Reputable Websites Research Articles

ChatCAD+: Toward a Universal and Reliable Interactive CAD Using LLMs.

The integration of Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) with Large Language Models (LLMs) presents a promising frontier in clinical applications, notably in automating diagnostic processes akin to those performed by radiologists and providing consultations similar to a virtual family doctor. Despite the promising potential of this integration, current works face at least two limitations: (1) From the perspective of a radiologist, existing studies typically have a restricted scope of applicable imaging domains, failing to meet the diagnostic needs of different patients. Also, the insufficient diagnostic capability of LLMs further undermine the quality and reliability of the generated medical reports. (2) Current LLMs lack the requisite depth in medical expertise, rendering them less effective as virtual family doctors due to the potential unreliability of the advice provided during patient consultations. To address these limitations, we introduce ChatCAD+, to be universal and reliable. Specifically, it is featured by two main modules: (1) Reliable Report Generation and (2) Reliable Interaction. The Reliable Report Generation module is capable of interpreting medical images from diverse domains and generate high-quality medical reports via our proposed hierarchical in-context learning. Concurrently, the interaction module leverages up-to-date information from reputable medical websites to provide reliable medical advice. Together, these designed modules synergize to closely align with the expertise of human medical professionals, offering enhanced consistency and reliability for interpretation and advice. The source code is available at GitHub.

Mavorixafor: A spotlight on the clinical aspects and prospects of the first USFDA-approved treatment for the primary immunodeficiency WHIM syndrome

WHIM syndrome (WHIMS) is an extremely rare, severe, and potentially fatal genetic condition that affects the immune system, leading to warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM). Effective therapy for WHIMS requires regular monitoring, medical intervention, and a collaborative approach to treatment. Due to the limited therapeutic options, addressing WHIMS is an unmet medical need. The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) recently granted approval for mavorixafor as the first treatment for WHIMS. This review focuses on the pharmacological characteristics, clinical investigations, associated inventions, and prospects of mavorixafor. The literature for this article was searched on PubMed, reputable websites (USFDA and X4 Pharmaceuticals) and free patent databases like Espacenet. WHIMS is distinguished by severe neutropenia and hypogammaglobulinemia, which increases the risk of developing cancer. Mavorixafor enhances the movement of neutrophils and lymphocytes from the bone marrow (BM) to the bloodstream. Hence, it could be beneficial for managing medical illnesses characterized by a decrease in the quantity of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the bloodstream. X4 Pharmaceuticals has submitted patent applications for the utilization of mavorixafor in the treatment of diverse cancer types, inflammatory ailments, B-cell dysfunction, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, and primary immunodeficiency disorders. This suggests that mavorixafor can effectively treat various disorders either alone or when used in conjunction with other medications. It will be intriguing to observe the future approvals of mavorixafor for various disorders.Keywords: Mavorixafor; WHIM syndrome; Cancer; Immunodeficiency; Patent; Prospect

Determinants and Model for Estimating the Prevalence of Stunting Toddlers in Sleman Regency

Background: The Sleman Regency Government is committed to solving the stunting problem by implementing an integrated stunting prevention program by encouraging the participation of penta-helix. Estimating stunting prevalence accomplishment targets is crucial for measuring progress, guiding strategies, and ensuring stunting reduction success. This study aims to provide information regarding the factors that contribute to the prevalence of stunted toddlers and develop a predictive model for that prevalence. Methods: The study investigated the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in Sleman Regency using publicly accessible reports, secondary data, and reputable websites. Data was gathered through audits of stunting cases and factors from district-level program managers, and analysed through desk reviews. This research was conducted in Sleman Regency from December 2023 to February 2024. Results: The investigation found that stunting is linked to family smoking, inadequate toddler nutrition, inactive JKN, chronic energy deficiency throughout pregnancy, and low-weight, preterm births. Through rules, policies, and multisectoral multistakeholder collaboration, the Sleman Regency Government aims to reduce stunting. The interventions include maternal and child health, nutritional counselling, drinking water and sanitation, early childhood education, and pre-conception family life preparation. A model to estimate long-term stunting prevalence is needed to track trends, evaluate interventions, and support evidence-based decision-making. Stunting is vital to public health and economic benefit. Based on audit data, child nutrition trends, and prediction models, Sleman Regency should reduce stunting by 0.02% per year for local data and 0.5% per year for national data. The determinants of stunting in Sleman Regency are very diverse, including problems related to nutrition and non-nutrition. Conclusion: Stunting prevention is focused on efforts to overcome habits, improve the nutritional status of pregnant women and optimize better pregnancy outcomes. Based on the analysis, the stunting reduction target was determined based on national and local surveys of 0.5% and 0.02% per year, respectively.Keywords: Under five children; estimation model; prevalence; stunting

