Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arendtian Constitutionalism: Law, Politics and the Order of Freedom

Introduction 1. The Paradoxes of the Nation-State I. Introduction II. The Paradox of the Right to Self-determination III. The Paradox of De-assimilation and De-naturalisation IV. The Paradox of Rightlessness V. The Paradox of Human Rights 2. The Concept of the Nation in Hannah Arendt's Thought I. Introduction II. Arendt and the Social Question - A Political-theoretical Readjustment A. Revolution and Discourse B. Sovereignty and Misery C. Misery and Consensus III. The Concept of the Nation and the Volonte Generale A. Arendt, Rousseau and the French Revolution B. General Will and Alienation C. The Internalisation of the Political 3. Law and the Modern State - Hannah Arendt on the Trail of Max Weber I. Introduction A. In Which Line of Tradition to Think About the State? Neither Hegel nor Elias B. An Initial Plea for Max Weber II. On the Origin of the Modern State A. State and Modern State in Weber B. Arendt and the Genealogy of the Modern State III. On the Rationality of Law A. What is Rational Law? A Look at Weber's Sociology of Law B. Arendt and Rational Law 4. Hannah Arendt's Critique of Popular Sovereignty I. Introduction II. Popular Sovereignty and the Law A. The Political-theoretical Architecture of Arendt's book on Totalitarianism B. Arendt and the Sources of Juridification C. Nation and Law III. Popular Sovereignty and Politics A. Politics in Mass Society B. Mistrust and Authority C. Mass Movement and Power 5. The Order of Freedom: On the Dehierarchisation of the Relationship Between Law and Politics I. Introduction II. Arendt's Understanding of the Political A. Arendt and the Normativity of the Political B. From the Power of Judgement to the Procedural Rules of the Political System III. Arendt's Theory of Law A. The Concept of Law: Relationship versus Substance B. What is Legitimate Law? C. Arendt's Demanding Concept of Political Enabling
Study on the Interaction between Isatin-β-Thiosemicarbazone and Calf Thymus DNA by Spectroscopic Techniques

The interaction between isatin-β-thiosemicarbazone (IBT) and calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) using Neutral Red (NR) dye as a spectral probe by UV–Vis absorption and ﬂuorescence spectroscopy, as well as viscosity measurements. The IBT is stabilized by intercalation in the DNA (K [IBT –DNA] = 1.03×105 M−1), and displaces the NR dye from the NR–DNA complex. The binding constants Kf and number of binding sites (n≈1) of IBT with DNA were obtained by fluorescence quenching method at different temperatures. Furthermore, the enthalpy and entropy of the reaction between IBT and CT-DNA showed that the reaction is enthalpy-favored and entropy-disfavored. The changes in the base stacking of CT-DNA upon the binding of IBT are reflected in the circular dichroic (CD) spectral studies. The viscosity increase of CT-DNA solution is another evidence to indicate that, IBT is able to be intercalated in the DNA base pairs.
Can Long-Run Dynamic Optimal Strategies Outperform Fixed-Mix Portfolios? Evidence from Multiple Data Sets

Using five alternative data sets and a range of specifications concerning the underlying linear predictability models, we study whether long-run dynamic optimizing portfolio strategies may actually outperform simpler benchmarks in out-of-sample tests. The dynamic portfolio problems are solved using a combination of dynamic programming and Monte Carlo methods. The benchmarks are represented by two typical fixed mix strategies: the celebrated equally-weighted portfolio and a myopic, Markowitz-style strategy that fails to account for any predictability in asset returns. Within a framework in which the investor maximizes expected HARA (constant relative risk aversion) utility in a frictionless market, our key finding is that there are enormous differences in optimal long-horizon (in-sample) weights between the mean-variance benchmark and the optimal dynamic weights. In out-of-sample comparisons, there is however no clear-cut, systematic, evidence that long-horizon dynamic strategies outperform naively diversified portfolios.
Delay-optimal streaming codes under source-channel rate mismatch

We study low-delay error correction codes for streaming-recovery over a class of packet-erasure channels. In our setup, the encoder observes one source frame every M time slots, but is required to transmit a channel packet in each time slot. The decoder is required to reconstruct each source frame within a playback delay of T source frames. The collection of M transmitted channel packets between successive source frames is called a (channel) macro-packet. For a certain class of burst-erasure channels, we characterize the associated capacity and develop explicit codes that attain the capacity. We recover as a special case, the capacity when M = 1, studied in earlier works. Our proposed code constructions involve splitting each source frame into two groups of sub-symbols, applying unequal error protection and carefully allocating source and parity-check sub-symbols within each macro-packet. Our constructions are a non-trivial extension of the previously proposed codes for M = 1. Simulation results indicate significant gains over baseline error correction codes for the Gilbert model for burst erasures.
Some Statistical Characteristic of Malaysian Wind Direction Recorded at Maximum Wind Speed: 1999-2008 (Sebahagian Ciri Statistik Arah Angin Malaysia yang Direkodkan pada Kelajuan Angin Maksimum: 1999-2008)

