Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Predictor Tool of Disease Using Label-Free Liquid Biopsy-Based Platforms for Patient-Centric Healthcare

Simple Summary We proposed a comprehensive early prediction tool based on liquid biopsy for the label-free phenotypic analysis of cell clusters from clinical samples (n = 31). Our custom algorithm analysis, combined with a microfluidic-based tumor model, was designed to assess and stratify cancer patients in a label-free, cost-effective, and user-friendly way. Multiple quantitative phenotypic parameters (cluster size, thickness, roughness, and thickness per area) were derived from the profiling of the patient-derived cell clusters. Our platform could distinguish healthy donors from pretreatment cancer patients with high sensitivity (91.16 ± 1.56%) and specificity (71.01 ± 9.95%). In addition, the ratio of normalized gray value to cluster size (RGVS) parameter was significantly correlated to treatment duration and cancer stage. In conclusion, our patient-centric, early prediction tool will allow the prognosis of patients in a relatively less invasive manner, which can help clinicians identify diseases or indicate the need for new treatment strategies. Abstract Cancer cells undergo phenotypic changes or mutations during treatment, making detecting protein-based or gene-based biomarkers challenging. Here, we used algorithmic analysis combined with patient-derived tumor models to derive an early prediction tool using patient-derived cell clusters from liquid biopsy (LIQBP) for cancer prognosis in a label-free manner. The LIQBP platform incorporated a customized microfluidic biochip that mimicked the tumor microenvironment to establish patient clusters, and extracted physical parameters from images of each sample, including size, thickness, roughness, and thickness per area (n = 31). Samples from healthy volunteers (n = 5) and cancer patients (pretreatment; n = 4) could be easily distinguished with high sensitivity (91.16 ± 1.56%) and specificity (71.01 ± 9.95%). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the multiple unique quantitative parameters reflected patient responses. Among these, the ratio of normalized gray value to cluster size (RGVS) was the most significant parameter correlated with cancer stage and treatment duration. Overall, our work presented a novel and less invasive approach for the label-free prediction of disease prognosis to identify patients who require adjustments to their treatment regime. We envisioned that such efforts would promote the management of personalized patient care conveniently and cost effectively.
A social identity perspective on interoperability in the emergency services: Emergency responders' experiences of multiagency working during the COVID‐19 response in the UK

Abstract Recent research has shown that multiagency emergency response is beset by a range of challenges, calling for a greater understanding of the way in which these teams work together to improve future multiagency working. Social psychological research shows that a shared identity within a group can improve the way in which that group works together and can facilitate effective outcomes. In the present study, 52 semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 strategic and/or tactical responders during the COVID‐19 pandemic to understand the possible role of shared identity in the multiagency response to COVID‐19 and whether this was linked to factors that facilitated or challenged interoperability. Findings show evidence of a shared identity at a horizontal intergroup level among responders locally. However, there was limited evidence for a shared identity at the vertical intergroup level between local and national responders. Three key factors linked to shared identity appeared to contribute to effective multiagency working. First, pre‐existing relationships with other responders facilitated the ease with which responders were able to work together initially. Second, a sense of ‘common fate’ helped bring responders together, and finally, group leaders were able to strategically reinforce a sense of shared identity within the group.
The impact of the Russian import ban on EU agrarian exports

The main goal of the paper is to evaluate the impact of the Russian import ban on the development of agricultural exports from EU member states. The study is based on a time-series analysis of empirical statistical indicators. The analysed period is between 2009 and 2019. The source of data for individual analyses is UN Comtrade (2021). The evaluation of export performance is extended by hierarchical cluster analysis. The study quantifies the effects of the import ban on the EU and individual member states through two scenarios. Scenario 1 is based on the cumulative loss of the value of exports. Scenario 2 assumes a continuous development of the value of agricultural exports. Based on the results, it is possible to confirm that the application of the Russian food import ban had a significant impact on EU countries. The impact of sanctions varies across EU countries. Four specific clusters could be identified in the period under investigation. In the period after the ban, the distribution of individual countries among individual clusters changed significantly. The applied ban could be understood not only as an attempt at counter-sanctions. Import restrictions also aim to reduce Russia's dependence on food imports and promote national food security.
Self-Care in Patients With Hypertension in Indonesia

Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. One strategy to better treat hypertension is to involve patients in their own self-care. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in West Java, Indonesia, from June to July 2021. A convenience sample of 144 adults with hypertension was used. The inclusion criteria were: people aged 35 to 65; prescribed two or fewer antihypertensive drugs for hypertension; with a blood pressure of more than 140/90 mm Hg at baseline; able to control their blood pressure and self-titrate medicine; and able to read and write in Bahasa Indonesia. The SC-HI is a 24-item questionnaire that assesses self-care in hypertension on three dimensions: self-care maintenance, management, and confidence. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate self-care and its associated factors. The average age of the patients was 55.67 ± 10.65 years, 59.7% were female, 77.8% were married, and 48.6% had finished secondary school. The mean overall self-care score among the hypertensive patients was 2.43 (SD = 1.26). The self-care domain with the lowest mean score was in confidence (mean = 2.12, SD = 1.96) and the highest score was in maintenance (mean = 2.86, SD = 2.01). Gender, education level, and duration of hypertension contributed significantly to the variance in self-care with an R-squared of 23.4%. We found that the level of self-care in the hypertensive patients in general was inadequate. Patients should be educated and counseled about the importance of adherence to self-care in the management of hypertension. Keywords: self-care, hypertension, self-management
Learner Experiences During the Design-Based Research Process for a Problem-Based Instructional Design Course

The discrepancy between students’ understanding of domain knowledge and their actual competencies to use tacit knowledge for a given task has been an issue to consider when instruction is designed, implemented, and revised. In this study, the researcher examines teaching and learning processes in which a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) design model was crafted and used for an advanced instructional design course in the educational technology field. The focus is on the researcher‘s ongoing and recursive reflective experiences in reviewing design components of the model, analyzing the motivators and difficulties students faced, and offering alternative methods to improve the initial design. The findings show that the PBL approach played an instrumental role in creating real challenges that the target professionals may experience. On the other hand, observed difficulties in PBL include intrinsic and extrinsic cognitive loads associated with the complexity of the instructional design process, self-regulated learning skills, learning beliefs, and supporting strategies used for team dynamics. The patterns identified in the behaviors and perceptions of effective and struggling students are interpreted. Based on the findings, new constructs of the model were suggested for further improvement.
Low Energy Status under Methionine Restriction Is Essentially Independent of Proliferation or Cell Contact Inhibition

Nonlimited proliferation is one of the most striking features of neoplastic cells. The basis of cell division is the sufficient presence of mass (amino acids) and energy (ATP and NADH). A sophisticated intracellular network permanently measures the mass and energy levels. Thus, in vivo restrictions in the form of amino acid, protein, or caloric restrictions strongly affect absolute lifespan and age-associated diseases such as cancer. The induction of permanent low energy metabolism (LEM) is essential in this process. The murine cell line L929 responds to methionine restriction (MetR) for a short time period with LEM at the metabolic level defined by a characteristic fingerprint consisting of the molecules acetoacetate, creatine, spermidine, GSSG, UDP-glucose, pantothenate, and ATP. Here, we used mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to investigate the influence of proliferation and contact inhibition on the energy status of cells. Interestingly, the energy status was essentially independent of proliferation or contact inhibition. LC/MS analyses showed that in full medium, the cells maintain active and energetic metabolism for optional proliferation. In contrast, MetR induced LEM independently of proliferation or contact inhibition. These results are important for cell behaviour under MetR and for the optional application of restrictions in cancer therapy.
Gastrointestinal parasites in non-human primates from the Wildlife Animal Screening Center of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil

The investigation of gastrointestinal parasites in primates kept in captivity is important for the management of these animals and for human health, since many of their parasites cause zoonoses. The aim of this study was to evaluate gastrointestinal parasitism in primates kept in captivity at a Wildlife Animal Screening Center in Bahia, Brazil. 135 stool samples from 45 primates were analyzed using the Direct method and the Hoffman method, three times, with an interval of fifteen days. Infections by protozoa were verified, being mild for Balantidium sp. and Entamoeba sp. and moderate for Cystoisospora sp. , the latter had the highest sample prevalence among all the parasites found (91.11%). The presence of helminths of Ancylostoma sp. and Strongyloides sp. was recorded. Infection by gastrointestinal parasites in captive primates is frequent. With the results of the present work, it is concluded that periodic parasitological evaluations are necessary for better sanitary management of these animals.
Perceived COVID-19 Vaccine Pressure in the Caribbean: Exploring a New Stressor–Strain Phenomenon in the Pandemic

