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Snakebite envenomation occurs frequently in the studied area, but the prevalence and management approach has not been verified. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence, and management of snakebite covering a period of ten years (January 2011 to December 2020). One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered to respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics. The result indicated 131(87.3%), of the snakebite victims, were males, while 19 (12.7%) were female. The incidence was highest among 30-39 years, while the least was among 60-69 years and above. In addition, farmers had the highest percentage of snakebite 140(93.3), followed by traders 6(4.0%), with the least being civil servants and other occupational 2(1.3%). More so, about 80(53.3%) of the victims had secondary education, followed by 54(36.0%) primary education, while 6(4.0%) of them obtained tertiary education and non-formal education 10(6.7%) respectively. Dendroaspis viridis 36(24%) with the highest number of victims, followed by Echis ocellatus 34(22.7%), Bitis ariatas,32(21.3), Naja negricollis 16(10.7%), Atractaspis species 4(2.7%), and unidentified species 28 (18.7%) respectively. Most of the snakebites occurred during the dry season with 87(58%), while 63(42%) occurred in the rainy season. About 145(96.7%) victims south for herbalists, while only 2(1.3%) for orthodox medicine and others. This result signified that victims strongly believe in the traditional way of snakebite treatment rather than orthodox medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the Stückelberg-modified massive Abelian 3-form theory in any arbitrary D-dimension of spacetime, we show that its classical gauge symmetry transformations are generated by the first-class constraints. We establish that the Noether conserved charge (corresponding to the local gauge symmetry transformations) is same as the standard form of the generator for the underlying local gauge symmetry transformations (expressed in terms of the first-class constraints). We promote these classical local, continuous and infinitesimal gauge symmetry transformations to their quantum counterparts Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations which are respected by the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangian densities. We derive the conserved (anti-)BRST charges by exploiting the theoretical potential of Noether's theorem. However, these charges turn out to be non-nilpotent. Some of the highlights of our present investigation are (i) the derivation of the off-shell nilpotent versions of the (anti-)BRST charges from the standard non-nilpotent Noether conserved (anti-)BRST charges, (ii) the appearance of the operator forms of the first-class constraints at the quantum level through the physicality criteria with respect to the nilpotent versions of the (anti-)BRST charges, and (iii) the deduction of the Curci–Ferrari-type restrictions from the straightforward equality of the coupled (anti-)BRST invariant Lagrangian densities as well as from the requirement of the absolute anticommutativity of the off-shell nilpotent versions of the conserved (anti-)BRST charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We focus on the continuous symmetry transformations for the three (2 + 1)-dimensional (3D) system of a combination of the free Abelian 1-form and 2-form gauge theories within the framework of Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism. We establish that this combined system is a tractable field-theoretic model of Hodge theory. The symmetry operators of our present system provide the physical realizations of the de Rham cohomological operators of differential geometry at the algebraic level. Our present investigation is important in the sense that, for the first time, we are able to establish an odd dimensional (i.e., D = 3) field-theoretic system to be an example for Hodge theory (besides earlier works on a few interesting (0 + 1)-dimensional (1D) toy models as well as a set of well-known SUSY quantum mechanical systems of physical interest). For the sake of brevity, we have purposely not taken into account the 3D Chern-Simon term for the Abelian 1-form gauge field in our theory which allows the mass as well as the gauge invariance to co-exist together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapid increase of AI-enabled applications deployed in clinical practice, many challenges exist around AI implementation, including the clarity of governance frameworks, usability of validation of AI models, and customisation of training for radiographers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, with existing theoretical and/or practical knowledge of AI, on issues of relevance to the field, such as AI implementation, including knowledge of AI governance and procurement, perceptions about enablers and challenges and future priorities for AI adoption. An online survey was designed and distributed to UK-based qualified radiographers who work in medical imaging and/or radiotherapy and have some previous theoretical and/or practical knowledge of working with AI. Participants were recruited through the researchers' professional networks on social media with support from the AI advisory group of the Society and College of Radiographers. Survey questions related to AI training/education, knowledge of AI governance frameworks, data privacy procedures, AI implementation considerations, and priorities for AI adoption. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data, and chi-square tests were used to explore significant relationships between variables. In total, 88 valid responses were received. Most radiographers (56.6 %) had not received any AI-related training. Also, although approximately 63 % of them used an evaluation framework to assess AI models' performance before implementation, many (36.9 %) were still unsure about suitable evaluation methods. Radiographers requested clearer guidance on AI governance, ample time to implement AI in their practice safely, adequate funding, effective leadership, and targeted support from AI champions. AI training, robust governance frameworks, and patient and public involvement were seen as priorities for the successful implementation of AI by radiographers. AI implementation is progressing within radiography, but without customised training, clearer governance, key stakeholder engagement and suitable new roles created, it will be hard to harness its benefits and minimise related risks. The results of this study highlight some of the priorities and challenges for radiographers in relation to AI adoption, namely the need for developing robust AI governance frameworks and providing optimal AI training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]