Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Citizens’ Perceptions of Local Government Services and Their Trust in Local Authorities: Implications for Local Government in Mauritius

The linkage between local perceptions of municipal services and the level of trust in the local government is an under-researched and yet relevant aspect for a small multi-ethnic island like Mauritius. This research draws from the opinions of some 400 Mauritian inhabitants gathered through a Citizens’ Satisfaction Survey carried out in 2018 to evaluate the attitudes of citizens towards local government services and trigger further research on future options for improving the local government sector. The results from a structural equation modelling (SEM) indicate that satisfaction with local outputs is a significant predictor of trust in local authorities. Trust in public institutions is also found to be a possible mediator in this nexus. Further probing into citizens’ responses reveals that their preferences for local public goods differ across jurisdictions and vary with level of education. Findings also point to a tendency for citizen mobility which can have important implications for improving local services through fiscal decentralisation. JEL Classification: H1, H3, H4
A Modification of the Diphenylamine Method for Determination of Inulin

Colorimetric methods for the determination of inulin in blood serum or plasma and urine based on the reaction of inulin with diphenylamine have been described in recent years. The most widely used procedure is that of Alving, Rubin and Miller, 1 in which the inulin-containing solutions are heated in closed tubes with diphenylamine and hydrochloric acid dissolved in ethyl alcohol. Tightly capped tubes are necessary because of the volatile solvent, and because the solution must be heated for 60 minutes at 100°C to obtain the maximum color. In this laboratory as well as in others, this method has been troublesome and the results not consistently accurate. For this reason a modification has been devised in which a less volatile solvent is used, thus permitting the use of open tubes. With this reagent a shorter period of heating is necessary for maximum color development and accurate results have been obtained in the determination of inulin in blood serum or heparinized plasma in concentrations as low as 4 mg per 100 cc. The determination can be carried out on 0.2 cc. Method. Reagent. Three grams of diphenylamine, reagent grade, are dissolved in 100 cc of glacial acetic acid and to this solution are added 60 cc of concentrated hydrochloric acid. This reagent is stable if kept in an amber bottle in a refrigerator at 6°C, and the color production with inulin is found to remain constant for at least one month. A few crystals of diphenylamine may precipitate out of solution but this does not affect the reagent. If kept at room temperature the color in the blank determination becomes progressively darker, but if correction be made for the blank as is automatically done in a photoelectric colorimeter of the Evelyn type the calibration curve is not changed.
Measuring the temporal quality of a biodiversity database

In the context of climate change it is important to keep biodiversity databases up-to-date. This priority generates the need for a metric to assess the concept of up-to-dateness. The objective of this paper is to devise a measure of up-to-dateness for atlas-type biodiversity data. The data input into the algorithm consists of the species, date and grid cell allocation of all available records for a taxon in a region. First, for each grid cell in a region, the median of the date of the most recent record of each species is calculated. Secondly, the median of the median dates for each grid cell yields an overall measure of up-to-dateness. The performance of this algorithm is investigated in relation to databases for six taxa in southern Africa. In June 2021, the up-to-dateness of the databases varied from 41 years for the reptile database to two years for the bird database. The quality of a biodiversity database is a multidimensional concept; up-to-dateness is only one of several dimensions. The paper identifies a need to quantify the rate at which the “value” of a record decays as evidence that a species still occurs at a locality, and suggests an experimental process for doing this. The use of the up-to-dateness index to motivate citizen scientists is discussed.
Application of modular response analysis to medium- to large-size biological systems

The development of high-throughput genomic technologies associated with recent genetic perturbation techniques such as short hairpin RNA (shRNA), gene trapping, or gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9) has made it possible to obtain large perturbation data sets. These data sets are invaluable sources of information regarding the function of genes, and they offer unique opportunities to reverse engineer gene regulatory networks in specific cell types. Modular response analysis (MRA) is a well-accepted mathematical modeling method that is precisely aimed at such network inference tasks, but its use has been limited to rather small biological systems so far. In this study, we show that MRA can be employed on large systems with almost 1,000 network components. In particular, we show that MRA performance surpasses general-purpose mutual information-based algorithms. Part of these competitive results was obtained by the application of a novel heuristic that pruned MRA-inferred interactions a posteriori. We also exploited a block structure in MRA linear algebra to parallelize large system resolutions. Author Summary The knowledge of gene and protein regulatory networks in specific cell types, including pathologic cells, is an important endeavor in the post-genomic era. A particular type of data obtained through the systematic perturbation of the actors of such networks enables the reconstruction of the latter and is becoming available at a large scale (networks comprised of almost 1,000 genes). In this work, we benchmark the performance of a classical methodology for such data called modular response analysis, which has been so far applied to networks of modest sizes. We also propose improvements to increase performance and to accelerate computations on large problems.
Development of an ASO therapy for Angelman syndrome by targeting an evolutionarily conserved region at the start of the UBE3A-AS transcript

