Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of ddPCR for Detection of Point Mutations in Poor-Quality Saliva Samples

Background: The noninvasive collection of saliva samples for DNA analyses is simple, and its potential for research and diagnostic purposes is great. However, DNA isolates from such samples are often of inferior quality to those from blood. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the robustness and sensitivity of the ddPCR instrument for genetic analyses from saliva samples of poor quality by comparing their results to those obtained using an established method from blood samples. Methods: Blood and saliva were collected from 47 university students, which was followed by manual isolation of DNA and analysis on droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Results of analyses were supplemented with values of fractional abundances. Results: ddPCR proved to be highly suitable for analysis of even low-quality saliva samples (concentrations as low as 0.79 ng/µL), especially when augmented by fractional abundance data. This combination yielded 100% agreement with results obtained from blood samples. Conclusion: This study verified the applicability of ddPCR as a sensitive and robust method of genetic diagnostic testing even from low-quality saliva isolates. This makes it potentially suitable for a wide range of applications and facilitates the performance of large epidemiological studies, even if sampling or sample processing is suboptimal.
Life design group-based intervention fostering vocational identity, career adaptability, and career decision-making self-efficacy

This study examines the process and outcome of a life design group intervention with grade 9 students. In a sample of 139 participants (91 girls and 48 boys), a quasi-experimental design was applied to analyse the intervention’s effectiveness at fostering vocational identity, career adaptability and career decision-making self-efficacy. Seventy and 69 participants were included in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Outcome measures were applied at the onset of the intervention, at the end of counselling and three months after the last session. A focus group involving 17 participants was conducted to determine participants’ perceptions of the intervention process and outcome. The findings support the empirical evidence on the effectiveness of life design group-based interventions to foster vocational identity, career adaptability and career decision-making self-efficacy. The focus group participants evaluated the intervention as useful by fostering reflexivity and a sense of direction. Overall, the findings suggest the relevance of life design practices in educational settings to foster reflexivity and, therefore, to facilitate students’ career construction. The research implications of the findings are also discussed. Keywords: Life design, vocational identity, career adaptability, reflexivity, adolescents
Multiple motion analysis for intelligent video surveillance

With the proliferation of camera sensors deployed world widely, video surveillance systems are gradually finding their way into our daily lives. A direct consequence of these technological advancements is the increased demand for intelligent video analysis and understanding techniques. This dissertation concentrates on the developments of efficient and effective multiple motion analysis techniques that allow automated tracking of multiple targets, which is arguably the most challenging problem and essential component of any intelligent video surveillance systems. Besides sharing the common challenges faced by visual tracking of single target, including large appearance variations, complex object motions, successful tracking of multiple targets' motions is also confronted by the tremendous difficulties from the theoretical and practical aspects of the problems, such as target occlusions, unknown number of targets, ambiguities of multiple target-tracker associations, high computational demanding, and difficulty of training a target detector. This dissertation presents several effective and computationally efficient techniques to addressing these challenges: a dynamic Bayesian network formulation for the multiple target tracking with explicit occlusion reasoning; a decentralized framework to multiple target tracking based on Markov network that handles the variable number of targets and copes with the tracker coalescence problem with close to linear complexity; a novel two-layer statistical field model to characterize the large shape variability and partial occlusions for nonrigid target detections, especially pedestrian detections; a component-based appearance tracker based on support vector machines to accommodate the large object appearance variations with the extra appealing capacity of automatically selecting trustworthy components while down-weighting the unreliable occluded components; a novel differential tracking approach based on a spatial-appearance model (SAM) formulation to combine the local appearances variations and global spatial structures enabling the continuous tracking of non-rigid objects that exhibit dramatic appearance deformations, large object scale changes and partial occlusions. Extensive experiments and very encouraging results on both the synthetic and real-world data verified the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed methods.
What predicts the technical efficiency in healthcare systems of OECD countries? A two-stage DEA approach

