Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elections under authoritarianism: Preliminary lessons from Jordan

This study examines the politics of elections in authoritarian regimes, focusing on Jordan. Specifically, it considers (1) what is the role of elections in authoritarian regimes? (2) How can we understand voter behaviour in authoritarian elections? (3) How and why do candidates participate in elections? (4) How do state elites manage electoral competition? The fundamental contention is that elections under authoritarianism are an important arena for competition, but one over patronage, not policy. This has profound effects on electoral politics. Voters generally cast their ballots for those who can, and will, deliver goods; that is, they vote for candidates who maintain good relations with ruling elites, and with whom the voters have personal ties. Elites are similarly more likely to run in elections if they do not oppose the regime. The result is a pro-regime bias in parliaments, even in the absence of regime manipulation. Consequently, in contrast to conventional wisdom, elections are neither pre-determined ‘contests’ under the ruling elites' full control, nor are they major struggles between opposition and the regime; rather, elections in even very repressive authoritarian regimes are often true competitions that help to stabilize the regime. Authoritarian rulers can thus generally rely on institutions – not ballot-box stuffing – to manage elections, using districting and electoral laws to favour supporters. The study concludes with a discussion of implications for democracy promotion programmes.
Inbreeding, fluctuating asymmetry, and ejaculate quality in an endangered ungulate

An ever–increasing number of species are suffering marked reductions in population size as a consequence of human activities. To understand the impact of these changes it is essential to assess how small population size affects individual fitness and the viability of populations. This issue acquires special relevance among endangered species in which numbers have decreased to such an extent that captive breeding must be established with a few founders. A major risk associated with small population size is inbreeding depression. The effects of inbreeding upon male reproductive traits are the subject of an ongoing controversy, since the evidence linking lack of genetic variability and poor ejaculate quality at the population level has been criticized recently by several authors. We report that among Gazella cuvieri males, inbreeding coefficient shows a strong inverse relationship with ejaculate quality. Furthermore, the degree of fluctuating asymmetry is positively related to the coefficient of inbreeding and negatively related to the proportion of normal sperm, suggesting that it is a reliable indicator of genetic stress and of ejaculate quality.
In vivo measurement of the water content in the dermis by confocal Raman spectroscopy

Background/purpose: Dermal water plays an important role in the physical properties of the skin. Recently, researchers have attempted to directly measure the dermal water content in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging, near infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. However, these methods have limitations. Although confocal Raman spectroscopy has been developed to measure the water content in the skin, no reports have suggested that this instrument can measure the dermal water content. This report describes a method for measuring the dermal water content in vivo using confocal Raman spectroscopy.
Mobile connectivity protocols and throughput measurements in the Ricochet Microcellular data network (MCDN) system

We describe the protocols implemented in the Ricochet MCDN system to provide continuous connectivity to mobile users traveling up to 70 mph. These protocols are general in nature for any frequency-hopping microcell-based system, particularly those that follow the FCC part 15.247 rules [9] and operate in unlicensed spectrum. We also present throughput measurements as a function of velocity and describe a model to predict those numbers based upon the protocols implemented. The MCDN system is a mesh-based system of microcells that are connected wirelessly to an interspersed mesh of wired access points (WAPs) that cover approximately 12 square miles on average [7]. The average microcell density is approximately 5-6 per square mile, with 3-8 overlapping cells at each point. Since the system is entirely packet-based, we have instantaneous hand-off between microcells as there are no complicated cellular-type negotiations for circuits required as all of the information needed to route the packet through the system is included in the header; however, when traveling through the mesh of microcells at a high rate of speed, the mobile unit must acquire new microcells fast enough to ensure continuous connectivity. The system must also know how to route packets to the mobile unit as it drops old cells and acquires new ones, as well as being able to contact a moving mobile unit. This paper discusses the acquisition, registration, and routing protocols that make this possible and reviews performance data of typical mobile users.
Co-operatively re-engineering a financial services information supply chain: A case study