Angelman syndrome is a devastating neurogenetic disorder for which there is currently no effective treatment. It is caused by mutations or epimutations affecting the expression or function of the maternally inherited allele of the ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene. The paternal UBE3A allele is imprinted in neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) by the UBE3A antisense (UBE3A-AS) transcript, which represents the distal end of the SNHG14 transcription unit. Reactivating the expression of the paternal UBE3A allele in the CNS has long been pursued as a therapeutic option for Angelman syndrome. Here, we designed and optimized antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) targeting an evolutionarily conserved region demarcating the start of the human UBE3A-AS transcript and show that ASOs targeting this region can reverse imprinting of UBE3A in cultured Angelman syndrome neurons and throughout the CNS of a non-human primate model. Findings from this study advanced the first investigational molecular therapy for Angelman syndrome into clinical development (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04259281). SUMMARY Here, we describe the preclinical studies supporting the first investigational molecular therapy for Angelman syndrome to advance into clinical development (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04259281).
Electrophysiological measures of visual suppression

In the early visual system, suppression occurs between neurons representing different stimulus properties. This includes features such as orientation (cross-orientation suppression), eye-of-origin (interocular suppression) and spatial location (surround suppression), which are thought to involve distinct anatomical pathways. We asked if these separate routes to suppression can be differentiated by their pattern of gain control on the contrast response function measured in human participants using steady-state electroencephalography. Changes in contrast gain shift the contrast response function laterally, whereas changes in response gain scale the function vertically. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to summarise the evidence for each type of gain control. A computational meta-analysis of 16 previous studies found the most evidence for contrast gain effects with overlaid masks, but no clear evidence favouring either response gain or contrast gain for other mask types. We then conducted two new experiments, comparing suppression from four mask types (monocular and dichoptic overlay masks, and aligned and orthogonal surround masks) on responses to sine wave grating patches flickering at 5Hz. At the occipital pole, there was strong evidence for contrast gain effects in all four mask types at the first harmonic frequency (5Hz). Suppression generally became stronger at more lateral electrode sites, but there was little evidence of response gain effects. At the second harmonic frequency (10Hz) suppression was stronger overall, and involved both contrast and response gain effects. Although suppression from different mask types involves distinct anatomical pathways, gain control processes appear to serve a common purpose, which we suggest might be to suppress less reliable inputs.
Q.U.A.I.N.T.P.E.A.X. QUantifying Algorithmically INTrinsic Properties of Electronic Assemblies via X-ray CT

Electronic assemblies such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) and integrated circuits (ICs) require precise fabrication and process control of the electrical and mechanical properties. Microelectronic fabrication is a combination of additive methods, such as deposition of metal layers or subtractive, such as etching milling This stack of layers in PCB or IC design creates the connectivity required for each device to operate functionally within a range of design specifications such as electrical resistance or impedance. The non-destructive verification of final assembled devices access to high-energy metrology equipment, demand for trusted devices and to mitigate the complex defect-prone multilayer designs in PCB ( >8 Layer and IC & Volumetric tools such as X-ray Micro Computed Tomography and Nano CT are used to analyze the internal features of PCBs and ICs non-destructively. The automated quantification of these internal structures requires high-resolution data to provide enough spatial resolution throughout the sample’s “sliced” volume. Each slice’s resolution in the volume represents the spatial resolution of the X-ray scan collection. To quantify internal structures such as signal traces or via connections the internal feature must be processed to separate or segment individual components enabling automated dimensional analysis or material property characterization. As the miniaturization of device geometries and the density of components increases, the labor resources required for manual segmentation of layered volumetric data becomes impossible. Small deviations in the mechanical lay-up of PCBs and ICs result in
Denoising STEM Electron Energy Loss Spectra using Convolutional Autoencoders

Core-shell STEM EELS has become a powerful tool for the probing of complex materials, providing not only chemical mapping, but information about local bonding and electronic states. Due to the low cross sections for core-shell ionization the spectra recorded as a function of probe position have an inherently low signal to noise ratio. This problem has been most commonly addressed using methods such as principal component analysis [1]. In this talk we will examine the use of a simple convolutional autoencoders to denoise both simulated and experimental spectra
Deep Learning–Based Workflow for Analyzing Helium Bubbles in Transmission Electron Microscopy Images

