Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimising IL-2 for Cancer Immunotherapy

The key role of T cells in cancer immunotherapy is well established and is highlighted by the remarkable capacity of Ab-mediated checkpoint blockade to overcome T-cell exhaustion and amplify anti-tumor responses. However, total or partial tumor remission following checkpoint blockade is still limited to only a few types of tumors. Hence, concerted attempts are being made to devise new methods for improving tumor immunity. Currently, much attention is being focused on therapy with IL-2. This cytokine is a powerful growth factor for T cells and optimises their effector functions. When used at therapeutic doses for cancer treatment, however, IL-2 is highly toxic. Nevertheless, recent work has shown that modifying the structure or presentation of IL-2 can reduce toxicity and lead to effective anti-tumor responses in synergy with checkpoint blockade. Here, we review the complex interaction of IL-2 with T cells: first during normal homeostasis, then during responses to pathogens, and finally in anti-tumor responses.
Selective isolation of cultivable actinomycetes from thai coastal marine sediment

This study was designed to improve isolation method for actinomycetes from coastal marine sediments. Five pretreatments, three enrichment media, and fifteen selective media were tested for isolation of actinomycetes from a coastal marine sediment sample from Thailand. The pretreatment methods were (1) Tenfold serial dilution, (2) Tenfold serial dilution with 10 minutes shaking at 125 rpm, (3) 1.5% phenol treatment, (4) Shaking sediment suspension for 10 minutes at 125 rpm, and (5) Shaking sediment suspension for 60 minutes at 125 rpm. Three enrichment media were used: (1) Marine Broth (MB), (2) Soil Extract Solution (SES), and (3) Marine Soil Extract Broth (MSB). All culture plates were incubated at 25°C for up to 30 days on 15 selective isolation media. Actinomycetes were isolated only by shaking sediment suspension for 60 minutes at 125 rpm (pretreatment 5). Marine broth was found to promote the isolation of actinomycetes with the highest ratio of total bacteria:actinomycetes (2:1). A total of 209 actinomycetes were isolated. In general, diluted media or low nutrient media were more effective for the isolation of actinomycetes. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these isolates belonged to eight known actinomycete genera: Curtobacterium, Dermacoccus, Micromonospora, Microbispora, Pseudonocardia, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces and Tsukamurella.
Exploring Student Algebraic Thinking to Solve TIMSS Problems in Terms of Accommodator Learning Styles

This study aims to explore students' algebraic thinking skills in solving Trends International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) problems in terms of accommodator learning styles. The research design used is a case study with a qualitative analysis approach. The results showed that accommodating subjects were able to meet the indicators of algebraic thinking, namely generalization, abstraction, analytical thinking, dynamic thinking, and modeling. However, the lack of accuracy in performing calculation operations causes the answers obtained by the subject to be less precise on abstraction, analytical thinking, and dynamic thinking problems. The characteristics of subjects with accommodator learning styles who are more likely to use intuition in solving problems influence students' ability to solve problems related to algebraic thinking.
5-Year-Old Children Performing Piaget’s Liquid Conservation Tasks Demonstrated in Physical and Digital Environment

This study investigates the understanding of Piaget's concept of liquid conservation in 5-year-old children, comparing physical and digital environments of executing conservation tasks. Involving 86 participants (equal gender representation), it employs an Android tablet to demonstrate the pouring of water between glasses with animated images in a digital environment condition and real glasses (one short-wide and one long-narrow) filled with water for the physical environment condition. Each child completed four distinct conservation tasks, each one 3 times, designed to parallel each other in both environments. Two of the tasks concerned the general concept of conservation, and the other two were either about identity or compensation or reversibility concepts. The study aims to determine whether digital environments can be as effective as physical ones in teaching fundamental conservation concepts, exploring the impact of emerging digital learning tools versus traditional methods. Another objective of this study is to find associations between the general concept of conservation and the three other concepts: identity, compensation, and reversibility. This research contributes to the understanding of cognitive development in children and the efficacy of digital versus physical learning aids by verifying that children perceive physical and virtual learning with the same effectiveness.
Morphosyntactic Abilities and Cognitive Performance in Multiple Sclerosis

