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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data on how to teach endosonographers needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE)-guided histologic diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are limited. Hence, we developed and tested a structured educational program to train early-career endosonographers in nCLE-guided diagnosis of PCLs. METHODS: Twenty-one early-career nCLE-naïve endosonographers watched a teaching module outlining nCLE criteria for diagnosing PCLs. Participants then reviewed 80 high-yield nCLE videos, recorded diagnoses, and received expert feedback (phase 1). Observers were then randomized to a refresher feedback session or self-learning at 4 weeks. Eight weeks after training, participants independently assessed the same 80 nCLE videos without feedback and provided histologic predictions (phase 2). Diagnostic performance of nCLE to differentiate mucinous versus nonmucinous PCLs and to diagnose specific subtypes were analyzed using histopathology as the criterion standard. Learning curves were determined using cumulative sum analysis. RESULTS: Accuracy and diagnostic confidence for differentiating mucinous versus nonmucinous PCLs improved as endosonographers progressed through nCLE videos in phase 1 (P < .001). Similar trends were observed with the diagnosis of PCL subtypes. Most participants achieved competency interpreting nCLE, requiring a median of 38 assessments (range, 9-67). During phase 2, participants independently differentiated PCLs with high accuracy (89%), high confidence (83%), and substantial interobserver agreement (κ = .63). Accuracy for nCLE-guided PCL subtype diagnoses ranged from 82% to 96%. The learned nCLE skills did not deteriorate at 8 weeks and were not impacted by a refresher session. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a practical, effective, and durable educational intervention to train early-career endosonographers in nCLE-guided diagnosis of PCLs.

In this study, polymer composite nanofibers and thin membranes were synthesized using Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) as fillers in a Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) matrix, aiming to evaluate their electrical and mechanical properties. The composite nanofibers and thin membranes were prepared by incorporating different weight ratios of CNTs and ZnO into the PVA matrix using electrospinning and solution casting techniques, respectively. Solutions were prepared by mixing specific weight ratios of PVA, ZnO, and CNTs, followed by magnetic stirring and ultrasonication for homogenization. Electrospinning was performed at 20 kV with a syringe-to-collector distance of 14.5 cm at flow rate of 2.4 ml/hr. The composites were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The PVA/5%ZnO/0.5%CNT composite exhibited the highest dielectric constant of 10.3 at high frequencies, while PVA/5%CNT showed the highest capacitance of 31.1 pF at 2 MHz. The maximum AC conductivity of 2.72 × 10− 7S/m was also observed for the PVA/5%ZnO/0.5%CNT composite. Mechanical testing revealed significant improvements in Young's modulus, stress yield, and load yield, with PVA/5%CNT achieving a Young's modulus of 387.12 MPa and a stress yield of 6.92 MPa. The addition of ZnO and CNT fillers resulted in enhanced electrical and mechanical properties, making these composites suitable for applications in microelectronic devices and packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are materials used to connect components to one another to form a working circuit. PCBs play a crucial role in modern electronics by connecting various components. The trend of integrating more components onto PCBs is becoming increasingly common, which presents significant challenges for quality control processes. Given the potential impact that even minute defects can have on signal traces, the surface inspection of PCB remains pivotal in ensuring the overall system integrity. To address the limitations associated with manual inspection, this research endeavors to automate the inspection process using the YOLOv8 deep learning algorithm for real-time fault detection in PCBs. Specifically, we explore the effectiveness of two variants of the YOLOv8 architecture: YOLOv8 Small and YOLOv8 Nano. Through rigorous experimentation and evaluation of our dataset which was acquired from Peking University’s Human-Robot Interaction Lab, we aim to assess the suitability of these models for improving fault detection accuracy within the PCB manufacturing process. Our results reveal the remarkable capabilities of YOLOv8 Small models in accurately identifying and classifying PCB faults. The model achieved a precision of 98.7%, a recall of 99%, an accuracy of 98.6%, and an F1 score of 0.98. These findings highlight the potential of the YOLOv8 Small model to significantly improve the quality control processes in PCB manufacturing by providing a reliable and efficient solution for fault detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section lists articles and reviews of books relevant to Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Entries are classified under the following headings: Palestine in Global and Comparative Perspectives; Palestine and the Palestinians; Literature and the Arts; Middle