ABSTRACT Background: Waste in healthcare systems can only be revealed by performance measurements. Aims: This study revealed the technical efficiency of healthcare systems and their determinants in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Methods: We developed a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and a panel Tobit regression model. Gross domestic product per capita, the economic growth rate, Gini Coefficient, the unemployment rate, 2008 global financial crisis, alcohol consumption, obesity and smoking rates, the ratio of dependent populations, and the ratio of university graduates were regressors in the panel Tobit. We employed a Simar and Wilson (2007) regression to check the robustness of Tobit results. Results: Gross domestic product per capita and the ratio of university graduates significantly and negatively affected inefficiency scores (p < 0.05). The unemployment rate, Gini Coefficient, 2008 global financial crisis, alcohol consumption, obesity and smoking rates, and the ratio of dependent populations significantly and positively affected inefficiency scores (p < 0.05). The economic growth rate also positively affected inefficiency scores but it was not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Simar and Wilson (2007) results were found to be consistent with Tobit results. Conclusions: Decision-makers should try to reveal the factors affecting the performance of healthcare systems.
The Urgency of the Geographic Laboratory at the Senior High School

Geography learning can be done in the classroom, outside the classroom, or in the laboratory, but in senior high school, there are not many geography laboratories. The purpose of this study was to analyze the urgency of the geography laboratory according to geography teachers at the senior high school. This research uses the descriptive qualitative method. This study describes and analyzes the geography teacher's perception of the urgency of the geography laboratory. The data analysis technique in this study was carried out in three stages, including data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions from the data obtained from the interview, observation, and documentation process. This research was conducted in the city of Surakarta because it is one of the cities that does not yet have a senior high school geography laboratory. The respondents of this study were geography teachers from senior high schools in Surakarta, which included SMAN 1 Surakarta, SMAN 3 Surakarta, SMAN 7 Surakarta, SMA Batik 1 Surkarta, and SMA MTA Surakarta. The school became the location of this research because it is the school with the highest number of students (rombel) at the senior high school level in the city of Surakarta. The results of the study indicate that all respondents stated that the school where they teach does not yet have a geography laboratory, but the existence of a geography laboratory is important as a learning tool for students to practice, experiment, and interact directly with the object being studied. In addition, the geography of a senior high school is important if it is in urban areas, because many objects and geographical phenomena are not found in urban areas. All the teachers stated that the geography laboratory was important to support the geography learning process. Furthermore, based on the results of the research, it is known that the role of the laboratory is to support learning geography and increase students' skills in the field of geography.
Quality and In Vivo Assessment of a Fulvic Acid Complex: A Validation Study

The present work aimed to re-assess the bioavailability enhancement potential of fulvic acid (FA). Carbamazepine (CBZ) and peat were used as a model drug and FA source, respectively. Our group has already evaluated the bioavailability enhancement potential of a less commercially viable source of FA, i.e., shilajit. In the present work, the phase solubility of CBZ was analyzed with varying concentrations of peat-sourced FA (2–12% w/v). The prepared complex (CBZ-FA) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dissolution, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies were also carried out. The results showed the presence of an interaction between the drug and FA within the complex, which led to 98.99 ± 2.0% enhancement in drug solubility. The results also showed 79.23 ± 2.1% dissolution of the complexed drug over 60 min and 69.32 ± 2.2% permeation from the intestinal gut sac over 90 min, which led to a significant enhancement of bioavailability and a reduction in the duration of epileptic seizures. Thus, this study re-authenticates our earlier results and suggests switching the FA source (shilajit to peat) for commercial product development.
“Sometimes It Felt Great, and Sometimes It Just Went Pear-Shaped”: Experiences and Perceptions of School Nurses’ Motivational Interviewing Competence: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study

In this convergent mixed-methods study, the aim was to explore how objective and subjective quality ratings of school nurses’ motivational interviewing (MI) correlate whilst also considering the perceptions of delivering and participating in the same MI sessions. Quantitative and qualitative data were derived from seven intervention schools participating in the Healthy School Start Plus parenting support intervention. School nurses were trained in MI and conducted an MI session with parents of 6–7-year-old children to discuss children’s physical health and development. Quantitative data comprised objective ratings of school nurses’ MI competence using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity 4.2 [MITI-4] protocol, as well as parents’ and school nurses’ subjective ratings of the MI sessions. Qualitative data comprised semi-structured interviews with parents and school nurses about their perceptions of the MI sessions. First, quantitative data were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation, and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Next, quantitative and qualitative findings were merged. Our findings suggest that school nurses’ MI performances were rated and perceived as valuable and family-centred by both school nurses and parents who had left the meeting feeling motivated and empowered to promote their children’s healthy behaviours. Nonetheless, school nurses were critical to their own MI technical performance, and they found that reflections were easier to deliver and to self-rate. Overall, MITI ratings were the lowest and parents’ ratings were the highest. Future studies should focus on relating clients’ subjective ratings of MI with clients’ behavioural outcomes.
Germacrone induces caspase-3/GSDME activation and enhances ROS production, causing HepG2 pyroptosis

