Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constitutionalism in Asia: Cases and Materials

Introduction 1 Constitution Making and State Building 2 Constitutional Cultures in Asia 3 Government System and Structures 4 Constitutional Change and Amendments 5 Judicial Review 6 Democracy and the Right to Political Participation 7 The Right to Equality and Equal Protection 8 Free Speech and Res Publica 9 Religion and State 10 Socio-Economic Rights
Fusarium species associated with stalk rot of grain sorghum in the northern grain belt of eastern Australia

Recent revisions in taxonomy have led to significant changes in our understanding of the Fusarium species associated with sorghum worldwide. To reassess the Fusarium species associated with stalk rot of grain sorghum in Australia, a survey was conducted in two different agroclimatic areas in the northern grain belt of eastern Australia (Goondiwindi and Quirindi). Across three sites in each of the two areas, 288 grain sorghum stalks were sampled from which a total of 324 Fusarium isolates were recovered. Species diversity and eveness was higher in the Goondiwindi area, which is hotter and dryer than the Quirindi area. Fusarium andiyazi and F. thapsinum were the most frequently isolated species overall, comprising 61% and 82% of the isolates from the Goondiwindi and Quirindi areas, respectively. The dominance and relative abundance of these species was associated with agroclimatic areas, with F. thapsinum more abundant in the Goondiwindi area and F. andiyazi more abundant in the Quirindi area. This study represents the first formal report of F. andiyazi and F. thapsinum in Australia.
Reshaping european regulatory space: An evolutionary analysis

The article examines European institutions for implementing EU regulation. It assesses their development using seven different models that have been introduced or discussed for organising implementation. It argues that the development of European regulatory space has followed an evolutionary pattern involving gradual reshaping through a series of steps, with previous stages influencing later stages and institutions being built on existing structures. Despite pressures and frequent discussions of comprehensive change, existing organisations have managed to limit and shape reforms. The result has been institutional ‘layering’ and ‘conversion’ instead of streamlining, and a gradual strengthening of networks of national independent regulatory agencies. The analysis therefore suggests that evolutionary analysis based on historical institutionalist approaches seems highly appropriate to the EU. Equally, it shows how even if there are strong demand-side pressures for centralisation of regulation, existing institutional arrangements and organisations limit and shape the supply of new institutions, so that debates about radical change coexist with a fragmented, cluttered and complex European regulatory space.
Asymmetric dynamics in the correlations of hedge fund strategy indices: what lessons about financial contagion ?

In this paper, we study the eight style-categories of hedge funds (Event Driven, Global Macro, Relative Value Arbitrage, Equity Hedge, Absolute Return, Distressed Restructuring, Equity Market Neutral and Merger Arbitrage) from January 2005 to June 2012 in order to examine if the hedge fund returns and correlations are affected by the crisis. This paper improves the AG-DCC-GARCH model, developed by Cappiello et al. (2006), by taking into account structural breaks during turbulent periods. The adjustment of variable Dummy in correlation construction has been verified significant and adequate in our work. We find a sharp increase in the correlations of returns during several turbulent periods, while the eight style-categories of hedge funds are normally weakly correlated with the general evolution of financial markets and also weakly correlated between themselves. This is undoubtedly a significant and untapped financial contagion dimension.
Roepke Lecture in Economic Geography—Regional Context and Global Trade

abstract How should we think of the role of regions in relation to the global economy? Theory has surprising gaps when it comes to building a unified vision of these two scales of development. Two contributions to such a vision are proposed in this article. First, the relationship between geographic concentration and the regional economic specialization it underpins and globalization should be theorized as a dynamic process. Standard location and trade theory is not adequate for this task; instead, the dynamic relationship can be captured through growth theory. But capturing this dynamic relationship requires correcting growth theory to separate its local and its global components, which are, respectively, Marshall-Arrow and Romer externalities. Second, the missing element in all theories of geographic concentration and locally specialized development is an element labeled “context” here. A theory of context, in turn, raises important new questions about the dynamic welfare and developmental effects of contemporary processes of fragmenting and relocating production at a global scale.
Orthodontic retention procedures in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE To survey retention procedures used in orthodontic practices in Switzerland. MATERIAL AND METHODS A questionnaire previously developed by Renkema et al. (2009) was sent to 223 Swiss orthodontists. The questionnaire comprised six parts, mainly containing multiple-choice questions. Information as to background education of the individual orthodontist, retention in general, frequency of different types of removable or bonded retainers that were used, retention pro- tocol, and the type and size of the wire used for bonded retainers was assessed. RESULTS The overall response rate was 65 percent. Most orthodontists placed a bonded retainer in the upper and lower arch, except when the upper arch was expanded during treatment or when extractions were performed in the upper arch, in which case they placed a combination of fixed and removable retainers. Opinions varied with regard to how many hours the removable retainers should be worn and the duration of the retention phase. As far as bonded retainers were concerned, 87 percent of the orthodontists preferred life-long retention. Ninety-three percent of the orthodontists considered that the development of a guide- line on retention procedures would be useful. CONCLUSIONS The choice of retention procedures is mostly based on orthodontists personal preference. A further research into the long-term effectiveness of individual retention protocols is needed.
THE EXTENT OF BREAST FEEDING IN GREAT BRITAIN IN 1946, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE HEALTH AND SURVIVAL OF CHILDREN

