Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elite Capture in Participatory Urban Governance

The responsibility of municipalities to provide crucial services is being increasingly passed on to the resident welfare associations located in middle and upper middle class areas in cities. Similar tools of intervention are absent in the slums and low-income neighbourhoods and even the local ward committees fail to represent their needs and aspirations. The RWAs are trying to sanitise their neighbourhood by attempting to remove encroachments and petty commercial establishments from their “gated” colonies. The very mechanism of the functioning of RWAs is likely to accentuate and institutionalise disparity within urban areas. In recent years, there has been a sea change in urban governance in the country. The economic liberalisation initiated in the country followed by decentralisation measures adopted by all tiers of the government as an aftermath of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) has resulted in gradual withdrawal of the State and increasing p rivate sector participation in capital i nvestment and operation and maintenance of urban services. The institutional vacuum thus created has sought to be filled up by the nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). Also, the inability of the wards committees, i nstitutionalised through 74th CAA, to u sher in decentralised governance has led to the growth of middle class activism through the resident welfare associations (RWAs). The municipal responsibility of provision of services is being increasingly passed on to the RWAs (Smitha 2010). Their involvement has been broadly in a reas of operation and management of civic services, capital investment in infrastructural projects, planning and participatory budgeting, and maintenance of neighbourhood security. In fact, efforts have been made to institutionalise them as partners in the development process, through government-led programmes like the Bhagidari in Delhi. The RWAs have been supported not only by the government but also by private agencies and o ther civil s ocieties. Importantly, their functioning has been restricted largely in the middle income and posh colonies. Correspondingly, the informal settlements, which house the urban poor, are unable to exercise their voice through the same form of activism.
Traumatically Induced Axotomy Adjacent to the Soma Does Not Result in Acute Neuronal Death

Traumatic axonal injury (TAI), a consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), results from progressive pathologic processes initiated at the time of injury. Studies attempting to characterize the pathology associated with TAI have not succeeded in following damaged and/or disconnected axonal segments back to their individual neuronal somata to determine their fate. To address this issue, 71 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to moderate central fluid percussion injury and killed between 30 min and 7 d after injury. Antibodies to the C terminus of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) identified TAI in continuity with individual neuronal somata in the mediodorsal neocortex, the hilus of the dentate gyrus, and the dorsolateral thalamus. These somata were followed with immunocytochemical markers of neuronal injury targeting phosphorylated 200 kDa neurofilaments (RMO-24), altered protein translation (phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α), and cell death [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)], with parallel electron microscopic (EM) assessment. Despite the finding of TAI within 20–50 μm of the soma, no evidence of cell death, long associated with proximal axotomy, was seen via TUNEL or routine light microscopy/electron microscopy. Rather, there was rapid onset (<6 hr after injury) subcellular change associated with impaired protein synthesis identified by EM, immunocytochemical, and Western blot analyses. When followed 7 d after injury, these abnormalities did not reveal dramatic progression. Rather, some somata showed evidence of potential reorganization and repair. This study demonstrates a novel somatic response to TAI in the perisomatic domain and also provides insight into the multifaceted pathology associated with TBI.
An Examination of Context Theorization Based on Chinese Corporate Strategic Management Practices

The development of Chinese corporate management discipline has passed through a process from context-insensitivity,context-sensitivity to context-effect and context theorization has become a theoretical breakthrough point based on managerial practice.To advance the research on context theorization,the present article proposes to comprehend the context within which firms operate from the perspective of environment,organization,human interactivity and dynamic evolution.Based on that,the article takes China's corporate strategic management research as an example to analyze two approaches to context theorization and four capability requirements.It suggests that an investigation of market fragmentation and its context-effect can be a meaningful attempt to develop Chinese context theorization.
Ecology of Eastern Australian Whipsnakes of the Genus Demansia

Body sizes, food habits and reproduction in eastern Australian elapid whip- snakes are described, based on dissection of 537 specimens. The four species studied are Demansia atra, D. olivacea, D. psammophis and D. torquata. Males attain larger body sizes than females in all species, and male-male combat is recorded in D. atra. The diet consists mainly of lizards, especially skinks. Female reproductive cycles are strongly seasonal in the two southern- most Demansia (D. psammophis and D. torquata), with ovulation in spring. In contrast, the tropical D. atra and D. olivacea apparently reproduce year-round. All four species are oviparous, with mean clutch sizes between 3 and 8 eggs. Inferred rates of bodily growth in Queensland D. psammophis are high, with sexual maturation at = 20 months of age in both sexes. Several colubrid snake taxa in other continents are remarkably similar to Demansia in morphology (slender body, long tail, large eyes) behavior (rapid movement, diurniality, terrestriality) and ecology (saurophagy and oviparity). These whipsnake characteristics are interpreted as adaptations to facilitate the chase and capture of fast-moving diurnal prey items, especially lizards.
Adaptive fuzzy moving K-means clustering algorithm for image segmentation

