Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination of Elacridar with Imatinib Modulates Resistance Associated with Drug Efflux Transporters in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Multidrug resistance (MDR) development has emerged as a complication that compromises the success of several chemotherapeutic agents. In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), imatinib resistance has been associated with changes in BCR-ABL1 and intracellular drug concentration, controlled by SLC and ABC transporters. We evaluate the therapeutic potential of a P-glycoprotein and BCRP inhibitor, elacridar, in sensitive (K562 and LAMA-84) and imatinib-resistant (K562-RC and K562-RD) CML cell lines as monotherapy and combined with imatinib. Cell viability was analyzed by resazurin assay. Drug transporter activity, cell death, cell proliferation rate, and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. Both resistant models presented an increased activity of BCRP and P-gP compared to K562 cells. Elacridar as monotherapy did not reach IC50 in any CML models but activated apoptosis without cytostatic effect. Nevertheless, the association of elacridar (250 nM) with imatinib overcomes resistance, re-sensitizing K562-RC and K562-RD cells with five and ten times lower imatinib concentrations, respectively. Drug combination induced apoptosis with increased cleaved-caspases-3, cleaved-PARP and DNA damage, reduced cell proliferation rate, and arrested CML cells in the S phase. These data suggest that elacridar combined with imatinib might represent a new therapeutic option for overcoming TKI resistance involving efflux transporters.
Cyclodepsipeptides: Isolation from Endophytic Fungi of Sarcophyton ehrenbergi and Verification of Their Larvicidal Activity via In-Vitro and In-Silico Studies

Culex pipiens mosquitoes are vectors to many viruses and can transmit diseases such as filariasis and avian malaria. The present study evaluated the larvicidal activity of marine-derived endophytic fungi Aspergillus nomius and Aspergillus flavus from the soft coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi along with two known cyclodepsipeptide compounds, scopularide A (1) and B (2), isolated from A. flavus extract, against third-instar larvae of C. pipiens, using distilled water as a negative control and toosenedanin as a positive control. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by various spectroscopic analyses. The lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90) were calculated by probit analysis. Scopularide A was the most potent after 96 h treatment, with LC50 and LC90 values of 58.96 and 994.31 ppm, respectively, and with 82.66% mortality at a concentration of 300 ppm. To unravel the biochemical mechanism of the tested extracts and compounds, their effects against protease, chitinase, phenoloxidases and lipase enzymes from the whole-body tissue of C. pipiens were evaluated after 72 h treatment at LC50 dose. Superior activity was observed for A. flavus extract against all tested enzymes. A molecular docking study was conducted for scopularide A and B on the four tested enzymes, to further verify the observed activity. Results revealed good binding affinities for both compounds as compared to the docked ligands, mainly via a number of hydrogen bonds. This was the first study to report the isolation of endophytic fungi A. flavus and A. nomius from the marine soft coral S. ehrenbergi. The endophytic fungal extract of A. flavus was found to be a promising source for a natural larvicidal agent against C. pipiens populations.
Effective Leadership Differs Between Organizations: A Comparative Study of US and German Multinational Corporations in South Korea

Effectively implementing leadership is critical for organizational success. In consideration of this issue, this study investigated effective leadership in US- and Germany-based multinational companies (MNCs) operating in South Korea. Drawing on transformational leadership (TL) theory and leadership contingency theory, the study clarified the contextual dependency of TL effectiveness. A survey was administered to 258 employees of the target MNCs, during which the participants were asked to rate their supervisors’ transformational leadership behaviors. The responses were empirically analyzed on the basis of the research framework. The findings showed that a leader’s group-focused TL behaviors indirectly influenced organizational commitment and that this relationship was mediated by psychological empowerment in the US-based MNCs. Conversely, a leader’s individual-focused TL behaviors demonstrated a pronounced effect on organizational commitment and that this association was also mediated by psychological empowerment in the Germany-based MNCs. The leadership behaviors that effectively empowered employees and increased their organizational commitment differed depending on the cultures prevalent in the organizations’ countries of origin. Adopting the two-dimensional model of TL, this study confirmed the contextual dependency of TL behaviors and suggested the need to incorporate an organization’s cultural context into predictions regarding the effects of certain leadership behaviors.
Health Occupation and Job Satisfaction: The Impact of Psychological Capital in the Management of Clinical Psychological Stressors of Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted global health. Frontline healthcare workers involved in the response to COVID-19 faced physical and psychological challenges that threatened their wellbeing and job satisfaction. The pandemic crisis, alongside pre-existing critical issues, exposed healthcare workers to constant emotional fatigue, creating an increased workload and vulnerability to stress. Maintaining such stress levels increased their levels of anxiety, irritability and loneliness. Evidence shows that the Psychological Capital (PsyCap) was a strong protective factor against these stressors. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of job satisfaction among health workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The possible antecedent factors to satisfaction and the role that PsyCap plays in preserving and fostering higher levels of job satisfaction were investigated. A total of 527 healthcare workers from different areas of Italy were recruited for the study. The results revealed that psychological stress factors have a considerable impact on job satisfaction. All four predictors (Stress Vulnerability, Anxiety Symptoms, Loneliness and Irritability) had the potential to decrease job satisfaction. Loneliness had a more significant effect than other factors assessed in this study. Moreover, the results showed how PsyCap could decrease the effects of psychological stressors on job satisfaction. Consistent with previous studies, our findings show that PsyCap could alleviate negative impacts in work-related circumstances.
Frequency-based Enhancement Network for Efficient Super-Resolution