Economic and Political Factors in Defense Strategy Formulation: a BRICS Country Perspective

This narrative provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic, political, and diplomatic factors influencing defense strategy formulation within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) context. Drawing on a wide range of sources, the narrative explores the historical evolution and recent shifts in BRICS defense strategies, highlighting the diverse approaches of member nations. The research adopts a qualitative descriptive approach, systematically gathering secondary data from academic journals, governmental reports, and reputable websites. The analysis focuses on the interplay between economic conditions, political dynamics, and defense strategy formulation in BRICS nations, providing nuanced insights into how these factors shape defense policies. It examines the influence of economic dependency on defense policies, emphasizing the role of economic stability in sustaining robust defense capabilities. Additionally, the narrative delves into the impact of political systems and leadership dynamics on defense strategy formulation, as well as the significance of diplomatic relations and security considerations. The findings underscore the complex interplay between economic, political, and defense factors within the BRICS framework, with implications for regional stability and resilience. The study finds that economic dependency is a pivotal factor in shaping BRICS defense strategies, with economic stability underpinning the capacity for robust defense capabilities. Political systems and leadership dynamics also play a crucial role, with centralized systems facilitating assertiveness and democratic frameworks emphasizing consensus-building. Diplomatic relations and security cooperation are integral to these strategies, highlighting the importance of strategic collaboration in addressing shared security challenges. The expansion of BRICS introduces new dynamics, particularly in energy investment and trade, requiring adaptive strategies to maintain stability and resilience. Finally, the narrative suggests future research directions to further explore these dynamics and enrich our understanding of BRICS defense strategies in the evolving global security landscape.

REVALUASI AKTIVITAS DI PENDIDIKAN TINGGI SETELAH PANDEMI COVID-19 UNTUK NEGARA BERKEMBANG

The higher education academic system has been affected due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Nowadays, the adjustment in curriculum and research adapt to the pandemic and be used in the future. The research aims to give an evaluation in education and research system in higher education during the pandemic. Moreover, this approach can give the direction for changes and adaptations for this era. The research method uses article reviews in several reputable journal websites, reports, and government regulation continued with comparative analysis. The result is the higher education has affected severely during the pandemic. Tridharma activities need to be evaluated to accommodate the best solving problem for this problem. Almost all Universities in Indonesia has changed their learning system to online and limited research conducted. Furthermore, the biggest challenge lies in internet connection and technology knowledge. In the end, complete evaluation becomes an obligation to fulfil the new learning system before being implemented after the pandemic. Technology investment and quality assurance also need to consider to decide the best learning method for the future.

نقش تطبیق معیارهای تضمین کیفیت و اعتباردهی در تولید دانش

Quality assurance and accreditation are essential components of higher education in Afghanistan. By evaluating knowledge-producing institutions and correctly applying quality enhancement criteria, valuable steps have been taken toward scientific innovation in the country. There are specific indicators for knowledge production and quality enhancement that, together and by adhering to scientific standards, contribute to the practical production of high-quality knowledge. High-quality knowledge production is not possible without the internal coherence of these indicators and elements, which essentially requires the proper alignment of the criteria. The main question is: What is the role of aligning quality assurance and accreditation criteria in knowledge production? It appears that aligning quality assurance and accreditation criteria has a positive impact. This research utilizes a descriptive-analytical method and relies on library resources, articles, and reputable websites. Findings show that aligning quality enhancement criteria in Afghan higher education includes: strategic planning with a forward-looking perspective towards the realities and existing conditions in knowledge-producing institutions, providing effective strategies and tactics for knowledge innovation, contributing to societal development through the education of specialized and knowledgeable workforce, investing in creating an appropriate environment for scientific research by faculty members, staff, and students, as well as providing technological facilities and equipment to facilitate better learning and acquisition of knowledge. These efforts have led to a significant scientific transformation in the higher education system.

