Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Encumbering Development: Development Discourse as Hegemonic Resources in the Developing World

Development as a concept is as complex as it is elusive to definition. Various accounts of the chequered historical course of development thought show attempts to explain the development process as it has been perceived in various contexts and during particular time periods. Post World War Two socio-economic development assessments show bleak as well as paradoxical trends in the developing world, given the efforts of nationalist governments and the donor community to improve people's quality of life. While assessments agree that the development project has under performed, or aggravated the poverty and suffering among the poor, explanations of responsible factors remain a subject of heated debate and shifting opinions. In the SADC region, Malawi's post-independence rapid economic growth and its fall from the early 1980s have attracted divergent explanations, given Western donor community good will and support Malawi enjoyed throughout the cold war era. A worthwhile starting point in tackling the complexities of development is to clarify conceptions of development and their strategies in context. Adopting techniques in Critical Discourse Analysis perspectives that espouse a constructivist approach, a rhetorical and linguistic study of public communication texts within the socio-political context at independence in 1964 and post-independence, throws some light on the development project as encumbered and distracted in Malawi and by extension, among (young) states of the developing world. As such, as much as the development agenda is seen to have primarily socio-economic bearings, analyses of depictions of development show that elites subtly used the development agenda as a hegemonic resource to entrench their positions. This paper focuses on the constructive element that was involved in the conceptualisation of development and the hegemonic purposes the development concepts served.
Ergodic Capacity Analysis of Wireless Relaying Systems In Rayleigh Fading

The ergodic capacities in Rayleigh fading of various wireless relaying systems with an arbitrary number of half- duplex relays are analyzed, assuming channel state information is only known at the receivers. Closed-form analytical expressions for calculation of the ergodic capacities of wireless relaying systems with regenerative relays and nonregenerative relays employing decode-and-forward relaying and amplify-and-forward relaying, respectively, are derived. It is shown that systems with regenerative relays employing decode-and-forward relaying offer higher ergodic capacities than systems with nonregenerative relays employing amplify-and-forward relaying.
Linear Feedback Control of a Parallel Active Harmonic Conditioner in Power Systems

Harmonics are one of the major quality concerns. The increasing use of power semiconductor devices (i.e., nonlinear loads) is keeping harmonic distortion in electrical installations on the rise. Harmonics generally cause the distortions of voltage and current waveforms, which result in many harmful effects on both utilities and customers. A parallel active harmonic conditioner can be used to compensate current harmonics demanded by nonlinear devices so that the supply current remains quasi-sinusoidal. In principle, this conditioner consists of a voltage-source inverter connected in parallel between the utility system and the customer. The control of such an inverter is an essential step in harmonic compensation. Most of the existing control methods are formulated as a classical tracking problem that requires reference generation. In a previous work, a parallel active harmonic conditioner was formulated as a perturbation rejection problem rather than a reference tracking one, and a linear state feedback H infin controller was synthesized in order to drive the inverter. The objective of this paper is to reduce the number of measured outputs, and therefore to design a linear output feedback H infin controller by noniterative means. The robustness of such a controller with respect to the system impedance uncertainties is investigated. Moreover, the validity of the synthesized output feedback control law is revealed through both simulation and experimental results.
Hollow Zn/Co ZIF Particles Derived from Core-Shell ZIF-67@ZIF-8 as Selective Catalyst for the Semi-Hydrogenation of Acetylene.

The rational design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with hollow features and tunable porosity at the nanoscale can enhance their intrinsic properties and stimulates increasing attentions. In this Communication, we demonstrate that methanol can affect the coordination mode of ZIF-67 in the presence of Co(2+) and induces a mild phase transformation under solvothermal conditions. By applying this transformation process to the ZIF-67@ZIF-8 core-shell structures, a well-defined hollow Zn/Co ZIF rhombic dodecahedron can be obtained. The manufacturing of hollow MOFs enables us to prepare a noble metal@MOF yolk-shell composite with controlled spatial distribution and morphology. The enhanced gas storage and porous confinement that originate from the hollow interior and coating of ZIF-8 confers this unique catalyst with superior activity and selectivity toward the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene.
Cre‐loxp fate‐mapping of Pax6 enhancer active retinal and pancreatic progenitors

