Factor Analysis Tools Research Articles

The Factors Affecting the Demand for Higher Education in Albania – Case Study: An Analysis of the Demand for Second Cycle Master's Studies

Universities in the modern world are expected to seek and cultivate new strategies, to provide the right direction to promote knowledge and social equality. The quality of education is an important factor in attracting and retaining students, as it is a substantial investment made by their parents. Therefore, providing a quality service has become the most important objective for most Higher Education Institutions. The general objective of this paper is to investigate the experiences of students enrolled at university programs in different universities in the country through a questionnaire addressed to third-year Bachelor students, and how this experience will affect their decision-making process to continue or not the second cycle master's studies at these universities. The data from this questionnaire were processed in the R-Studio program. The analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) tools for data analysis and testing of relationships between variables. With these methods, we demonstrate how factors such as: academic experience during the years of study, infrastructure and quality of the institution, and the academic offer for master's studies, influence the decision-making of students about whether to continue or not the studies of the second master's cycle, precisely in the universities where they have completed the first cycle of Bachelor studies.

Factors Influencing Consumer Decisions in Consuming Environmentally Friendly Plastic Packaging in the Jabodetabek Region

Plastic waste has become a significant environmental and health concern worldwide, including in Indonesia. To address this issue, the adoption of environmentally friendly packaging materials, such as biodegradable plastics, is considered a viable solution. This study aims to understand the potential switch in consumer behavior towards the use of environmentally friendly plastic packaging in Indonesia with two models of conceptual framework. Model 1 explores the relationship between Green Attitude, Perceived Environmental Responsibility, Subjective Norm, Green Product Experience, Environmental Friendliness of Companies, Perceived Behavior Control and Green Purchase Intention. Model 2 investigates the relationship between GPI and Green Purchase Decision. Primary data was obtained by conducting a convenience survey with a sample size of 285 respondents using convenience sampling methods. This research is measured through scale variables, and is being analysed with Cronbach Alpha, factor analysis, and other tools to identify the most influential factors to the least one which will be input into the regression model. The findings are that there are four factors that impacting consumers' Green Purchase Intention in Jakarta, which are Green Attitude, Perceived Environmental Responsibility, Environmental Friendliness of Companies and Perceived Behavior Control.

LGG-14. INTEGRATED MULTI-OMICS EXPLORATION OF MAPK PATHWAY INHIBITION IN PEDIATRIC PILOCYTIC ASTROCYTOMA

Abstract Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA), the most common pediatric brain tumors, exhibit MAPK pathway alterations leading to its constitutive activation. They are also associated with low proliferation index due to the oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), sustained by senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Little is known about the downstream consequences of MAPK activation leading to OIS-SASP, and of the molecular implications of MAPK pathway inhibition in senescent PA cells. Senescent DKFZ-BT66 cells derived from a primary KIAA::BRAF-fusion positive PA were used to generate RNA-sequencing and phospho-/proteomic datasets, before and after treatment with the MEK inhibitor (MEKi) trametinib for different time-spans. A multi-omics factor analysis tool (MEFISTO) and single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were used to identify key OIS effectors and differentially regulated pathways upon MAPK inhibition. Trametinib treatment inhibited OIS and SASP signatures across all omics levels in the senescent DKFZ-BT66 cells, associated with reduced sensitivity towards senolytics drugs, indicating inhibition of senescence features upon MEKi. MEFISTO analysis identified key effectors involved in MAPK-induced OIS in the senescent PA cells. We built a pathway network using a prior knowledge network approach allowing to map the direct downstream effectors of MAPK leading to OIS-SASP. We identified several parallel pathways (JAK/STAT, p38, GSK3B) potentially involved in OIS and under the control of the MAPK pathway. In addition, ssGSEA showed that pathways related to upstream MAPK activators (SOS1, CK2, several RTKs) were predicted to be upregulated upon treatment, highlighting putative targets to be further investigated. Our data suggest that MAPKi reverses OIS signaling in senescent PA cells, while inducing the activation of MAPK upstream regulators, identifying putative co-targets for the treatment of PA. Further validation of the targetability of these pathways is pending. Furthermore, the identification of the MAPK-related OIS-SASP genes provides insight into the regulation of OIS-SASP by the MAPK pathway.