This paper presents a case study of the co-operative design, development, and implementation of an XBRL-enabled interorganizational system (IOS) by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the Reserve Bank of Australia (central bank), and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to revolutionize reporting by financial institutions in Australia. The findings illustrate that the complexity of data consumption patterns drove increased interdependence within the financial information supply chain requiring the co-operative development of context sensitive data exchanges and commodity-like IT infrastructures. The paper concludes that the co-operative model to IOS development exhibited here is likely to be more suited to the development of systems for financial information supply chains than the hub and spoke model characteristic of IOS in other sectors. Copyright © 2009 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Cet article est une etude de cas portant sur la conception co-operative, la mise au point et la mise en application d'un systeme d'informations inter-organisationnel (IOS) base sur le XBRL par l'Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, la Reserve Bank of Australia (la banque centrale) et l'Australian Bureau of Statistics afin de revolutionner la communication des informations par les institutions financieres en Australie. Il montre que la complexite des modeles de consommation de donnees a entraine une interdependance accrue dans la chaine d'approvisionnement d'informations financieres exigeant le developpement co-operatif des echanges de donnees sensibles au contexte et des infrastructures technologiques de base. L'article conclut qu'en matiere de mise au point de l'IOS, le modele co-operatif (presente dans l'etude) est probablement plus indique pour la realisation de systemes pour les chaines d'approvisionnement d'informations financieres que le modele en etoile qui caracterise l'IOS dans d'autres secteurs. Copyright © 2009 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of nonlocal ion pseudopotential on the electronic shell structure of metal clusters.

Electronic shell and supershell structures in lithium and gallium clusters taking into account ion pseudopotentials, within both local and nonlocal approaches, are investigated. The results differ noticeably from those of the jellium background model (JBM). Some low magic numbers, underestimated in the JBM, are corrected. However, in particular, with regard to the supershell pattern, non-negligible discrepancies with experiment remain. For lithium the location of the first node in the supershell structure is found at higher sizes relative to the experimental results. For gallium the supershell node is located around ${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{e}}$=2500 valence electrons in experiment, in striking disagreement with the JBM prediction ${\mathit{N}}_{\mathit{e}}$=1150. The pseudopotential effects shift the supershell node in the correct direction but the magnitude of the shift is insufficient to recover complete agreement with experiment. These discrepancies prove that, in addition to the pseudopotential effects, the supershell pattern observed in mass spectra depends probably on the ionic structure at the surface. Inhomogeneous ionic density at the cluster surface is then introduced in order to achieve better agreement with the experimental results. In contrast with gallium clusters for which the surface density has to be softened, the surface ionic density in lithium clusters has to be increased, suggesting a partial ion layering. Sensitivity of the supershell pattern on the pseudopotential parametrization and surface ionic density is also emphasized. In particular, the importance of the nonlocality of the pseudopotential for lithium is pointed out, in accordance with previous studies related to the optical response of small lithium clusters.
Performance evaluation of distance-hop proportionality on geometric graph models of dense sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks can often be viewed in terms of a uniform deployment of a large number of nodes on a region in Euclidean space, e.g., the unit square. After deployment, the nodes self-organise into a mesh topology. In a dense, homogeneous deployment, a frequently used approximation is to take the hop distance between nodes to be proportional to the Euclidean distance between them. In this paper, we analyse the performance of this approximation. We show that nodes with a certain hop distance from a fixed anchor node lie within a certain annulus with probability approaching unity as the number of nodes n → ∞. We take a uniform, i.i. d. deployment of n nodes on a unit square, and consider the geometric graph on these nodes with radius r(n) = c√1n n/n. We show that, for a given hop distance h of a node from a fixed anchor on the unit square, the Euclidean distance lies within [(1-e)(h-1)r(n), hr(n)], for e > 0, with probability approaching unity as n → ∞. This result shows that it is more likely to expect a node, with hop distance h from the anchor, to lie within this annulus centred at the anchor location, and of width roughly r(n), which decreases as n increases. We show that if the radius r of the geometric graph is fixed, the convergence of the probability is exponentially fast. Similar results hold for a randomised lattice deployment. We provide simulation results that illustrate the theory, and serve to show how large n needs to be for the asymptotics to be useful.
Distinct roles for ADAM10 and ADAM17 in ectodomain shedding of six EGFR ligands

All ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which has important roles in development and disease, are released from the membrane by proteases. In several instances, ectodomain release is critical for activation of EGFR ligands, highlighting the importance of identifying EGFR ligand sheddases. Here, we uncovered the sheddases for six EGFR ligands using mouse embryonic cells lacking candidate-releasing enzymes (a disintegrin and metalloprotease [ADAM] 9, 10, 12, 15, 17, and 19). ADAM10 emerged as the main sheddase of EGF and betacellulin, and ADAM17 as the major convertase of epiregulin, transforming growth factor α, amphiregulin, and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in these cells. Analysis of adam9/12/15/17− /− knockout mice corroborated the essential role of adam17− /− in activating the EGFR in vivo. This comprehensive evaluation of EGFR ligand shedding in a defined experimental system demonstrates that ADAMs have critical roles in releasing all EGFR ligands tested here. Identification of EGFR ligand sheddases is a crucial step toward understanding the mechanism underlying ectodomain release, and has implications for designing novel inhibitors of EGFR-dependent tumors.
[The new heparins].