Image segmentation remains one of the major challenges in image analysis. Many segmentation algorithms have been developed for various applications. Unsatisfactory results have been encountered in some cases, for many existing segmentation algorithms. In this paper, we introduce three modified versions of the conventional moving k-means clustering algorithm called the fuzzy moving k-means, adaptive moving k-means and adaptive fuzzy moving k-means algorithms for image segmentation application. Based on analysis done using standard images (i.e. original bridge and noisy bridge) and hard evidence on microscopic digital image (i.e. segmentation of Sprague Dawley rat sperm), our final segmentation results compare favorably with the results obtained by the conventional k-means, fuzzy c-means and moving k-means algorithms. The qualitative and quantitative analysis done proved that the proposed algorithms are less sensitive with respect to noise. As such, the occurrence of dead centers, center redundancy and trapped center at local minima problems can be avoided. The proposed clustering algorithms are also less sensitive to initialization process of clustering value. The final center values obtained are located within their respective groups of data. This enabled the size and shape of the object in question to be maintained and preserved. Based on the simplicity and capabilities of the proposed algorithms, these algorithms are suitable to be implemented in consumer electronics products such as digital microscope, or digital camera as post processing tool for digital images.
An Empirical Investigation of Preparers’ and Users’ Views on Internet Financial Reporting Disclosure Items in Malaysia

This research paper seeks to empirically investigate perceptions of preparer and user of corporate annual report on the important items of internet financial reporting (IFR) disclosed on websites of listed companies. The study employs the survey questionnaires for gathering information from the respondents on significant items that should be listed under IFR disclosure index checklist. Based on an extensive literature review, the level of IFR in this study is divided into two, namely, content dimension and presentation dimension. The results indicate that income statement of the current year is the most important items in content dimension. In addition, annual report in PDF format is perceived to be the most important items in presentation dimension. The result empirically proves that 140 items could be used for IFR disclosure index checklist to ascertain IFR’s level of disclosure. The paper can be considered as the first empirical study to examine the important items of the IFR disclosure index from both views; preparers and users in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to help significant gaps in knowledge about the important items in IFR disclosure index. The findings are expected to have great use to the interested parties such as government, regulators, policy makers, standard setters, corporations, market participants, management and other institutions. This study is the first attempt to explore in depth preparers’ and users’ views on IFR disclosure items in Malaysia. The implication of the research findings and future research will also be discussed.
Influence of religion and supernatural beliefs on clinical manifestation and treatment practices in patients with bipolar disorder

Abstract Background: Religious and supernatural beliefs influence help seeking and treatment practices in bipolar disorder, but these are rarely explored by clinicians. This study aimed to understand religiousness, magico-religious beliefs, prevalence of religious and supernatural psychopathology and treatment practices among patients with bipolar disorder in euthymic state. Methodology: A total of 185 patients of bipolar disorder currently in remission were assessed cross-sectionally for their clinical profile, current clinical status on the Hamilton Depression Rating Sscale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). A semi structured instrument for magico-religious beliefs, aetiological models, treatment seeking and treatment practices was administered. Results: More than a third of patients (37.8%) had psychopathology with either religious or supernatural content or both in their lifetime. Almost half (45.4%) the patients believed in a supernatural/religious aetiology for their illness. Among the specific causes, planetary influences (13.5%) and God’s will (30.8%) were the most common supernatural and religious cause, respectively. Almost half (44.3%) of patients had first treatment contact with religious/supernatural treatment providers. More than 90% of patients reported belief in God, yet about 70% reported that their doctors did not ask them sufficient questions to understand their religiosity. Conclusion: Magico-religious beliefs are common in bipolar disorder and a large number of patients attribute these as aetiological factors for their illness. Consequently they tend to seek treatment from traditional practitioners prior to approaching medical practitioners and may continue treatment with them alongside medical management.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Apoptosis-inducing Ligand-induced Death-inducing Signaling Complex and Its Modulation by c-FLIP and PED/PEA-15 in Glioma Cells*