This research introduced the new construct of ‘perceived COVID-19 vaccine pressure’ (i.e., the psychological strain associated with societal demands on vaccine taking) and examined the initial psychometric properties of a newly proposed measure. The study surveyed 411 Barbadian respondents to examine their level of perceived COVID-19 vaccine pressure using an online survey modality. The results revealed strong and robust psychometric properties for the scale and its unidimensionality. Younger and employed respondents as well as those working in the tourism and hospitality and government (public) sectors experienced the greatest internalised vaccine pressure relative to other respondent groups. Only initial/preliminary evidence of the scale’s validity and reliability was revealed by this cross-sectional study. A follow-up study (using CFA on a new sample) is needed to provide stronger evidence for its validity and reliability. Understanding the dynamics of perceived or internalised vaccine pressure might help explain the positive or negative effects of societal pressure and its implications for vaccine hesitancy and other vaccine-related attitudes and behaviours. The study is the first to conceptually discuss and empirically examine the mental health strain occasioned by societal demands placed on individuals to take a COVID-19 vaccine.
Negative Partisanship in Latin America

ABSTRACT The literature on comparative partisanship has demonstrated the low rates of party identification in Latin America. Such low rates are commonly interpreted as a sign of citizens’ disengagement with parties and democracy in the region. This article revisits this interpretation by considering voters’ adverse affection toward a party, or negative partisanship. It shows that examining the negative side of partisanship can help us develop a clearer perspective on the partisan linkages in the electorate. To support this claim, this study analyzes an original conjoint experiment in Argentina and Mexico, as well as two other public opinion surveys fielded in Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador. The study presents empirical evidence indicating that negative partisanship helps voters without an attachment to a party to distinguish themselves from nonpartisans, is independent of positive partisanship, and is different from a general distrust of the democratic system.
Arc Diameter Estimation of a Rotating Gliding Arc Using a Simple High–Speed Camera and “Gaussian Fit” Function

This work reports the estimation of discharge diameter (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) using “Gaussian fit” method applied on the discharge’s image captured using high–speed camera (HSC). Work was conducted in a rotating gliding arc (RGA) and obtained the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> near the shortest (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and longest (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) gap between the electrodes, operated under 5 SLPM (transitional) and 50 SLPM (turbulent) flow rates of argon gas at atmospheric conditions. Gaussian fit was verified to be suitable to estimate the thickness of the objects that could be well differentiated from the background in the captured image. Furthermore, the results indicated that the gas flow rate is highly influential on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The average <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> was thinned by ≈28%, from 0.29 to 0.21 mm, when the flow rate was increased from 5 to 50 SLPM, indicating the influence of turbulent eddies at 50 SLPM. The <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{d}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> was varying along the discharge length under turbulent flow due to discharge’s inhomogeneity in intensity arising due to twisting, curling, and knot formations. This work marks an essential step toward the characterization of the RGA reactor.
Numerical Investigation on the Anti-Angiogenic Therapy-Induced Normalization in Solid Tumors

This study numerically analyzes the fluid flow and solute transport in a solid tumor to comprehensively examine the consequence of normalization induced by anti-angiogenic therapy on drug delivery. The current study leads to a more accurate model in comparison to previous research, as it incorporates a non-homogeneous real-human solid tumor including necrotic, semi-necrotic, and well-vascularized regions. Additionally, the model considers the effects of concurrently chemotherapeutic agents (three macromolecules of IgG, F(ab′)2, and F(ab′)) and different normalization intensities in various tumor sizes. Examining the long-term influence of normalization on the quality of drug uptake by necrotic area is another contribution of the present study. Results show that normalization decreases the interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) and spreads the pressure gradient and non-zero interstitial fluid velocity (IFV) into inner areas. Subsequently, wash-out of the drug from the tumor periphery is decreased. It is also demonstrated that normalization can improve the distribution of solute concentration in the interstitium. The efficiency of normalization is introduced as a function of the time course of perfusion, which depends on the tumor size, drug type, as well as normalization intensity, and consequently on the dominant mechanism of drug delivery. It is suggested to accompany anti-angiogenic therapy by F(ab′) in large tumor size (Req=2.79 cm) to improve reservoir behavior benefit from normalization. However, IgG is proposed as the better option in the small tumor (Req=0.46 cm), in which normalization finds the opportunity of enhancing uniformity of IgG average exposure by 22%. This study could provide a perspective for preclinical and clinical trials on how to take advantage of normalization, as an adjuvant treatment, in improving drug delivery into a non-homogeneous solid tumor.
Exploring the Market Orientation of Olive Oil Consortia: an analysis in the Italian context.