EFFECTS OF INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS IN STABLE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE : A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids aid COPD patients by improving lung function and reducing exacerbations. The combination of ICS and LABA is more effective than LABA alone, indicating that blood eosinophilia influences therapy efficacy. Patients with low peak inspiratory flow may not receive enough delivery, necessitating the use of spacers to enhance inhaler actuation and inspiration timing. This study aims to systematically review the literature on the effects of inhaled corticosteroids in stable COPD in the last 10 years. Methods: This systematic review used the PRISMA 2020 principles and examined full-text English literature published between 2014 and 2024. Submissions without a DOI were not taken into consideration, nor were editorials and review papers from the same publication. Online resources like PubMed, SagePub, and ScienceDirect were used to compile the literature. Result: Initially, our study team gathered over 60,000 papers from reputable websites such as PubMed, SagePub, and ScienceDirect. Only five papers were found to be directly relevant to our ongoing systematic review after a thorough three-level filtering approach. These publications were then selected for further research through full-text reading. Conclusion: ICS is an effective treatment for COPD because it reduces inflammation, improves airway remodelling, and lowers bacterial load. Higher doses are more effective, because budesonide inhalation enhances lung function.

Effectiveness of A Web-Based Course on Vaccination Competence in Higher Education: The Eduvac Erasmus+ Project

Immunization is a highly cost-effective investment in health, proven to be an effective tool in controlling and eliminating dangerous infectious diseases. Health science students require evidence-based knowledge to tackle challenges in healthcare, particularly in the field of vaccination. 
 
 The aim of the current study is to asses students’ knowledge on vaccinations and further explore their feedback after attending Educating Vaccination Competence web-based course (EDUVAC web-based course). 
 
 Students from five Higher Educational Institutes voluntarily participated in the EDUVAC web-based course. The course provided various study materials, including PowerPoint presentations, videos, quizzes, texts, and references to reputable websites. It also offered small assignments and self-tests for self-evaluation. An online questionnaire was available to students before and after they completed the EDUVAC web-based course. 
 
 The mean knowledge score on vaccines increased significantly after the EDUVAC web-based course (p<0.001). The majority of the students (95%) felt that the web-based course has benefitted them for their future career and 96.4% would encourage other students to attend the EDUVAC web-based course. Overall, our findings suggest that EDUVAC is a valuable resource for those seeking to enhance their understanding of vaccination.

(320) Erectile Dysfunction and Men’s Health Websites: How diverse is our Racial, Ethnic, and Sexual Orientation Representation?