CLOSING THE DIVIDE: ADDRESSING OBSTACLES FOR WOMEN IN ADOPTING DIGITAL FINANCE SOLUTIONS

The focal point of this research paper is to identify the challenges/obstacles to widespread adoption of digital financial services (DFS) among women. Despite DFS’s significant potential to provide accessible, acceptable, and safe banking options to underprivileged sections through cutting-edge technology such as mobile-oriented solutions, digital platforms, its adoption poses considerable challenges. The key objective is to recognize these challenges. The author investigated 14 key challenges culled from the literature. Primary data was collected from the 400 women of Haryana using multistage purposive sampling. Haryana was chosen for the study because lower sex ratio was recorded 914 females 1000 according to family health survey 2019-2020. According to census 2011, female literacy ratio approximately 65.9% lower than the national average. When it comes to workforce participation, it was 19-20% which is below the national average according to periodic labour force survey (PLFS). In order to fulfil the objectives of the study, Exploratory factor analysis tool was used. Factor analysis extracted the 3 unique factors from 14 variables such as “User Understanding and experience”, “Technical and Infrastructure concerns”, “Data Safety and confidentiality issues”. The present research is one of the first few studies which is done through Primary survey data.

Intention To Buy Products with Environmentally Friendly Packaging in Jakarta, Indonesia

The objective of this study is to ascertain the elements influencing consumers' inclination to buy goods packaged in environmentally sustainable materials. The factors are consumers’ attitudes towards purchase behaviors, the influence of social factors, effectiveness perception, self-image considerations, community sense, quality of eco-friendly packaging, products with eco-friendly packaging pricing, and environmental knowledge. This research is conducted to complement the discoveries of the preceding research, with the distinction that this study is carried out in Indonesia. Primary data was obtained by conducting a direct survey with a sample size of 393 respondents using convenience sampling methods. This research is measured through scale variables, and is being analyzed with Cronbach Alpha, factor analysis, and other tools to identify the most influential factors to the least one which will be input into the regression model. The findings are that there are seven factors that impacting consumers' intention to purchase in Jakarta, which are the attitude of consumers toward purchasing behaviors, effectiveness perception, the pricing of products with eco-friendly packaging, community sense, self-image considerations, eco-friendly packaging quality, and environmental knowledge.

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind steroidal saponin accumulation in Liriope muscari (Decne.) Baily through transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis

The leaves and roots of Liriope muscari (Decne.) Baily were subjected to high-throughput Illumina transcriptome sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the enzyme genes and key transcription factors involved in regulating the accumulation of steroidal saponins, which are the main active ingredient in L. muscari. These analyses aimed to reveal the molecular mechanism behind steroidal saponin accumulation. The sequencing results of L. muscari revealed 31 enzymes, including AACT, CAS, DXS and DXR, that are involved in the synthesis of steroidal saponins. Among these enzymes, 16 were in the synthesis of terpenoid skeleton, 3 were involved in the synthesis of sesquiterpene and triterpene, and 12 were involved in the synthesis of steroidal compound. Differential gene expression identified 15 metabolic enzymes coded by 34 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the leaves and roots, which were associated with steroidal saponin synthesis. Further analysis using gene co-expression patterns showed that 14 metabolic enzymes coded by 31 DEGs were co-expressed. In addition, analysis using gene co-expression analysis and PlantTFDB's transcription factor analysis tool predicted the involvement of 8 transcription factors, including GAI, PIF4, PIL6, ERF8, SVP, LHCA4, NF-YB3 and DOF2.4, in regulating 6 metabolic enzymes such as DXS, DXR, HMGR, DHCR7, DHCR24, and CAS. These eight transcription factors were predicted to play important roles in regulating steroidal saponin accumulation in L. muscari. Promoter analysis of these transcription factors indicated that their main regulatory mechanisms involve processes such as abscisic acid response, drought-induction stress response and light response, especially abscisic acid responsive elements (ABRE) response and MYB binding site involved in drought-inducibility (MBS) response pathway. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis of these eight key transcription factors demonstrated their specific differences in the leaves and roots.