Information of the extent of breast-feeding in Great Britain in 1946 , with special reference to the health and survival of children is provided from a 2nd maternity survey in 1948, of 4669 women, 2 years after the birth of their babies. The average mother in 1946 breast-fed her baby 4.2 plus or minus . 06 months. Average duration of breast-feeding was the same for each birth order. There were only small social class differences in the maintenance of breast-feeding although in the 9th month the rate of weaning was significantly lower among babies in bad home conditions (p less than .05). The risk of conception was lower among women breast-feeding. Failure to establish lactation was more frequent in nursing homes but those confined there were more successful at maintaining it. Breast infections were more frequent after hospital confinements (7%) compared to home confinements (4.6%). Babies taken to welfare centers had higher weaning rate during the first 6 months of life. Differences between the mortality of bottle-fed and breast-fed infants were insignificant. However, serious infection of the gastrointestinal tract was more frequently seen among bottle-fed bab ies (primarily among babies of extreme birth weight), and babies were more likely to have mild attacks of diarrhea during the switch from breast to bottle. Bottle-fed babies were more liable to lower respirato ry diseases, bronchitis, and pneumonia during the first 9 months. Immunity to measles developed in babies breast-fed in the early months which lasted throughout the 2nd year. At 2 years of age bottle-fed babies tended to be slightly heavier than breast-fed babies and tended to walk at a later date.
Effect of Low and High Fat Diets on Nutrient Intakes and Selected Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Sedentary Men and Women

Objective: The desired level of dietary fat intake is controversial. The effect of decreasing fat intake to 19% and increasing it to 50% from a control diet of 30% on nutritional status and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy individuals was studied. Methods: Eleven healthy subjects (5 men and 6 women) were randomized to consume diets with 19% and 50% calories from fat. Each diet lasted 3 weeks, with a one-week washout. The habitual and washout diets were determined to be 30% fat. At the beginning and the end of each diet, fasting blood was collected to determine plasma lipoproteins, and physiological factors were measured. Results: Total caloric expenditure was similarly balanced to intake on the 30% and 50% fat diets, but intake was significantly lower on the 19% fat diet and led to a loss of 0.6 kg body weight. Consumptions of essential fatty acids, vitamin E and zinc were improved with increased fat intake, but folate intake was compromised on the 30% and 50% fat diets. Compared with the 50% fat diet, subjects consuming the 19% fat diet had significantly lower HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (54 ± 3 vs. 63 ± 3 mg · dL−1, p < 0.05) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) (118 ± 4 vs. 127 ± 3 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Changing the levels of fat intake did not affect % body fat, heart rate, blood pressure, blood triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (ApoB), TC/HDL-C and ApoA1/ApoB ratios. Conclusion: A low fat diet (19%) may not provide sufficient calories, essential fatty acids, and some micronutrients (especially vitamin E and zinc) for healthy untrained individuals, and it also lowered ApoA1 and HDL-C. Increasing fat intake to 50% of calories improved nutritional status, and did not negatively affect certain cardiovascular risk factors.
A novel electroneurography method in facial palsy.

CONCLUSION The novel midline electroneurography (ENoG) method may have advantages over the standard method in terms of ease of electrode setting, and the ENoG value may be a useful prognostic factor. OBJECTIVE We compared ENoG performed in patients with facial palsy using two different methods--the new midline method and standard method--in terms of the amplitudes of the compound muscle action potentials(CMAPs) and relationship between the ENoG value and clinical course. METHODS A total of 64 patients with facial palsy were enrolled. CMAPs were recorded using the midline method, in which the recording electrodes were placed on the mental protuberance and philtrum over the orbicularis oris muscle, and the standard method, in which the recording electrodes were set close to the nasolabial fold. Percutaneous electrical stimulation was applied to the main trunk of the facial nerve.The amplitudes of the CMAPs and the relationship between the ENoG value and the period to full recovery from the facial palsy were compared. RESULTS The midline method had larger CMAP amplitudes on both sides and a stronger negative correlation in the relationship between the ENoG value and period to full recovery from palsy than the standard method statistically.
Young People and the Environment in Australia: Beliefs, Knowledge, Commitment and Educational Implications