The statistical characteristics of wind direction that was recorded at maximum wind speed in Peninsular Malaysia for two monsoons from 1999 to 2008 for seven stations were analyzed in this study. Modeled by von Mises distribution, the change in parameters values namely mean direction and concentration parameter was measured. Statistical summary, graphical representations, Watson-William Test and linear-circular correlation are used in the analysis. It is found that there is a significant change in the mean direction of wind over the period of ten years for most stations in Peninsular Malaysia. However, there is a weak relationship between wind direction and wind speed. This study suggested the presence of prominent direction of wind that blows in Peninsular Malaysia by monsoon. This finding may provide useful information on giving a better understanding of the behavior of the wind in Peninsular Malaysia and the potential use of wind as an alternative source of energy.
Modulation Techniques for Biomedical Implanted Devices and Their Challenges

Implanted medical devices are very important electronic devices because of their usefulness in monitoring and diagnosis, safety and comfort for patients. Since 1950s, remarkable efforts have been undertaken for the development of bio-medical implanted and wireless telemetry bio-devices. Issues such as design of suitable modulation methods, use of power and monitoring devices, transfer energy from external to internal parts with high efficiency and high data rates and low power consumption all play an important role in the development of implantable devices. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on various modulation and demodulation techniques such as amplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK) and phase shift keying (PSK) of the existing wireless implanted devices. The details of specifications, including carrier frequency, CMOS size, data rate, power consumption and supply, chip area and application of the various modulation schemes of the implanted devices are investigated and summarized in the tables along with the corresponding key references. Current challenges and problems of the typical modulation applications of these technologies are illustrated with a brief suggestions and discussion for the progress of implanted device research in the future. It is observed that the prime requisites for the good quality of the implanted devices and their reliability are the energy transformation, data rate, CMOS size, power consumption and operation frequency. This review will hopefully lead to increasing efforts towards the development of low powered, high efficient, high data rate and reliable implanted devices.
Examining Mandated Testing, Teachers’ Milieu, and Teachers’ Knowledge and Beliefs: Gaining a Fuller Understanding of the Web of Influence on Teachers’ Classroom Practices

Background Much research has been done on the factors that influence teachers’ work. Yet the nature and scope of those factors, and their impact on teachers, remain unclear. Indeed, different literature bases on teachers’ work present different and often contradictory conclusions. For example, some researchers claim that mandated accountability testing exerts the greatest impact on teachers’ work. Yet other researchers claim that teachers’ knowledge and beliefs have an equally strong impact on their work, as does mandated testing. These contradictory findings in the research seem to happen at least in part because most research into teachers’ work only looks at one or two influences on that work and ignores how multiple factors work together to influence teachers’ work. Purpose Recognizing this background, this study examines three factors that influence teachers’ work: mandated accountability testing, teachers’ knowledge and beliefs, and teachers’ milieu. The article examines each factor, both individually and collectively, for their combined influence on teachers’ work. Setting This study was conducted at a public middle school in south Texas. Population Four social studies teachers participated in this study: 2 eighth-grade U.S. history teachers, 1 seventh-grade Texas history teacher, and 1 sixth-grade world cultures teacher. Research Design The study encompasses 5 years of weekly interactions with social studies teachers at the school. I logged approximately 450 hours of nonparticipant observations, made field notes and audio recordings of regular classroom activities, conducted 13 semistructured interviews and had numerous informal conversations with the teachers, and attended teachers’ department meetings. Open coding was used to closely analyze research texts. Findings The analysis finds that these three factors do not influence teachers’ work in isolation. Instead, they combine to form a complex “web of influence” on teachers’ work. The article crafts a narrative of these teachers’ experiences with these different factors and illustrates how the factors combine to impact their work. Conclusion This article holds implications for school leaders, policy makers, and teacher educators. In short, it offers evidence about the unintended consequences of not taking a holistic approach to school leadership, educational policy, and teacher education.
A three‐dimensional study of a crustal low velocity region beneath the 9°03′N overlapping spreading center