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can trigger apoptosis in some tumor cells but not other tumor cells. To explore the signal transduction events in TRAIL-triggered apoptosis and its modulation in nontransfected tumor cells, we analyzed TRAIL-induced death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) in TRAIL-sensitive and -resistant glioma cells. Caspase-8 and caspase-10 were recruited to the DISC, where they were proteolytically activated to initiate apoptosis in TRAIL-sensitive glioma cells. Caspase-8 and caspase-10 were also recruited to the DISC in TRAIL-resistant cells, but their further activation was inhibited by two antiapoptotic proteins termed cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) and phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes/phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes-15kDa (PED/PEA-15). Both long and short forms of c-FLIP were recruited to the DISC, where the long form c-FLIP was cleaved to produce intermediate fragments. Of the three isoforms of PED/PEA-15 proteins, only the doubly phosphorylated form was expressed and recruited to the DISC in TRAIL-resistant cells, indicating that the phosphorylation status of PED/PEA-15 determines its recruitment in the cells. Treatment with calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase inhibitor rescued TRAIL sensitivity in TRAIL-resistant cells, providing a potential new approach to sensitize the cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
Biomarker Discovery, Development, and Implementation in France: A Report from the French National Cancer Institute and Cooperative Groups

Biomarkers are increasingly changing the medical practice in oncology. One of the major challenges in the field of personalized medicine or biologically adapted therapies is to ensure a rapid and extensive implementation of emerging biomarkers as soon as proof of their medical usefulness is obtained. A special program has been developed in France to facilitate the assessment and use of biomarkers. The French National Cancer Institute has set up a total of 28 laboratories in public hospitals to perform biomarker testing for clinical use. This program is enabling all patients who present with cancer to receive free testing for biomarkers, such as K-Ras, epidermal growth factor receptor, c-Kit, and Braf mutations. Funding for these laboratories comes from the French Ministry of Health. The future of these laboratories includes the development of DNA arrays and multiplex technologies for clinical use. Toward that end, the French National Cancer Institute is financing several large clinical trials that several large clinical trials are currently evaluating the feasibility and medical utility of DNA arrays and next-generation sequencing in the context of academic centers. The programs are being run by cooperative groups. Clin Cancer Res; 18(6); 1555–60. ©2012 AACR.
Agent-based modeling and System Dynamics modeling on transmission of Tuberculosis in Saskatchewan

The desire to better understand the transmission of infectious disease in the real world has motivated the representation of epidemic diffusion processes in the context of qualitative simulation as a computational model on provincial and community levels. In this thesis, we have developed both agent-based models and System Dynamics models within the context of M. Tuberculosis (TB) transmission in Saskatchewan and a community in Saskatchewan to evaluate the efficiency of prevention programs such as contact tracing investigation. New insights about how dynamic models and agent-based models can assist policy development and decision making in disease control will be generated. Moreover, we sought to compare these two modeling approaches to gain insights in TB diffusion in Saskatchewan as well as guidance in choosing the appropriate modeling approach for particular problems.
Phase only synthesis in time modulated array

Phase Only Synthesis Time Modulated Array (POSTMA) is a new technique to reduce side lobe level (SLL) in radar application using phase only synthesis. It consists in applying successive sets of weights to the array elements during the integration time in order to generate an “average” SLL. Additional zeros can also be placed in the radiation pattern to suppress interference. It is also possible to steer to any desired direction.
Graph-based semi-supervised learning methods and quick detection of central nodes. (Méthodes d'apprentissage semi-supervisé basé sur les graphes et détection rapide des nœuds centraux)

Semi-supervised learning methods constitute a category of machine learning methods which use labelled points together with unlabeled data to tune the classifier. The main idea of the semi-supervised methods is based on an assumption that the classification function should change smoothly over a similarity graph. In the first part of the thesis, we propose a generalized optimization approach for the graph-based semi-supervised learning which implies as particular cases the Standard Laplacian, Normalized Laplacian and PageRank based methods. Using random walk theory, we provide insights about the differences among the graph-based semi-supervised learning methods and give recommendations for the choice of the kernel parameters and labelled points. We have illustrated all theoretical results with the help of synthetic and real data. As one example of real data we consider classification of content and users in P2P systems. This application demonstrates that the proposed family of methods scales very well with the volume of data. The second part of the thesis is devoted to quick detection of network central nodes. The algorithms developed in the second part of the thesis can be applied for the selections of quality labelled data but also have other applications in information retrieval. Specifically, we propose random walk based algorithms for quick detection of large degree nodes and nodes with large values of Personalized PageRank. Finally, in the end of the thesis we suggest new centrality measure, which generalizes both the current flow betweenness centrality and PageRank. This new measure is particularly well suited for detection of network vulnerability.
Maporal Virus as a Surrogate for Pathogenic New World Hantaviruses and its Inhibition by Favipiravir