Application of the block factor analysis in the implementation of hydraulic fracturing during oil fields development

The relevance of this study is due to the need to optimize the oil production process in the fields of the West Siberian province. At the moment, the actual oil recovery factor often deviates from the design values, which leads to inefficient production and loss of resources. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to develop a meth-odology for optimizing the process of monitoring and regulating an oil field development facility using block factor analysis and de-signing hydraulic fracturing cracks. The work uses methods such as block factor analysis, 3D modeling, hydrodynamic modeling, and mathematical modeling. The result of the study is a developed methodology for optimizing the process of monitoring and regulat-ing an oil field development facility. The article also discusses the main reasons for the deviation of actual oil production from calcu-lated values, including hydraulic fracturing technology. Unsuccess-ful cases of this procedure and their causes were identified. The features of the block factor analysis tool and the proactive analysis method are described, as well as how to use it at the design and modeling stage of hydraulic fracturing to improve the efficiency of the well-stimulation operation. Successful implementation of hy-draulic fracturing allows one to approximate the actual oil recovery factor to design values, which is important for increasing the effi-ciency of production at the field and optimizing the use of re-sources.

Exploring human factors of major chemical accidents in China: Evidence from 160 accidents during 2011–2022

Major chemical accidents (MCAs) usually cause multiple casualties, property losses, and environmental damage. MCAs in hazardous chemical production enterprises (HCPEs) in China have been frequent in recent years. Understanding past accidents is essential for accident prevention and risk mitigation. However, no accurate statistical analysis and systematic human cause investigation of MCAs in China is available. Hence, this study systematically identified the main characteristics and human factors of MCAs in China during 2011–2022 using official accident investigation reports. First, the 160 MCAs were investigated by mathematical and statistical methods involving eight main characteristics: evolution trend, spatial locations, accident types, domino effects involved, occurrence links, time volatility, hazardous chemicals involved, and enterprise scales. Second, based on the characteristics of MCAs and existing research on chemical accidents, the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) for Chemical Accidents (HFACS-CA), which consists of 26 cause categories and is suitable for the analysis of chemical accidents, was proposed on the basis of HFACS and other extended HFACS. Then, the selected 146 representative MCAs were analyzed using the HFACS-CA framework; the human factors (comprising human and organizational factors (HOFs) and outside factors) of MCAs in China were systematically explored. Finally, according to the main characteristics and human factors of MCAs, comprehensive recommendations for the prevention of MCAs involving enterprises, governments, and interested parties were proposed. This work can provide a useful human factor analysis tool for investigating chemical accidents and valuable information for preventing MCAs in China and other countries.

Analysis of Factors Influencing the Decision to Visit Nusantara Youth Travel to Bali

Nusantara tourists constitute a pivotal aspect of Bali's tourism. The undeniable impact of the widespread COVID-19 cases has rendered Bali's tourism nearly lifeless. However, the resilient travel activities of Nusantara tourists, albeit in modest numbers, offer a glimmer of hope for Bali. The potential of Nusantara tourists, particularly among the younger generation, commonly referred to as youth travellers in tourism terminology, is substantial. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), youth travel involves individuals aged 16-29 engaging in tourism. Statistics reveal that the youth travel demographic commands 23% of global tourism. Based on the 2020 census by the Central Statistics Agency, the combined population of Generation X (millennials) and Generation Z (zillennials) holds the highest share in Indonesia. Hence, the potential of Nusantara youth travel for Bali is promising. Consequently, there is a need for research on the characteristics, movement distribution, and factors influencing the decisions of Nusantara youth travellers to tour Bali. This study will employ a mixed-methods approach, utilizing Likert scale analysis and factor analysis tools. The anticipated findings aim to contribute valuable information on youth travel to the Bali regional government, particularly the Tourism Agency, and other tourism stakeholders. This information can serve as the foundation for devising marketing strategies to enhance the influx of Nusantara youth travellers to Bali.