The new, so-called molecular weight heparins (mean MW : about 5,000 daltons) are less heterogeneous than the old, fractionated heparins (mean MW: about 15,000 daltons). Both types of preparations contain molecules with affinity for antithrombin III (AT III) and anticoagulant activity, as well as other molecules without affinity for AT III but which are thought to contribute to the antithrombotic activity of heparin. The anticoagulant effect of low molecular weight heparins (defined as their ability to prolong the activated cephalin time) in 3 to 4 times lower than that of standard heparin, but their activity against the activated factor X (Xa) is approximately the same. The half-life of the anti-Xa activity of low molecular weight heparins is twice that of standard heparin. The bioavailability of low molecular weight heparins administered subcutaneously is greater than 90%, as against less than 30% with standard heparin. Clinical trails have shown that one single subcutaneous injection of low molecular weight heparin 2 hours before an operation, then every 24 hours reduces the incidence of isotopic venous thrombosis in general surgery at least as much as 2 daily injections of calcium heparinate 5000 I.U. Low molecular weight heparins are virtually devoid of the pro-platelet aggregation activity exhibited by standard heparin.
SARS-CoV Infection Was from at Least Two Origins in the Taiwan Area

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a new coronavirus. Genomic sequence analysis will provide the molecular epidemiology and help to develop vaccines. Methods: We developed a rapid method to amplify and sequence the whole SARS-CoV genome from clinical specimens. The technique employed one-step multiplex RT-PCR to amplify the whole SARS-CoV genome, and then nested PCR was performed to amplify a 2-kb region separately. The PCR products were sequenced. Results: We sequenced the genomes of SARS-CoV from 3 clinical specimens obtained in Taiwan. The sequences were similar to those reported by other groups, except that 17 single nucleotide variations and two 2-nucleotide deletions, and a 1-nucleotide deletion were found. All the variations in the clinical specimens did not alter the amino acid sequence. Of these 17 sequenced variants, two loci (positions 26203 and 27812) were segregated together as a specific genotype – T:T or C:C. Phylogenetic analysis showed two major clusters of SARS patients in Taiwan. Conclusion: We developed a very economical and rapid method to sequence the whole genome of SARS-CoV, which can avoid cultural influence. From our results, SARS patients in Taiwan may be infected from two different origins.
New Model of Retinocollicular Mapping Predicts the Mechanisms of Axonal Competition and Explains the Role of Reverse Molecular Signaling during Development

Precise connections in the brain result from elaborate processes during development. In the visual system, axonal projections from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) onto the superior colliculus form a precise retinotopic map. Studies have revealed that the development of retinocollicular maps involves three main factors: graded expression of molecular guidance cues such as EphAs and ephrin-As, activity-dependent processes driven by spontaneous activity in RGCs, and different forms of axonal competition. In this study, we developed a new, versatile model including these factors. We first modeled the selective arborization of RGC axons, mediated by EphA/ephrin-A signaling, without assuming that this initial process instructed the map's final topology. We also derived an integro-differential equation modeling a second, dynamic phase in which activity-dependent plasticity of axonal arbors combined with their competition for collicular resources can deeply remodel the topology of immature maps. Our model hence challenges the view that retinotopic maps are instructed by matching molecular gradients and then merely refined by activity-dependent processes. We reproduce fine features of retinotopic map development in wild-type and various transgenic mice, allowing a new understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Our model predicts that competition is not based on comparisons of axonal EphA receptor levels but rather relies on the optimization of collicular resources mediated by neurotrophic receptors such as p75NTR. Our model finally clarifies the elusive role of reverse signaling between retinal ephrin-As and collicular EphAs by reproducing for the first time the phenotypes of two mouse genotypes in which this function is altered.
Styles and Methods of Structuring a City

DONALD APPLEYARD is Associate Professor of Urban Design in the Department of City and Regional Planning and Chairman of the Department of Landscape Architecture in the College of Environmental Design, University of California, Berkeley. He is coauthor of The View From The Road with Kevin Lynch and John Myer, and is presently completing a book on plural perceptions in the design of the new Venezuelan city, Ciudad Guayana. He is also researching traveler attitudes on highway systems and is building an environmental simulator. His interests are in the quality of the urban environment, and he is presently consultant to the city of San Francisco’s Urban Design Project.
La régulation du service public hospitalier : une «greffe» des techniques du management privé ?