Abstract There is a paucity of research in Australia on the nature of young people's attitudes, knowledge and actions. This paper reports on the findings from one such study of Australian high school students. The research was based on a survey of 5688 students from Melbourne and Brisbane. These young people identified protection of the environment as the most important problem In Australia and strongly supported the belief systems characteristic of an ‘environmental paradigm’. Despite this, the majority displayed relatively low levels of knowledge of key environmental concepts, and were involved in little environmental action-taking outside of household activities. Differences are reported between: students from Melbourne and Brisbane; girls and boys; high performing and general schools; and teachers and students. The paper concludes with a discussion of some implications for environmental education in Australia.
WAGES AND THE RISK OF PLANT CLOSING

This paper examines the empirical relationship between the probability a plant closes and the compensation paid to the employees in the plant. The paper uses data on over 6500 manufacturing plants from the LRD to estimate the market hedonic wage locus and the probability of plant failure. The empirical results reported in this paper indicate that the probability of plant failure is systematically related to the plant’s market share, age, recent growth, and variable cost to revenue ratio. The market hedonic wage regression indicates that workers employed by multi-plant firms earn a positive compensating wage differential for the risk of plant closing but workers employed in single-plant firms do not. Additionally, the paper provides evidence on the general pattern of wage variation across heterogeneous employers. Establishment wage rates are significantly affected by plant size, age, geographic location, industry, capital intensity, and value added per worker. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Estimation of Actual Crop Coefficients Using Remotely Sensed Vegetation Indices and Soil Water Balance Modelled Data

A new procedure is proposed for estimating actual basal crop coefficients from vegetation indices (Kcb VI) considering a density coefficient (Kd) and a crop coefficient for bare soil. Kd is computed using the fraction of ground cover by vegetation (fc VI), which is also estimated from vegetation indices derived from remote sensing. A combined approach for estimating actual crop coefficients from vegetation indices (Kc VI) is also proposed by integrating the Kcb VI with the soil evaporation coefficient (Ke) derived from the soil water balance model SIMDualKc. Results for maize, barley and an olive orchard have shown that the approaches for estimating both fc VI and Kcb VI compared well with results obtained using the SIMDualKc model after calibration with ground observation data. For the crops studied, the correlation coefficients relative to comparing the actual Kcb VI and Kc VI with actual Kcb and Kc obtained with SIMDualKc were larger than 0.73 and 0.71, respectively. The corresponding regression coefficients were close to 1.0. The methodology herein presented and discussed allowed for obtaining information for the whole crop season, including periods when vegetation cover is incomplete, as the initial and development stages. Results show that the proposed methods are adequate for supporting irrigation management.
Location Decisions of Spin-offs from Public Research Institutions

Researchers who start their own businesses are expected to locate close to the parent organisation (i.e. universities, public research labs) in order to benefit from spillovers, thus transferring localised knowledge into the regional economy. However, empirical evidence on location patterns of public research spin-offs is rather limited and usually restricted to case studies for certain universities and regions. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution of new firm formations by researchers from universities and public research organisations, based on a representative data set for Germany. It shows that location patterns of public research spin-offs do not differ from other new firm formations. Proximity to the parent institution is of little significance for location decisions, whereas spin-offs are attracted by locations with a high number of potential customers and a large supply of highly qualified labour. Public research spin-offs rather contribute to an interregional than to an intraregional knowledge transfer.
Echocardiographic description of the anatomic relations within the normal aortic root.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY Diagnostic procedures continue to contain much hidden information that may substantially improve the understanding of the mechanisms of aortic valve disease and its treatment planning. The study aim, using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), was to describe in detail the anatomical and physiological properties of the normal human aortic root in vivo. METHODS The study included 32 patients referred for TEE for suspected cardiac sources of emboli, but diagnosed as normal. Images of the aortic valve in long axis (100-120 degrees) and short-axis (45-60 degrees) views were recorded in mid-systole and end-diastole. Parameters of the aortic root (subaortic diameter, sinotubular junction (STJ), maximal sinus diameter, sinus height, cusp diameter, cusp height, opening, coaptation and intercommissural distance) were measured. For repeatability and reliability, two investigators performed the same series of measurements on a subgroup of 11 patients. RESULTS Aortic valve parameters proved to be independent of age, gender, body weight and height, and also of body mass index and body surface area. The subaortic diameter showed no statistically significant connection to maximal sinus diameter or to STJ. No connection was found between STJ and cusp or sinus length in the long-axis view. A simplified regression equation describes the STJ as being three-quarters of the maximal sinus diameter. The valve opening was found to be ca. 80% of the subaortic diameter in systole. Length of coaptation proved to be independent of aortic diameters, but was approximately half of the left coronary (LC) and right coronary (RC) cusp height in diastole. This measurement model proved to be both reliable and reproducible. CONCLUSION This reliable description of normal anatomic and geometric relations within the aortic root, through extended examination of the aortic root by echocardiography, may facilitate a better planning of aortic valve-preserving interventions.
The Effect of Crossing-Network Trading on Dealer Market's Bid-Ask Spreads

