Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘We are heartbroken and furious!’ : Violence and the (anti-)globalisation movement(s)

This is a much reworked and reoriented version of an earlier CSGR Working Paper (Sullivan 2004a). A somewhat shorter version is forthcoming as Chapter 10 in Maiguascha, B. and Eschle, C. (December 2004) Critical Theories, World Politics and ‘the Anti-Globalisation Movement’, London: Routledge. The piece began as an exploratory comment on militant discourse and practice within the ‘(anti-)globalisation movement(s)’. It emerged from my own process of sense-making regarding the experience of violently irruptive situations, as well as from my perceptions of the contextual causes of violence in these situations. My particular fascination has been the role(s) of affect – and particularly of the felt experiences of depression and anger – in drawing people to the decision to literally place their bodies and psyches in the path of violent police repression in protest events. In this version I open with data derived from ‘observant participation’ in a number of events to emphasise my embeddedness within activist communities and practice, and to clearly situate the bearing that my own subjective experience has on my interpretation of protest events and of ‘anti-capitalist’ praxis. In interpreting and analyzing emerging activist desires to assert agency through activism, I highlight two related conceptual arenas. 1. A thinking through of the biopolitical necessities and manifestations effected by Empire – the constrained locating of sovereignty in the global – which construct the body and psyche as the only viable and meaningful locales of resistance (cf. Hardt and Negri 2000 after Foucault e.g. 1998 (1976)). And 2. , a consideration of the parallels between a growing global incidence of depressed and disengaged individual subjectivities and Giorgio Agamben’s discourse on ‘bare life’ (e.g. 1994, 1998), i.e. human life stripped of citizenship as in refugees, asylum seekers, detainees etc.; and a concomitant understanding of affective depression as a locale from where is possible for ‘new’ dissenting subjectivities to emerge. My intention remains to problematise the dynamic relationships existing between a microcosm of individual circumstances that effect a range of violent practices from self-harm to militant activism, and the macrocosm of structural societal violence within which these are located. In doing so, I offer some reflections regarding what really constitutes radical political praxis in a context of late capitalist modernity, emphasising the continual effort to subvert modernity’s assumed categories of the real, and the need for reflexivity in considering whether or not activist praxis simply mirrors, and thereby maintains, the violent biopower of Empire.
Failed gamma-ray bursts and orphan afterglows

It is believed that orphan afterglow searches can help to measure the beaming angle in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Great expectations have been put on this method. We point out that the method is in fact not as simple as we originally expected. As a result of the baryon-rich environment that is common to almost all popular progenitor models, there should be many failed gamma-ray bursts, i.e. fireballs with Lorentz factor much less than 100-1000, but still much larger than unity. In fact, the number of failed gamma-ray bursts may even be much larger than that of successful bursts. Owing to the existence of these failed gamma-ray bursts, there should be many orphan afterglows even if GRBs are due to isotropic fireballs, then the simple discovery of orphan afterglows never means that GRBs are collimated. Unfortunately, to distinguish between a failed-GRB orphan and a jetted but off-axis GRB orphan is not an easy task. The major problem is that the trigger time is unknown. Some possible solutions to the problem are suggested.
Attitudes About the Competence of Charitable Gift Givers

Respondents responded to vignettes about the mental competence of an older woman, an older man, a younger woman, or a younger man who was identified as wealthy and who had decided to give her/his wealth to a religious organization with which the person had been associated for a year. Controlling for respondents’ educational programs, exposure to psychopathology and aging curriculum, and religious affiliation, a General Linear Model revealed that although respondents did not believe the vignette characters were significantly impaired, there were differences in perceptions based on the gender and age of the character they considered in nine of 20 items. The older woman and older men were more likely to be viewed to be in need of a capacity assessment than the younger woman or man. An additional four items were considered to avoid a Type II error because of their proximity to significance.
CDOs and the Financial Crisis: Credit Ratings and Fair Premia

We study risk and return characteristics of CDOs using the market standard models. We find that fair spreads on CDO tranches are much higher than fair spreads on similarly-rated corporate bonds. Our results imply that credit ratings are not sufficient for pricing, which is surprising given their central role in structured finance markets. This illustrates limitations of the rating methodologies that are solely based on real-world default probabilities or expected losses and do not capture risk premia. We also demonstrate that CDO tranches have large exposure to systematic risk and thus their ratings and prices are likely to decline substantially when credit conditions deteriorate.
The traditional/communicative dichotomy