While cognitive abilities in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have been studied in detail, little is known about linguistic abilities in PwMS and their relation to cognitive impairment. In this cross-sectional explorative study, we aim to investigate the morphosyntactic abilities of PwMS alongside their cognitive performance. Furthermore, we explore the effect of clinical factors, namely, the disease duration and MS type, on the linguistic and cognitive performance of PwMS. By so doing, we aim to shed light on neurocognitive and clinical correlates of linguistic performance in PwMS. We included 78 patients and 78 age-, sex- and education-matched healthy individuals. All participants were additionally administered the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) battery, a verbal short-term memory task (non-word repetition) and questionnaires about mood, fatigue and quality of life. In addition, they underwent examinations with morphology and syntax tasks. PwMS were found to be impaired in morphology (past tense) and selectively impaired in syntax alongside cognitive impairments. Disease duration had the main impact on cognitive abilities. The MS type selectively impacted linguistic abilities, as shown by the remarkably deficient performance of the MS individuals with the progressive disease subtype. Linguistic impairments were predicted by only one measure of the BICAM test, namely, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), a measure of cognitive processing speed. Overall, this study contributes to the better understanding of the linguistic profile of PwMS by reporting selective deficits in their morphological and syntactical abilities. Furthermore, it provides insights into the clinical and cognitive correlates of linguistic performance. By so doing, it suggests clinical implications for the development of intervention programs for PwMS.
Spray nozzle for topical anaesthesia during flexible bronchoscopy: a randomised controlled trial

