Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transformation in Philippine local government

ABSTRACT This research examined the challenges, enablers and outcomes of organisation transformation in Philippine local governments. We combined a multi-case study research design and backward mapping approach in collecting and analysing narratives from 55 leaders in 9 Filipino local government units (LGUs) that have successfully undergone transformation. Results show that the transformations of the LGUs appear to have been catalysed by three interrelated elements: vision, LGU leadership and citizen engagement. The transformation in the local governments concentrated on multiple foci of reform including structure and systems improvement, culture change, human-resource development as well as policy and programme development. This holistic approach enabled the transformation of bureaucratic and unprofessional government service to transparent, professional and efficient public service that engendered pride, transparency and social equity. Implications of the proposed model for transforming LGUs and in developing LGU leaders for good governance are discussed.
From unstructured data included in real-estate listings to information systems over ontological graphs

In the paper, we consider the problem of automatic transformation of unstructured data included in real-estate listings into data arranged in a tabular form, as the so-called information tables. Transformation is an important preprocessing stage enabling us to obtain data in a form accepted by many data mining and machine learning tools. In the presented approach, information tables represent information systems over ontological graphs. In such systems, the domain knowledge covering some data semantics is directly incorporated. In the paper, we describe important aspects of a specialized computer tool created by us to automatize the transformation process.
Sex Differences in the Circadian Variation of Cytochrome P450 Genes and Corresponding Nuclear Receptors in Mouse Liver

Sex differences and circadian variation are two major factors that affect the expression of drug-processing genes. This study aimed to examine sex differences in the circadian variation of hepatic cytochrome P450 (Cyp) genes and corresponding nuclear receptors. Adult mice were acclimated to environmentally controlled facilities for 2 wks, and livers were collected every 4 h during a 24-h period. Total RNA and protein were isolated and subjected to real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The mRNA expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and AhR-regulated Cyp1a1 and Cyp1a2 were higher in females and higher during the light phase. The mRNA expression of constitutive and rostane receptor (CAR) and CYP2B10 protein was female-predominant and higher in the dark phase. Pregnane X receptor (PXR) peaked around 18:00 h, but PXR-regulated Cyp3a11 and Cyp3a25 were higher at 10:00 h, without apparent sex dimorphism at protein levels. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), Cyp4a10, and Cyp4a14 were higher in females and peaked between 14:00 and 18:00 h. The mRNA levels of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), Cyp7a1, and Cyp27a1 peaked around 18:00 h and CYP7A1 protein was higher during the dark phase and higher in females. Cyp7b1(male-predominant) and Cyp2a4 (female-predominant) both showed circadian variation. Circadian variation of hepatic clock genes such as nuclear receptor Rev-erbα, cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), and brain muscle ARNT-like protein 1 (Bmal1) showed distinct patterns. Sex differences and circadian rhythmicity of Cyp genes and corresponding nuclear receptors exist in mouse liver that could impact xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity at different times of the day.
Treatment of chronic plantar ulcer of the diabetic foot using an irremovable windowed fibreglass cast boot: prospective study of 177 patients

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of healing of chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers, using an irremovable windowed fibreglass cast boot, which is only opened after healing. A single‐centre prospective study of a cohort of 177 diabetic patients with chronic neuropathic plantar ulcers was carried out. The duration of neuropathic plantar ulcers was 604 ± 808 days, with a mean surface area of 4.6 ± 6.5 cm2, a mean depth of 1.04 ± 1.08 cm and a mean volume of 5.9 ± 17.7 cm3. After a mean of 96 days of wearing a windowed fibreglass cast boot (min 9 days, max 664 days and median 68 days), the level of healing reached 83.6%, although 29 patients did not heal (16.4%). The compliance was at 95%. NPUs with bigger volumes (p = 0.037) and those located at the heels ( p = 0.004) had significantly lower healing levels. Twenty‐one patients had moderate peripheral arterial disease (12%), and 24 patients were ostectomized for underlying osteomyelitis (14%), before inclusion. Moderate peripheral arterial disease (p = 0.970) or operated osteomyelitis (p = 0.128) did not modify the level of healing significantly, which were of 81% and 70.8%, respectively. Complications include 12 ulcers due to the windowed fibreglass cast boot (i.e. 7%) and two other ulcers being moderately infected, resulting in 2% of toe amputation, but there was no major amputation or phlebitis. The treatment of old and deep NPUs of the diabetic foot by wearing a windowed fibreglass cast boot without opening the boot prior to healing offers very high ulcer recovery levels. Windowed fibreglass cast boots were changed in only 26 cases (14.6%). In addition, compliance was excellent and of the order of 95%. Furthermore, moderate peripheral arterial disease or a recent ostectomy did not affect the efficacy of windowed fibreglass cast boot. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic characterization of glycosidase activity from disaccharide conjugate to monosaccharide conjugate in Caco‐2 cells

