Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Political Analysis in Montesquieu and Tocqueville

In that small list of classics that make up the canonical books of comparative political analysis, Montesquieu and Tocqueville both merit more than one entry.l When this subject's history is written, any account, if it is to be adequate, will have to include Montesquieu's Persian Letters, Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness and Decline of the Romans, and The Spirit of the Laws and Tocqueville's Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the Revolution. Every one of these works was deliberately comparative in conception and execution and still repays close scrutiny, not least on those points at which its author can be demonstrated to have been in error. Their subject was nothing less than the nature and types of human society as they affect politics; they are prime examples of a comparative political sociology that refuses to consider government apart from society or to reduce politics to a derivative function of social or economic process. Many of their analyses remain touchstones for anyone approaching such subjects. Yet a penumbra of tedium has come to surround certain topics, which all too regularly are introduced by the same limited stock of citations from these authors. Montesquieu and Tocqueville can scarcely be held responsible for the use of their work without reference to the processes by which their conclusions were attained and to their theoretical concerns, many of which we are only now beginning to identify. The fact is that the dubious homage of selective quotation has obscured a deep-rooted tradition of inquiry that has produced some of the greatest achievements of the social sciences.
Dynamics of remittance utilization by Nigerian households

Nigeria is currently ranked as the world’s top 10 remittance destination country with estimated official inflows of about US$10 billion. However, very little is still known about the end-use dynamics of these large inflows into Nigeria. Understanding these dynamics is central to any attempt to minimize the negative effects of migration, while optimizing its development potentials in the country. Using a new dataset involving 697 end-users of remittances collected at money-operating facilities in the country between March 2011 and December 2012, the study finds that the bulk of remittances flowing into Nigeria are primarily used to subsidize households’ consumption, education and health expenditures (74.3 per cent). However, intriguingly, when sources are disaggregated, the study finds that remittances originating from within Africa are driven by ‘pure altruism’, whereas those originating from the rest of the world are mostly driven by ‘purely selfish’ motives.
Abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose PET in pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is an inflammatory lung disease strongly associated with cigarette smoking and an increased risk of malignant neoplasms. Although the chest CT scan characteristics of PLCH are well recognized, the PET scan characteristics of adults with PLCH are unknown. METHODS We identified 11 patients with PLCH who underwent PET scanning over a 6-year period from July 2001 to June 2007. The presenting clinicoradiologic features including PET scan and chest CT scan findings were analyzed. RESULTS Five of 11 patients had positive PET scan findings. Of the five PET scan-positive patients, 4 (80%) were women, 4 (80%) were current smokers, and the median age was 45 years (age range, 31 to 52 years). PET scan-positive findings were more likely to be present if the scan was performed early in the clinical course. Three PET scan-positive patients (60%) had multiorgan involvement. PET scan-positive patients had predominantly nodular inflammatory lung disease (> 100 nodules) with most nodules measuring < 8 mm, whereas all PET scan-negative patients had predominantly cystic lung disease with fewer nodules (< 25 nodules). Notable abnormal PET scan findings included foci of increased uptake in nodular lung lesions, thick-walled cysts, bone, and liver lesions. The mean maximum standardized uptake value of the PET scan-positive lesions ranged from 2.0 to 18.2. CONCLUSIONS PLCH may be associated with abnormal thoracic and extrathoracic PET scan results. Patients with nodular disease seen on chest CT scans appear more likely to have abnormal PET scan findings. Our results suggest that PET scan imaging cannot reliably distinguish between the benign inflammatory nodular lesions of PLCH and malignant lesions.
Identifying a Core RNA Polymerase Surface Critical for Interactions with a Sigma-Like Specificity Factor

ABSTRACT Cyclic interactions occurring between a core RNA polymerase (RNAP) and its initiation factors are critical for transcription initiation, but little is known about subunit interaction. In this work we have identified regions of the single-subunit yeast mitochondrial RNAP (Rpo41p) important for interaction with its sigma-like specificity factor (Mtf1p). Previously we found that the whole folded structure of both polypeptides as well as specific amino acids in at least three regions of Mtf1p are required for interaction. In this work we started with an interaction-defective point mutant in Mtf1p (V135A) and used a two-hybrid selection to isolate suppressing mutations in the core polymerase. We identified suppressors in three separate regions of the RNAP which, when modeled on the structure of the closely related phage T7 RNAP, appear to lie on one surface of the protein. Additional point mutations and biochemical assays were used to confirm the importance of each region for Rpo41p-Mtf1p interactions. Remarkably, two of the three suppressors are found in regions required by T7 RNAP for DNA sequence recognition and promoter melting. Although these essential regions of the phage RNAP are poorly conserved with the mitochondrial RNAPs, they are conserved among the mitochondrial enzymes. The organellar RNAPs appear to use this surface in an alternative way for interactions with their separate sigma-like specificity factor, which, like its bacterial counterpart, provides promoter recognition and DNA melting functions to the holoenzyme.
Wideband multibeam arrays of long slots fed by quasi-optical systems