Background The effectiveness of using a spray nozzle to deliver lidocaine for superior topical airway anaesthesia during non-sedation flexible bronchoscopy (FB) remains a topic of uncertainty when compared with conventional methods. Methods Patients referred for FB were randomly assigned to receive topical lidocaine anaesthesia via the bronchoscope's working channel (classical spray (CS) group) or through a washing pipe equipped with a spray nozzle (SN group). The primary outcome was cough rate, defined as the total number of coughs per minute. Secondary outcomes included subjective perceptions of both the patient and operator regarding the FB process. These perceptions were rated on a visual analogue scale, with numerical ratings ranging from 0 to 10. Results Our study enrolled a total of 126 (61 CS group; 65 SN group) patients. The SN group exhibited a significantly lower median cough rate compared with the CS group (4.5 versus 7.1 counts·min−1; p=0.021). Patients in the SN group also reported less oropharyngeal discomfort (4.5±2.7 versus 5.6±2.9; p=0.039), better tolerance of the procedure (6.8±2.2 versus 5.7±2.7; p=0.011) and a greater willingness to undergo a repeat FB procedure (7.2±2.7 versus 5.8±3.4; p=0.015) compared with those in the CS group. From the operator's perspective, patient discomfort (2.7±1.7 versus 3.4±2.3; p=0.040) and cough scores (2.3±1.5 versus 3.2±2.4; p=0.013) were lower in the SN group compared with the CS group, with less disruption due to coughing observed among those in the SN group (1.6±1.4 versus 2.3±2.3; p=0.029). Conclusions This study illustrates that employing a spray nozzle for the delivery of lidocaine provides superior topical airway anaesthesia during non-sedation FB compared with the traditional method.
Hepatitis C prevalence and cascade of care among patients in the decentralised opioid agonist therapy programme of the canton of St Gallen, Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: To eliminate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, 90% of those infected must be diagnosed and 80% treated. In Switzerland, >40% of the estimated 32,000 infected people are still undiagnosed. In the canton of St Gallen, HCV prevalence and cascade of care have only been studied in the centralised opioid agonist therapy (OAT) setting (institutions), although about 80% of OAT patients are treated decentrally (general practitioner [GP] or pharmacy). AIM: To describe HCV prevalence and cascade of care among patients in the decentralised OAT programme of the canton of St Gallen, Switzerland, and compare it to contemporaneous data from the centralised setting. METHODS: For each patient receiving his/her OAT from a GP or pharmacy on 1 April 2021, the cantonal medical office sent a questionnaire to the prescribing GP. Patient characteristics, HCV antibody (Ab)/RNA screening uptake, HCV Ab/RNA prevalence and HCV treatment uptake were obtained and compared to those of patients of the Medizinisch-soziale Hilfsstelle 1 in St Gallen (centralised setting). RESULTS: Of the 563 OAT patients under the care of 127 GPs, 107 patients from 41 GPs could be analysed (median age: 48 years [IQR: 40–56]; ongoing intravenous drug use: 25%; OAT provider: 66% GP, 34% pharmacy). HCV Ab screening uptake was 68% (73/107) with an HCV Ab prevalence of 68% (50/73) among those tested. Of the HCV Ab-positive patients, 84% (42/50) were HCV RNA-tested, among whom 57% (24/42) were viraemic. HCV treatment uptake was 83% (20/24), with 95% (19/20) achieving a sustained virological response. Non-uptake of HCV screening and treatment tended to be higher among patients receiving OAT at the pharmacy vs at the GP’s office: 37% vs 26% (p = 0.245) for screening and 30% vs 7% (p = 0.139) for treatment. The proportion never HCV Ab-tested and the proportion of HCV Ab-positives never HCV RNA-tested was significantly higher in the decentralised compared to the centralised setting: 32% vs 3% (p <0.001) never Ab-tested and 16% vs 0% (p = 0.002) never RNA-tested. In contrast, HCV treatment uptake (83% vs 78%), sustained virological response rate (95% vs 100%) and residual HCV RNA prevalence among the HCV Ab-positive (12% vs 14%) were comparable for both settings. CONCLUSION: In the decentralised OAT setting of the canton of St Gallen, HCV Ab prevalence is high. Since HCV Ab and RNA screening uptake are markedly lower than in the centralised setting, potentially >40% of patients with chronic HCV are not diagnosed yet. HCV screening in the decentralised setting needs improvement, e.g. by increasing awareness and simplifying testing. High HCV treatment uptake and cure rates are possible in centralised and decentralised settings.
Karst Relief Development History of Zemo Imereti Plateau, Georgia, Caucasus

The history of karst terrestrial development has been restored on the background of many years’ field, experimental and laboratory researches (underground water tracing, structural deciphering of aerophotocytes, analysis of boreholes and geological wounds) and analysis of the current literary sources carried out by us in the Zemo Imereti Plateau. Within the study area, karst and karst forms of the Jurassic-Cretaceous, Lower Tertiary (Paleocene-Eocene) and Post-Miocene (Sarmati) period were revealed. Lithobiostratigraphic analysis of cave subterranean sediments enabled us to identify the cave age. In Zemo Imereti Plateau, in the caves located on higher hypsometric levels, the sedimentation of subterranean sediments began in the Middle-Upper Pleistocene and it seemed that the caves’ formation was mainly completed in the mentioned territory.
Migrant workers, self‐reliance, and the propensity to hold income protection insurance by country of residence

Utilising a large comparative survey across 11 countries, it is shown that country effects condition the individual uptake of income protection insurance and that shared attributes, including labour market status, are important factors in determining the take-up of income protection insurance, whatever the respondents' country of residence. We observed differences in the respondents' coping strategies, including self-reliance, and were able to distinguish between migrant workers and those who work in their country of origin, along with the “special” case of the Australian respondents. These findings have implications for the ongoing debate on the labour market effects of globalisation and the significance of national institutions and regulatory practices.
Machine Learning-Based Interpretable Modeling for Subjective Emotional Dynamics Sensing Using Facial EMG