Background: Pathogenic hantaviruses geographically distributed in the Old World cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), whereas New World hantaviruses are the aetiological agents of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Ribavirin, a drug associated with toxicities, is presently indicated for treatment of HFRS, whereas treatment of the more frequently lethal HCPS is limited to supportive care. Because of the need for safe and effective antivirals to treat severe hantaviral infections, we evaluated favipiravir (T-705) against Dobrava and Maporal viruses as representative Old World and New World hantaviruses, respectively. Dobrava virus causes HFRS in Europe. Maporal virus (MPRLV), recently isolated from western Venezuela, is phylogenetically similar to Andes virus, the principal cause of HCPS in Argentina. Methods: Hantavirus replication in the presence of various inhibitors was measured by focus-forming unit assays and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Phylogenetic relationships were assessed by the neighbour-joining and bootstrap consensus methods. Results: Here, we show that infection of Vero E6 cells with MPRLV is dependent on β3 integrins, similar to that reported for pathogenic hantaviruses. Furthermore, by analysis of molecular determinants associated with the G1 glycoprotein cytoplasmic tail, we show the close genetic proximity of MPRLV to other HCPS-causing hantaviruses in these regions predictive of pathogenicity. We also demonstrate anti-hantavirus activity by favipiravir with inhibitory concentrations ranging from 65 to 93 μM and selectivity indices >50. Conclusions: Our data suggest that MPRLV may serve as a safer alternative to modelling infection caused by the highly lethal Andes virus and that hantaviruses are sensitive to the effects of favipiravir in cell culture.
Carbon-13 chemical shift tensor correlation via spin diffusion in solid tropolone using switched-angle spinning spectroscopy

In switched‐angle spinning spectroscopy (SAS) a sample is spun about different angles, β, relative to the magnetic field, during various periods of the experiment. In the present work, SAS is combined with two‐dimensional exchange spectroscopy in order to correlate carbon‐13 chemical shift tensors of the carbonyl (1) and hydroxyl (2) carbons of tropolone. Experiments were performed on a sample enriched to 25 at. % in each of these sites (at different molecules). At this level of enrichment the dominant exchange mechanism between the two sites involves spin diffusion. The experiment consists of a preparation period during which the sample spins at the magic angle and the magnetization of one of the sites is quenched by means of a selective pulse sequence. During the rest of the experiment the sample spins with its axis away from the magic angle except for a short period just before the detection where the axis is switched to the magic angle in order to select the magnetization to be detected. Experiments w.
Influence of Mild Hypothermia on Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Reactive Nitrogen Production in Experimental Stroke and Inflammation

Mild hypothermia is neuroprotective, but the reasons are not well known. Inflammation contributes to ischemic damage; therefore, we examined whether the protection by hypothermia may be attributable to alterations in the inflammation. We examined whether hypothermia might alter the inflammatory cell-associated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and subsequent nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite generation in experimental stroke and inflammation. Rats underwent 2 hr of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Brain inflammation was modeled by intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (2 mg/kg) injection. Temperature was maintained at 33°C for 2 hr immediately after MCAO and LPS injection, delayed 2 hr after MCAO or maintained at 38°C. Cultured microglia were activated with LPS and then incubated at 33 or 37°C. Both intraischemic and delayed mild hypothermia attenuated infarct size by 40% (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify cell type, iNOS, and peroxynitrite. The majority of iNOS- and peroxynitrite-positive cells were activated microglia–macrophages, and mild hypothermia significantly decreased the numbers of immunoreactive cells at 72 hr by >50% (p < 0.05). After ischemia, mild hypothermia decreased NO production by 40%. Similarly, hypothermia attenuated NO and iNOS in LPS-injected rats, as well as in cultured microglia. Aminoguanidine, an iNOS inhibitor, also attenuated infarct size and NO in ischemic and inflammation models. We conclude that mild hypothermia significantly inhibits the inflammatory response by affecting microglial iNOS–NO generation. Therapies directed against microglia or their activation may be useful in treating stroke.
Research on the Classification and Identification of Driver’s Driving Style

More and more Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are entering the market for improving both driving safety and comfort. To improve the system performance, in particular, the acceptance and adaption of ADAS to human drivers, it is important to understand human drivers' driving habits that make the systems more human-like or personalized for ADAS. The research presented in this paper proposes a method to classify and recognize drivers' driving styles. A typical testing scenarios is created under a real-time Driver-In-the-Loop Intelligent Simulation Platform (DILISP) with both PanoSim-RT® and dSPACE®. The driving styles are defined and classified into three categories based on the root mean square of vehicle acceleration, the Time-to-Start and the Time-To-Follow. Samples with 21 drivers are used for the testing with driving data collected, analyzed and further employed for driving style recognition via Multi-dimension Gaussian Hidden Markov Process (MGHMP). Test results show that driving styles can be classified clearly and identified effectively using the proposed classification and identification strategy.