Glycosidase activity influences the intestinal absorption of glycosides. Our previous study in rats suggested that disaccharide conjugates might be prototypes for pre‐prodrugs aiming at the Na+/ glucose co‐transporter‐mediated transport of prodrugs (drug glucoside) as a novel absorption pathway. One of the crucial factors is the formation of a glucoside drug from the disaccharide conjugate. Since there is a large species difference in metabolism, it is necessary to examine the cells and/or enzymes derived from human tissue to confirm this concept. In this paper, we kinetically characterized the glycosidase activity of disaccharide conjugates in Caco‐2 cells. Disaccharide conjugates of p‐nitrophenol (p‐NP) (p‐NP β‐cellobioside, p‐NP β‐lactoside and p‐NP β‐maltoside) were hydrolysed to p‐NP β‐glucoside. β‐glucosidase or β‐galactosidase (lactase/phloridzin hydrolase, LPH) and α‐glucosidase (sucrase‐isomaltase) had different pH‐dependent activities for disaccharide conjugates. At neutral pH, LPH has low affinity and low capacity, and sucrase‐isomaltase has high affinity and high capacity, whereas at acid pH, LPH has high affinity and low capacity, and sucrase‐isomaltase has low affinity and high capacity. The hydrolysis clearance calculated with Vmax/Km indicated that sucrase‐isomaltase activity is much higher than LPH activity at either neutral or acid pH in Caco‐2 cells. Since the hydrolysis rate of the disaccharide conjugate was highly dependent on the pH value and type of glycoside linkage, the appropriate selection of a glycoside form after consideration of these differences is the key to designing a sugar‐conjugate prodrug.
OFSF-BC: Online feature selection framework for binary classification

Feature selection is a very important technique in machine learning and pattern classification. Feature selection studies using batch learning methods are inefficient when handling big data in real world, especially when data arrives sequentially. Online Feature Selection is a new paradigm which is more efficient than batch feature selection methods but it still very challenging in large-scale ultra-high dimensional sparse domains. In this paper, we propose a framework of online feature selection for binary classification exploiting first-order and second-order information. This framework is designed to assume an efficient and scalable online feature selection process. In the experimental studies, we adopt first-order and second-order online learning based online feature selection methods FOOL-OFS and SOOL-OFS. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate the learning accuracy and time cost of different algorithms on several benchmarks and some real-world datasets.
Receptor-Independent Ectopic Activity of Prolactin Predicts Aggressive Lung Tumors and Indicates HDACi-Based Therapeutic Strategies.

AIMS Ectopic activation of tissue-specific genes accompanies malignant transformation in many cancers. Prolactin (PRL) aberrant activation in lung cancer was investigated here to highlight its value as a biomarker. RESULTS PRL is ectopically activated in a subset of very aggressive lung tumors, associated with a rapid fatal outcome, in our cohort of 293 lung tumor patients and in an external independent series of patients. Surprisingly PRL receptor expression was not detected in the vast majority of PRL-expressing lung tumors. Additionally, the analysis of the PRL transcripts in lung tumors and cell lines revealed systematic truncations of their 5' regions, including the signal peptide-encoding portions. PRL expression was found to sustain cancer-specific gene expression circuits encompassing genes that are normally responsive to hypoxia. Interestingly, this analysis also indicated that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors could counteract the PRL-associated transcriptional activity. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION Altogether, this work not only unravels a yet unknown oncogenic mechanism but also indicates that the specific category of PRL-expressing aggressive lung cancers could be particularly responsive to an HDAC inhibitor-based treatment.
Factors affecting the accuracy of the boundary element method in the forward problem. I. Calculating surface potentials