Soumis a une crise de croissance continue, le systeme hospitalier etait avant tout regule selon un mode centralise. Depuis une quinzaine d'annees, les politiques publiques s'inscrivaient dans une logique d'intervention cote offre visant a l'encadrement et a la maitrise des depenses de sante, au detriment d'une approche microeconomique et manageriale du fonctionnement de l'hopital. Les reformes actuelles portant sur le financement, la gestion ouies structures d'offre de soins des etablissements remettent en cause les bases de l'equilibre precaire reliant les tres nombreuses composantes du systeme hospitalier. Elles se superposent en outre a l'emergence de nouveaux comportements, methodes, outils et normes en matiere de management, resultant d'une dynamique propre aux gestionnaires hospitaliers sensibles au "chant des sirenes" du secteur prive. Cette communication examine, a la lumiere d'une enquete portant sur cette phase de transition, la capacite d'integration des reformes limitee ou differenciee selon les etablissements, l'aspect specifiquement hospitalier de ces changements et leur degre d'innovation, et enfin leur impact sur le mode de regulation "original" du systeme hospitalier francais.
LegoSim: simulation of embedded kernels over Pthreads

The contributions of this work are twofold. First, we describe the design and implementation of a simulation environment for an open-source embedded kernel and an intuitive user interface to complement it. Second, the simulator can be used for embedded program development and research as well as instructional purposes in embedded system classes as a replacement or a complement to hands-on experiments with embedded devices.The technical sections of this article stress the suitability of POSIX Threads (Pthreads) in approximating kernel operations in the simulation environment. We specify the prerequisites for using Pthreads as a means to approximate embedded task execution and suggests an I/O-based representation of device information. The experience gained with a sample implementation stresses the importance of a proper match between a Pthreads implementation and an embedded kernel. We demonstrate the adequacy of both the simulation environment and a graphical user interface to aid program development and debugging. Furthermore, the separation of the simulation component from the user interface provides opportunities to utilize each component separately or even combine them with other components. The simulation environment is publically available, and instructions for installation and use are included in the Appendix. The combination of technical solutions is a contribution toward embedded system simulation, an area that has not been studied much.
In the best families: tracking and relationships

A growing body of research has been exploring the use of control mechanisms to address the privacy concerns raised by location-tracking technology. We report on a qualitative study of two family groups who used a custom-built tracking application for an extended period of time. Akin to sociological breaching experiments, the study focuses on the interferences between location tracking and relationship management. We analyze the tensions that can arise between affordances of the technology and uses that the contracts between family members legitimize. We describe how, by fostering misperceptions and 'nudging' behaviors, location-tracking technology can generate anxieties and conflicts even in close relationships. We discuss their vulnerability to the overreaching effects of tracking, against which the use of mechanisms such as location-sharing preferences and feedback may not be socially viable.
Convergence and the interplay of evolution and development

Developmental constraints have been defined as “biases on the production of variant phenotypes or limitations on phenotypic variability caused by the structure, character, composition, or dynamics of developmental systems” (Maynard Smith et al. 1985). The term has been widely discussed, but is far from being generally accepted. One reason might be that it has so far not been possible to test experimentally the concept of a constraint. Experimental tests are difficult because the hypothesis is supported only by the failure or the limitation of seeing phenotypic variation, which can always hypothetically be explained by stabilizing selection. This article suggests an approach to study the potential molecular basis for developmental constraints. Developmental constraints might account for both evolutionary stasis (Gould and Eldredge 1977) and the limitation of phenotypic variability. In regard to the latter, the number of variants seen throughout evolution might be limited, but sometimes the variants may occur several times independently. In phylogenetic analysis, such examples are termed “convergent” indicating that similar features independently evolved in different lineages. I propose that cases of convergent evolution can be helpful in understanding the molecular basis of developmental constraints. Consider an ancestral character (A) that was constrained in a way that only one variant phenotype has been generated during evolution (Fig. 1). In the given scenario, the variant character (B), evolved convergently in several unrelated species. Such limited variation might be considered as evidence for a developmental constraint. The convergent occurrence of character B allows us to ask a precise question: is there a common molecular-mechanistic basis underlying the switch of A to B in different evolutionary lineages? If so, it would indicate that the molecular and genetic architecture of a given developmental character is composed in a way that only certain molecular alterations will result in non-lethal phenotypic variants. Such findings would of course not represent a general rule, but would nonetheless provide specific evidence for developmental constraints at the molecular level. One system which addresses this question is the analysis of the evolution of vulva development among nematodes. Figure 2 reviews vulval cell fate specification in the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans (Fig. 2B) and Pristionchus pacificus (Fig. 2C). Based on the fundamental understanding of vulva development in C. elegans , comparative cell lineage and experimental studies among free-living nematodes have been carried out (for review, see Sommer 1997). The observed developmental differences can be projected onto a phylogeny of nematodes that has recently been proposed based on molecular analysis (Fig. 3) (Baldwin et al. 1997; Blaxter et al. 1998). This projection shows that certain evolutionary transformations occurred several times independently, providing examples for convergent evolution. For