This paper summarizes the latest advances on an innovative, broadband multibeam antenna, proposed for satellite communications by the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications of Rennes (IETR), in the framework of a collaborative research with the French Space Agency (Centre National d'Iîtudes Spatiales). The antenna comprises an array of long slots, parallelfed by a corporate feed network of parallel plate waveguides. An integrated quasi-optical beamformer, illuminated by a single horn or by a focal array of horns, excites the feed network. The beam scanning can be achieved both mechanically and electronically. The numerical models developed for the analysis and design are reviewed. The experimental results presented for a Ka-band design demonstrates the wideband, wide-angle scanning performance of the proposed architecture. Finally, future research lines for achieving circular polarization are projected. The proposed antenna concept is particularly suitable for high throughput ground terminals on moving platforms.
Microeconomics: A Synthesis of Modern and Neoclassical Theory

Integrates mathematical, verbal (providing intuition for mathematical results), and graphical (illustrating the result for special two-variable cases) approaches in the exposition of theory. Includes modern economic theory topics not usually presented in microeconomics texts, such as preference theory, economic externalities and Pareto optimality, public commodities, and theory of social choice and collective rationality. Contains historical notes, suggested readings, and a variety of problems and exercises.
Antifungal Potential of Alkaloids As An Emerging Therapeutic Target.

BACKGROUND Fungal infections have been causing serious problems in all age groups, especially in immune-compromised individuals. Various synthetic agents are in clinical practice for the treatment of these infections, however, resistance to these agents badly affected their therapeutic quality. OBJECTIVE This review focuses on the antifungal activity of naturally occurring alkaloids, their source, chemical structure, and potency with a possible mechanism(s) of action. RESULTS The results of available literature showed that at least 70 different plant derived alkaloids exhibited antifungal activity in vitro. These alkaloids are isolated from different plants and families showing their diverse distribution in plant kingdom. Additionally, the alkaloid from various classes depicted antifungal effects against a variety of fungi. CONCLUSIONS Alkaloids could be a better therapeutic alternative to available therapies with fewer chances of resistance but more research and clinical trials are needed before final recommendations. Additionally, the details provided in this review will offer greater awareness of the excellent promise that natural alkaloids exhibit as antifungal agents.
Integration of electromagnetic passive components in DPS front-end DC/DC converter - a comparative study of different integration steps

In most of the power electronics converters, the overall footprint and profile of the whole system are in large part determined by the footprint and profile of the passive components and the interconnections between them. Integrated magnetics, planar magnetics and passive integration techniques have been topics of research for the past few years to reduce the parts count, footprint and profile of the passive components, hence increasing the power density of the whole converter. This becomes especially prominent in the distributed power system (DPS) front-end converters, as the trend is moving from 2U (1U=1.75 inches) standard toward 1U standard. This paper presents a comparative study of the integration steps of passive components of an asymmetrical half bridge circuit (AHBC) for DPS front-end DC/DC converter application. Four AHBC converters using discrete passive components, nonplanar integrated magnetic components, planar integrated magnetic components and passive integrated power electronic module (IPEM), respectively, are constructed and tested. Comparisons are made from the viewpoints of volume, profile, efficiency, EMI and thermal performances of the four converters. The experimental result shows that the passive IPEM, which integrates all the passive components, has much higher power density, lowest profile, lower temperature rise and similar efficiency.
Community-specific modifications are essential for objective assessment of maternal dietary intake – Pune Maternal Nutrition Study

Abstract Objective To introduce community-specific modifications in the conventional 24 h recall method for objectively estimating maternal dietary intake and validate it with a reference method. Design A modified 24 h recall method was developed with the visit of trained local girls at the subject’s home to weigh portion sizes at each mealtime over the 24 h recall period. This was validated with the reference method in which weighed records of the foods consumed were obtained and their laboratory analysis was done to obtain nutrient intakes. Setting Rural areas located 40–50 km from Pune City, India. Subjects Forty-one pregnant women participated willingly. Results The estimates of intake obtained from the reference method were comparable to those obtained from the modified 24 h recall method for energy (7795 (sd 1841) kJ (1863 (sd 440) kcal) v. 7615 (sd 1824) kJ (1820 (sd 436) kcal), respectively), protein (48·6 (sd 12·9) g v. 45·3 (sd 12·6) g, respectively) and fat (35·3 (sd 16·6) g v. 36·0 (sd 14·2) g, respectively). Significant correlation was observed between the estimates obtained by the two methods for energy (0·75, P < 0·001), protein (0·71, P < 0·001) and fat (0·56, P < 0·001) and differences in nutrient intake did not reveal any systematic bias. When compared with the reference method, the modified method showed >80 % sensitivity and specificity for identifying inadequate maternal energy intakes. Conclusions Simple modifications to conventional methods backed by understanding of community specifics and nutritional peculiarities are of immense importance in obtaining objective estimates of daily nutritional intakes of individuals in free-living populations. The approach would be adaptable in similar settings in other developing countries.
Breaking the Interference Barrier in Dense Wireless Networks with Interference Alignment