Understanding the association between subjective emotional experiences and physiological signals is of practical and theoretical significance. Previous psychophysiological studies have shown a linear relationship between dynamic emotional valence experiences and facial electromyography (EMG) activities. However, whether and how subjective emotional valence dynamics relate to facial EMG changes nonlinearly remains unknown. To investigate this issue, we re-analyzed the data of two previous studies that measured dynamic valence ratings and facial EMG of the corrugator supercilii and zygomatic major muscles from 50 participants who viewed emotional film clips. We employed multilinear regression analyses and two nonlinear machine learning (ML) models: random forest and long short-term memory. In cross-validation, these ML models outperformed linear regression in terms of the mean squared error and correlation coefficient. Interpretation of the random forest model using the SHapley Additive exPlanation tool revealed nonlinear and interactive associations between several EMG features and subjective valence dynamics. These findings suggest that nonlinear ML models can better fit the relationship between subjective emotional valence dynamics and facial EMG than conventional linear models and highlight a nonlinear and complex relationship. The findings encourage emotion sensing using facial EMG and offer insight into the subjective–physiological association.
POST MORTEM MODIFICATIONS (PSEUDOPALEOPATHOLOGIES) IN MIDDLELATE PLEISTOCENE MAMMAL FOSSILS FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Here are described post mortem modifications (pseudopaleopathologies) in 762 specimens of extinct mammals from three middle to late Pleistocene assemblages (Campanha, Chui Creek and continental shelf) of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. These assemblages include mostly large-sized herbivores preserved in fluvial facies, although the assemblage from the shelf consist of remains that were reworked several times by sea-level oscillations. Although some patterns of modification are similar between the assemblages (e.g. post-fossilization plain fractures), others such as the grade of abrasion or weathering varies according to the depositional setting. The scarcity of modifications that could be attributed to predators or scavengers indicate that carnivory was not a major process driving the formation of the assemblages. Most of the fossils from the Campanha are complete, but a relatively high proportion of them exhibits advanced stage of weathering, whereas those from Chui Creek and the continental shelf are mostly unweathered. Most of the remains from the Campanha and Chui Creek are unabraded, whereas all fossils from the shelf were subject to abrasion. Few fossils exhibit signs of modification by organisms such as plants and insects. Fossils from the continental shelf have crusts of beach rock, and some specimens from the Campanha and Chui Creek have crusts of calcium carbonate or iron oxide. Besides the abrasion, the main difference between fossils from the continental and marine assemblages is the dark color and higher mechanical resistance of the latter. This difference is related to post depositional geochemical processes in the marine environment. The chemical composition of fossils from Chui Creek and continental shelf was qualitatively analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and compared with recent bones. The results show the presence in the fossils of several elements not found in recent bones, incorporated through diagenetic processes controlled by specific conditions of each depositional environment.
Sleep Patterns, Alertness, Dietary Intake, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue, and Mental Stress Recorded before, during and after Ramadan Observance

Ramadan is one of the pillars of the Islamic creed. Its observance commonly causes chrono-biological changes. The present study examined sleep and alertness during Ramadan observance relative to data collected before and after Ramadan in a sample of young, physically active men. Information was also collected on dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress over the three periods. Fourteen physically active men (age: 21.6 ± 3.3 years, height: 1.77 ± 0.06 m, body-mass: 73.1 ± 9.0 kg) completed the Hooper questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and responded to the digit cancellation test (DCT) fifteen days before Ramadan, during the last ten days of Ramadan and 20 days after Ramadan. The PSQI results indicated that sleep duration was significantly longer before Ramadan (p = 0.003) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04) compared to during Ramadan and was longer before Ramadan than after Ramadan (p = 0.04). In addition, the sleep efficiency was lower during Ramadan in comparison to before Ramadan (p = 0.02) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04). The daytime dysfunction score increased during Ramadan in comparison with before Ramadan (p = 0.01) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04), and the sleep quality score was higher during (p = 0.003) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04) as compared to before Ramadan. The sleep disturbance score increased during Ramadan relative to before Ramadan (p = 0.04). However, Ramadan observance had no significant effect on sleep latency. Mental alertness also decreased at the end of Ramadan compared to before (p = 0.003) or after Ramadan (p = 0.01). Dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress as estimated by the Hooper questionnaire remained unchanged over the three periods of the investigation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, Ramadan observance had an adverse effect on sleep quantity and on mental alertness, but not on sleep quality. However, dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress remained unaffected.
Influence of Polymer Fibers on the Structure and Properties of Modified Variatropic Vibrocentrifuged Concrete