Measuring the positive effects of the pandemic disease in the environmental planning of healthy cities

<p align="justify">The city as a living system and a dynamic structure throughout history, from birth to the present day, has shown a flexible attitude to the challenges ahead and has been constantly trying to overcome the challenges and reproduce its elements for the opportunity to become efficient and usable in the future. In the face of the corona pandemic challenge, the city has acted in the same way, shown reciprocal behavior, and tried to overcome this crisis effectively. Therefore, city planners and managers must approach the healthy city and its elements with a different approach and perspective. Apart from the destructive effects it has had on the human body and soul, the corona pandemic has also changed the quality of life in cities and their environments so much that new living patterns have been formed and some of the past structures have been discarded. For this purpose, after studying the literature review and the international experiences, the dimensions, factors, and effective indicators of the corona pandemic have been identified. The present study is a descriptive-analytical type, and the desired findings have been explained through a questionnaire using quantitative and qualitative methods and confirmatory factor analysis tools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of healthy cities has been compromised. It has unveiled the need to give more prominence to caring tasks while addressing intersectional social inequities and environmental injustices. The results of the analysis indicate that 14 indicators including lifestyle changes and health protocols, increase in virtual socialization, reduction of inequality among different groups of people in access to the internet, promotion, and expansion of digital tourism (virtual trips), starting development of apps and start-ups, increasing small-scale commercial markets, upgrading medical equipment, increasing countries interaction in the field of health, the importance of planting trees, using public transportation, increasing public transportation capacity, designing more open and green spaces in the city, more attention to deprived areas and slums and redesign of public spaces based on the prevailing conditions will provide positive effects during the pandemic of Tehran. Therefore, in order to improve and enhance the quality of life in healthy cities, especially during pandemics, suggestions have been made.</p>

Analisis Faktor yang Berkontribusi dalam Pengembangan Wisata Halal dari Sudut Pandang Wisatawan di Jabodetabek

Halal product trends are expanding from food to lifestyle, namely halal tourism. The development of halal tourism is driven by the large Muslim market in the world. Indonesia as the country with the largest Muslim population. The halal tourism authority, CrescentRating, awards Indonesia as the first best halal tourist destination in the OIC category. Jakarta is the fourth best halal tourist area in Indonesia, which in its development has a coordination chain with the surrounding areas, namely Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi. Jabodetabek contributes greatly to the country's economy so that there is a need for the development of tourism in Jabodetabek. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the needs of tourists in order to increase tourist attraction. This study aims to identify the characteristics of tourists and analyze the factors that contribute to the development of halal tourism through 46 indicators of halal tourism. Data were analyzed using a factor analysis tool through SPSS software. The results showed that there were 11 new factors formed from the point of view of archipelago tourists and 14 new factors formed from the point of view of foreign tourists so that there were differences between tourists in the practice of halal tourism.

Adaptation of the Online Disinhibition Effect Scale

The phenomenon of online disinhibition prompts individuals to relax their internal boundaries, as they can deviate from social norms, particularly in virtual environments. Individuals tend to engage in behaviors that may cause disruption to others and pose potential harm to themselves. We assume that internet usage is expected to remain significant in the coming years, so a tool is needed to assess this phenomenon. We use The Confirmatory Factor Analysis tool to test adapted version of The Online Disinhibition Effect scale from English to Bahasa Indonesia. The analysis findings indicated that the tool is suitable for characterizing the online disinhibition effect X2 (6, 252)=.48, p=.49. It means that this instrument is suitable for use in Indonesia.
 Keywords: Instruments, ODE, online

The Strategy Formulation of CV. Halo Art Semesta for the Development of Kriya Wood Craft Businesses