A fundamental problem arising in dense wireless networks is the high co-channel interference. Interference alignment (IA) was recently proposed as an effective way to combat interference in wireless networks. The concept of IA, though, is originated by the capacity study of interference channels and as such, its performance is mainly assessed under ideal assumptions, such as instantaneous and perfect channel state information (CSI) at all nodes, and a homogeneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime, i.e., all users have the same average SNR. Consequently, the performance of IA under realistic conditions has not been completely investigated yet. In this paper, we aim at filling this gap by evaluating the performance of spatial IA in practical systems. Specifically, we derive a closed-form expression for the IA average sum-rate when CSI is acquired through training and users have heterogeneous SNR. A main insight from our analysis is that IA can indeed provide significant spectral efficiency gains over traditional approaches in a wide range of dense network scenarios. To demonstrate this, we consider the examples of linear, grid and random network topologies.
Development of GaN-Based Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

This paper reviews the fabrication technology and performance characteristics of optically pumped and electrically pumped GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). The lasing action of optically pumped hybrid GaN-based VCSELs has been observed at room temperature due to the employment of high-quality and high-reflectivity AlN/GaN-based distributed Bragg reflectors in the VCSEL structure. Based on the device structure of the optically pumped hybrid GaN-based VCSELs, we further achieved the lasing action of electrically pumped GaN-based VCSELs under continuous-wave operation at 77 K. The laser has a threshold injection current of 1.4 mA and emits a blue wavelength at 462 nm together with a narrow linewidth of about 0.15 nm. The laser beam has a divergence angle of about 11.7deg with a polarization ratio of 80%. A very strong spontaneous coupling efficiency of 7.5 times 10-2 was measured.
Discrete-review policies for scheduling stochastic networks: trajectory tracking and fluid-scale asymptotic optimality

This paper describes a general approach for dynamic control of stochastic networks based on fluid model analysis, where in broad terms, the stochastic network is approximated by its fluid analog, an associated fluid control problem is solved and, finally, a scheduling rule for the original system is defined by interpreting the fluid control policy. The main contribution of this paper is to propose a general mechanism for translating the solution of the fluid optimal control problem into an implementable discrete-reviewpolicy that achieves asymptotically optimal performance under fluid scaling, and guarantees stability if the traffic intensity is less than one at each station. The proposed policy reviews system status at discrete points in time, and at each such point the controller formulates a processing plan for the next reviewperiod, based on the queue length vector observed, using the optimal control policy of the associated fluid optimization problem. Implementation of such a policy involves enforcement of certain safety stock requirements in order to facilitate the execution of the processing plans and to avoid unplanned server idleness. Finally, putting aside all considerations of system optimality, the following generalization is considered: every initial condition is associated with a feasible fluid trajectory that describes the desired system evolution starting at that point. A discrete-reviewpolicy is described that asymptotically tracks this target specification; that is, it achieves the appropriate target trajectory as its fluid limit.
Automated time series forecasting for biosurveillance

For robust detection performance, traditional control chart monitoring for biosurveillance is based on input data free of trends, day‐of‐week effects, and other systematic behaviour. Time series forecasting methods may be used to remove this behaviour by subtracting forecasts from observations to form residuals for algorithmic input. We describe three forecast methods and compare their predictive accuracy on each of 16 authentic syndromic data streams. The methods are (1) a non‐adaptive regression model using a long historical baseline, (2) an adaptive regression model with a shorter, sliding baseline, and (3) the Holt–Winters method for generalized exponential smoothing. Criteria for comparing the forecasts were the root‐mean‐square error, the median absolute per cent error (MedAPE), and the median absolute deviation. The median‐based criteria showed best overall performance for the Holt–Winters method. The MedAPE measures over the 16 test series averaged 16.5, 11.6, and 9.7 for the non‐adaptive regression, adaptive regression, and Holt–Winters methods, respectively. The non‐adaptive regression forecasts were degraded by changes in the data behaviour in the fixed baseline period used to compute model coefficients. The mean‐based criterion was less conclusive because of the effects of poor forecasts on a small number of calendar holidays. The Holt–Winters method was also most effective at removing serial autocorrelation, with most 1‐day‐lag autocorrelation coefficients below 0.15. The forecast methods were compared without tuning them to the behaviour of individual series. We achieved improved predictions with such tuning of the Holt–Winters method, but practical use of such improvements for routine surveillance will require reliable data classification methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological characteristics and biomedical applications of the squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana cultured through multiple generations.