A comprehensive review of factors affecting the accuracy of the boundary element method (BEM) for calculating surface potentials is presented. A relative-error statistic is developed which is only sensitive to calculation errors that could affect the inverse solution for source position, and insensitive to errors that only affect the solution for source strength. The factors considered in this paper are numerical approximations intrinsic to the BEM, such as constant-potential versus linear-potential basis functions and sharp-edged versus smooth-surfaced volumes; aspects of the volume conductor including the volume shape, density of surface elements, and element shape; source position and orientation; and effects of "refinements" in the numerical methods. The effects of these factors are considered in both smooth-shaped (spheres and spheroids) and sharp-edged (cubes) volume conductors. This represents the first attempt to assess the effects of many of these factors pertaining to the numerical methods commonly used in fields such as electrocardiography (ECG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Strategies for obtaining the most accurate solutions are presented.
Real-time haptic simulation of medical procedures involving deformations and device-tissue interactions. (Simulation temps-réel d'interventions médicales impliquant des déformations et des interactions mécaniques entre les tissus et les outils)

The research work presented for the habilitation thesis aim to provide new simulation tools for medical and surgical interventions.These tools have many applications including training of physicians, planning of interventions (for rehearsal and for the validation of a therapy) or providing assistance during a real intervention. However, to obtain a realistic or even predictive simulation of the procedure, we must take into account the deformation of anatomical structures and the mechanical interactions between devices and tissues. At the same time, the simulation must be interactive and computed in real-time to keep the gesture of the physician in the loop of the simulation. The major challenge of our work is to guarantee a certain level of accuracy in the simulation while keeping a very short computation time, consistent with the real-time. First, we present an optimized formulation of the finite element method (FEM) for the deformable models and new numerical tools (preconditionner, coupling between models.) dedicated to real-time FEM computation. This approach is used to compute the biomechanics of anatomical soft-tissues, as well as flexible instruments. The second key point is the boundary conditions: the mechanical interactions between organs and/or with surgical devices are often difficult to account for. Yet, a bad modeling of these interaction can lead to a large source of errors. Our approach builds on non-smooth mechanics for modeling contact and friction between solids but also extends to other models of interaction (like needle insertion for instance). In this context, we also address the difficult problem of computing the compliance of deformable structures in real-time. Third, during some procedures, the visual feedback is far from perfect and the physician uses haptic feedback for guidance. In such case it is important to provide haptic rendering using dedicated haptic devices and simulation algorithms. In this domain, we provide a new asynchronous approach that is centered on the mechanical interactions between devices and human tissues. The method addresses the problem of high-refresh rates (1kHz) needed in the haptic loop. Finally, we present some research results on concrete application examples that we are currently developing. We present the remaining challenges to allow a large diffusion of the simulation as a clinical tool, used by physicians in the future.
Missense Variants in Plakophilin-2 in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Patients – Disease-Causing or Innocent Bystanders?

Objectives: Mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins have been linked to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D). We hypothesized that a Scandinavian ARVC/D population would have a different spectrum of plakophilin-2 (PKP2) mutations and that some of the reported missense mutations may not be pathogenic. Methods: We screened 53 unrelated patients fulfilling Task Force criteria for ARVC/D for mutations in PKP2 by direct sequencing. Results: Seven different mutations were identified: two insertion/deletions (E329fsX352, P401fsX406), 1 splice site (2146–2A>T), 1 non-sense (R79X) and 4 missense mutations (Q62K in 2 patients, G489R, G673V) of undeterminable pathogeneity. None of these mutations was present in 650 controls. Five of the mutations were novel. Seven patients carried reported missense mutations (D26N, S140F, V587I); however, these mutations were identified in our healthy controls, although at a lower frequency. Evaluation of all reported missense mutations in PKP2 showed unclear pathogeneity of several reported mutations. Conclusions: Fifteen percent of Danish ARVC/D patients carried PKP2 mutations. Our finding of reported disease-causing mutations at a low frequency among healthy controls suggests that these variants are disease modifying but not directly disease causing. We recommend conservative interpretation of missense variants in PKP2, functional characterization and large-scale sequencing to clarify normal variation in the gene.
Early Identification and Intervention

