Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of potential driver genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma

The 5-year survival rate of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has remained at ~50% for over 50 years. HNSCC is categorised by multiple anatomical sites, but oral (oral SCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) account for approximately 90% of all cases. At the time of writing, only one targeted agent, cetuximab (a monoclonal antibody targeting the epithelial growth factor receptor), has been approved for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. However, despite the high expression of EGFR in oral SCC tumour samples, the clinical benefit of cetuximab has been modest thus far. Using a phenotypic screening approach, I sought to identify putative therapeutic targets. A whole genome siRNA screen carried out using an aggressive patient-derived cell line (‘Liv7k’) in normoxic and hypoxic conditions provided the foundation for this project. In addition, a drug-repurposing screen tested the efficacy of 1,351 compounds, approved for cancer and non-cancer indications. A number of approaches were used to identify potential targets, including a whole genome siRNA screen in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, a drug-repurposing screen, and a data multiplexing approach combining the two screens with pathway analysis and datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the International Cancer Genome Consortium. Genomic characterisation of oral cancer cell lines confirmed the importance of a previously identified frequently amplified region of chromosome three, which contains a number of driver genes in HNSCC. In addition, a differential susceptibility of oral SCC cells in hypoxia formed the basis of a line of inquiry centred on triglyceride and ether lipid metabolism. Finally, compound screening identified a dependence of oral SCCs on cysteinyl leukotriene signalling, which is involved in inflammatory conditions such as asthma.
Role of Bio-fertilizers in vegetables production: A review

Bio-fertilizers are considered as an alternative to chemical fertilizers in modern vegetable production. Green revolution was needed at that time because we had to increase the yield of vegetable in any way. This is the reason why we used chemical fertilizers indiscriminately. There is no doubt that the Green Revolution has brought the country out of hunger-like problems. Obviously the chemical fertilizers are expensive, not environment friendly and they are also responsible for water, air and soil pollution. Moreover, they may destroy the fertility of the soil in a long run. In view of these reasons, the scientist has found the option of chemical fertilizers through bio-fertilizers. Bio-fertilizers contain microorganisms which promote the adequate supply of nutrients to the host plants and ensure their proper development of growth and regulation in their physiology.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE BENEFITS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION FROM COMESA FOR ZAMBIA

Purpose: The world at large in the last three to four decades has shown greater impetus for regionalism, from Europe’s EU, South America’s MERCOSUR, Southeast Asia’s ASEAN, North America’s NAFTA and Africa’s numerous RECs among which eight are recognized as building blocks for the now AfCFTA among others. While for other parts of the world, the driving force to regionalism may be different, for Africa, Pan Africanism and African Renaissance have been the push forces behind regionalism. This study therefore took interest to look at the benefits of belonging to a REC, with the ultimate objective of empirically investigating the benefits of COMESA’s integration for Zambia’s growth for the period 1975-2017.Methodology: Using a variable that represented the presence of integration and time series data, the ordinary least squares (OLS) technique was estimated to establish significance and relevance of integration on growth. Findings: The findings among others revealed that the variable representing integration had no significant effect on long-run GDP growth, FDI and trade. However, it did have a significant effect on investment. On the other hand, the findings of the analysis of COMESA programmes being implemented in Zambia revealed that Zambia largely benefits from COMESA, citing among others the infrastructure development of four of the five border posts shared by Zambia and its neighbours.Contributions to theory, policy and practice: The study recommends that Zambia and indeed all COMESA Member States refrain from the use of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs). Additionally, Safeguard Measures must be sought for countries seeking to protect their infant domestic industries and adherence to the NTBs and TBTs resolution framework under COMESA. These if unchecked have a potential of undermining the benefits Member States can obtain from COMESA integration.
Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): bovine genital campylobacteriosis

Abstract Bovine genital campylobacteriosis has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on the eligibility of bovine genital campylobacteriosis to be listed, Article 9 for the categorisation of bovine genital campylobacteriosis according to disease prevention and control rules as in Annex IV and Article 8 on the list of animal species related to bovine genital campylobacteriosis. The assessment has been performed following a methodology composed of information collection and compilation, expert judgement on each criterion at individual and, if no consensus was reached before, also at collective level. The output is composed of the categorical answer, and for the questions where no consensus was reached, the different supporting views are reported. Details on the methodology used for this assessment are explained in a separate opinion. According to the assessment performed, bovine genital campylobacteriosis can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention as laid down in Article 5(3) of the AHL. The disease would comply with the criteria as in sections 4 and 5 of Annex IV of the AHL, for the application of the disease prevention and control rules referred to in points (d) and (e) of Article 9(1). The assessment here performed on compliance with the criteria as in section 3 of Annex IV referred to in point (c) of Article 9(1) is inconclusive. The animal species to be listed for bovine genital campylobacteriosis according to Article 8(3) criteria is mainly cattle as susceptible and reservoir.
Improving therapeutic approaches for the treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer using an ex-vivo explant culture system