Today, business competition is getting sharper. New businesses are required to be ready and able to enter the market, able to compete, win, excel and survive. CV. Halo Art Semesta (CV. Harts) is a new company engaged in the creative economy sector, the woodcraft sub-sector. The company is developing a new product (NPD). The objectives of this research to identify the external and internal environment, analyze the factors that influence CV. Hart development strategy and determine the formulation of new product development strategy. The number of respondents was 8 respondents who are 2 wooden craft owners, 5 from internal firm, and a business expert. The research was conducted using the key success factor analysis tool, EFE matrix and IFE matrix to analyze internal and external factors, IE matrix to see where CV. Harts position, SWOT analysis to map and provide of alternative strategies and QSPM to formulate strategic priorities. Also given an Enterprise Architecture recommendation to determine the company's long-term plan. These seven alternative strategies are used to determine strategic priorities. The two highest priority strategies are (1) turbo charge Kumiko Islamic wood craft production and make it the core business, (2) maximizing marketing performance and improving the quality of HR production. The designs of the strategic architecture are also created to determine the company's long-term plans. The strategic architectural design is to lay the foundation of NPD in the first year, production and marketing channel maximization in the second year, improve production skills and get an injection of funds in the third year and achieve goals in the fourth year. Keywords: Architecture strategy, SWOT, QSPM, NPD, wood craft

Validity Matters in the Customer Satisfaction towards Online Purchase

The primary goal of a business is to offer product and services that best serve their consumer needs. A business which fulfills the customer needs with satisfaction very well is more successful than its competitors as satisfied buyers tend to make a repetitive purchase. In this study the researcher used factor analysis tool with the help of SPSS-20 software. The data has been collected from both primary as well as secondary sources. For the purpose of collecting primary data, a detailed questionnaire was framed. Journals, books, magazines, newspapers and relevant websites constitute the secondary sources of data collection. The researcher has taken 124 members as sample who are purchasing through online in Tirunelveli city. The findings of the study is that more over the consumers satisfied with online shopping compared to offline shopping. But facing some difficulties.

LGG-03. EXPLORING THE SIGNALING NETWORK INVOLVED IN MAPK PATHWAY INHIBITION BY THE MEK INHIBITOR TRAMETINIB IN BRAF-FUSION-DRIVEN PEDIATRIC PILOCYTIC ASTROCYTOMA

Abstract INTRODUCTION Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are the most common pediatric brain tumors. They are characterized by MAPK pathway alterations, leading to its constitutive activation and modulating the balance between proliferation and oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) sustained by senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Little is known about the molecular implications of MAPK pathway inhibition in the proliferating and senescent tumor compartments. METHODS DKFZ-BT66 cells derived from a primary KIAA:BRAF-fusion positive PA cell line and BT40 cells derived from pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with a BRAFV600E mutation and CDKN2A/B deletion, were used as model systems. RNA-sequencing and phospho-/proteomic datasets were generated in both the proliferative and senescent cells, and treated with the MEKi trametinib for different time-spans. A multi-omics factor analysis tool (MEFISTO) was used to identify key OIS/proliferation effectors. RESULTS Differential gene expression analysis revealed that MEK inhibition leads to the inhibition of the OIS/SASP gene program in senescent DKFZ-BT66. In addition, the protein level of several SASP factors was decreased. This translated in reduced sensitivity towards senolytics drugs, indicating inhibition of senescence features upon MEKi. MEFISTO analysis allowed to identify key transcription factors, genes and proteins involved in MAPK-induced OIS in the senescent PA cells, that were mapped using a prior knowledge network approach. Finally, single sample geneset enrichment analysis showed that most MAPK-related signatures were downregulated upon MEKi treatment, while pathways related to upstream MAPK activators (including several RTK pathways) were predicted to be upregulated, in both proliferating and senescent cells. CONCLUSION This data suggests that MAPKi reverses OIS in senescent PA cells, while inducing the activation of MAPK upstream regulators, identifying putative co-targets for the treatment of PA. Further validation of the targetability of these pathways is pending. Furthermore, the identification of the MAPK-related OIS/SASP genes provide insight about the regulation of OIS/SASP by the MAPK pathway.