Summary: Pax6 plays important roles in the control of ocular and pancreatic development. We identified a 450 bp Pax6 enhancer that contains two interacting sequences: a 274 bp fragment sufficient for expression in retinal progenitors and an adjacent 156 bp fragment required for expression in pancreatic progenitors. Since this enhancer is only transiently expressed during embryogenesis, a Cre‐loxP fate‐mapping strategy was used to investigate the developmental potential of these progenitors. Surprisingly, the labeled retinal precursors predominantly gave rise to horizontal cells, indicating a cell lineage role in horizontal cell differentiation. In the pancreas, all enhancer‐specific cells were restricted to endocrine and ductal cell lineages. This result lends support to a model whereby Pax6‐expressing progenitors contribute to the adult pancreatic islets and ducts. The progenitor cell‐specificity of this enhancer will be useful in studies that require either cell‐specific expression or conditional gene inactivation in these cell populations. genesis 35:22–30, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast Low-Sidelobe Synthesis for Large Planar Array Antennas Utilizing Successive Fast Fourier Transforms of the Array Factor

A new and very fast low-sidelobe pattern synthesis method for planar array antennas with periodic element spacing is described. The basic idea of the method is that since the array factor is related to the element excitations through an inverse Fourier transform, the element excitations can be derived from the array factor through a direct Fourier transform. Starting with an initial set of suitable element excitations the array factor is calculated. After matching the array factor to the prescribed pattern, an updated set of excitations is obtained through a direct Fourier transform performed on the matched array factor. From this updated set, only the samples associated with the aperture are retained, where after a new array factor is calculated. The whole process is repeated until the updated array factor does not violate any longer the pattern requirements. The proposed synthesis method provides significant improvements in terms of performance, computational speed, flexibility, and ease of implementation in software to the methods described in reviewed literature. A number of representative examples are presented to demonstrate the various unique capabilities of the method. The results include sum and difference patterns for circular and elliptical aperture shapes featuring uniform ultra low sidelobes
Molecular cloning and characterization of a new human histamine receptor, HH4R.

A new histamine receptor, HH4R, was cloned from human leukocyte cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence showed about 40% identity to that of the human histamine H3 receptor, HH3R. HH4R-expressing cells responded to histamine, inhibiting forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. An H3 agonist, N-alpha-methylhistamine (NAMHA), bound specifically to HH4R, while another H3 agonist, R(-)-alpha-methylhistamine (RAMHA), and the H3 antagonist, thioperamide, competed with this binding. RAMHA, NAMHA, and imetit inhibited forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in HH4R-expressing cells. However, the binding affinities and agonistic activities of H3 agonists to HH4R were weaker than those to HH3R. Low expression of HH4R was detected in a wide variety of peripheral tissues by RT-PCR; however, in contrast with HH3R, expression was not detected in the brain. These observations indicate that the clone is a distinct histamine receptor from HH3R, and thus is named HH4R.
Gauge / gravity duality and metastable dynamical supersymmetry breaking

We engineer a class of quiver gauge theories with several interesting features by studying D-branes at a simple Calabi-Yau singularity. At weak ’t Hooft coupling we argue using field theory techniques that these theories admit both supersymmetric vacua and meta-stable non-supersymmetric vacua, though the arguments indicating the existence of the supersymmetry breaking states are not decisive. At strong ’t Hooft coupling we find simple candidate gravity dual descriptions for both sets of vacua.
Gene manipulation of chick embryos in vitro, early chick culture, and long survival in transplanted eggs

We introduce a revolutionary gene transfer system in chick: transfect chick embryos at early developmental stage by electroporation in vitro, Early Chick (EC) culture, and transplant to the egg to let the embryo survive until E5.5. Referring to the fate map, we could target the tissues of transfection, or transfect large areas of the embryo. We could get tissue‐specific expression of a transgene by tissue‐specific promoter. This method is very convenient and rapid, but allows us to get stable expression of the transgene in combination with transposon system.
Automated screening using microfluidic chip‐based PCR and product detection to assess risk of BK virus‐associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients

The cost‐effective detection of viral particles in bodily fluids could enable more effective responses to viral outbreaks, whether isolated clinical cases, or influenza epidemics. In renal transplant recipients, complications arising from high levels of BK virus can lead to graft dysfunction, graft loss, and/or reduced patient survival. We describe a microfluidic system for the sensitive analysis of BK virus (viral load) in unprocessed urine samples that are applied directly onto the chip, thus avoiding labor‐intensive processing and sources of inter‐assay variability. Integration of small volume genetic amplification (PCR) and electrophoretic analysis detects as few as 1–2 viral copies, distinguishes between high, medium and low levels of virus and reliably identifies viral loads requiring clinical intervention. As a first step to wider application in the clinic and in the field, the present work presents an entirely microchip‐based system, validated against conventional clinical methods using clinical samples.
Lack of effect of chronic pre‐treatment with the FAAH inhibitor URB597 on inflammatory pain behaviour: evidence for plastic changes in the endocannabinoid system