Improving therapeutic approaches for the treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer using an ex-vivo explant culture system Ellie Karekla Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide in both males and females. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for ~80-85% of lung cancers. NSCLC is a very heterogeneous disease, both genetically and histologically, and there is an increasing list of mutations and copy number alterations in cancer associated genes. Several drugs that could potentially improve lung cancer outcomes are in development and some have entered clinical trials. However, the current established preclinical models, particularly animal xenografts, are not always predictive of patient outcome and there has been a large attrition of clinical candidate drugs at the Phase III stage. The aim of this project was to establish a primary NSCLC explant culture system with the view to developing a better platform to test the efficacy of existing drugs as well as novel drug combinations. The tissue architecture and tumour heterogeneity of individual NSCLC patients can be examined in an ex-vivo NSCLC explant culture system which maintains viability and proliferation in a short period of 24 hours + recovery (16-20 hours). Even though there is a moderate effect of cultivation, the ex-vivo NSCLC explant culture system can be used for assessing in situ drug responses over short periods. Responses of explants were assessed after treatment with cisplatin, MEK and PI3K inhibitors singly and in combination and TRAIL and ABT-737 singly and in combination in the presence or absence of cisplatin. This model points towards being more predictive of patient outcome in clinical studies than in vitro studies or animal models. The data show that the explant system has the potential to improve on current preclinical models for lung cancer or other solid cancers and help the drug development process achieve greater successes in the clinic. The model could provide a platform for personalising treatment to each patient and for identifying effective biomarkers for drug responses.
A Comparison of Concrete-Representational-Abstract and Concrete-Representational-Abstract-Integrated Fraction Interventions for Students with Disabilities

ABSTRACT This study compares the effects of a concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) intervention against a modified CRA-Integrated (CRA-I) intervention using a pretest-posttest design with random assignment of matched pairs to intervention conditions. The researchers designed both interventions to improve participants’ understanding of and ability to apply unit fraction and fraction equivalence concepts. Participants were 28 fifth and sixth graders with disabilities. Results indicate that CRA and CRA-I both led to similarly large pre-to-post performance gains (ES = .95 on posttest and .80 on a fraction number line estimation test).
Investigating the antecedents of perceived threats and user resistance to health information technology: a case study of a public hospital

ABSTRACT Health information technology (HIT) can improve the quality of healthcare, but improvements are likely to be hindered if physicians and nurses resist HIT. In response, this study investigates the antecedents of the perceived threats to HIT and user resistance by examining the organisational factors, the personal traits of users, HIT-related factors, and the factors related to the interaction between physicians, nurses, and the organisation. By building on an in-depth case study of a public hospital, the study develops a conceptual model. The main findings of the study suggest that perceived dissatisfaction and loss of professional autonomy are the main perceived threats of HIT for physicians and nurses. Furthermore, five factors that influence these perceptions are identified, and they include related knowledge, management support, user involvement, system performance, and social influences. The study will ensure a better understanding of the phenomenon, as it will contribute to identifying the core reasons for resistance.
Walleye inland lake habitat: considerations for successful natural recruitment and stocking in North Central North America

Abstract Raabe JK, VanDeHey JA, Zentner DL, Cross TK, Sass GG. 2019. Walleye inland lake habitat: considerations for successful natural recruitment and stocking in North Central North America. Lake Reserve Manage. 36:335–359. Walleye (Sander vitreus) occur naturally or through extensive introductions in many inland lakes (i.e., non-Laurentian Great Lakes) throughout North Central North America. Persistence of walleye in these systems is influenced by factors including habitat, species interactions, exploitation, and stocking. Managers have expressed concerns about recent declining walleye recruitment and abundance in many inland populations, despite various conservation efforts (e.g., stocking, regulations). Therefore, we synthesized the scientific literature to provide information on how habitat influences successful natural recruitment and stocking. Historical and more recent studies indicate walleye are most successful in coolwater, mesotrophic, intermediate-to-large (>100 ha) lakes and that they spawn close to shore, in shallow water, and predominately over gravel and cobble substrates. Recent studies suggest that age-0 recruitment bottlenecks are likely occurring between hatching and midsummer. Relatedly, survival of stocked walleye tends to be higher for large fingerlings over fry or small fingerlings. Modeling studies indicate walleye declines may be attributed to warmer water and increasing water clarity, especially in smaller lakes or those with higher Centrarchidae or northern pike (Esox lucius) abundance. Important future walleye research includes connecting spawning habitat quality and quantity with hatching and recruitment success and continued evaluation of influential factors in the first year and later life stages. Management should focus on identifying and protecting high quality lakes and important habitats (e.g., spawning), along with understanding habitat and biological factors to determine whether walleye populations can be improved (e.g., habitat projects, stocking, regulations) or in some cases not managed for altogether (e.g., too warm).
Quality Imperative Value Addition and the Performance of Medium Scale Manufacturing Enterprises in Kenya