Abstract Introduction Images featured in patient educational materials can enhance comprehension of medical conditions, particularly those associated with sensitive issues like erectile dysfunction (ED). Past research indicates that minority men are often underrepresented in online urological content and thus may not relate to the material. Objective The present study aims to evaluate the representation of racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation diversity in ED and men’s health content on reputable urology program websites. Methods Websites of the top urology departments from U.S. News & World Reports 2022 rankings were reviewed as sources of high quality content. All subpages were reviewed to identify ED and men’s health sites with extraction of photo and video imagery depicting human subjects. A three-person review team interpreted race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation categorically. Race was also interpreted using a numeric scale, Fitzpatrick skin rating, and median ratings classified as white (1-3) or non-white (4-6). Consensus ratings were summarized descriptively. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to measure inter-rater reliability of Fitzpatrick ratings and MedCalc’s z-test used to compare diversity proportions to national rates from census data. Results The top 50 ranked urology program websites were reviewed. Seven programs did not have any patient-facing ED or men’s health web pages. Nearly half of programs with sites did not contain any human images (n=19/43, 44%). A total of 113 images were collected and reviewed. Race in the 102 (90.3%) interpretable images included 6 (5.9%) Asian, 16 (15.7%) black, 75 (73.5%) white, and 5 (4.9%) other men. Latino men were represented in 3/70 (4.3%) images. Utilizing Fitzpatrick ratings, 94 (83.2%) subjects were classified as white and 19 (16.8%) non-white. Most images [67 (59.3%)] demonstrated a man without a partner which precluded sexual orientation evaluation. Of those pictured with a partner, 25 (92.6%) were interpreted as heterosexual and 2 (7.4%) as same sex. Between reviewer correlation coefficients for Fitzpatrick ratings ranged from 0.66-0.69. Table 1 compares interpreted image data to population benchmarks from United States census data. Conclusions Limited imagery on academic urology ED websites continues to underrepresent some groups, namely Latinos. Although men in same sex relationships were depicted, the absolute number of such images was low. Conscious effort to improve diversity in online men’s health, and namely ED, content is needed. Disclosure No.

A Review: Multi-Omics Approach to Studying the Association between Ionizing Radiation Effects on Biological Aging.

Multi-omics studies have emerged as powerful tools for tailoring individualized responses to various conditions, capitalizing on genome sequencing technologies' increasing affordability and efficiency. This paper delves into the potential of multi-omics in deepening our understanding of biological age, examining the techniques available in light of evolving technology and computational models. The primary objective is to review the relationship between ionizing radiation and biological age, exploring a wide array of functional, physiological, and psychological parameters. This comprehensive review draws upon an extensive range of sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles, government documents, and reputable websites. The literature review spans from fundamental insights into radiation effects to the latest developments in aging research. Ionizing radiation exerts its influence through direct mechanisms, notably single- and double-strand DNA breaks and cross links, along with other critical cellular events. The cumulative impact of DNA damage forms the foundation for the intricate process of natural aging, intersecting with numerous diseases and pivotal biomarkers. Furthermore, there is a resurgence of interest in ionizing radiation research from various organizations and countries, reinvigorating its importance as a key contributor to the study of biological age. Biological age serves as a vital reference point for the monitoring and mitigation of the effects of various stressors, including ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation emerges as a potent candidate for modeling the separation of biological age from chronological age, offering a promising avenue for tailoring protocols across diverse fields, including the rigorous demands of space exploration.

Automated Defect Detection Using Image Recognition in Manufacturing

This abstract examines the process of creating a binary classification project on defect detection in manufacturing, highlighting significant learnings and prospective areas that might be tackled differently if the project were to be redone. Obtaining data from internet sources is the first critical stage in the procedure. This stage involves obtaining essential datasets from reputable web sites. Acquiring high-quality and varied data is critical to the project's success since it serves as the foundation for further analysis and modeling. After acquiring the data, the investigation and comprehension of the dataset begin. This process entails extensive study and analysis to get insights into the data's structure, properties, and distribution. Visualization tools are used to comprehend the insights of the data. After understanding the data, the following step is to construct an efficient input pipeline. This entails preparing and processing the data in order to provide a streamlined and efficient pipeline for the model. The model is constructed using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in TensorFlow using Python after the input data has been set up. CNNs are a good choice for this project since they do jobs involving images very effectively. To improve the model's performance and avoid overfitting, activation functions, optimization methods, and regularization approaches are carefully selected. The Early Stopping strategy is used with the patience parameter to optimize the training process. When using Early Stopping, the training process is stopped if the performance on the validation set does not increase after a predetermined number of epochs. The model architecture is effectively developed, trained, and optimized by utilizing TensorFlow and Python, enabling effective defect identification in the manufacturing process.

