Struggles to remain in Kigali’s “unplanned” settlements: the case of Bannyahe

Examining the precarious status of informal settlements in Kigali at a time of large-scale planning-induced expropriation, this article considers urban contestation in the context of the city’s changing spatial-legal regime. We analyse the case of one informal settlement’s expropriation and relocation – the settlement of Bannyahe – and the contestation that has ensued as resident property owners take the District of Gasabo to court. Through interviews with settlement residents, we follow the fates of these displaced urban citizens and consider their struggles to remain in their homes. Finally, we suggest that such contestation over legal procedural regularity and negotiation over property valuation at the neighbourhood level forms the limit of overt opposition to the city’s masterplan. Terming these limits to contestation “silent boundaries” that circumscribe contestation for property owners in the Bannyahe settlement, we offer perspectives on contestation and compromise amidst urban socio-spatial reordering in the “new Kigali”

Multiband monopole antenna for mobile applications

— In this paper, a multiband monopole antenna has been proposed for mobile applications. The monopole antenna has simple structure with a physical size of 15 cm × 7 cm. The antenna consists of monopole shape loaded by a set of folded arms with a varying length which lead to a better impedance matching result and multiband performance. The simulated results show that the proposed antenna provide multiband frequency operation of 0.8 GHz, 1.8 GHz 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz which covers the range from 0 to 4 GHz. The antenna is designed to operate at sub-6 GHz which proposed as lower frequency band to deliver 5G in early stage. The designed antenna has been fabricated and measured to validate the simulated results. RF Coaxial U.FL Connector was used as the port connector. The measurement results agrees well with the simulated ones for all frequency bands

Awareness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tools Among Library Professionals in Tamil Nadu

The world is undergoing a transition from a paper economy to a digital economy. The need of the hour is a highly proactive role from the Third World countries either singly or jointly, that would take into account the changing scenarios in the information and communication technologies and their non-linear interactions and convergence. Developing countries are being encouraged to invest in their national information infrastructure so that they can participate in knowledge based development. Advances have brought many changes in libraries. An attempt has been made in this study to identify usage of Information Communication Tool among the library professionals in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 175 questionnaires were distributed among the library professionals in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 170 responses (97%) were received. It is found that all the respondents are using in one-way or the other various types of ICT Media tools

Sharpening the A→Z(∗)hA\to Z^{(*)}h Signature of the Type-II 2HDM at the LHC through Advanced Machine Learning

The $A\to Z^{(*)}h$ decay signature has been highlighted as possibly being the first testable probe of the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson discovered in 2012 ($h$) interacting with Higgs companion states, such as those existing in a 2-Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM), chiefly, a CP-odd one ($A$). The production mechanism of the latter at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) takes place via $b\bar b$-annihilation and/or $gg$-fusion, depending on the 2HDM parameters, in turn dictated by the Yukawa structure of this Beyond the SM (BSM) scenario. Among the possible incarnations of the 2HDM, we test here the so-called Type-II, for a twofold reason. On the one hand, it intriguingly offers two very distinct parameter regions compliant with the SM-like Higgs measurements, i.e., where the so-called `SM limit' of the 2HDM can be achieved. On the other hand, in both configurations, the $AZh$ coupling is generally small, hence the signal is strongly polluted by backgrounds, so that the exploitation of Machine Learning (ML) techniques becomes extremely useful. In this paper, we show that the application of advanced ML implementations can be decisive in establishing such a signal. This is true for all distinctive kinematical configurations involving the $A\to Z^{(*)}h$ decay, i.e., below threshold ($m_A<m_Z+m_h$), at its maximum ($m_Z+m_h<m_A<2m_t$) and near the onset of $t\bar t$ pair production ($m_A \approx 2m_t$), for which we propose Benchmark Points (BPs) for future phenomenological analyses.Comment: JHEP accepted version., 33 pages, 15 figures, 2 table

Information Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure Facilities in Self-Financing Engineering College Libraries in Tamil Nadu

The present study aims at analysing the use and availability of Information Communication Technology infrastructure facilities in self-financing engineering college libraries in Tamil Nadu. The role of engineering colleges in the technical manpower development is quite significant. They need rapid Information Communication Technology infrastructure and in this context, there is a need for adequate development of electronic resources. This study traces out the nature of electronic resources, library automation level, computerized library services, electronic access points, type of digital libraries, network and topology of network, internet and intranet services, and so on with reference to the selected institutions

Impact of non-fermented and fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves on cytokine and some histological markers in normal and oxidative stress broilers

