SIENTIAPDE-1273

Refactor data handling in Laborious workflows to enhance clarity and compatibility

- Improved data validation and formatting in `gates.py`.
- Streamlined model transformation management in `mlflow.py`.
- Enhanced export functionality in `format_and_export_prediction.py` for better data handling flexibility.
- Expanded test coverage for new features and improved documentation in `README.md`.

tests/conftest.py

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+"""
+Pytest configuration file with global mocks for external dependencies.
+
+This module mocks the 'sientia' module to avoid requiring its installation
+during unit tests. The mock is registered in sys.modules before any test
+imports are executed.
+"""
+import sys
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
+# Mock sientia module
+sientia_mock = MagicMock()
+sientia_mock.ModelAnalysis = MagicMock
+sys.modules['sientia'] = sientia_mock
+sys.modules['sientia.ModelAnalysis'] = MagicMock()