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Elevating levels of endocannabinoids with inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a major focus of pain research, purported to be a safer approach devoid of cannabinoid receptor‐mediated side effects. Here, we have determined the effects of sustained pharmacological inhibition of FAAH on inflammatory pain behaviour and if pharmacological inhibition of FAAH was as effective as genetic deletion of FAAH on pain behaviour.
Coffee and green tea consumption and subsequent risk of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes in Japan

Although coffee and green tea are suggested to reduce the risk of some types of cancers, only a few epidemiological studies have investigated their effect on the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Here, we investigated the association of coffee and green tea consumption and the risk of AML and MDS in a large‐scale population‐based cohort study in Japan. A total of 95,807 Japanese subjects (45,937 men and 49,870 women; age 40–69 years at baseline) were followed to the end of 2012, for an average of 18 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between coffee and green tea consumption at baseline and the risk of AML and MDS were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for potential confounders. During 1,751.956 person‐years, we identified 85 AML cases and 70 MDS cases. Our findings showed no significant association between coffee consumption and the risk of AML, or between green tea consumption and the risk of AML or MDS. In contrast, we observed a decreasing dose‐response relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of MDS among men (almost none: reference, 1–4 times/week: HR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.43–1.62; ≥1cups/day: HR = 0.47, 0.22–0.99, p for trend = 0.049). Stratified analysis by smoking status suggested that the observed relative risk for AML and MDS of coffee drinkers relative to non‐coffee drinkers might be due to residual confounding by smoking. These findings deserve further investigation in future studies.
Computer graphics for building archaeology: An interdisciplinary approach for conservation of Brazilian cultural assets

This article presents an experience in São Paulo, Brazil, conducted on a historical house with more than 120 years with different kind of alterations (morphological and ambient decorations), difficult to explain to the common visitor. Acknowledged as an important city heritage, related to Italian immigration history in São Paulo, it's today a university house dedicated to heritage research and education. Because of its importance as also a research centre, it's a national reference on methodological studies on building archaeology, with more than 20 years of stratigraphical studies for the conservation of its multi-layered mural paintings and procedures for identification of architectural chronology. Today, it holds an important database of photographs, drawings and paper documents about the building that should be available to a general public and to specialized scientists. Because of these very different groups to address to, computer graphics were a tool that sought to combine database organization needs, documentation of in situ reconstructions of general ambiances and representation discussions on heritage studies, being aware of historical, archaeological and scientific restoration approaches towards the building. With these premises, it was possible to understand that, independently of the tools used, any geometric model should be a critical synthesis that must turn possible, for the common viewer or for the expert, to clarify and analyze scientifically the fabric that is being represented, the true reality of the architectural “document” that matters as heritage itself.
Optimization techniques of radiation dose for dedicated breast CT

Reducing radiation dose level, suppressing image artifacts and improving image quality are issues under intensive research in the dedicated breast CT (DBCT) development. In this study, a breast CT imaging platform and a Monte-Carlo simulation platform are built in the first place. Then the effects of tube voltage, mAs, filter and projection angle on the radiation dose level, artifacts and image quality are studied by using parameters such as radiation dose, signal-to-noise ratio and quality factor. Experiment results indicate that the quality factor is optimized when the tube voltage is chosen as 50kVp. Moreover, by reducing mAs, the DBCT can still obtain a good image quality in low radiation scan. Bowtie filters with appropriate shape can lead to a better dose efficiency than normal flat filters. Besides, short scan mode can reduce the radiation dose level by 40% with similar image quality compared with conventional scan mode.
Conception et réalisation d'un drone hybride sol/air autonome