Kenya’s manufacturing sector has stagnated at about USD 5 billion for over ten years in addition to lose of market share and competitiveness at the international level. This study therefore investigated quality imperatives and the performance of medium scale manufacturing enterprises in Kenya. Data was collected from 56 senior management staff from the sampled enterprises in Nairobi City County. Mean responses received in a Likert scale of 1 – 5 for each of the tested item was calculated by summing up all the codes and getting the average of the 56 respondents. These results revealed that there is a significant difference in the firms’ level of performance on various quality imperatives. To establish the level of performance of MSMEs in relation to the eighteen (18) tested items, a One-Way Analysis of Variance was conducted on the mean response on the items tested. The study established a mean response at 3.31 and a standard deviation at 0.80. The study concluded that Quality is critical in achieving sustainable competitive advantage. Hence the urgent need for MSMEs to further improve product quality and the production process for purposes of consumer and employee satisfaction and ultimately enhanced competitiveness at the local and international market. The study recommended that key processes within MSMEs should be reengineered to undertake the quality improvement journey, because their traditional management methods seem to be wholly inadequate to attain and sustain high quality in a globalized and competitive business environment.
Placebo response in clinical trials: Taming the human brain

The use of placebo in comparative clinical trials has exposed another lesser known side of the placebo, i.e., the placebo response. The placebo response is now being increasingly discussed, not only to adjust for the true clinical efficacy of a drug but also to understand the basis of psychological therapy, and benefits in therapeutic areas such as neurological disorders, especially pain. The mechanism of placebo action is multifaceted and works on the levels of brain and biochemical signaling, stimulated by priming and expectations. The imaging data show that certain areas of the brain are hyperactive while some are hypoactive during the placebo-mediated response, and trigger a biochemical pathway that relieves the symptoms. The data also suggest that the extent of benefit, i.e., the effect size of placebo response is directly proportional to positive expectations associated with the treatment, trust on the treating doctor, and certain beliefs associated with previous treatment. Although placebos incite a positive response, these might compromise or artifact the true efficacy of the drugs, thereby necessitating the need of addressing or minimizing the placebo response. Furthermore, it is important to identify the factors that modulate the placebo response, such as severity and natural burning out of the disease. Therefore, it is important to take a two-pronged approach- first, placebo as a treatment, for example, in neurological diseases, and second, adequately designed studies that minimize the placebo response. In this article, we discuss the placebo response, the mechanism behind it, its implications in clinical trials, and how to address the same.
Hubungan Pengetahuan Stress Dengan Mekanisme Koping Remaja

Latar Belakang: Mekanisme koping merupakan respon yang digunakan untuk mengatasi masalah atau beban yang dapat menimbulkan stress. Remaja yang memiliki mekanisme koping adaptif akan mampu mengatasi stresssor yang dialami. Sehingga perlu adanya pengetahuan mengenai mekanisme koping dalam menyelesaikan masalah. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi hubungan pengetahuan tentang stress dengan mekanisme koping yang digunakan remaja di SMPN 222 Jakarta. Metode: Penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif dengan pendekatan cross-sectional . Jumlah sampel 150 responden dengan teknik sampling Stratified Random Sampling . Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner tingkat pengetahuan tentang stress dan kuesioner The Proactive Coping Inventory . Hasil: Hasil penelitian menggunakan analisis uji chi-square dengan tingkat kepercayaan 95% ( p-value = 0,05) menunjukkan hubungan bermakna antara pengetahuan stress dengan mekanisme koping yang digunakan remaja di SMPN 222 Jakarta dengan p-value = 0,015. Remaja yang memiliki pengetahuan kurang mempunyai peluang 2,377 kali lebih besar untuk melakukan mekanisme koping mal-adaptif dibandingkan remaja yang memiliki pengetahuan baik (OR= 2,377). Simpulan: Peneliti merekomendasikan pemberian edukasi tentang manajemen stress dan penyelesaian masalah pada kurikulum mata pelajaran bimbingan konseling bekerja sama dengan guru bimbingan konseling. Kata Kunci: Mekanisme koping, pengetahuan, remaja, stress.
A Brief Review of Edible Coating Materials for the Microencapsulation of Probiotics