It is crucial during these years to determine if a child’s development is on track and to address any concerns as early as possible to have the greatest impact. Early identification, which involves a combination of routine surveillance and screenings, greatly increases the likelihood that a young child with or at risk for developmental and behavioral delays will be identified and referred to prevention and early intervention services. Furthermore, one in four children under 5 years old are at risk for developmental and behavioral delays and would benefit from early intervention services and supports.
“MOONSTROKE”: Lunar patterns of stroke occurrence combined with circadian and seasonal rhythmicity—A hospital based study

Both time of the day and season have been shown to have a significant effect on stroke incidence. In contrast, the role played by the moon has been little studied. We aimed to investigate the potential association of the lunar phase with the incidence of stroke subtypes [intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke (IS)], adjusted by circadian and seasonal variations. Consecutive stroke admissions to the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) were analyzed from 2004–2011. Of 6252 patients, 4085 (65.3%) had confirmed dates and hour of the day. Of these, 632 (15.5%) had ICH, 658 (16.1%) presented with TIA and 2202 (53.9%) had IS. There were also 593 (14.5%) stroke mimics. We measured the association of stroke incidence with a particular lunar phase using an incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Poisson regression model (new moon set as reference). Compared with new moon phase, ICHs occurred significantly more during the first quarter (IRR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.04 to 2.30; p = 0.03). More TIAs were observed during the first quarter and full moon than in new moon (IRR, 1.69; 95%CI, 1.16 to 2.46; p = 0.01; IRR, 1.52; 95%CI, 0.00 to 2.31; p = 0.05; respectively). Both ICH and TIA occurrence slightly decreased as lunar illumination increased (IRR, 0.99; 95%CI, 0.99 to 1.00; p = 0.01; IRR, 0.99; 95%CI, 0.99 to 1.00; p = 0.04; respectively). No association was found between lunar phase or illumination and IS. All stroke subtypes were less likely to happen between 12AM and 6AM than the remaining 18 h of the day. IS occurrence was significantly higher during the spring than summer (IRR, 1.14; 95%CI, 1.02 to 1.28; p = 0.03). For the patients older than 65 years, incidence of both ICH and IS was higher in spring than in summer (IRR, 1.33; 95%CI, 1.01 to 1.74; p = 0.04; IRR, 1.22; 95%CI, 1.06 to 1.39; p = 0.005; respectively). The lunar phase and illumination are associated with both ICH and TIA incidence. These findings should be tested on other stroke databases.
Intravenous tobramycin and metronidazole as an adjunct to corticosteroids in acute, severe ulcerative colitis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of metronidazole and tobramycin as an adjunct to corticosteroids in acute, severe ulcerative colitis. METHODS Thirty-nine consecutive patients with severe ulcerative colitis were randomized on admission to the hospital to receive intravenously either metronidazole (0.5g tid) and tobramycin (4 mg/kg tid) (n = 19), or placebo (n = 20). In addition, they were given parenteral nutrition, intravenous hydrocortisone (100 mg qid) and hydrocortisone enemas (100 mg bid). All patients were assessed after 10 days of continuous treatment, or at any time a severe complication occurred. RESULTS Twelve of 19 patients (63.15%) treated with antibiotics and 13/20 patients (65%) with placebo showed substantial improvement. Seven patients in each group did not improve (n = 9), or developed complications (n = 5) and underwent emergency colectomy without perioperative deaths or late deaths. CONCLUSIONS These results do not support the routine use of intravenous tobramycin and metronidazole in the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis.
Validating a second-order model for oil and gas projects’ investment climate scale