The Potential of Batu City-Western Australia Partnership in the Fields of Agriculture and Livestock: Challenges and Opportunities

The objective of this essay is to assess the possibility of collaboration between Batu City and Western Australia in the field of Agriculture and Livestock. The author employed a qualitative research methodology to investigate the collaboration between Batu City and Western Australia. The study approach adopted was descriptive, focusing on providing a detailed account of the collaboration. The primary method of data gathering involved conducting interviews with government personnel from Batu City. Additionally, secondary material was gathered from reputable websites and periodicals, and subsequently examined within the concept of the Paradiplomacy. The researchers discovered a significant potential for collaboration between the two cities. Batu City excels in producing high-quality horticultural seeds that are exported to multiple countries. However, there is a drawback in the livestock sector due to the prevalence of diseases affecting animals. As a highly developed province, Western Australia has the capability to transfer technology to Batu City in order to enhance the quality and quantity of these two sectors. Regrettably, the collaboration's potential was limited to the exploratory stage due to the Batu City Government's subpar efforts in uploading the city profile. This hindered partners from fully recognizing the potential of Batu City. Hence, it is imperative to augment the human capital of the Batu City Government and enhance its systems and administration in order to effectively engage in paradiplomacy with overseas counterparts.

SCD and COVID-19 Vaccines: What Do Pediatric Patients Want to Know?

Introduction: Recent polls reported that only 49% of adults plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, while 31% reported being uncertain and 20% reporting they would not receive a vaccine citing safety as a major concern. There are disparities related to intention to receive a vaccine with 56% of whites, 25% of Blacks, and 37% of Hispanics citing they would receive a vaccine. Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) were noted to be an at-risk population for higher morbidity and mortality with COVID-19 infection. Health disparities in COVID-19 outcomes could become exacerbated if racial and ethnic minorities like those with sickle cell disease (SCD) are less likely to receive a vaccine. While polls provide insight into the public's intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines, most of them include only adults. Further, there are limited empirical data on what influences people's intent to get vaccinated. Thus, there is a need to examine educational needs and preferences with respect to COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and young adults with SCD and caregivers of children with SCD. This research is significant because it is essential to developing targeted educational interventions to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake in pediatric patients with SCD. Methods: We conducted N=17 qualitative interviews with parents/caregivers (N=6), young adults 18 years and older (n=8), and adolescents ages 12-17 years (n=3) receiving care at one of two sickle cell centers in the US. After achieving thematic saturation, a directed content analysis approach was used to code interview data into themes related to four categories: a) COVID-19 vaccine concerns; b) key influencers for decision-making about COVID-19 vaccines; c) sources of trustworthy COVID-19 vaccine information; and d) preferred methods of receiving COVID-19 vaccine information. Two authors independently coded all the transcripts (AL, CM), and a third author served as a reliability coder. To promote rigor, interrater reliability was assessed (>90%) and themes were reviewed with clinical staff and patients (member checking). Results: Participants' top COVID-19 vaccine concerns were side effects and that they are understudied in sickle cell disease. Key influences for getting the vaccine included healthcare provider recommendation, a desire to increase protection and decrease worry, and the ability to return to normal activities. Sources of trustworthy information included the healthcare team, reputable websites (e.g., CDC) and personal recommendations. Preferred methods were talking directly with and asking follow-up questions to their hematology team and vaccine experts. Least preferred methods included the media and conducting one's own research which some found overwhelming. Using an iterative design process, themes were then converted into educational interventions which will be featured in this poster (e.g., patient vaccine question cards, expert videos, and provider scripts). Conclusions: Study results support that educational efforts about COVID-19 vaccines for pediatric patients with SCD should involve the hematology team who is viewed as a trustworthy source of information. Given vaccine concerns, teams may benefit from tools that help them foster conversations about vaccine protection and specific data about SCD and the vaccines. Results further indicate that clear and concise information about COVID-19 vaccines presented in a variety of formats (e.g., expert videos, websites) may be beneficial.

Therapeutic potential of thymoquinone and its nanoformulations in neuropsychological disorders: a comprehensive review on molecular mechanisms in preclinical studies.