The consumption of probiotics has been associated with a wide range of health benefits for consumers. Products containing probiotics need to have effective delivery of the microorganisms for their consumption to translate into benefits to the consumer. In the last few years, the microencapsulation of probiotic microorganisms has gained interest as a method to improve the delivery of probiotics in the host as well as extending the shelf life of probiotic-containing products. The microencapsulation of probiotics presents several aspects to be considered, such as the type of probiotic microorganisms, the methods of encapsulation, and the coating materials. The aim of this review is to present an updated overview of the most recent and common coating materials used for the microencapsulation of probiotics, as well as the involved techniques and the results of research studies, providing a useful knowledge basis to identify challenges, opportunities, and future trends around coating materials involved in the probiotic microencapsulation.
POWERS OF COMPOSITION OPERATORS: ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOUR ON BERGMAN, DIRICHLET AND BLOCH SPACES

We study the asymptotic behaviour of the powers of a composition operator on various Banach spaces of holomorphic functions on the disc, namely, standard weighted Bergman spaces (finite and infinite order), Bloch space, little Bloch space, Bloch-type space and Dirichlet space. Moreover, we give a complete characterization of those composition operators that are similar to an isometry on these various Banach spaces. We conclude by studying the asymptotic behaviour of semigroups of composition operators on these various Banach spaces.
Teachers Perceptions of the Challenges Related to Provision of Services for Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) in Kuwaiti Government Primary Schools

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of providing support and services for pupils with dyslexia in Kuwait, from the perspective of teachers from government run primary schools. Consequently, it addresses the central research question: ‘What are the challenges facing teachers regarding the implementation of early intervention for pupils with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) (dyslexia) in primary schools in Kuwait? ’ Data were collected using a mixed-method approach. A total of 471 primary school Arabic language teachers therefore completed a 55-item questionnaire. In-depth interviews and focus groups were also conducted with 26 teachers and 9 supervisors. All the interview and focus group data were thematically analysed, while a software package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the questionnaire data. This took place in two phases: descriptive analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), which also included principal components analysis (PCA), a data reduction method. One of the significant findings to emerge was that the teachers studied only had limited awareness of dyslexia and required specific training and further education to be able to address this SpLD. Moreover, they were for the most part insufficiently aware of early interventions that could benefit their pupils. During the interviews and focus groups, the teachers acknowledged that they used inappropriate diagnostic approaches; that the curriculum was not designed to meet the needs of pupils with dyslexia, and that policy-makers inadequately funded early intervention programmes. The overall conclusion was that the teachers were disempowered, lacked training and did not have sufficient knowledge of dyslexia, or of how to provide suitable early interventions. The study findings also show that dyslexia is conceptualised differently by teachers in Kuwait, as compared to their counterparts in the West. It concludes by discussing the potential implications of the findings for practice, with recommendations made for future research.
The experiences of people with fatigue after stroke: A qualitative evaluation from the Nottingham Fatigue After Stroke (NotFAST) study

Background/Aims: Post-stroke fatigue is common and impacts on patient outcomes. Our aim was to investigate day-to-day experiences of fatigue six months after stroke. Methods: Participants were identified from a cohort study of fatigue (NotFAST) which excluded those with depression and aphasia. Participants who reported high fatigue scores at six months post-stroke were interviewed individually. Data were analysed thematically. Findings: Twenty-two participants were interviewed. Fatigue was reported to impact on instrumental activities of daily living, leisure activities, social relationships and work life. Variations in fatigue were reported throughout the day and over the longer term. Triggers included physical and mental exertion, and periods of inactivity. Self-devised management strategies included daytime rest or sleep, pacing activities, making compromises, accepting help from others, and keeping active. It was sometimes unclear whether fatigue was a specific result of stroke or due to ageing, poor health, or sleep disturbance. Few participants had received specific information or advice about fatigue. Conclusions: Fatigue is an important issue, even after mild stroke. Stroke survivors felt ill-equipped to manage their fatigue and often struggled to adapt. There is a need for improved information provision and educational interventions to prepare survivors for the impact of fatigue.