A Study on Factors Influencing Cost Overrun in High-rise Building Construction across India

Cost overrun is common problem in construction projects worldwide. Most Indian construction projects, particularly those involving high-rise buildings, have had severe cost overruns. For managers, architects, engineers, and contractors, completing building projects within the specified cost budget has become the most important and hard assignment. Since it is common for high-rise building projects to go over budget, the aim of this study is to find out the causes of cost overruns and provide effective measures. The study found 70 cost overrun factors based on a comprehensive literature review and expert opinions. A Google form questionnaire was distributed to 150 construction professionals across India. After following up, 101 of the 150 responses were received. A five-point Likert scale was used and the acquired data was analyzed and ranked using the Relative Importance Index (RII) technique. According to the findings of RII, the top ten critical factors influencing cost overruns were frequent change orders during construction by the owner, delay in construction, escalation of material prices, market inflation or deflation, rework, frequent changes in design, inaccurate evaluation of the project timeline, unforeseen ground condition, inaccurate quantity take-off, and delay in progressive payment by the owner. Spearman’s rank correlation test revealed that there is a very significant relationship between the rankings of factors provided by the owner, the consultant, and the contractor. In addition, a factor analysis tool in the SPSS software was also used to categorize the seventy factors into sixteen core components. The top ten critical factors were presented to subject matter experts, and their suggestions were being compiled. These results are expected to help construction professionals minimize cost overruns, improve cost control measures, and initiate future research.

Analysing seafarer competencies in a dynamic human-machine system

Human factors have been deemed to affect a variety of unsafe acts and hazardous conditions, with no exceptions in the maritime sector. With increasing applications of automation techniques in shipping, seafarers’ roles are changing, and their competencies require to be assessed and assured for safety at sea accordingly. The studies on seafarer competencies have therefore been tightly bound with a human-machine system which consists of the interaction of seafarers and ship operational systems and sub-systems. To evaluate the seafarer competencies that fit automation systems in shipping, this paper aims to develop a new dynamic human-machine model in shipping that can be used to analyse human factors in a closed-loop system. Based on Crew Resource Management and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, it reflects the input, process, and output phases of the human system and its interactions with machine sub-systems. A new tool to analyse seafarer competencies is proposed to rationalise human factor evaluation in the maritime closed-loop system and reflect the dynamic human-machine cooperation process. Two case studies have been conducted to illustrate the feasibility of the new model and in the meantime to investigate seafarer competencies in the dynamic human-machine system. It produces a new human factor analysis tool to investigate maritime accidents. The results and policy implications help explore the adjustment of maritime training to support ship automation and provide guidance on risk management for traditional and autonomous ships.

대학생 디지털 시민성 측정도구 개발 및 타당화 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to establish the basis of digital citizenship education as general education by developing the measurement tool for cultivating digital citizenship of college students in the trans-boundary and hyper-connected era considering that it is very lacking in the researches related to digital citizenship in the level of higher education.
 Methods For this, this study conducted the literary review on the concept and elements of digital citizenship, set up the subfactors, developed the preliminary items, verified the content validity with experts, and verified the construct validity of the measurement(exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis) tool.
 Results As a result, the digital citizenship measurement tool was composed of total 68 items such as 21 items of cognitive area(7 items of understanding of digital information & society, 5 items of critical thinking, 4 items of software design, 5 items of expressive ability), 20 items of justice area(13 items of digital etiquette, 7 items of active participation and motivation), and 27 items of behavioral area(8 items of conflict/problem-solving ability, 7 items of ethical use, 8 items of pursuit of information sharing & change, 4 items of social responsibility).
 Conclusions This study is significant in the aspect of developing and validating the digital citizenship measurement tool for college students. This tool could be utilized for seeking for the direction of digital citizenship education, developing programs for strengthening digital citizenship, and analyzing the effects of programs.