Liver cancer is a highly lethal malignancy. Despite considerable efforts made in recent years, the prognosis of patients with liver cancer remains poor. Curcuma zedoaria (known as Ezhu in Chinese) is widely prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine. Germacrone (GM) is a sesquiterpene constituent derived from the essential oil of Ezhu, and exerts anti-carcinogenic effects by inducing apoptosis in various cancer cells. The present study investigated the potential mechanism of GM in HepG2 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, colony-formation and lactate dehydrogenase-release assays, as well as cell death assays using flow cytometry, were performed to evaluate HepG2 cell proliferation following GM treatment. HepG2 cells were transfected with caspase-3 small interfering RNA and then treated with GM. Caspase-3 expression levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The present study showed that GM inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells and induced the proteolytic cleavage of caspase 3, with concomitant cleavage of gasdermin E (GSDME), by markedly increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This led to caspase 3-dependent cleavage of GSDME, thereby promoting pyroptosis in HepG2 cells. However, these changes were rescued by ROS scavengers, such as N-acetylcysteine. Furthermore, GM inhibited tumor growth by promoting the cleavage of caspase 3 and GSDME in HepG2 cell xenograft models. These results indicated that GM induced GSDME-dependent pyroptosis through caspase 3 activation, at least in part, by damaging the mitochondria and enhancing ROS production, thereby supporting the possible development of GM as a candidate for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.
Children and Adolescents Dietary Habits and Lifestyle Changes during COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy

Background: We evaluated the changes in lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in a sample of children and adolescents in order to assess any increase in risk factors for the onset of cardiovascular diseases in later ages. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 965 parents who completed an online survey about dietary habits and lifestyle during the first lockdown in Italy (from 9 March 2020 to 18 May 2020) and compared their findings with the period before the pandemic. The inclusion criteria were parents (or caregivers) with Italian residency and with children aged between 5 and 18 years. Results: We identified 563 adolescents and 402 children. The mean age was 12.28 years (SD 3.754). The pandemic was associated with an increase in the consumption of high-calorie snack foods. The total amount of food in homes during lockdown compared with before the pandemic increased 50%. Relating to the parent-perceived child weight status, more parents reported obesity in their children after lockdown (+0.6% in the 5–11 age group and +0.2% in the 12–18 age group). We reported a reduction of physical activity, an increase of sedentary lifestyle and sleep habits changes. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with changes in the lifestyles of children and adolescents; this could cause an increase in the incidence of obesity and of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adulthood.
Religious struggles and mental health in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mediation effects of resilience as an “ability to bounce back”

ABSTRACT The pandemic may manifest itself in the spiritual-existential sphere by activating various forms of religious-spiritual struggles. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between religious struggles and mental health in the Polish population during COVID-19. We assumed that the ability to bounce back could minimise the negative impact of religious struggles on mental health therefore we tested the mediating role of resilience as an ‘ability to bounce back’ in the relationship between these religious struggles and mental health. We also tested the mediating role of resilience as an ‘ability to bounce back’ in the relationship between religious struggles and mental health. The study involved 688 individuals (74% female) aged 20–68 years. The procedure involved filling out questionnaires to measure resilience, negative religious coping, religious struggles, mental health (depression and mental well-being). The results demonstrated significant relationships between resilience and both mental health indicators. As expected, resilience was a significant mediator of the decreasing effect of religious struggle and negative religious coping on depression and well-being. Resilience as a capacity is valuable for psychosocial functioning of individuals. Strong psychological resources can help protect mental health from religious struggles and negative religious coping.
Influences of Gender and Socioeconomic Status on Children’s Use of Robotics in Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Research Findings: This review focuses on the use of robotics in early childhood education (ECE), addressing gender and socioeconomic status (SES) differences in young children’s robotics learning. This review systematically evaluates, synthesizes, and displays the research designs, robotic toys, data collection instruments, research methods, and research findings of 15 studies related to this critical issue published from 1984 to 2021. The findings of the review indicate that children’s robotics-based learning is impacted by gender and their socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Boys had a considerably higher level of enjoyment in interacting with robotics than girls. Furthermore, low-income families and low parental education resulted in poor robotics-based learning experiences and outcomes for children. Practice or Policy: It is significant to devote attention to developing effective and inclusive robotics education programs for girls and children from less advantaged backgrounds. More robotics education interventions should be conducted in broader contexts to benefit a wider range of children, especially those from a lower-SES background.
TAFRO Syndrome: A Disease Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