When considering the question of �traditional� versus �communicative�, the first essential is definition. This article first of all attempts to clarify these ill-defined concepts before considering the degree to which they may or may not be dichotomous. The results of a small-scale study are reported involving a survey of teaching approaches employed by a group of Turkish teachers who were then asked to comment on the factors which they felt constrained their teaching practice. The article concludes by considering underlying assumptions relating to teaching approaches before suggesting areas for further research.
A perceptual approach to contemporary musical forms

This paper presents the following subject matter: First, a brief explanation is given of how “perceptual approach to musical form” is to be understood. Then hypotheses relating to the psychological mechanisms involved are proposed, along with predicted results and experimental methods employed (choice of works, subjects, and procedures). The results of three experiments, accompanied by a brief description of the musical passages as compared to these results, lead finally to a discussion of the hypotheses put forward. Musical works used in the experiment were: Sequenza VI (for solo viola) by Luciano Berio, performed by Walter Trampler (RCA SB 6846, 1971) and Eclat by Pierre Boulez, performed by the Ensemble Intercontemporain conducted by the composer (Le Temps Musical 1, a Radio France/IRCAM cassette).
Learn to Recognise: Exploring Priors of Sparse Face Recognition on Smartphones

Face recognition is one of the important components of many smart devices apps, e.g., face unlocking, people tagging and games on smart phones, tablets, or smart glasses. Sparse Representation Classification (SRC) is a state-of-the-art face recognition algorithm, which has been shown to outperform many classical face recognition algorithms in OpenCV, e.g., Eigenface algorithm. The success of SRC is due to its use of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _1$</tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="shen-ieq1-2593919.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> optimization, which makes SRC robust to noise and occlusions. Since <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _1$</tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="shen-ieq2-2593919.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> optimization is computationally intensive, SRC uses random projection matrices to reduce the dimension of the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _1$</tex-math><alternatives> <inline-graphic xlink:href="shen-ieq3-2593919.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> problem. However, random projection matrices do not give consistent classification accuracy as they ignored the prior knowledge of the training set. In this paper, we propose to exploit the prior knowlege of the training set to improve the recognition accuracy. It first learns the optimized projection matrix from the training set to produce consistent recognition performance then applies <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ell _1$</tex-math><alternatives> <inline-graphic xlink:href="shen-ieq4-2593919.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-based classification based on the group sparsity structure of SRC to further improve the recognition accuracy. Our evaluations, based on publicly available databases and real experiment, show that face recognition using optimized projection matrix is 8-17 percent more accurate than its random counterpart and Eigenface algorithm, and the recognition accuracy can be further improved by up to 5 percent by exploiting group sparsity structure. Furthermore, the optimized projection matrix does not have to be re-calculated even if new faces are added to the training set. We implement the SRC with optimized projection matrix on Android smartphones and find that the computation of residuals in SRC is a severe bottleneck, taking up 85-90 percent of the computation time. To address this problem, we propose a method to compute the residuals approximately, which is 50 times faster with little sacrificing recognition accuracy. Lastly, we demonstrate the feasibility of our new algorithm by the implementation and evaluation of a new face unlocking app and show its robustness to variation of poses, facial expressions, lighting changes, and occlusions.
Does Success in the Reading Recovery Program Depend on Developing Proficiency in Phonological-Processing Skills? A Longitudinal Study in a Whole Language Instructional Context

This longitudinal study examined the relation between the development of phonological-processing skills and the effectiveness of Reading Recovery (RR) in a whole language instructional context. Children independently selected by their schools for RR were compared with groups of poor readers who did not receive RR and with normally developing readers. Results indicated that the RR and poor reader comparison groups had deficiencies in phonological-processing skills during the year preceding their participation in RR, that participation in the program did not eliminate or reduce these deficiencies, and that success in RR and in subsequent reading achievement was closely associated with phonological-processing skills. The RR children showed declines in reading self-concept, in perceptions of ability in reading and spelling, and in general academic self-concept following RR. Teachers of the RR children rated them as having more classroom behavior problems and fewer adaptive functioning behaviors than the normally developing readers.
Communication-Free Multi-Agent Control Under Local Temporal Tasks and Relative-Distance Constraints

