Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Great Minds Speak Alike: Inter-Court Communication of Metaphor in Education Finance Litigation

Great Minds Speak Alike: Inter-Court Communication of Metaphor in Education Finance Litigation Matt Saleh This project uses a mixed methods approach to analyze the communication of metaphors about educational equity and adequacy, between co-equal state supreme courts in education finance litigation (1971-present). Evidence demonstrates that a number of pervasive metaphors about students and educational opportunities (“sound basic education,” “marketplace of ideas,” students as “competitors in the global economy”) have been shared and conventionalized within judicial networks, with significant implications for how courts interpret educational rights under state constitutions. The project first conducts a qualitative discourse analysis of education finance litigation in New York State (four cases) using Pragglejaz Group’s (2007) Metaphor Identification Procedure, to identify micro-level examples of metaphor usage in actual judicial discourse. Then, it performs quantitative and qualitative social network analysis of the entire education finance judicial network for state supreme courts (65 cases), to analyze two different “relations” between this set of actors: shared citation (formal relation) and shared metaphor (informal relation). Data analysis shows that there exist both formal and informal channels of judicial communication—communication we can “see,” and communication we can’t—and commonalities in discursive strategies (informal ties) are, in some ways, potentially more cohesive than direct, formal ties. The project also finds that courts looking to break with existing state precedent are more likely to turn to inter-court metaphors to validate their holdings. This project seeks to describe how metaphors become diffuse within judicial networks, and more generally seeks to enhance understanding of the ways in which political viewpoints on public benefits and rights are communicated through elite channels.
A modal approach to evaluating the axial ratio of circularly polarized antennas

A new approach considering the weighting modal electric fields is proposed to calculate the axial ratio(AR) of circularly polarized(CP) antennas with the theory of characteristic mode (TCM). We verify this new modal approach by applying it to the four dipoles CP antenna and it turns out to be that the AR is just the same with its counterpart, which is calculated by FEKO directly.
The genetics of pathogen avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans

Much attention is rightly focused on how microbes cause disease, but they can also affect other aspects of host physiology, including behaviour. Indeed, pathogen avoidance behaviours are seen across animal taxa and are probably of major importance in nature. Here, we review what is known about the molecular genetics underlying pathogen avoidance in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In its natural environment, the soil, this animal feeds on microbes and is continuously exposed to a diverse mix of microorganisms. Nematodes that develop efficient behavioural responses that enhance their attraction to sources of food and avoidance of pathogens will have an evolutionary advantage. C. elegans can specifically detect natural products of bacteria, including surfactants (such as serrawettin) and acylated homoserine lactone autoinducers, and it can learn to avoid pathogenic species. To date, several distinct mechanisms have been shown to be involved in pathogen avoidance. They are based on G protein‐like, insulin‐like and neuronal serotonin signalling. We discuss recent findings on the mechanisms of pathogen recognition in C. elegans, the relationship between alternative behavioural defences and also between these and other life‐history traits. We propose that the selective pressure associated with avoidance behaviours influence both pathogen and host evolution.
Composite disturbance-observer-based control and discrete-time sliding mode control for a class of MIMO systems with nonlinearity

The disturbance attenuation and rejection problem is investigated for a class of MIMO systems subject to disturbances. The disturbances are supposed to include two parts. One in the input channel is generated by an exogenous system with uncertainty, which can represent the harmonic signals with modeling perturbations. The other is supposed to have the bounded H2 norm. The disturbance observers are proposed, which can be constructed separately from the controller design. A novel type of control scheme combined the disturbance-observer-based control (DOBC) with discrete-time sliding mode control (DSMC) is presented for a class of MIMO systems. By integrating DOBC with DSMC laws, the disturbances can be estimated and attenuated, simultaneously, the desired dynamic performances can be guaranteed. Simulations for a flight control system are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results compared with the previous schemes.
Structure of Human Cyclophilin A in Complex with the Novel Immunosuppressant Sanglifehrin A at 1.6 Å Resolution*

Sanglifehrin A (SFA) is a novel immunosuppressant isolated from Streptomyces sp. that binds strongly to the human immunophilin cyclophilin A (CypA). SFA exerts its immunosuppressive activity through a mode of action different from that of all other known immunophilin-binding substances, namely cyclosporine A (CsA), FK506, and rapamycin. We have determined the crystal structure of human CypA in complex with SFA at 1.6 Å resolution. The high resolution of the structure revealed the absolute configuration at all 17 chiral centers of SFA as well as the details of the CypA/SFA interactions. In particular, it was shown that the 22-membered macrocycle of SFA is deeply embedded in the same binding site as CsA and forms six direct hydrogen bonds with CypA. The effector domain of SFA, on the other hand, has a chemical and three-dimensional structure very different from CsA, already strongly suggesting different immunosuppressive mechanisms. Furthermore, two CypA·SFA complexes form a dimer in the crystal as well as in solution as shown by light scattering and size exclusion chromatography experiments. This observation raises the possibility that the dimer of CypA·SFA complexes is the molecular species mediating the immunosuppressive effect.
Irving Fisher: Debt Deflation and Crises