TAFRO syndrome was first described in 2010, standing for thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis and organomegaly. Because the lymph node histopathology of TAFRO syndrome mimics idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD), some researchers consider TAFRO syndrome to be a subtype of iMCD. However, the clinical features of TAFRO syndrome considerably differ from those of iMCD without TAFRO. The clinical features of patients with TAFRO syndrome with or without iMCD-histopathology are similar, and these patients require an accurate diagnosis and urgent treatment. Although a histological diagnosis, including a differential diagnosis, is important, lymph node involvement in patients with TAFRO syndrome is usually modest or sometimes absent. Furthermore, a bleeding tendency due to thrombocytopenia and severe anasarca hampers performing a biopsy. Nonetheless, patients with various other disorders may manifest TAFRO syndrome-like symptoms, making the differential diagnosis in borderline cases difficult. Therefore, the establishment of precise and specific biomarkers is important.
Silicon Carbide Supported Liquid Phase (SLP) Hydroformylation Catalysis – Effective Reaction Kinetics from Continuous Gas‐phase Operation

The hydroformylation reaction is one of the most important applications of homogeneous catalysis on an industrial scale with worldwide production capacities exceeding 15 Mio tons per year. Efficient catalyst immobilization becomes mandatory for such large‐scale processes. In this work, a supported liquid phase (SLP)‐type catalyst on a silicon carbide support material was applied in the continuous Rh‐bpp (bpp=biphephos) catalyzed gas‐phase hydroformylation of but‐1‐ene. A parameter variation was carried out in the pressure range from 0.5 to 3.0 bara for but‐1‐ene, 0.5 to 5 bara for H2, 0.5 to 5 bara for CO, and in the temperature range from 90 to 125 °C. Activation energies were determined for the individual reactions showing a shift in activation energy most significantly for the hydroformylation to n‐pentanal for temperatures of 110 °C and above. For all substrates the effective reaction orders were calculated and employed in a power‐law rate model giving good agreement of measured and modeled data within a ±20 % error margin. Similar results were obtained using a microkinetic model.
Examining the interstate variations and interlinkage between water poverty and multidimensional poverty in India: evidence from household-level data

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to examine the inter-relationship between the multi-dimensional poverty and water poverty using household level data for Indian states.Design/methodology/approachA modified water poverty index (MWPI) for both rural and urban households was created using the five components approach and various quantifiable proxies. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used for the construction of MWPI. Multidimensionality of poverty (MPI) is measured using the Alkire and Foster methodology. Further, the study has utilized correlation and Tobit regression analysis to show the relationship between MWPI and MPI.FindingsThe empirical findings suggest that there is a positive and significant relationship between multidimensional poverty and water poverty, with the extent of relationship being greater in rural areas. The results show that in rural areas all the components of water poverty has significant impact on multidimensional poverty, whereas in urban areas except use component all others have significant impact on multidimensional poverty. Further, components of multidimensional poverty were also found to be significantly impacting water poverty.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that policymakers cannot treat both forms of poverty in isolation. If India aims to reduce poverty, then it needs to pay significant attention to improving water conditions.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering attempt to construct water poverty index at the household level while accounting for micro-level differences for Indian economy. It highlights that water poverty leads to multi-dimensional poverty and vice-versa.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2021-0731.