We propose a distributed control and coordination strategy for multi-agent systems where each agent has a local task specified as a Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) formula and at the same time is subject to relative-distance constraints with its neighboring agents. The local tasks capture the temporal requirements on individual agents' behaviors, while the relative-distance constraints impose requirements on the collective motion of the whole team. The proposed solution relies only on relative-state measurements among the neighboring agents without the need for explicit information exchange. It is guaranteed that the local tasks given as syntactically co-safe or general LTL formulas are fulfilled and the relative-distance constraints are satisfied at all time. The approach is demonstrated with computer simulations.
Quantiles over data streams: an experimental study

A fundamental problem in data management and analysis is to generate descriptions of the distribution of data. It is most common to give such descriptions in terms of the cumulative distribution, which is characterized by the quantiles of the data. The design and engineering of efficient methods to find these quantiles has attracted much study, especially in the case where the data is described incrementally, and we must compute the quantiles in an online, streaming fashion. Yet while such algorithms have proved to be tremendously useful in practice, there has been limited formal comparison of the competing methods, and no comprehensive study of their performance. In this paper, we remedy this deficit by providing a taxonomy of different methods, and describe efficient implementations. In doing so, we propose and analyze variations that have not been explicitly studied before, yet which turn out to perform the best. To illustrate this, we provide detailed experimental comparisons demonstrating the tradeoffs between space, time, and accuracy for quantile computation.
Experience with modified single-port laparoscopic procedures in children.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of limited-access laparoscopic procedures in children by using a modified single-port access (SPA) technique. METHODS A number of different basic laparoscopic procedures were attempted by using a modified 8-mm operating laparoscope with a 4-mm, 6-degree lens and an incorporated 5-mm operating channel. The operating scope was placed though an umbilical incision. The majority of cases also involved the use of a 3-mm instrument placed through a separate stab-wound incision or 3-mm port. Patient age ranged from 9 months to 16 years and weight from 7 to 60 kg. Procedures included laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 10, appendectomy in 8, enterolysis in 2, ovarian cystectomy in 1, and inguinal hernia repair in 15 patients. RESULTS All procedures, except one, were successfully completed by using the SPA technique. A hernia repair in a 15-year-old male was converted to a three-port laparoscopic repair, because the operating scope could not adequately access the area. Operative times were longer than comparable procedures if using a standard laparoscopic approach, but a statistical analysis was not performed. There were no operative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS A modified SPA technique appears to be a safe, viable alternative to a standard laparoscopic approach for some procedures in children. The primary advantage is cosmetic. Visualization and tissue manipulation are more difficult and time consuming. The addition of a single 3-mm instrument at a separate site allows for easier dissection and triangulation, with almost no visible scarring. This may be more beneficial than creating a single 20-mm incision in the umbilicus with multiple ports, with nearly the same cosmetic result.
Hurricane Katrina: A Longitudinal Study of the Achievement and Behavior of Displaced Students

This study examined the achievement and behavior of Mississippi children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The analysis disclosed differences in achievement and behavior between displaced and nondisplaced students. Those who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina had lower academic performance and were more likely to engage in negative behaviors than nondisplaced students. These gaps preexisted Katrina and, in most instances, did not change significantly during the first 2 years following the storm. However, rates of suspension and expulsion increased among these students, while rates of nonpromotion decreased.
Evaluation of malaria cases in individuals after traveling to endemic regions of the world.

AIM This study evaluates types of malaria and treatment success in a series of identified cases among individuals who were presumed to have travelled to regions where malaria is endemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS In Sema Hospital, 25 cases of malaria (5 in women, 20 in men) were diagnosed during the 6-year period between 2006 and 2012. The mean age of the patients was 34.5 years. Diagnoses were established with thick and thin peripheral blood smears that were parasite-positive. These tests were then compared to the rapid diagnostic test based on Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2. RESULTS All cases demonstrated fever beginning with chills. Three patients had prophylaxis with doxycycline, but all stopped the prophylaxis early of their own volition. P. falciparum was the parasitic agent in all cases. A regimen of artemisinin and lumefantrine was administered in 18 of the 25 cases; quinine plus doxycycline was given in 3, and chloroquine was administered in the remaining 4. Usage of these regimens cured all cases of malaria without complications. CONCLUSION The importance of prophylaxis of malaria was demonstrated. Malaria should also be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever that have a history of travel to endemic regions.
Do mycobacteria produce endospores?