Providing squids--especially their giant axons--for biomedical research has now been achieved in 10 mariculture trials extending through multiple generations. The noteworthy biological characteristics of Sepioteuthis lessoniana are (1) this species is behaviorally and morphologically well suited to the laboratory environment; (2) the life cycle is completed in 4-6 months; (3) growth is rapid (12% and 5% wet body weight d-1 for 100 d and for the life span, respectively), with adult size ranging from 0.4-2.2 kg; (4) feeding rates are high (30% wet body weight d-1), and a variety of live crustaceans and fishes are eaten; (5) crowding is tolerated (about 4 squids m-3); (6) the incidence of disease and cannibalism is low; and (7) reproduction in captivity allows culture through three successive generations. Engineering factors contributed to culture success: (1) physical design (i.e., size, shape, and painted pattern) of the culture tanks; (2) patterns of water flow in the culture tanks; (3) water filtration systems; and (4) spawning substrates. Initial production (a few hundred squids per year) suggests that large-scale culture will be able to supply the needs of the biomedical research community. The size (> 400 microns in diameter) and characteristics of the giant axons of Sepioteuthis are appropriate for experimentation, and other studies indicate that the eye, oculomotor/equilibrium system, olfactory system, blood, and ink are equally suitable for research.
Adult epidermal Notch activity induces dermal accumulation of T cells and neural crest derivatives through upregulation of jagged 1

Notch signalling regulates epidermal differentiation and tumour formation via non-cell autonomous mechanisms that are incompletely understood. This study shows that epidermal Notch activation via a 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen-inducible transgene caused epidermal thickening, focal detachment from the underlying dermis and hair clumping. In addition, there was dermal accumulation of T lymphocytes and stromal cells, some of which localised to the blisters at the epidermal-dermal boundary. The T cell infiltrate was responsible for hair clumping but not for other Notch phenotypes. Notch-induced stromal cells were heterogeneous, expressing markers of neural crest, melanocytes, smooth muscle and peripheral nerve. Although Slug1 expression was expanded in the epidermis, the stromal cells did not arise through epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Epidermal Notch activation resulted in upregulation of jagged 1 in both epidermis and dermis. When Notch was activated in the absence of epidermal jagged 1, jagged 1 was not upregulated in the dermis, and epidermal thickening, blister formation, accumulation of T cells and stromal cells were inhibited. Gene expression profiling revealed that epidermal Notch activation resulted in upregulation of several growth factors and cytokines, including TNFα, the expression of which was dependent on epidermal jagged 1. We conclude that jagged 1 is a key mediator of non-cell autonomous Notch signalling in skin.
From Preliminary Ideas to Corroborated Product Definitions: Managing the Front End of New Product Development

Front-end activities largely influence the outcomes of new product development processes, because it is here that firms create new ideas, give them direction, and set them in motion. We show that the front end can be understood as comprising three core activities: idea/concept development, idea/concept alignment, and idea/concept legitimization, which allow firms to create corroborated product definitions. This article provides important implications for managers interested in front-end management. It devotes specific attention to the differences between incremental and radical front-end development and to the front end in the light of increasingly open innovation processes.
Participant experiences in a smartphone-based health coaching intervention for type 2 diabetes: A qualitative inquiry

Introduction We investigated the experience of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who participated in an intervention in which the key elements were the provision of a smartphone and self-monitoring software. The interviews focused on use of a smartphone and the effects on motivation for health behavior change. Methods This was a qualitative evaluation of participants in a larger T2DM self-management randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted at the Black Creek Community Health Centre (BCCHC) in Toronto, Canada (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036892). The study is based on semi-structured interviews (n = 11) that were audio taped and analyzed with a thematic analytic approach. The RCT compared the effectiveness of six months of smartphone-based self-monitoring and health coaching with a control group who received health coaching without internet or smartphone-based assistance. Results Qualitative data analyses resulted in derivation of four major themes that describe participant experience: (a) ‘smartphone and software’, describes smartphone use in relation to health behavior change; (b) ‘health coach’ describes how client/health coach relationships were assisted by smartphone use; (c) ‘overall experience’ describes perceptions of the overall intervention; and (d) ‘frustrations in managing chronic conditions’ describes difficulties with the complexities of T2DM management from a patient perspective. Discussion Findings suggest that interventions with T2DM assisted by smartphone software and health coaches actively engage individuals in improved hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) control.