Mavericks at NADI 2023 Shared Task: Unravelling Regional Nuances through Dialect Identification using Transformer-based Approach

In this paper, we present our approach for the "Nuanced Arabic Dialect Identification (NADI) Shared Task 2023". We highlight our methodology for subtask 1 which deals with country-level dialect identification. Recognizing dialects plays an instrumental role in enhancing the performance of various downstream NLP tasks such as speech recognition and translation. The task uses the Twitter dataset (TWT-2023) that encompasses 18 dialects for the multi-class classification problem. Numerous transformer-based models, pre-trained on Arabic language, are employed for identifying country-level dialects. We fine-tune these state-of-the-art models on the provided dataset. The ensembling method is leveraged to yield improved performance of the system. We achieved an F1-score of 76.65 (11th rank on the leaderboard) on the test dataset.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, accepted at the NADI ArabicNLP Workshop, EMNLP 202

Mavericks at ArAIEval Shared Task: Towards a Safer Digital Space -- Transformer Ensemble Models Tackling Deception and Persuasion

In this paper, we highlight our approach for the "Arabic AI Tasks Evaluation (ArAiEval) Shared Task 2023". We present our approaches for task 1-A and task 2-A of the shared task which focus on persuasion technique detection and disinformation detection respectively. Detection of persuasion techniques and disinformation has become imperative to avoid distortion of authentic information. The tasks use multigenre snippets of tweets and news articles for the given binary classification problem. We experiment with several transformer-based models that were pre-trained on the Arabic language. We fine-tune these state-of-the-art models on the provided dataset. Ensembling is employed to enhance the performance of the systems. We achieved a micro F1-score of 0.742 on task 1-A (8th rank on the leaderboard) and 0.901 on task 2-A (7th rank on the leaderboard) respectively.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, accepted at the ArAIEval ArabicNLP workshop, EMNLP conference 202

Use of ileum for complex ureteric reconstruction: Assessment of long-term outcome, complications, and impact on renal function

Introduction: Defect in ureteral continuity can be due to various etiologies. The surgical options for management of complex long-segment ureteric defects are limited. Use of ileum is indicated in these cases; however, the technique is challenging and outcomes need to be assessed in detail. Material and Methods: It is an observational study conducted over 4 years. After preoperative optimization, ureteric reconstruction was performed using standard techniques of ileal interposition in cases of unilateral and bilateral long-segment ureteric defects. Patients were followed up at regular interval to assess outcomes and see for complications. Results: A total of 14 patients were studied. Two most common indications for performing ileal ureter were iatrogenic injury and radiation-induced strictures (5–5 cases). Most common site of ureteric involvement was lower and midureter seen in 6 cases. The mean length of the ileum used was 11.2 cm. Mean preoperative nadir creatinine level was 1.57 mg/dL in this study. Average postoperative creatinine level at 4-week follow-up was 1.75 mg/dL and 1.45 mg/dL and 1.37 mg/dL, at 3 and 12 months, respectively. The most common short-term complication was paralytic ileus and long-term complication was recurrent urinary tract infection UTI. There was no mortality. Conclusion: Ileal ureter is found to be relatively easy and safe surgery even in patients with borderline high creatinine. There was no worsening of renal function attributable to the conduit in this study. In patients with limited surgical options, it is a suitable alternative, rather than keeping patient on permanent percutaneous nephrostomy or regular stent change. Metabolic acidosis and mucous-associated complications such as pain, infection, and stone formation can be minimized by adherence to strict protocol

Laparoscopic assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy in chronic kidney disease patients with ectopic pelvic kidney

Purpose: Patients with deranged renal functions have a number of associated factors which can impair healing of wound and increase postoperative morbidity. This study was conducted to assess the problems while managing ectopic pelvic kidney calculi using laparoscopic approach for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in chronic kidney disease patients. Subjects and Methods: Patients with calculi in ectopic kidney with increased serum creatinine level secondary to obstruction were included in the study. Initially, obstruction was relieved. Patients later underwent laparoscopic-assisted PCNL. Patients were monitored postoperatively. Results: Three patients with large renal calculi in ectopic pelvic kidney had presented in 2 years. Laparoscopic-assisted PCNL was done to remove the stone. Patients had persistent urine leak post-operatively. Mean duration for removal of nephrostomy tube and drain removal were 4.67 days and 6.67 days, respectively. These patients also had paralytic ileus for prolonged duration. Conclusion: Although laparoscopic assisted PCNL is an option in the management of patients with stone disease in ectopic pelvic kidney, prolonged time for healing of tract may increase postoperative morbidity in these patients with impaired renal function

Outcome following renal autotransplantation in renal artery stenosis

Introduction: With significant advances in the area of interventional radiology, angioplasty and stenting have become preferred first-line treatment in patients with significant renal artery stenosis. However, not all patients have favorable anatomy to undergo minimally invasive treatments, and reconstruction of the renal artery is an option. In select cases, either improved renal function or maintenance of existing function and sometimes resolution of hypertension can follow surgical treatment. Material and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from August 2010 to June 2016. Patients <45 years of age with uncontrolled hypertension secondary to renovascular hypertension (RVH) and refractory to medical management and renal arterial disease unfavorable for percutaneous intervention were included in the study. All patients were evaluated thoroughly using computed tomography angiography and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renal scan. Patients underwent autotransplantation either into the right or left iliac fossa. Some kidneys required bench reconstruction of the renal artery and/or its branches before being implanted into either iliac fossa. Results: Nine patients were included in the study. The mean age was 27 years. Seven were males and two were females. Five patients had bilateral renal artery stenosis. After autotransplantation, initially five patients became free of antihypertensive medicines, but on the follow-up, two patients showed rising trend of blood pressure. The evaluation revealed narrowing at anastomosis site in both patients with salvageable kidney function in one patient. Angioplasty with stenting was done in this patient while the second patient underwent secondary nephrectomy. At 2 years of follow-up, four patients required no antihypertensive medicines. Conclusion: Autotransplantation can be a successful treatment of severe RVH and should be considered in patients with renal arterial disease unfavorable for percutaneous intervention