The application of polymer materials in concrete structures is widespread and effectively used. However, there is a lack of a systematic knowledge base about the structure formation and properties of variatropic vibrocentrifuged modified fiber-reinforced concrete. The purpose of this work is the investigation of the influence of polypropylene (PF) and basalt fiber (BF) and modification with microsilica (MS) on the properties of variatropic concretes obtained using the synthesized vibration centrifugation technology. Test samples were made using vibration centrifugation technology, followed by sawing. Various types of fiber reinforcement were studied, both individually and in combination. To determine the degree of effectiveness of each recipe solution, the following main characteristics were monitored: the density and workability of concrete mixtures; the density of hardened composites; compressive strength (CS); bending strength (BS); water absorption (WA). In variatropic vibrocentrifuged concrete, the greatest efficiency is achieved with dispersed BF reinforcement in an amount of 1.5%. Compared to the control composition, the increase in CS was 8.50%, the increase in BS was 79.17%, and WA decreased by 27.54%. With PF reinforcement, the greatest effect was recorded at a dosage of 1.0%. The increase in CS was 3.16%, the increase in BS was 10.42%, and WA decreased by 17.39%. The MS modification showed the best effect with 8% replacement of part of the Portland cement. The increase in CS was 17.43%, the increase in BS was 14.58%, and WA decreased by 33.30%. The most effective and economically rational formulation solution for vibrocentrifuged concrete is combined fiber reinforcement in combination with the MS modification in the following quantities: BF—1.0%; PF—0.5%; MS—8%. The increase in CS was 22.82%, the increase in BS was 85.42%, and WA decreased by 37.68%.
High Initial Dose of Monitored Vitamin D Supplementation in Preterm Infants (HIDVID Trial): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study

Vitamin D deficiency can escalate prematurity bone disease in preterm infants and negatively influence their immature immunology system. Infants born at 24 + 0/7 weeks to 32 + 6/7 weeks of gestation will be considered for inclusion. Cord or vein blood samples will be obtained within 48 h after birth for 25-hydroxyvitamin D level measurements. Parathyroid hormone and interleukin-6 levels will be measured. Infants will be randomized to the monitored group (i.e., an initial dose of 1000 IU/day and possible modification) or the controlled group (i.e., 250 IU/day or 500 IU/day dose, depending on weight). Supplementation will be monitored up to a postconceptional age of 35 weeks. The primary endpoint is the percentage of infants with deficient or suboptimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at 28 ± 2 days of age. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels will be measured at postconceptional age 35 ± 2 weeks. Secondary goals encompass assessing the occurrence of sepsis, osteopenia, hyperparathyroidism, and interleukin-6 concentration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of monitored vitamin D supplementation in a group of preterm infants and ascertain if a high initial dosage of monitored vitamin D supplementation can decrease the occurrence of neonatal sepsis and metabolic bone disease.
Peer Effects on Violence: Experimental Evidence from El Salvador

This paper provides experimental evidence of the role of having different levels of violent peers in the context of an after-school program. By randomly assigning students to participate in the intervention with a set of similar or diverse peers in terms of violence, I measure effects of tracking on students’ behavioral, neurophysiological, and academic outcomes. Participants were between 10-16 years old and enrolled in public schools in El Salvador. Results indicate that integrating students with different propensities for violence is better than segregating them, for both highly and less violent children. Particularly, the intervention can have unintended effects on misbehavior and stress if highly violent students are segregated and treated separately from their less violent peers.