Oxidative stress (OS) may occur when the body is exposed to internal or external factors that compromise the effectiveness of antioxidant mechanisms or amplify the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). The present study investigated the influence of Ginkgo biloba leaves on cytokines and histological parameters in male broiler chickens under hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and normal conditions. A total of 216 Ross 307 strain male broiler chickens, aged one day, were employed in the study using a completely randomized design. The chickens were distributed into six groups, each containing an equal number of birds. Each group had three replicates, with 12 chicks in each replicate. The initial group, denoted as Group 1 or the control group, was provided with the standard diet. Group 2 was exposed to oxidative stress (OS) by introducing 0.5% ml of H2O2 (at a 50% concentration) per liter of water. In Group 3, OS was induced, and the chickens were administered 3.5 g/kg of Ginkgo biloba leaves (Gbl) that non-fermentation. Group 4 underwent OS and was treated with 3.5 g/kg of fermented Gbl. Group 5 comprised normal chickens treated with 3.5 g/kg of non-fermented Gbl, while Group 6 consisted of normal chickens treated with 3.5 g/kg of fermented Gbl. Throughout the 42-day experimental period, all groups received their respective treatments. The results indicated that the fermented group displayed a significant reduction (P&lt;0.01) in interleukin (Il8) levels when compared to the control and other groups. However, the TNF-α level did not exhibit a significant decrease (P&gt;0.01) when compared to the control group. In Group 6, there was a noteworthy increase (P&lt;0.01) in jejunum villi height compared to all other groups, and no significant reduction (P&gt;0.01) in crypt depth in comparison to the experimental groups. In conclusion, the fermentation approach for Gbl positively influenced the gut's ecological system and the immune response of the chickens against pathological diseases

The Use of Social Media and Digital Platforms for promoting the Information Resources and Services of Engineering College Libraries in Chennai District.

The study evaluated how social media platforms are used to spread information. It was led by four (4) objectives and related research questions. The research used a descriptive survey approach. Questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data for the study. A total of 32 library and library staff members made up the study\u27s population, which includes professional librarians from 8 Engineering Colleges in Chennai. In order to get the answers to the study questions, data was gathered and evaluated utilizing frequency counts and mean scores. The results of the survey showed that 8 Engineering College librarians and library staff are well-versed in the use of social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and blogs for transmitting information. However, research also showed that librarians at Engineering College struggled to effectively use social media platforms for information dissemination because they lacked the necessary social media skills, poor internet access, unstable power supplies, and other issues. Finally, based on the research conclusions, recommendations were offere

Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, Kerala: A Case Study

The Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, University of Kerala, houses the treasures of ancient knowledge in India. It has come in to existence out of royal interest. The kings of Travancore, as a rule, were valorous as well as lovers of art and literature. Srimulam Thirunal was mainly responsible for the spread of Oriental literature throughout the world. It was he who instituted the department for the publication of manuscripts which in due course grew into the present institution. It is located at Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Its origin goes back to the illustrious Maharaja of Travancore, Swati Tirunal (1829-1846). The institute carries out researches on Indian language manuscripts, major part of which are in Sanskrit. Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library has over 65,000 works mostly of palm leaf manuscripts. Currently the Oriental Institute and Manuscript Library is headed by Dr. R. B. Sreekala, Professor and Head of the Department, Oriental Research Institute and Manuscripts Library, University of Kerala. The paper highlights the techniques used for the conservation and preservation of the rare manuscript collection in Oriental Research & Manuscript Library, Thiruvananthapuram. It further investigates the hardware and software available for digitizing the invaluable collection of manuscripts for the future generation

The wonder years: what can primary school children teach us about immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

In high burden settings, the risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis increases throughout childhood due to cumulative exposure. However, the risk of progressing from tuberculosis (TB) infection to disease varies by age. Young children (<5 years) have high risk of disease progression following infection. The risk falls in primary school children (5 to <10 years), but rises again during puberty. TB disease phenotype also varies by age: generally, young children have intrathoracic lymph node disease or disseminated disease, while adolescents (10 to <20 years) have adult-type pulmonary disease. TB risk also exhibits a gender difference: compared to adolescent boys, adolescent girls have an earlier rise in disease progression risk and higher TB incidence until early adulthood. Understanding why primary school children, during what we term the “Wonder Years,” have low TB risk has implications for vaccine development, therapeutic interventions, and diagnostics. To understand why this group is at low risk, we need a better comprehension of why younger children and adolescents have higher risks, and why risk varies by gender. Immunological response to M. tuberculosis is central to these issues. Host response at key stages in the immunopathological interaction with M. tuberculosis influences risk and disease phenotype. Cell numbers and function change dramatically with age and sexual maturation. Young children have poorly functioning innate cells and a Th2 skew. During the “Wonder Years,” there is a lymphocyte predominance and a Th1 skew. During puberty, neutrophils become more central to host response, and CD4+ T cells increase in number. Sex hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone, adiponectin, leptin, oestradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) profoundly affect immunity. Compared to girls, boys have a stronger Th1 profile and increased numbers of CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Girls are more Th2-skewed and elicit more enhanced inflammatory responses. Non-immunological factors (including exposure intensity, behavior, and co-infections) may impact disease. However, given the consistent patterns seen across time and geography, these factors likely are less central. Strategies to protect children and adolescents from TB may need to differ by age and sex. Further work is required to better understand the contribution of age and sex to M. tuberculosis immunity

Transient Characterization of Type B Particles in a Transport Riser

Simple and rapid dynamic tests were used to evaluate fluid dynamic behavior of granular materials in the transport regime. Particles with densities ranging from 189 to 2,500 kg/m3 and Sauter mean size from 61 to 812 μm were tested in a 0.305 m diameter, 15.5 m height circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser. The transient tests involved the abrupt stoppage of solids flow for each granular material over a wide range gas flow rates. The riser emptying time was linearly related to the Froude number in each of three different operating regimes. The flow structure along the height of the riser followed a distinct pattern as tracked through incremental pressures. These results are discussed to better understand the transformations that take place when operating over various regimes. During the transients the particle size distribution was measured. The effects of pressure, particle size, and density on test performance are also presented