East and the Arab World; Israel and Zionism; and Recent Theses and Dissertations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the status of UK undergraduate urology teaching against the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Undergraduate Syllabus for Urology. Secondary objectives included evaluating the type and quantity of teaching provided, the reported performance rate of General Medical Council (GMC)‐mandated urological procedures, and the proportion of undergraduates considering urology as a career. Subjects and Methods: The uroLogical tEAching in bRitish medical schools Nationally (LEARN) study was a national multicentre cross‐sectional evaluation. Year 2 to Year 5 medical students and Foundation Year (FY) 1 doctors were invited to complete a survey between 3 October and 20 December 2020, retrospectively assessing the urology teaching received to date. Results are reported according to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E‐Surveys (CHERRIES). Results: In all, 7063/8346 (84.6%) responses from all 39 UK medical schools were included; 1127/7063 (16.0%) were from FY1 doctors who reported that the most frequently taught topics in undergraduate training were on urinary tract infection (96.5%), acute kidney injury (95.9%) and haematuria (94.4%). The most infrequently taught topics were male urinary incontinence (59.4%), male infertility (52.4%) and erectile dysfunction (43.8%). Male and female catheterisation on patients as undergraduates was performed by 92.1% and 73.0% of FY1 doctors respectively, and 16.9% had considered a career in urology. Theory‐based teaching was mainly prevalent in the early years of medical school, with clinical skills teaching, and clinical placements in the later years of medical school. In all, 20.1% of FY1 doctors reported no undergraduate clinical attachment in urology. Conclusion: The LEARN Study is the largest ever evaluation of undergraduate urology teaching. In the UK, teaching seemed satisfactory as evaluated against the BAUS undergraduate syllabus. However, many students report having no clinical attachments in Urology and some newly qualified doctors report never having inserted a catheter, which is a GMC mandated requirement. We recommend a greater emphasis on undergraduate clinical exposure to urology and stricter adherence to GMC mandated procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing prevalence of solar photovoltaics in the renewable energy mix, the need for device-level assessment has greatly increased. This is challenging in rural, off-grid areas with limited access to advanced testing facilities for performance evaluation and enhancement. This paper presents a cost-effective design of a solar simulator based on a 1000 W metal halide lamp coupled with a truncated ellipsoidal reflector optimized through parametric iterations. The complex geometry is reduced to a three-parameter model. An optimal design is attained using this model. The reflector is fabricated and tested using spectrometry and pyranometry. Stabilization time for the device after the start-up was measured at intervals of 10 seconds to be ~ 4 minutes. The average intensity in the focal plane is 2220–3117 W/m2 for a photovoltaic cell having a square size of 2 × 2 cm2. Hence, the ray-tracing model used for this study is conservative in predicting light intensity for an elliptical concentrator. Similarly, spectral analysis shows a strong similarity of 88.7% between natural sunlight and artificial light of the solar simulator thereby advocating the capability of the simulator to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the power output of photovoltaic cells. Overall, the total hardware and fabrication cost amounts to less than $500 for a single lamp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Romanian Review of Eurasian Studies / Revista Română de Studii Eurasiatice is the property of Romanian Review of Eurasian Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Number of organizations have been established at international level to maintain peace and security of the world. FATF has been established to scrutinize and keep a check on money laundering and terror financing. The present study is focusing on, after being grey listed by FATF, what kind of constraints facing Pakistan internally and externally in coping the menace of terror financing and money laundering. The paper argues how both India and Pakistan are vying to materializing their objectives. According to Indian claims, Pakistan is still involved in cross border terrorist activities in India and for that reason Pakistan should be placed in black list. On the other side, Pakistan claims that she has made high level commitments to meet the standards of international organization. To translate these objectives into action number of state institutions are engaged to secure place in white list. The paper excavates that politicization of FATF is raising questions on the transparency and accountability of this organization. The paper finds that international lobbies in the form of US, India and Israel are working and have overwhelmed the organization, to even downgrade Pakistan into black list. It suggests that FATF needs to maintain equilibrium in the competing narratives of all the stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]