began to adopt a meta-reflexive stance through a set of research and reflection practices involved in their puzzle exploration processes. The study suggests that RbL may be a promising approach for fostering PSTs’ …

“Police Power” Or Puppeteer: Us Interventions In Latin America And Its Immigration Crisis, Alison Meagher

Honors Program Theses

No abstract provided.

How We Failed Our Children By Failing Them: A Legal Analysis Of Scrapping Of No-Detention Policy In India, Debargha Roy, Sarthak Sahoo

National Law School of India Review

The ratification of the Convention of the Rights of the Child by India in 1992 obligated her towards developing legislation and interpreting laws in harmony with the convention in a child-centred manner to protect the best interests of the child. With the reading of right to education as a part of Right to Life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution by the Supreme Court, followed by the insertion of Article 21A by the Parliament that guaranteed the right to free and compulsory education to children from the age of six to fourteen, there was a need to introduce a …

Invisible, Manipulated, And Politicised: Rethinking The Conceptual Foundations Of The Un Convention On The Rights Of The Child, Anshul Dalmia

National Law School of India Review

This paper examines whether the rights articulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (‘UNCRC’) can be meaningfully assimilated within the broader framework of international human rights. It locates this inquiry within enduring jurisprudential debates on the nature, justification, and enforceability of children’s rights. While international human rights law presumes a relatively stable rights-bearing subject, children occupy an ambivalent position—simultaneously recognised as rights-holders and as dependents mediated through an adult authority. Drawing on Tobin’s critique, which cautions against the dangers of conceptual indeterminacy, the paper argues that the UNCRC exemplifies these risks. It contends that the …

Deconstructing Parenthood: A Critical Queer Analysis Of Gender, Law, And Bionormativity In India, Jwalika Balaji

National Law School of India Review

Parenthood (the legal connection to one’s child) is often assumed to be a biologically determined and natural status, but in reality, it is a legal and social construct shaped by historical, cultural, and political contexts. This paper critically examines the legal framework of parenthood in India, highlighting how it privileges a bionormative, dyadic, heterosexual parental unit, while marginalising LGBTQ+ individuals, unmarried couples, and alternative family structures. Through a critical queer method, the paper deconstructs the bio-essentialist juxtaposition of gender, conjugality, and reproduction that underpins Indian family law. It explores how the legal framework selectively acknowledges the constructed nature of parenthood …

Glorifying Khaki: Policing, Power, And Copaganda In Hindi Cinema, Stuti Shah, Jyotika Tomar

National Law School of India Review

This article adopts US civil rights advocate Alec Karakatsanis’s conceptualisation of ‘copaganda’ to analyse the commercially successful ‘Cop Universe’ directed by Rohit Shetty, situating it within a broader socio-legal analysis of contemporary policing in India. It argues that copaganda in Hindi cinema recasts police officers not only as vigilantes, but also as embodiments of Hindutva and nationalist virility and a Brahmanical patriarchal order. In doing so, these films normalise extra-legal policing, obscure the structural realities of custodial violence and impunity, and reframe state violence as both necessary and morally desirable. The article situates these cinematic narratives alongside contemporary developments in …

An Excellent Genealogy Of The Core Concepts Of Indian Contract Law: A Review Of Dr. Shivprasad Swaminathan’S “A Historical Introduction To Indian Contract Law” (Routledge 2025), Katy Barnett

National Law School of India Review

This review discusses Dr Shivprasad Swaminathan’s new book, ‘A Historical Introduction to Indian Contract Law’, including his discussion of the history of Indian contract law, formation of contracts, contractual consideration, privity, contractual vitiating factors, frustration, damages and stipulated sums, and unjustified enrichment. As noted in the last chapter of Dr Swaminathan’s book, the discussion goes to the very heart of the common law itself and how it operates. We can all learn from the Indian experience of codification.

Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Regarding Bovine Tuberculosis In Cattle And Humans In Malawi, Alfred Ngwira, Samuel O.M Manda, Esron D. Karimuribo, Sharadhuli I Kimera

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

Background

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has a significant impact on both the cattle industry and human health. Understanding its transmission, clinical signs, risk factors, and control measures is essential for prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding BTB in high-burden areas of Malawi.

Methods

A stratified sampling design was employed to collect data from 463 butchers, dairy farmers and cattle farmers in different locations and settings in Malawi. Aggregate scores on knowledge, attitudes, and practices were taken as multivariate measurements and fitted with multivariate linear regression models.

Machine Learning Guided Design Of Doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide (Llzo) For Improved Performance, Bernice Ngwi Abraham, Elvis Twumasi, Desmond Edem Primus Klenam, Tabiri Kwayie Asumadu Asumadu, Abdulhakeem Bello, Vitalis Chioh Anye, Nancy A Burnham, Rodica Neamtu

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

This paper presents a machine-learning approach to the development of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with doped Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide (LLZO) electrolytes. LLZO electrolytes are promising solid electrolytes that exhibit high ionic conductivities of approximately ~10−3–10−4 S cm−1. However, optimizing the ionic conductivity of LLZO is a multiparametric challenge involving numerous compositional and processing variables. This work employs a data-driven methodology by applying machine learning to a dataset mined from the literature. This approach was used to model the intricate relationships between the compositional and synthesis variables and ionic conductivity. Tree-based and ensemble models, like Decision Tree, Random Forest, Light Gradient …

Exploring Asian International Teaching Assistants’ Experiences In The U.S. Tesol Teacher Education: A Raciolinguistic Perspective, Yangyang Zhu, Woongsik Choi, Tirtha Karki

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Asian international teaching assistants (ITAs) in U.S. teacher education experience a range of challenges preparing predominantly white preservice teachers (PSTs). Few studies have examined the teaching experiences of Asian ITAs who also serve as teacher educators in a predominantly white institution (PWI). In this study, we, three Asian ITAs as well as TESOL teacher educators, used collaborative autoethnography to explore our experiences of preparing PSTs to teach multilingual learners at a large public U.S. midwestern PWI. Using raciolinguistic ideologies as the theoretical framework, we analyzed data from our teaching journals, curricular materials, and discussions. We found ourselves feeling frustrated with …