The genus Mycobacterium, which is a member of the high G+C group of Gram-positive bacteria, includes important pathogens, such as M. tuberculosis and M. leprae. A recent publication in PNAS reported that M. marinum and M. bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin produce a type of spore known as an endospore, which had been observed only in the low G+C group of Gram-positive bacteria. Evidence was presented that the spores were similar to endospores in ultrastructure, in heat resistance and in the presence of dipicolinic acid. Here, we report that the genomes of Mycobacterium species and those of other high G+C Gram-positive bacteria lack orthologs of many, if not all, highly conserved genes diagnostic of endospore formation in the genomes of low G+C Gram-positive bacteria. We also failed to detect the presence of endospores by light microscopy or by testing for heat-resistant colony-forming units in aged cultures of M. marinum. Finally, we failed to recover heat-resistant colony-forming units from frogs chronically infected with M. marinum. We conclude that it is unlikely that Mycobacterium is capable of endospore formation.
Cultural Diversity and Its Impact on Social Interactive Processes

In this article we report findings from three longitudinal studies carried out to understand the social interactive processes in multicultural groups observed in their organizational settings. Its aim was to explore the dynamics of cognitive, affective and communicative aspects during the development of a shared understanding. In particular, crystallizing the effect of culture in a temporal setting was considered. Data give reason to believe that country-of-origin diversity aspects during this process depend on whether employees feel this is salient in a particular context. The findings are of particular value to intercultural managers in their role as project leaders. For successful cooperation among culturally diverse group members, they need to facilitate social interactive processes by balancing perceived differences.
Syntaxin 12, a Member of the Syntaxin Family Localized to the Endosome*

We have cloned a new member of the syntaxin family of proteins. The open reading frame encodes a polypeptide of 272 amino acids with potential coiled-coil domains and a C-terminal hydrophobic tail. Northern blot analysis showed that the transcript is fairly ubiquitous. A soluble recombinant form of the polypeptide without the hydrophobic region binds to α-SNAP (solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein) and syndet/SNAP-23 in vitro. Polyclonal antibody raised against the recombinant protein recognized a 39-kDa protein in the membrane fraction of cell lysates. Indirect immunofluorescence studies using the polyclonal antibody showed that the protein is localized to intracellular membrane structures. Selective permeabilization studies with digitonin and saponin indicate that the epitope(s) recognized by the antibody is expose to the cytoplasm, consistent with the predicted orientation characteristic of SNAP receptor molecules. Morphological alterations of the staining pattern of the protein with brefeldin A and wortmannin treatment indicate that the protein is localize to the endosome. The cDNA we have cloned apparently corresponded to three previously described expressed sequence tags named as syntaxins 12, 13, and 14, respectively. We therefore propose to retain the name syntaxin 12 for this protein.
Long-term labour market consequences of dropping out of upper secondary school

In this study, I compare the labour market outcomes of school completers and school dropouts 10 years after they have entered upper secondary education. I compare second-generation immigrant youth from Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan, Vietnam, India and Chile with native majority youth in terms of economic inactivity, employment probability and educational enrolment. I use register data from Statistics Norway, which contain information on all students who entered upper secondary school between 1994 and 1998. The results show that youths who drop out of school have a lower probability of being employed than school completers. However, the labour market penalty of dropping out is not more excessive among second-generation immigrant youth than among native majority youth.
Does Measuring Intent Change Behavior

Past research has established that, while self-reports of purchase intentions can predict behavior, various factors affect the strength of the intentions-behavior link. This article explores one such factor: the impact of merely measuring intent. Our specific question concerns the impact of measuring intent on subsequent purchase behavior. Prior research suggests a mere-measurement hypothesis: that merely measuring intent will increase subsequent purchase behavior. We also suggest a polarization hypothesis: that repeated intent questions will have a polarizing effect on behavior. The results reveal that the effect of merely asking intent to buy once is an increase in the subsequent purchase rate. The effect of repeatedly asking intent for those with low levels of intent is a decreased propensity to buy with repeated measurements. These two effects are reduced given prior experience with the product. The implications of these findings and opportunities for future research are discussed.
The decay of massive closed superstrings with maximum angular momentum

We study the decay of a very massive closed superstring (i.e. ? 'M2 >> 1) in the unique state of maximum angular momentum. This is done in flat ten-dimensional spacetime and in the regime of weak string coupling, where the dominant decay channel is into two states of masses M1,? M2. We find that the lifetime surprisingly grows with the first power of the mass M: = c? '? M. We also compute the decay rate for each values of M1,? M2. We find that, for large M, the dynamics selects only special channels of decay: modulo processes which are exponentially suppressed, for every decay into a state of given mass M1, the mass M2 of the other state is uniquely determined.