Ce travail est dedie au controle non lineaire d'un drone de type quadricoptere dont la specificite est de pouvoir voler aussi bien que se deplacer en glissant sur le sol, a la facon d'un aeroglisseur. Dans un contexte d'exploration autonome de bâtiment, ce concept hybride permet d'economiser les batteries lorsqu'il n'est pas necessaire de voler puisque le drone profite des surfaces planes pour se deplacer sans avoir a compenser la gravite ; il peut ainsi prolonger l'autonomie au-dela de la vingtaine de minutes typique d'un quadricoptere classique. Contrairement aux vehicules terrestres a roues, les capacites de franchissement de notre drone sont fortement augmentees car son aptitude au vol l'autorise a eviter les obstacles, a changer d'etage ou passer par une fenetre. L'etude menee ici concerne essentiellement le deplacement surfacique de ce drone hybride, et vise a concevoir et implementer une loi de controle capable d'asservir ce systeme sur des trajectoires planes au sol. Ce drone terrestre est similaire a un systeme sous actionne de type glisseur ; le probleme de la stabilisation en un point est donc distingue du suivi de trajectoire en raison de la condition de Brockett que ce systeme ne satisfait pas ; notre plateforme ne peut donc pas etre stabilisee par des retours d'etats continus. En s'appuyant sur la litterature, cette these propose differentes approches theoriques en temps variant, fonctions transverses, platitude ou encore par "Backstepping" pour repondre a ces problemes. Apres une phase d'identification du modele dynamique employe, la partie experimentale, exploitant un systeme de Motion Capture pour recuperer les informations de position et d'orientation du systeme, valide ces lois de controle et de commande pour le suivi d'une trajectoire circulaire simple.
The thin film transistor&#8212;A late flowering bloom

The thin film transistor was the first solid-state amplifier ever patented, but has found no practical application until quite recently. The history of this device is traced from the early and unsuccessful Bell Labs experiments, through its brief resurgence in the 1960's as a competitor to the MOSFET; its second disappearance from public view followed by years of hibernation at Westinghouse Labs; its emergence in the 1970's as a candidate for forming very large area integrated circuits for flat panel displays, leading to the present era of intensive, worldwide exploitation as a device which has at last found a suitable problem to solve. The present state of the art of TFT's made of CdSe, poly- and amorphous silicon is reviewed, particularly as it pertains to their current predominant use in high resolution/high performance liquid crystal displays, followed by some views on the future for TFT's in active matrices and, possibly, in other "human size" or macro-electronic components and systems.
Negative Growth Regulation of SK-N-MC Cells by bFGF Defines a Growth Factor-sensitive Point in G2 *

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been shown to induce growth inhibition of the neuroepithelioma cell line SK-N-MC. Here we show that this growth inhibition occurs in G2. We show that bFGF is active on these cells during S and early G2 phase. Therefore, this constitutes a rather unusual mechanism of growth inhibition, because it is generally believed that cells become refractory to extracellular signals after passage through the restriction point. We show that bFGF treatment inhibits Tyr-15 dephosphorylation of cdc2 and prevents activation of Cdc25C, similar to what is seen upon activation of the G2DNA damage checkpoint. Interestingly, both DNA damage- and bFGF-induced effects on cdc2 phosphorylation are reverted by caffeine. To confirm the involvement of similar pathways induced by bFGF and DNA damage, we generated tetracycline-regulatable SK-N-MC clones expressing Cdc25C-S216A. Expression of this Cdc25C mutant can revert the bFGF-induced effects on cdc2 phosphorylation and can rescue cells from the block in G2 imposed by bFGF. Taken together, these data define a growth factor-sensitive point in G2 that most likely involves regulation of Cdc25C phosphorylation.
of a genetic circuit . Comparison of the theoretical and real-world evolutionary potential

With the development of next-generation sequencing technologies, many large scale experimental efforts aim to map genotypic variability among individuals. This natural variability in populations fuels many fundamental biological processes, ranging from evolutionary adaptation and speciation to the spread of genetic diseases and drug resistance. An interesting and important component of this variability is present within the regulatory regions of genes. As these regions evolve, accumulated mutations lead to modulation of gene expression, which may have consequences for the phenotype. A simple model system where the link between genetic variability, gene regulation and function can be studied in detail is missing. In this article we develop a model to explore how the sequence of the wild-type lac promoter dictates the fold change in gene expression. The model combines single-base pair resolution maps of transcription factor and RNA polymerase binding energies with a comprehensive thermodynamic model of gene regulation. The model was validated by predicting and then measuring the variability of lac operon regulation in a collection of natural isolates. We then implement the model to analyze the sensitivity of the promoter sequence to the regulatory output, and predict the potential for regulation to evolve due to point mutations in the promoter region.