Overlapping spreading centers (OSCs) play a key role in models of magma distribution at fast spreading ridges. To investigate the relationship between ridge‐axis discontinuities and magma supply, we conducted a three‐dimensional seismic reflection and tomography experiment at the 9°03′N OSC along the East Pacific Rise. Tomographic analysis imaged a broad mid‐crustal low velocity zone (LVZ) beneath parts of the overlapper and the associated overlap basin, demonstrating that it is magmatically robust. The complementary datasets reveal a complex storage and tapping of melt: the LVZ and melt sill at either end of the overlap basin are not simply centered beneath the rise crest but are skewed inwards. The subsequent focussing of the LVZ and sill beneath the axis of the eastern limb appears to be due to melt migration toward the tip. The OSC western limb is less magmatically robust and may be in the process of dying.
Clone detection using abstract syntax trees

Existing research suggests that a considerable fraction (5-10%) of the source code of large scale computer programs is duplicate code ("clones"). Detection and removal of such clones promises decreased software maintenance costs of possibly the same magnitude. Previous work was limited to detection of either near misses differing only in single lexems, or near misses only between complete functions. The paper presents simple and practical methods for detecting exact and near miss clones over arbitrary program fragments in program source code by using abstract syntax trees. Previous work also did not suggest practical means for removing detected clones. Since our methods operate in terms of the program structure, clones could be removed by mechanical methods producing in-lined procedures or standard preprocessor macros. A tool using these techniques is applied to a C production software system of some 400 K source lines, and the results confirm detected levels of duplication found by previous work. The tool produces macro bodies needed for clone removal, and macro invocations to replace the clones. The tool uses a variation of the well known compiler method for detecting common sub expressions. This method determines exact tree matches; a number of adjustments are needed to detect equivalent statement sequences, commutative operands, and nearly exact matches. We additionally suggest that clone detection could also be useful in producing more structured code, and in reverse engineering to discover domain concepts and their implementations.
Vitamin D as an early predictor of multiple sclerosis activity and progression.

IMPORTANCE It remains unclear whether vitamin D insufficiency, which is common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), has an adverse effect on MS outcomes. OBJECTIVES To determine whether serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), a marker of vitamin D status, predict disease activity and prognosis in patients with a first event suggestive of MS (clinically isolated syndrome). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Betaferon/Betaseron in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment study was a randomized trial originally designed to evaluate the impact of early vs delayed interferon beta-1b treatment in patients with clinically isolated syndrome. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months. A total of 465 of the 468 patients randomized had at least 1 25(OH)D measurement, and 334 patients had them at both the 6- and 12-month (seasonally asynchronous) measurements. Patients were followed up for 5 years clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES New active lesions, increased T2 lesion volume, and brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging, as well as MS relapses and disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score). RESULTS Higher 25(OH)D levels predicted reduced MS activity and a slower rate of progression. A 50-nmol/L (20-ng/mL) increment in average serum 25(OH)D levels within the first 12 months predicted a 57% lower rate of new active lesions (P < .001), 57% lower relapse rate (P = .03), 25% lower yearly increase in T2 lesion volume (P < .001), and 0.41% lower yearly loss in brain volume (P = .07) from months 12 to 60. Similar associations were found between 25(OH)D measured up to 12 months and MS activity or progression from months 24 to 60. In analyses using dichotomous 25(OH)D levels, values greater than or equal to 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) at up to 12 months predicted lower disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score, -0.17; P = .004) during the subsequent 4 years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with MS mainly treated with interferon beta-1b, low 25(OH)D levels early in the disease course are a strong risk factor for long-term MS activity and progression.
Enhancing Collaborative Leadership Among Parents of Children With Disabilities

Parent involvement and leadership have evolved over time and carry different meanings within various educational contexts in the United States. In special education, parent involvement includes the roles that parents of children with disabilities play in the development of their children’s Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), as well as in leadership and policy development and evaluation. In spite of the purported benefits of parent leadership in educational planning and policy, little research has been conducted on models that intentionally build critical skills and leadership opportunities among parents of children with disabilities. This article describes results associated with a leadership development project known as “Parents as Collaborative Leaders” (PACL) in which parents from across the United States participated in a leadership curriculum and individualized internship experiences at the local, state, and national levels. Participants reported a number of positive outcomes, including skills and experiences gained through curriculum and internship experiences, increased participation in leadership and policy activities, increased networking and relationships, and a sense of leading for a larger purpose. The article describes the development and implementation of the PACL model, outcomes associated with a subset of participants, and implications for policy and practice.
Critical contacts between HIV‐1 integrase and viral DNA identified by structure‐based analysis and photo‐crosslinking