Recently, deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have provided outstanding performance in single image super-resolution (SISR). Despite their remarkable performance, the lack of high-frequency information in the recovered images remains a core problem. Moreover, as the networks increase in depth and width, deep CNN-based SR methods are faced with the challenge of computational complexity in practice. A promising and under-explored solution is to adapt the amount of compute based on the different frequency bands of the input. To this end, we present a novel Frequency-based Enhancement Block (FEB) which explicitly enhances the information of high frequencies while forwarding low-frequencies to the output. In particular, this block efficiently decomposes features into low- and high-frequency and assigns more computation to high-frequency ones. Thus, it can help the network generate more discriminative representations by explicitly recovering finer details. Our FEB design is simple and generic and can be used as a direct replacement of commonly used SR blocks with no need to change network architectures. We experimentally show that when replacing SR blocks with FEB we consistently improve the reconstruction error, while reducing the number of parameters in the model. Moreover, we propose a lightweight SR model — Frequency-based Enhancement Network (FENet) — based on FEB that matches the performance of larger models. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our proposal performs favorably against the state-of-the-art SR algorithms in terms of visual quality, memory footprint, and inference time. The code is available at https://github.com/pbehjatii/FENet.
‘Popular Ijtihad’ and Entangled Islamic Discourse on the Covid-19 Pandemic in Russia

In this article, I examine initial reactions of the Russian Muslim community in social networks to the spread of the Coronavirus. My two main questions are: Who and how reinterprets the category of Islamic piety in the context of the pandemic, and to what extent does the online environment transform the Islamic tradition? To answer them, I focus on the following key narratives of Russian Muslims’ online discourse on the pandemic: Covid-19 as a retaliation against China for the persecutions of Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang region, the search for signs of the coming doomsday, as well as various approaches to the reinterpretation of religious piety. Moreover, I consider how the pandemic sped up an entangled glocalised discourse. In the context of the increased role of the transnational online Muslim community, I suggest the term ‘popular ijtihad’ to describe individualised forms of religious engagement that the crisis situation stimulated.
Differences and Correlations of Anxiety, Sleep Quality, and Pressure-Pain Threshold between Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Asymptomatic People

Background Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a clinically common and expensive disease. Patients frequently take sick leaves because of pain and dysfunction, and their unpleasant life and work experiences cause psychological depression and anxiety and affect their quality of life. Sleep disturbance is a common problem among patients with low back pain (LBP) with more than 50% complaining about poor sleep quality. This study aimed to explore the correlations between anxiety, sleep quality, and pressure-pain threshold (PPT) and their differences between patients with CLBP and asymptomatic people. Methods Forty patients with CLBP and 40 asymptomatic people were recruited. Relevant data, including State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and PPT, were individually and independently collected by blinded physiotherapists with a practicing certificate and then statistically analyzed. An independent sample t-test was used to determine the intergroup differences between patients with CLBP and asymptomatic populations. Pearson correlation coefficient was employed for correlation analysis. Results The CLBP group had significantly higher anxiety scores (41.64 ± 9.88 vs. 36.69 ± 8.31; t = −2.496, p=0.015) than the asymptomatic group. A significant difference was found in the total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (6.41 ± 2.43 vs. 5.09 ± 2.18; t = −2.628, p=0.010) but not in the trait anxiety (44.00 ± 7.83 vs. 42.67 ± 9.51; t = −0.695, p=0.489) of the two groups. State−Trait Anxiety Inventory showed a low to moderate negative correlation with PPT. No remarkable correlation was observed between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and PPT. Conclusions Patients with CLBP showed considerably worse state anxiety and sleep quality than asymptomatic people; however, no substantial difference in PPT was found between the two groups. The results suggest that in clinical practice, the focus should include pain and related social and psychological factors. CLBP treatment could be considered from multiple perspectives and disciplines.This trial is registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Trial registration: ChiCTR-TRC-13003701).
Life tests and failure mechanisms of GaN/AlGaN/InGaN light emitting diodes