This paper aims to examine the market orientation of Olive Oil Consortia in Italy. Through an explorative qualitative analysis, the study sets out to look in detail at: a) whether and how the principal features and main activities characterizing this fundamental marketing concept are defined and effectively implemented in the organizations under examination; b) whether and how the adoption of market orientation influences their business performance. Findings suggest that Olive Oil Consortia recognize the relevance of principal dimension of market orientation in order to develop innovative products that meet customers’ needs and to achieve positive performance. However, the adoption of market orientation constitutes a significant challenge to Consortia because it requires a cultural change as well as the availability of economic and human resources needed to adopt and implement this orientation.
Financial Sanctions Effectiveness as a Foreign Policy Tool on Crises Management

Post-Cold War financial sanctions utilization reached its peak as policymakers employed used them in order to face address major international crises. Their prominence among foreign policy instruments sparked the interest of many scholars and enriched the existing literature. However, their attractiveness raises several interesting research questions, such as "Do targeted sanctions suffice to achieve the defined objectives? ", "Which variables affect their effectiveness? ", "What shortcomings can be overcomed to make them more productive? " To probe these queries, in this paper different aspects of both comprehensive and financial/ smart/ targeted sanctions are examined. It is concluded that political will and better understanding of their effects is needed to improve sanctions design and overcome legal and administrative obstacles, since the current flaws are not incurable.
Factors contributing to reading comprehension in children with varying degrees of word-level proficiency

The present study was conducted to explore how the relationships between reading comprehension constructs change according to word reading accuracy, as measured in a large convenience sample (n = 857) of school-aged students (Years 3–6) with reading difficulties. Multiple regression analyses containing interaction variables were conducted, to determine whether word reading accuracy moderated the relationships between the dependent variable (i.e. reading comprehension) and independent variables (i.e. each of vocabulary and nonword reading accuracy). The interaction variable between word reading accuracy and receptive vocabulary was significant, with steeper slopes evident among more skilled readers compared to less skilled readers. Conversely, the interaction variable between word reading accuracy and nonword reading accuracy was also significant, but with steeper slopes evident among the less skilled reader groups. These patterns align with what has been found in typically developing children: as word reading ability improves, reading comprehension depends more so on language comprehension skills than lower-level decoding skills.
Impacts of COVID-19 on Ship Behaviours in Port Area: An AIS Data-Based Pattern Recognition Approach

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global commercial activities and the tourism industry heavily. Impacts on maritime transportation were huge, as seaborne trade represents over 80% of global merchandise trade. Investigating how COVID-19 has affected ship behaviours is significant for economic condition evaluation, port management. This paper develops an analysis method to mine knowledge from raw Automation Identification System (AIS) data. First, berths are identified by improved density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise by Pythagoras distance (PD-DBSCAN). Data features, such as ship deadweight, arrival time, dwelling time, ship types, etc., can then be extracted using information matching and statistical analysis. Next, the dynamic time warping method is employed to analyse abnormal ship behaviour patterns and quantify the impacts of COVID-19. After that, a significance test is employed to determine an impact threshold through year-on-year analysis on ship flow, daily throughout and berthing time of quays. Finally, statistical analysis is used for the short-term impact analysis. This research examines a case study based on four-year AIS data in the Oslo port area. The results show that the proposed method can identify abnormal patterns caused by COVID-19 and estimate its impacts. Passenger ships are influenced heavily compared with cargo ships. The variation of passenger ships’ flow is over 90% during 2020, larger than the average variation before 2020. The discovered knowledge could be used for future decision-making and preplanning in the next health crisis.
A scrutiny into fiscal policy in the South African economy: A Bayesian approach with hierarchical priors

Abstract This study analyses the impact of fiscal policy on the South African economy during the period 1972Q1-2020Q2. The study adopted quarterly time series data to estimate a Bayesian Vector Autoregression (BVAR) model with the selection of hierarchical priors. The variables employed for empirical investigation included GDP, government expenditure, public debt, and gross fixed-capital formation. The results of the study show that an unexpected shock in government expenditure and public debt has a significant negative and persistent impact on economic growth in South Africa, while an unexpected shock in investment has a significant positive effect on economic growth. The findings suggest that escalating public expenditure and public debt lead to economic contraction. This implies that policy-makers ought to be cautious of excessive government expenditure and public debt to achieve fiscal consolidation. Policy-makers ought to focus on addressing structural challenges through the implementation of sound structural reform policies that aim to attract investment consistent with job creation, development and growth in South Africa’s economy.