Thymoquinone (THQ) and its nanoformulation (NFs) have emerged as promising candidates for the treatment of neurological diseases due to their diverse pharmacological properties, which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we conducted an extensive search across reputable scientific websites such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar to gather relevant information. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of THQ have been observed to enhance the survival of neurons in affected areas of the brain, leading to significant improvements in behavioral and motor dysfunctions. Moreover, THQ and its NFs have demonstrated the capacity to restore antioxidant enzymes and mitigate oxidative stress. The primary mechanism underlying THQ's antioxidant effects involves the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, THQ has been found to modulate key components of inflammatory signaling pathways, including toll-like receptors (TLRs), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), thereby exerting anti-inflammatory effects. This comprehensive review explores the various beneficial effects of THQ and its NFs on neurological disorders and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms involved.

Forecasting the Trend of Specialized Digital Marketing of Social Media in Iran in 2023

This article explores the role of social media as a potent factor in marketing and its impact on organizational structure, with a specific focus on digital marketing. It outlines the components and roadmap for the integration of digital marketing into social media. By presenting results illustrating the presence of Iranian companies on popular domestic and foreign social media platforms, the study discusses the significance of these platforms in facilitating business and marketing interactions with the new generation, leading to the establishment of loyal customers. The factors discussed in relation to these media include cost reduction, gaining the trust of the new generation, increasing revenue, and the importance of building the company's brand. The research findings, based on an examination of 15 Persian articles published on reputable websites between 2017 and 2023, reveal a growing trend of users migrating to social networks and their inclination to share their product and service experiences with others. Other consumers place greater importance on these experiences shared on social networks when making purchasing decisions. Simultaneously, the study highlights the significant rise in television advertising costs and traditional forms of advertising (such as billboards) in Iran during 2023. Consequently, Iranian companies exhibit a strong inclination to utilize digital marketing on social networks as a means to promote their products and services. Furthermore, the findings indicate that Iranian companies are actively exploring innovative avenues for digital marketing on social networks, utilizing new tools such as Telegram or Instagram bots.

Effects of blended learning training for oncology physicians to advise their patients about complementary and integrative therapies: results from the multicenter cluster-randomized KOKON-KTO trial

BackgroundMany oncology physicians are confronted with the topic of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) by cancer patients. This study examined whether a blended learning (e-learning and a workshop) to train oncology physicians in providing advice on CIM therapies to their cancer patients, in addition to distributing an information leaflet about reputable CIM websites, had different effects on physician-reported outcomes in regard to consultations compared with only distributing the leaflet.MethodsIn a multicenter, cluster-randomized trial, 48 oncology physicians were randomly allocated to an intervention group (CIM consultation and an information leaflet) or a control group (information leaflet only). After the training, the oncology physicians conducted 297 consultations with their cancer patients. Measurements were assessed at oncology physician, physician–patient-interaction (measured by external reviewers), and patient levels. This analysis focused on the physician outcomes of stress reaction and perceived consultation skill competency. In addition, qualitative interviews were conducted with a subsample of oncology physicians who experienced both, the intervention and control condition.ResultsThe oncology physicians in the intervention group showed a lower stress reaction in all measured dimensions after CIM consultations than those in the control group. There was no significant difference between oncology physicians in the intervention and control groups regarding the perceived consultation skill competency (overburden: intervention 1.4 [95% CI: 0.7;2.1]; control 2.1 [95% CI: 1.4;2.7], tension: 1.3 [95% CI: 0.7;2.0] vs. 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3;2.5], and discomfort with consultation situations: 1.0 [95% CI: 0.4;1.7]; vs. 1.7 [95% CI: 1.2;2.3]). The qualitative data showed that only providing the leaflet seemed impersonal to oncology physicians, while the training made them feel well prepared to conduct a full conversation about CIM and provide the information leaflet.ConclusionsIn our exploratory study providing structured CIM consultations showed positive effects on the perceived stress of oncology physicians, and the training was subjectively experienced as an approach that improved physician preparation for advising cancer patients about CIM, however no effects regarding perceived consultation skill competency were found.Trial registrationThe trial registration number of the KOKON-KTO study is DRKS00012704 in the German Clinical Trials Register (Date of registration: 28.08.2017).

A clinician's guide to gallstones and common bile duct (CBD): A study protocol for a systematic review and evidence-based recommendations.