Analysis of the crystal structure of HIV‐1 integrase reveals a cluster of lysine residues near the active site. Using site‐directed mutagenesis and photo‐crosslinking we find that Lys156 and Lys159 are critical for the functional interaction of integrase with viral DNA. Mutation of Lys156 or Lys159 to glutamate led to a loss of both 3′ processing and strand transfer activities in vitro while maintaining the ability to interact with nonspecific DNA and support disintegration. However, mutation of both residues to glutamate produced a synergistic effect eliminating nearly all nonspecific DNA interaction and disintegration activity. In addition, virus containing either of these changes was replication‐defective at the step of integration. Photo‐crosslinking, using 5‐iododeoxyuracil‐substituted oligonucleotides, suggests that Lys159 interacts at the N7 position of the conserved deoxyadenosine adjacent to the scissile phosphodiester bond of viral DNA. Sequence conservation throughout retroviral integrases and certain bacterial transposases (e.g. Tn10/IS10) supports the premise that within those families of polynucleotidyl transferases, these residues are strategic for DNA interaction.
Current performance of patient sample collection in the UK

summary Collection of the patient sample for pretransfusion testing begins a complex chain of events in the transfusion process. Hospitals in England and North Wales were surveyed to compare local policies against recommendations of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH). Hospitals also measured the frequency of rejected and miscollected samples [designated as wrong blood in tube (WBIT)]. 185 of 360 (51·4%) hospitals returned questionnaires and 182 of 185 (98%) hospitals reported that a policy for sample collection existed. Apart from frequent omission of the gender of the patient, there was 96% compliance with all mandatory identifiers of the BCSH guidelines. Practice allowing additions or changes to labelling on sample tubes and request forms varied. 3·2% (14 114/445 726) of samples submitted were rejected for various reasons, the most frequent being incomplete or missing information (49·5% of the total rejected samples). The corrected mean frequency for WBIT in the 27 hospitals with one or more observed WBIT was 1 in 1501 samples (95% CI: ≤1129·09 to ≤1872·91), and the median corrected frequency for WBIT was 1 in 1303 samples. This study has identified great variation in the policy and practice for sample collection for pretransfusion testing. Regular tracking of the rates of sample rejection and WBIT could be used to identify poor performance in individual hospitals requiring investigation and action.
Antiextensive connected operators for image and sequence processing

This paper deals with a class of morphological operators called connected operators. These operators filter the signal by merging its flat zones. As a result, they do not create any new contours and are very attractive for filtering tasks where the contour information has to be preserved. This paper shows that connected operators work implicitly on a structured representation of the image made of flat zones. The max-tree is proposed as a suitable and efficient structure to deal with the processing steps involved in antiextensive connected operators. A formal definition of the various processing steps involved in the operator is proposed and, as a result, several lines of generalization are developed. First, the notion of connectivity and its definition are analyzed. Several modifications of the traditional approach are presented. They lead to connected operators that are able to deal with texture. They also allow the definition of connected operators with less leakage than the classical ones. Second, a set of simplification criteria are proposed and discussed. They lead to simplicity-, entropy-, and motion-oriented operators. The problem of using a nonincreasing criterion is analyzed. Its solution is formulated as an optimization problem that can be very efficiently solved by a Viterbi algorithm. Finally, several implementation issues are discussed showing that these operators can be very efficiently implemented.
femA, which encodes a factor essential for expression of methicillin resistance, affects glycine content of peptidoglycan in methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains

femA is a chromosomally encoded factor, occurring naturally in Staphylococcus aureus, which is essential for the expression of high-level methicillin resistance in this organism. The production of a low-affinity penicillin-binding protein, PBP2a or PBP2', which is intimately involved with methicillin resistance in S. aureus, is not influenced by femA. To elucidate a possible physiological function of the 48-kDa protein encoded by femA, several related methicillin-resistant, methicillin-susceptible, and Tn551 insertionally inactivated femA mutants were analyzed for possible changes in cell wall structure and metabolism. Independent of the presence of mec, the methicillin resistance determinant, all femA mutants had a reduced peptidoglycan (PG) glycine content (up to 60% in the molar ratio of glycine/glutamic acid) compared to that of related femA+ parent strains. Additional effects of femA inactivation and the subsequent decrease in PG-associated glycine were (i) reduced digestion of PG by recombinant lysostaphin, (ii) unaltered digestion of PG by Chalaropsis B-muramidase, (iii) reduced cell wall turnover, (iv) reduced whole-cell autolysis, and (v) increased sensitivity towards beta-lactam antibiotics. Also, the PG-associated glycine content of a femA::Tn551 methicillin-susceptible strain was restored concomitantly with the methicillin resistance to a level almost equal to that of its femA+ methicillin-resistant parent strain by introduction of plasmid pBBB31, encoding femA.