Breast cancer cell secretome analysis to decipher miRNA regulating the tumor microenvironment and discover potential biomarkers

MicroRNA (miRNA/miR) 526 b- and miR655-overexpressed tumor cell-free secretions regulate the breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) by promoting tumor-associated angiogenesis, oxidative stress, and hypoxic responses. Additionally, premature miRNA (pri-miR526b and pri-miR655) are established breast cancer blood biomarkers. However, the mechanisms of how these miRNAs regulate the TME has yet to be investigated. Mass spectrometry analysis of miRNA-overexpressed cell lines MCF7-miR526b, MCF7-miR655, and miRNA-low MCF7-Mock cell-free secretomes identified 34 differentially expressed proteins coded by eight genes. In both miRNA-high cell secretomes, four markers are upregulated: YWHAB, SFN, TXNDC12, and MYL6B, and four are downregulated: PEA15, PRDX4, PSMB6, and FN1. All upregulated marker transcripts are significantly high in both total cellular RNA pool and cell-free secretions of miRNA-high cell lines, validated with quantitative RT-PCR. Bioinformatics tools were used to investigate these markers' roles in breast cancer. These markers' top gene ontology functions are related to apoptosis, oxidative stress, membrane transport, and motility supporting oncogenic miR526b- and miR655-induced functions. Gene transcription factor analysis tools were used to show how these miRNAs regulate the expression of each secretory marker. Data extracted from the Human Protein Atlas showed that YWHAB, SFN, and TXNDC12 expression could distinguish early and late-stage breast cancer in various breast cancer subtypes and are associated with poor patient survival. Additionally, immunohistochemistry analysis showed the expression of each marker in breast tumors. A stronger correlation between miRNA clusters and upregulated secretory markers gene expression was found in the luminal A tumor subtype. YWHAB, SFN, and MYL6B are upregulated in breast cancer patient's blood, showing biomarker potential. Of these identified novel miRNA secretory markers, SFN and YWHAB successfully passed all validations and are the best candidates to further investigate their roles in miRNA associated TME regulation. Also, these markers show the potential to serve as blood-based breast cancer biomarkers, especially for luminal-A subtypes.

Export of high-tech goods in the context of innovation transfer for social-economic development: factor analysis

The purpose of the study is to determine factors that have the greatest influence on the growth of export of high-tech goods in the context of innovation transfer for social-economic development. Factor analysis tools, including principal component analysis and the Varimax rotation (orthogonal transformation) method in Statgraphics software, are used to identify the most significant indicators of the impact on export of high-tech goods, as a key determinant characterizing the quality of scientific and educational potential, and to determine the latent signs of their interaction. A modified logistic function is used to normalize input data for 11 investigated factors in a sample of 28 countries. Ten linear combinations of variables are obtained, which explain most of the data variability. The first four components have eigenvalues greater than or equal to 1.0. Together, they account for 88.520% of the variability of the original data. After orthogonal transformation by the Varimax method, the factor load matrix is obtained. The econometric models, which describes the influence of independent indicators on the export of high-tech goods, are represented. Next, the four most influential indicators from the 11 investigated factors are revealed, namely: the country’s research and development expenditure, GDP in current prices, research staff and researchers in the sector of business enterprises, the percentage of ICT staff from total employment. They are taken to develop multiple linear regression models, which describes the influence of independent indicators on the effective export of high-tech goods. The quality results of the factor analysis are confirmed using the Kaiser-Meier-Olkin test and the Bartlett test. Regression analysis with strict screening of non-significant variables using the Backward Stepwise Selection tool confirms the significance of the indicator of scientific research personnel and researchers in the sector of business enterprises, which has the greatest impact on the export of high-tech goods. A pair regression model is obtained, and it is confirmed that increase of research staff and researchers in the sector of business enterprises by 1% causes increase of export of high-tech goods in average by 0,73%.