This article provides new insights into market competition between traditional exchanges and alternative trading systems in Europe. It investigates the relationship between the trading activity of a crossing network (CN) and the liquidity of a traditional dealer market (DM) by comparing data from the SEAQ quote-driven segment of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and internal data from the POSIT crossing network. A cross-sectional analysis of bid-ask spreads shows that DM spreads are negatively related to CN executions. Risk-sharing benefits from CN trading dominate fragmentation and cream-skimming costs. Further, risk-sharing gains are found to be related to dealer trading in the CN.
Nonpoint-source pollution reduction for an Iowa watershed: an application of evolutionary algorithms.

"We apply an integrated simulation-optimization framework to search for cost-efficient mix and location of agricultural conservation practices in a typical agricultural watershed for two types of nitrogen reduction targets: control of mean annual nitrogen loadings, and a "safety-first" type constraint, insisting that nitrogen targets be met in every weather realization (weather-resilient solutions). Evolutionary algorithms are developed for each of the appropriate water quality targets. Our approach allows for the derivation of a watershed-level total and marginal nitrogen abatement cost curve. Controlling for the probability of meeting water quality targets (looking for weather-resilient solutions) is found to be significantly more costly than controlling the average nitrogen loadings. Both types of solutions are assessed for robustness with respect to weather uncertainty: solutions selected to reduce average loadings do well under weather uncertainty, while the robustness of solutions selected to be resilient decreases with the stringency of the water quality goal". Copyright (c) 2010 Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.
Cochlear Implantation in Children with Single-Sided Deafness: Does Aetiology and Duration of Deafness Matter?

For adult patients with single-sided deafness (SSD), treatment with a cochlear implant (CI) is well established as an acceptable and beneficial hearing rehabilitation method administered routinely in clinical practice. In contrast, for children with SSD, CI has been applied less often to date, with the rationale to decide either on a case-by-case basis or under the realm of clinical research. The aim of our clinical study was to evaluate the longitudinal benefits of CI for a group of children diagnosed with SSD and to compare their outcomes with respect to patient characteristics. Evaluating a pool of paediatric SSD patients presenting for possible CI surgery revealed that the primary aetiology of deafness was congenital cochlear nerve deficiency. A subgroup of children meeting the CI candidacy criteria for the affected ear (the majority with acquired hearing loss) were enrolled in the study. Preliminary group results suggest substantial improvements in speech comprehension in noise and in the ability to localise sound, which was demonstrated through objective and subjective assessments after CI treatment for the group, with results varying from patient to patient. Our study shows a trend towards superior outcomes for children with acquired hearing loss and a shorter duration of hearing loss compared to congenitally deafened children who had a longer duration of SSD. This indicates an interactive influence of the age at onset, aetiology and duration of deafness upon the restoration of binaural integration and the overall benefits of sound stimulation to two ears after CI treatment. Continued longitudinal investigation of these children and further studies in larger groups may provide more guidance on the optimal timing of treatment for paediatric patients with acquired and congenital SSD.
Cloning of the Bacillus subtilis recE+ gene and functional expression of recE+ in B. subtilis

By use of the Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage cloning vehicle phi 105J23, B. subtilis chromosomal MboI fragments have been cloned that alleviate the pleiotropic effects of the recE4 mutation. The recombinant bacteriophages phi 105Rec phi 1 (3.85-kilobase insert) and phi 105Rec phi 4 (3.3-kilobase insert) both conferred on the recE4 strain YB1015 resistance to ethylmethane sulfonate, methylmethane sulfonate, mitomycin C, and UV irradiation comparable with the resistance observed in recE+ strains. While strain YB1015 (recE4) and its derivatives lysogenized with bacteriophage phi 105J23 were not transformed to prototrophy by B. subtilis chromosomal DNA, strain YB1015 lysogenized with either phi 105Rec phi 1 or phi 105Rec phi 4 was susceptible to transformation with homologous B. subtilis chromosomal DNA. The heteroimmune prophages phi 105 and SPO2 were essentially uninducible in strain YB1015. Significantly, both recombinant prophages phi 105Rec phi 1 and phi 105Rec phi 4 were fully inducible and allowed the spontaneous and mitomycin C-dependent induction of a coresident SPO2 prophage in a recE4 host. The presence of the recombinant prophages also restored the ability of din genes to be induced in strains carrying the recE4 mutation. Finally, both recombinant bacteriophages elaborated a mitomycin C-inducible, 45-kilodalton protein that was immunoreactive with Escherichia coli recA+ gene product antibodies. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the recE+ gene has been cloned and that this gene elaborates the 45-kilodalton protein that is involved in SOB induction and homologous recombination.