Our studies of device lifetime and the main degradation mechanisms in Nichia blue LEDs date back to Spring 1994. Following the initial studies of rapid failures under high current electrical pulses, where metal migration was identified as the cause of degradation, we have placed a number of Nichia NLPB-500 LEDs on a series of life tests. The first test ran for 1000 hours under normal operating conditions (20 mA at 23/spl deg/C). As no noticeable degradation was observed, the second room temperature test was performed with the same devices but with a range of currents between 20 and 70 mA. After 1600 hours, some degradation in output intensity was observed in devices driven at 60 and 70 mA, but it was still less than 20%. The subsequent tests included stepping up the temperature by 10/spl deg/C in 500 h intervals up to a final temperature of 85/spl deg/C using the same currents applied in the second test. This work reviews the failure analysis that was performed on the degraded devices and the degradation mechanisms that were identified.
Observed trends and variability of seasonal and annual precipitation in Pakistan during 1960–2016

Long‐term precipitation monitoring plays a vital role in water resource management and disaster prevention and mitigation. This study assesses spatial and temporal trends in seasonal and annual precipitation in Pakistan between 1960 and 2016 at an interannual scale. The Mann–Kendall (MK) test, Sen's slope (SS) estimator, and Sequential Mann–Kendall (SQMK) test were employed to assess trends. Cluster analysis and L‐moment approach were used to identify the homogenous precipitation regions. In general, increasing precipitation trends between 1960 and 2016 were evident. Results indicated increasing precipitation in winter, autumn, summer and annual scale at the rates of 0.20, 2.18, 5.16, and 10.89 mm·decade−1, respectively. In spring, the precipitation trend shows a decreasing trend at −0.67 mm·decade−1. Moreover, a significant decreasing trend occurred in winter in southern Pakistan. The overall increasing trends were more noticeable between 1960 and 1988, compared to the declining precipitation during 1989–2016. SQMK analysis indicates a clear downward trend in most regions during 1989–2016, except in autumn. Annual precipitation has increased topographically except at 500 m and 1,500 m during 1960–2016 with a significant increase of 1.37 mm·decade−1 at elevation <250 m. Results indicate a negative correlation in SS test value with seasonal and annual precipitation with elevation and a positive correlation in winter. The seasonal and annual precipitation trends exhibit increasing and decreasing trends before and after 1990, respectively, in most subregions. The notable finding based on the outcomes of this study is that the whole country observed an increasing trend during 1960–1988, followed by a decreasing trend in during 1989–2016. This decreasing tendency is particularly pronounced between 1985 and 1995, except in autumn. Agriculture production is largely reliant on precipitation in many regions. So, a detailed study of the influence of monsoon trends and large‐scale climatic variability controls over Pakistan is vital for improved water resource management in the context of global warming and rising human activity. The results will help policy makers while establishing and updating water‐related initiatives and regulations.
Anthocyanin Extraction Method and Sample Preparation Affect Anthocyanin Yield of Strawberries

Anthocyanins are a group of pigments with antioxidant activities that are present naturally in plants. The role of the pigment in human health and its quantitative analysis has attracted a lot of attention globally. A well-known and accurate method of anthocyanin quantification is based on spectrophotometric methods. However, these methods are subject to interference from impurities and need to be optimized for different plant matrixes and extraction conditions. Two experiments were designed to study (1) the effect of plant preparation methods (eg, fresh, frozen, and freeze-dried puree) on anthocyanin yield and (2) the effect of five anthocyanin extraction methods on anthocyanin yield of freeze-dried strawberry puree. Sample preparation methods did not have any effect on anthocyanin yield. Freeze-dried samples were used for their stability (ease of use and flexibility) to compare extraction methods. The anthocyanin yield was affected by the extraction method. Two methods containing chloroform gave the highest anthocyanin yield. One method with methanol:water:HCl gave intermediate results, and the pH differential and the other method with methanol:water:HCl (80:20:1) gave the lowest anthocyanin yields. Processing time (incubation time) was lowest in the pH differential method; however, the haze produced in this method may interfere with the spectrophotometric assessment of anthocyanins.
A Study on How Psychological Capital, Social Capital, Workplace Wellbeing, and Employee Engagement Relate to Task Performance