Purpose The investment climate is one of the key factors considered by foreign investors while deciding their investment destination. This paper aims to attempt at validating the second-order model of oil and gas projects’ investment climate. Examination of the relationship between the dimensions of oil and gas projects’ investment climate; strategy, participants/operating environment and risk/return; and the overall latent construct was conducted. The study also evaluates the goodness of fit of the second-order model using relevant fit indices. Design/methodology/approach Oil and gas experts in Malaysian marginal oil fields subsector were deployed, through whom responses were collected that formed the data set used in the analysis. Then, the data were used for confirmatory factor analysis, evaluation of the second-order model through path analysis and for model fit evaluation. Findings The finding revealed that the second-order model of oil and gas projects’ investment climate is valid and reliable. It also revealed that all the three dimensions, strategy, participants/operating environment and risk/return, have significant effects on the formation of the oil and gas projects’ investment climate. Finally, the goodness of fit of the second-order model satisfied the relevant fit indices. Research limitations/implications The findings present valuable insights to policymakers on the extent of the influence each of the dimensions has on the overall latent construct. The validity and reliability analysis suggests the measurements of the second-order model of oil and gas projects’ investment climate construct, and its dimensions are valid, reliable and fit for future empirical research. Thus, it calls for replication in other oil and gas settings. Originality/value The findings from the results of this study are pioneering. Extant literature falls short in attempting the validation of the second-order oil and gas projects’ investment climate scale, as well as relating each of the dimensions with the overall latent construct.
Distribution of CNT2 and ENT1 transcripts in rat brain: selective decrease of CNT2 mRNA in the cerebral cortex of sleep‐deprived rats

Nucleoside transport processes regulate the levels of adenosine available to modulate neurotransmission, vascular tone and other physiological events. However, although equilibrative transporter transcripts or proteins have been mapped in the central nervous system of rats and humans, little is known about the presence and distribution of the complete family of nucleoside transporters in brain. In this study, we analysed the distribution of the transcript encoding the high affinity adenosine‐preferring concentrative transporter CNT2 in the rat central nervous system and compared it with that of the equilibrative transporter ENT1. Furthermore, we evaluated the changes in expression of these two transporters in a situation of increased extracellular levels of adenosine, such as sleep deprivation. CNT2 mRNA was widespread in rat brain, although most prevalent in the amygdala, the hippocampus, specific neocortical regions and the cerebellum. The distribution of CNT2 mRNA only partially overlapped that of ENT1. Most of the cells labelled were neurones. Total sleep deprivation dramatically diminished the amounts of CNT2 mRNA, whereas ENT1 mRNA remained unchanged. This specific decrease in CNT2 transcript suggests a new physiological role for the transporter in the modulation of extracellular adenosine levels and the sleep/wakefulness cycle.
Retinoids Induce t-PA Synthesis by C6 Glioma Cells -Role in Tumoral Haemorrhagic Necrosis

Summary Treatment of rat C6 glioma with high doses of 13 cis-retinoic acid (cRA) was responsible for death related to haemorrhagic necrosis localized to the tumor. Our aim was to explore this adverse effect of retinoid treatment. We show that cRA-treated C6 glioma at 25 mg/kg/day for 18 days exhibits in vivo an increased t-PA activity, which is responsible for a localized tumor fibrinolytic activity. Production of t-PA is supported by specific enhancement of gene expression, as was shown by the increase in t-PA mRNA (X 2.3). This production is a direct effect of cRA when treating the tumor, since tumor cells themself do not produce enough t-PA and treatment of control rats does not increase the t-PA level. t-PA production by rat C6 glioma is in vivo related to the specific synthesis of t-PA by the C6 cell-line. The stimulation of C6 cell-line by cRA in vitro is dose-dependent and reached a maximum for 3 and 30 |iM at the 72nd h. So cRA-treated C6 glioma cells produce t-PA which appears to be the major species associated with the fibrinolytic activity-induced intra-tumoral haemorrhage after exposure to retinoid treatment.