Gallstones are one of the most common and costly diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and occur when a combination of deposits consisting of fat or minerals accumulate in the gallbladder or common bile duct (CBD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of gallstone epidemiology, diagnosis, and management, focusing on current clinical guidelines and evidence-based approaches. A systematic literature review gathered information from various sources, including PubMed, Trip, Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and reputable medical association websites. Keywords related to gallstones, CBD stones, cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and guidelines were used to extract relevant recommendations. Expert consultations and consensus meetings localized the recommendations based on the target population and available resources. The paper discusses demographic factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle influences contributing to gallstone formation. Gallstones are categorized into cholesterol and pigment types, with varying prevalences across regions. Many individuals with gallstones remain asymptomatic, but complications can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. Diagnosis relies on history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and transabdominal ultrasound. Specific predictive factors help categorize patients into high, moderate, or low probability groups for CBD stones. Evidence-based recommendations for gallstone diagnosis and management are presented, emphasizing individualized treatment plans. Surgical interventions, nonsurgical treatments like oral litholysis with UDCA, and stenting are discussed. The management of gallstones in pregnant women is also addressed, considering the potential risks and appropriate treatment options during pregnancy.

Covid-19’s Economic and Healthcare Correlations to Leading Affected Countries: A Statistical Assessment

In this study, we conducted a statistical assessment of the economic and healthcare issues of leading countries affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We sought to consider the pandemic's progressive components, including the total tests, total cases, total deaths, total recoveries, and the total number of active cases. We also investigated the population dispersion, health index, and annual per capita income of the target countries. Real-time information regarding the topics is gathered from reputable institutional websites across the world, then organized and analyzed using statistical techniques. Both the graphical and tabular approaches are employed to present statistical manifestations. While some countries are shown to be in the leading position for most of the target issues, some inconsistencies are observed among a few. Concerning the annual per capita income and health index of the target countries, the Covid-19 components are not very relevant, but there is a slight similarity when looking at the overall population. Interestingly, regions with very low population densities show a higher prevalence of Covid-19. No discernible trend is attained from Bangladesh's perspective. Keywords: Covid-19 components; Leading affected countries; Per-capita income, Health index, Population dispersion, Statistical assessment.

Search & Verify: Misinformation and source evaluations in Internet search results

In response to online misinformation, source rating services evaluate thousands of popular websites, mark them as reputable or disreputable, and provide detailed information explaining their evaluations. In this paper, we examine the effects of news source evaluations by experts as well as crowd-sourced information (i.e., Wikipedia) on beliefs in political news that appears in Internet search results. Through two online experiments, we investigate the effects of providing a simple source-evaluation flag or a flag with more detailed supporting information explaining the evaluation. We found that negative flags from expert fact-checkers reduced users' beliefs, and supporting information had no additional effect; in contrast, positive flags required information beyond the simple flag to have maximum effectiveness. Positive and negative crowd-sourced information had similar effects but was weaker than evaluations from experts. Thus, we conclude that providing additional information to support source evaluation flags is important to give users confidence in reputable websites.

Predicting ICO Prices Using Artificial Neural Network and Ridge Regression Algorithm

An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is a method of raising funds for digital currency projects. Investors purchase these coins at a very low initial price before they are released. These coins are then listed on the trading platform, and their prices may increase rapidly if the currency performs well. After six months of release, ICO evaluation is the expected time for investors to profit. A dataset consisting of 109 ICOs was constructed from reputable websites after data preprocessing. Correlation analysis of 12 inputs revealed issues of multicollinearity, leading to biased regression model results. Overfitting occurred when using the regression model. To address these limitations, the Ridge regression method resolved the issues with the ICO data. An artificial neural network model addressed the complex nonlinear relationships between inputs and ICO prices. By adjusting parameters to achieve the best performance according to the Root Mean Square Error, R-squares, and Mean Absolute Error metrics, the results showed that the Ridge regression algorithm with a test set of three ICOs achieved accuracy ranging from 63% to 92% of ICO prices, while the artificial neural network model predicted with 98% accuracy depending on the metric used.