Optimization of structural materials for nuclear energy purposes necessitates understanding the fundamental mechanisms beyond the helium-induced damage in the structural materials [1]. The morphology of emergent microstructures is readily available via imaging; however, analyzing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images is time-consuming and often difficult manually or using traditional computational tools. Here we demonstrate the seamless integration of the deep learning algorithms with the physics-based descriptors implemented via traditional computer vision techniques can significantly accelerate the process and provide new insights into the images.
Technological improvements for whole cell cryo-ET of respiratory syncytial virus infected cells

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that causes over 235,000 hospitalizations in the US each year [1, 2]. There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines. RSV virions are enveloped filamentous virions that are highly pleomorphic, but generally range in length from 1-4 μm with a diameter of ~130 nm [3]. The RSV matrix protein (M) has been crystallized as both a monomer and a dimer and experiments have shown that dimerization is required to assemble filamentous virions [4, 5]. However, the organization of matrix within the virion has not been determined. The structure and organization matrix proteins or matrix protein equivalents of other paramyxoviruses has been solved by cryo-EM, cryo-ET, and sub-tomogram averaging [6-8].
Gibbosporina cyanea (Pannariaceae), a new bipartite cyanolichen from Sri Lanka with comparisons to related palaeotropical cyanogenera

Abstract Gibbosporina cyanea is described here as new to science, based on its holotype collected in Sri Lanka in the 1860s. The species is a bipartite cyanolichen in contrast to all other known Gibbosporina species, which are tripartites. The species appears to have evolved through cephalodia emancipation followed by divergence. Phyllidia indicate a cephalodiate evolutionary origin with a continued function similar to vegetative propagules. The species is considered to represent a relatively young speciation within an evolutionary old genus and G. sphaerospora is discussed as a possible candidate for being its closest known relative based on spore morphology. As the species appears to be so different from the remaining Gibbosporina species, it is compared here to representatives of other related palaeotropical cyanogenera, such as Leightoniella, Lepidocollema, Pannaria and Physma. Perispore structure is shown to be a useful character in separating these genera, including distinct clades of the non-monophyletic genera Physma and Lepidocollema. Leightoniella zeylanensis is reported here as new to Japan, and it is concluded that Pannaria lurida needs to be restudied in India and Sri Lanka.
A molecular re-evaluation of Parmelia encryptata with notes on its distribution

DNA barcoding using the internal transcribed spacer region (nuITS rDNA) is a widely used method in the identification of fungi (Schoch et al. 2012). However, sequence-based identification using databases such as GenBank should be treated with caution, as previously pointed out by Nilsson et al. (2006) who reported that c. 20% of all fungal sequences deposited there may be incorrectly annotated at species level. This may be especially difficult in the case of genera in which cryptic species have been described, and for which the proportion of mislabelled records may be even higher. Although BLAST searches facilitate quick determination of taxa based on DNA sequences, the recognition of genetically similar species may be challenging (e.g. Lücking et al. 2020a, b; Moncada et al. 2020). Forests are one of the most important ecosystems and provide habitat for more than half of terrestrial biodiversity (Jaroszewicz et al. 2019). They are also under increasing threat from direct human activity (e.g. logging, expansion of invasive species) and climate change. Natural forests are vanishing along with often unique and rare species of various groups of associated organisms and the rich biodiversity (e.g. Sylvester et al. 2017; Łubek et al. 2018). Białowieża Forest is one such forest ecosystem. This large forest complex is one of the best preserved primeval forests in Central-Eastern Europe (Jaroszewicz et al. 2019) and is characterized by the rich lichen biota, including a significant number of relict and rare lichens, among them rare and endangered parmelioid taxa and some recently described species (e.g. Cieśliński et al. 1996; Motiejūnaitė et al. 2004; Guzow-Krzemińska et al. 2016, 2017, 2018; Ertz et al. 2018a, b; Łubek et al. 2018, 2020). Parmelia encryptata A. Crespo et al. (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) was described as a cryptic species found in the Iberian Peninsula and Ireland, morphologically indistinguishable from P. sulcata Taylor (Molina et al. 2011). This species has not been reported again since it was described; however, during the examination of nuITS rDNA sequences of Parmelia species deposited in GenBank, we discovered three sequences that were similar to those of P. encryptata but were misidentified as P. sulcata. This unexpected discovery encouraged us to re-examine all sequences of the P. sulcata group, including the most similar species, P. barrenoae Divakar et al. and P. sulcata. The aim of this paper is to present new records of P. encryptata, re-evaluate molecular data and discuss its possible forest relict character.
Correlative Zernike phase contrast X-ray nanotomography to determine the distribution and orientation of graphite particles in a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin for improved thermal conductivity

