Decentralization, pro-poor land policies, and democratic governance:

"Decentralized approaches to development are gaining increasing prominence. Land tenure reform policy has been affected by many different types of decentralization. However, the literature on land tenure reform rarely explicitly addressed the implications of decentralization, and vice versa. This paper provides a review of how the issues of decentralization are linked to land tenure reform, in theory and practice. Both decentralization and land tenure reform each encompass a number of different, but related concepts and approaches. We begin with clarifying some key terms related to these different approaches, then look in more detail at contending perspectives on decentralization, and how these relate to the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) pillars of democratic governance. We then review the different types of land tenure reform in terms of the role of centralized and decentralized institutions, illustrating the strengths and weaknesses, gaps and challenges with experience from a range of developing countries. The final section turns to conclusions and policy recommendations, considering how decentralized approaches to land tenure reform can contribute to goals such as gender equity, social cohesion, human rights, and the identity of indigenous peoples." authors' abstractDecentralization, Land, Tenure reform, Democratic governance, Rights, Registration, Redistribution, Restitution, Recognition, Devolution,

ADS-B as an Example for Frame Synchronization and Detection of Short Packets

We study the relation between frame synchronization and packet detection by the example of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast) from the receiver perspective. We present and compare three metrics for frame synchronization and apply them at a multiple of the symbol rate in order to additionally provide clock phase synchronization. We identify a possible problem of undetected errors when applying CRC error detection to uncoded modulation for short packets and present a workaround for the ADS-B system. Finally, the combined performance of frame synchronization and packet detection, including CRC decoding is evaluated

Frame Synchronization for Next Generation Uplink Coding in Deep Space Communications

In this paper we develop two new approaches for frame synchronization in the binary-input AWGN channel, in which we account for the sign ambiguity of the received symbols and exploit knowledge of an alternating sequence which precedes the synchronization word. We present an approach based on an extended sliding window and the appropriate decision metric. For the common case that the synchronization word is followed by encoded data we present a solution which exploits the error detection capability of the channel decoder and applies a list decoding approach for frame synchronization. The proposed methods are validated through computer simulations in the deepspace communication uplink and show significant performance gains compared to current solutions

Interference Cancellation and Joint Decoding for Collision Resolution in Slotted ALOHA

We present a novel decoding scheme for slotted ALOHA which is based on concepts from physical-layer network coding (PNC) and multi-user detection (MUD). In addition to recovering individual user packets from a packet collision as it is usually done with MUD, the receiver applies PNC to decode packet combinations that can be used to retrieve the original packets using information available from other slots. We evaluate the novel scheme and compare it with another scheme based on PNC that has been proposed recently and show that both attain important gains compared to basic successive interference cancellation. This suggests that combining PNC and MUD can lead to significant gains with respect to previously proposed methods on either one or the other

Multilevel coding for non-orthogonal broadcast

This paper defines an information-theoretical framework for non-orthogonal broadcast systems with multilevel coding and gives design guidelines for the rate selection of multiple broadcast streams. This description includes hierarchical modulation and superposition coding with codes defined in a finite field as a special case. We show how multilevel coding can be applied to multiple antennas where, in contrast to most spacetime coding and hierarchical modulation schemes, no capacity loss occurs

Effect of cytomix and sedative drugs on mitochondrial electron transport chain of cultured primary human astrocytes

Septic shock is a major cause of death among patients in intensive care units worldwide. Despite the recent developments and progression in medical research, sepsis remains a challenge. Multiple‐organ failure including brain dysfunction (septic encephalopathy) is the predominant cause of death in septic patients. Elevations of cytokine concentrations in the brain have been described in both experimental and clinical studies. Furthermore, mitochondrial dysfunction has also been described in septic encephalopathy. Since also sedative drugs interfere with brain function, they may contribute to septic encephalopathy

Rom, Italien. Auf dem Weg zur Rekonstruktion eines mittelrepublikanischen Tempels. Die Forschungen von 2020 am Largo Argentina in Rom

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the collaborative project at Largo Argentina in Rome was able to make a significant step forward towards the reconstruction of the Mid Republican phase of Temple A. Its extant remains, which are hidden in an artificial underground area, were documented in a 3D model (SfM). It provides the basis for analytical architectural drawings. Moreover, it was possible to launch the study of the architectural terracotta from the site. A review of the excavator’s archival documents, in conjunction with an examination of the material, allowed preliminary but promising results in identifying parts of the roof decoration of Temple A

Preparation of A Spaceflight: Apoptosis Search in Sutured Wound Healing Models

To prepare the ESA (European Space Agency) spaceflight project "Wound healing and Sutures in Unloading Conditions", we studied mechanisms of apoptosis in wound healing models based on ex vivo skin tissue cultures, kept for 10 days alive in serum-free DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin, hydrocortisone, insulin, ascorbic acid and antibiotics at 32 degrees C. The overall goal is to test: (i) the viability of tissue specimens; (ii) the gene expression of activators and inhibitors of apoptosis and extracellular matrix components in wound and suture models; and (iii) to design analytical protocols for future tissue specimens after post-spaceflight download. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Elastica-van-Gieson staining showed a normal skin histology with no signs of necrosis in controls and showed a normal wound suture. TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling for detecting DNA fragmentation revealed no significant apoptosis. No activation of caspase-3 protein was detectable. FASL, FADD, CASP3, CASP8, CASP10, BAX, BCL2, CYC1, APAF1, LAMA3 and SPP1 mRNAs were not altered in epidermis and dermis samples with and without a wound compared to 0 day samples (specimens investigated directly post-surgery). BIRC5, CASP9, and FN1 mRNAs were downregulated in epidermis/dermis samples with and/or without a wound compared to 0 day samples. BIRC2, BIRC3 were upregulated in 10 day wound samples compared to 0 day samples in epidermis/dermis. RELA/FAS mRNAs were elevated in 10 day wound and no wound samples compared to 0 day samples in dermis. In conclusion, we demonstrate that it is possible to maintain live skin tissue cultures for 10 days. The viability analysis showed no significant signs of cell death in wound and suture models. The gene expression analysis demonstrated the interplay of activators and inhibitors of apoptosis and extracellular matrix components, thereby describing important features in ex vivo sutured wound healing models. Collectively, the performed methods defining analytical protocols proved to be applicable for post-flight analyzes of tissue specimens after sample return

Color Tuning of Electrochromic TiO₂ Nanofibrous Layers Loaded with Metal and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Smart Colored Windows

Co-axial electrospinning was applied for the structuring of non-woven webs of TiO2 nanofibers loaded with Ag, Au, and CuO nanoparticles. The composite layers were tested in an electrochromic half-cell assembly. A clear correlation between the nanoparticle composition and electrochromic effect in the nanofibrous composite is observed: TiO2 loaded with Ag reveals a black-brown color, Au shows a dark-blue color, and CuO shows a dark-green color. For electrochromic applications, the Au/TiO2 layer is the most promising choice, with a color modulation time of 6 s, transmittance modulation of 40%, coloration efficiency of 20 cm2/C, areal capacitance of 300 F/cm2, and cyclic stability of over 1000 cycles in an 18 h period. In this study, an unexplored path for the rational design of TiO2-based electrochromic device is offered with unique color-switching and optical efficiency gained by the fibrous layer. It is also foreseen that co-axial electrospinning can be an alternative nanofabrication technique for smart colored windows. </p