The current study was conducted to examine the relationship between Psychological capital (PsyCap), Social capital, Workplace wellbeing, and Employee engagement in Saudi Arabia. Only limited evidence exists about the relationship between the constructs in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from 395 gainfully employed Saudi samples, using five standardized and validated questionnaires. The data was analyzed using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). SEM was conducted using the R Program. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between PsyCap, workplace wellbeing, and employee engagement with task performance. No significant relationship was found between social capital and workplace wellbeing. By addressing a previously unexplored area, the present study has provided substantial contribution to the literature
Numerical investigations on cavitation intensity for 3D homogeneous unsteady viscous flows

The cavitation erosion remains an industrial issue. In this paper, we deal with the cavitation intensity which can be described as the aggressiveness - or erosive capacity - of a cavitating flow. The estimation of this intensity is a challenging problem both in terms of modelling the cavitating flow and predicting the erosion due to cavitation. For this purpose, a model was proposed to estimate cavitation intensity from 3D unsteady cavitating flow simulations. An intensity model based on pressure and void fraction derivatives was developped and applied to a NACA 65012 hydrofoil tested at LMH-EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) [1]. 2D and 3D unsteady cavitating simulations were performed using a homogeneous model with void fraction transport equation included in Code_Saturne with cavitating module [2]. The article presents a description of the numerical code and the physical approach considered. Comparisons between 2D and 3D simulations, as well as between numerical and experimental results obtained by pitting tests, are analyzed in the paper.
Technology-Enabled E-Learning Platforms in Chinese Higher Education During the Pandemic Age of COVID-19

The problem motivating this study is the fact that almost 19.70 million university students in China have been required to engage in e-learning under the government’s initiative of “Classes are Suspended, yet Learning is still Ongoing” during the COVID-19 epidemic, coupled with varied responses, uneven adoption of e-learning platforms and varying degrees of satisfaction toward them. Using the online database adoption and satisfaction (ODAS) model, this study examines the determinants which impact university students’ adoption of and satisfaction with e-learning platforms at this particular time in China. The ODAS model was also cross-validated using gender as a moderating variable. A purposive sampling procedure was used to survey a total of 1,136 students from six universities in five provinces or municipalities of China. The data for this survey were estimated using the Rasch model and structural equation modeling. Results exhibit that students’ adoption of and satisfaction with e-learning platforms were significantly measured by their computer self-efficacy, their intention to use e-learning platforms, and their perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of these platforms, while the relationships among these components were moderated by gender differences. This empirically-based cross-validation of the ODAS provides recommendations for future studies, including practical implications for e-learning. This current study contributes to the body of knowledge in evaluating e-learning platforms during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Convalescents’ Reports on COVID-19 Experience—A Qualitative Study

Background: The dynamic character of the COVID-19 pandemic and its social consequences caused several medical and societal issues and dilemmas. The aim of our qualitative research was to capture and analyze attitudes and beliefs of convalescents who experienced mild symptoms of COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic and decided to donate their plasma for therapeutic purposes. Material and Methods: The article presents results of qualitative research conducted on the basis of grounded theory (GT) methodology. Empirical material includes 10 in-depth interviews conducted with respondents who had mild or asymptomatic disease and, after recovery, voluntarily donated their plasma to the Regional Centre for Blood Donation and Blood Treatment (RCKiK). Data were collected in May and June 2020 in Poland. Qualitative analysis was focused on the experience of convalescents who entered the social role of a sick person in individual, social, and organizational dimensions. Results: The social role of the patient in the narratives of convalescents was related to three stages: (1) initiation to the role, (2) staying in the COVID-19 patient role, and (3) leaving the role. Research results enabled the distinction of three basic descriptive categories (“ontological uncertainty”, “the global and individual dimension”, and “being sick in the disease-infected environment”), which became epistemological framework for a detailed description of the roles played by an individual COVID-19 patient during the pandemic. Conclusions: The disease, despite its mild course, generated a number of non-medical issues, and the entire process of being ill was burdened with institutional and emotional struggles. The experience of mild COVID-19 is significantly modified by disease institutionalization. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the psychosocial dimension of COVID-19 and convalescents’ motivations for plasma donation.