X-ray nanotomography (Nano-CT) is ideally suited for non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) imaging of carbon-based material systems on the nanoscale. The lab-based ZEISS Xradia 810 Ultra X-ray microscope enables standard absorption contrast imaging as well as edge-enhancing phase contrast imaging for low-Z materials by inserting a Zernike phase ring into the beam path behind the sample and Fresnel zone plate. While absorption contrast is usually employed for materials containing regions of sufficiently different atomic numbers, Zernike phase contrast allows to distinguish between different phases in composite materials and accentuates the morphology of embedded particles of similar density. The high-resolution and flexible imaging modes of the Nano-CT instrument, combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), allow for a detailed 3D study of the orientation and distribution of graphite particles in a representative 3D volume. Light and resilient materials play an essential role in the manufacturing of novel electric turbines for airplanes. Likewise, thermal conductivity is one of the crucial properties of the turbine's shell that must be optimized before operational use. We investigated a promising material for the shell: carbon fiber and graphite particle reinforced composites. the mechanical properties, the thermal conductivity is
Angstrom-scale Magnetic Measurements of a Metallic Antiferromagnet with 4D-STEM

Antiferromagnets have recently attracted significant interest for their potential use in spintronic devices. Due to their switching frequencies in the terahertz range, antiferromagnets have the potential to produce fast, dense computer memories[1]. Existing magnetic imaging techniques such as Lorentz TEM[2], electron holography[3,4], and differential phase contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy (DPC-STEM)[5,6] have been used effectively to image magnetic domains and topological structures of magnetism such as skyrmions[7] with spatial resolution of a couple of nanometers[7,8]. However, higher spatial resolution is needed to study the spin arrangements of antiferromagnets near domain boundaries, defects, and interfaces.
Estimating illumination coherence width from focused-probe intensity profiles

Fluctuation Electron Microscopy (FEM) examines speckle in images and diffraction patterns that arises from constructive and destructive interferences between the waves scattered by atoms in the thin material. Strong coherence between the scattered waves is necessary if structural correlations between those atoms is to be detected [1]. High spatial coherence in the illumination is crucial. Illumination spatial coherence can be controlled by adjusting the pre-specimen optics High spatial coherence generally results in low illumination and the signals can be in the significantly irradiation, motions specimen charging, the rapid motions of charges, contributes to this loss of coherence – or 'decoherence' – in the scattered beams, the speckle intensities. measured speckle variance is 10–100 times smaller To measure decoherence effects, calibration of the illumination spatial coherence is needed.
Phase Retrieval Imaging for Soft Materials at Low-Voltage

The imaging of soft and biological materials has long challenged researchers due to their low inherent contrast and susceptibility to beam damage even at low electron dose. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and advances in related hardware, software and sample preparation methods have greatly improved resolution and signal-to-noise for the imaging of soft structures. However, achieving sufficient contrast is generally dependent on lens aberrations or the introduction of phase plates to induce phase contrast [1], or on algorithms for class averaging from highly homogeneous samples. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) can be used to observe mass-thickness contrast, but the high localized dose can be prohibitive for radiation-limited structures. Imaging at lower voltage can improve contrast due to the increased scattering cross-section but also introduces elevated radiation damage [2]. The imaging of materials that are non-homogeneous or flexible in solution as well as beam-sensitive requires extended methods to improve contrast without increasing electron dose. One such method is ptychography, a phase retrieval imaging technique popularized for scanning x-ray diffraction microscopy [3]. It has recently proven useful in electron microscopy, especially for low-atomic number, easily damaged materials. This work focuses on a class of materials known as “megamolecules”, which are protein assemblies formed from covalent reactions between small molecule inhibitors and their target protein domains The model used here, tetracutinase, is the reaction cutinase protein domains a four-armed in Figure which yields a distinctive four-lobed
Advances in the Development of White-Light Interferometry for In-Situ Uranium Hydride Kinetic Data Collection

Uranium hydriding is a corrosion process that causes significant material degradation and poses a serious concern for long-term storage and disposal. Hydrogen can locally attack the uranium to form uranium hydride (UH 3 ) when uranium is exposed to a hydrogen-rich, or water-based environment interacts with insoluble hydrogen present in the matrix through impurities in the fabrication process. Hydrogen has been shown to increase brittleness of the uranium and to produce unfavorable properties of tensile strength, hardness, and elongation [1].