It is the 100th anniversary of Irving Fisher’s 1911 book The Purchasing Power of Money. But, more important than that, it is a good time, during the current financial turmoil, to reconsider some of his theories again, in light of current events. And I think that some of his theories about variations in the purchasing power of money are very important today, have been underappreciated, and are worthy of considering anew.
Exploring the aneugenic and clastogenic potential in the nanosize range: A549 human lung carcinoma cells and amorphous monodisperse silica nanoparticles as models

Abstract We explored how to assess the genotoxic potential of nanosize particles with a well validated assay, the in vitro cytochalasin-B micronucleus assay, detecting both clastogens and aneugens. Monodisperse Stöber amorphous silica nanoparticles (SNPs) of three different sizes (16, 60 and 104 nm) and A549 lung carcinoma cells were selected as models. Cellular uptake of silica was monitored by ICP-MS. At non-cytotoxic doses the smallest particles showed a slightly higher fold induction of micronuclei (MNBN). When considering the three SNPs together, particle number and total surface area appeared to account for MNBN induction as they both correlated significantly with the amplitude of the effect. Using nominal or cellular dose did not show statistically significant differences. Likewise, alkaline comet assay and FISH-centromeric probing of MNBN indicated a weak and not statistically significant induction of oxidative DNA damage, chromosome breakage and chromosome loss. This line of investigation will contribute to adequately design and interpret nanogenotoxicity assays.
Center manifold analysis of the delayed Liénard equation

We show the existence of Hopf bifurcation in the delayed Liénard equation. The criterion for the criticality of the Hopf bifurcation is given based on the reduction of the infinite-dimensional problem onto a two-dimensional center manifold. Numerics are provided to verify our theoretical calculation. Application of this technique is discussed via a delayed Liénard oscillator.
Single Institute Experience of Chemotherapy and Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Localized Aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of Radiation Therapy

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcome of localized aggressive lymphoma treated with chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Between 1982 and 1998, 77 patients who were diagnosed as having aggressive lymphoma stage I-II were treated with chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. The median radiation dose was 44.4 Gy (range, 30–64 Gy). Some patients who achieved complete response after chemotherapy received limited-field radiation to reduce toxicity. Several prognostic factors were analyzed in the overall (OAS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) by both uni- and multivariate analysis. The 5-year rates of OAS and RFS were 74.6% and 70.8%, respectively. Patient age (p = 0.016), radiation dose (p = 0.043), and prognostic score proposed by the Japan Lymphoma Radiation Therapy Group (JLRTG;p = 0.0073) were significant predictive factors for OAS. As for RFS, predictive factors were patient age (p = 0.042), elevated level of serum lactic dehydrogenase (p = 0.046), and JLRTG score (p = 0.05). At the multivariate level, only patient age greater than 60 years was a significantly adverse variable for both OAS (p = 0.0079) and RFS (p = 0.0198). Our treatment strategy was thought to be acceptable with satisfactory outcomes. Limited-field radiation may have possible advantages in toxicity if it does not lead to worsening of the outcome, although a conclusive result could not be obtained by the current analysis.
Comparative analysis of different DNA isolation methods for Trichoderma spp. strains used as biocontrol agents.

Trichoderma spp. is a widely spread filamentous fungi, common used in biological control of plant pathogens due to its ability to grow over other fungal mycelia and fruiting bodies as hyperparasite. Due to its mycoparasitic capability and ability to colonize vegetal debris, several commercial bioproducts were developed or approved to be used in worldwide. Six biocontrol strains of Trichoderma spp. : Td49, Td50, Td85, al12, M14 and M214, previously selected for their ability to hyperparasite various phytopathogenic fungi and suppress plant diseases, were used in this study. Fungal DNA isolation and purification is the first step in molecular characterization and identification of filamentous fungi. At present there are a wide range of commercial kits, reagents or classical molecular protocols available. We compared four DNA extraction methods and their characteristics regarding the yield and purity of the nucleic acids, time consumed, and the expenses involved. In our study we used two classical extraction protocols, one currently used in USAMV Bucharest, the other developed by Stirling (2003), the Chelex X 100 resin (Bio-Rad) protocol and the commercial kit “Animal and Fungi DNA Preparation kit” (Jena Bioscience). Our results showed high yield of DNA when using all extraction methods, however, the best purity was achieved when using Stirling (2003) classical purification protocol.
Higher moment portfolio management with downside risk

Variance is the common risk measure that has been used in portfolio optimization since the introduction of the mean-variance model. However, the mean-variance model penalizes not only the downside deviation but also the upside deviation. The upside deviation is desirable to the investors. The objective of this study is to compare the compositions and performances of optimal portfolios by replacing variance with lower partial moment. The lower partial moment is the downside risk that focuses on the deviation below the specified target rate of return which better matches investor's perception towards risk. Incorporating skewness, this study employs the polynomial goal programming method. This method is flexible to incorporate different degree of investor's preference for mean return and skewness. Skewness is important because increasing skewness reduces the probability of getting negative rates of return. The empirical results demonstrate that the optimal portfolios compositions base on lower partial moment are different to the optimal portfolios compositions based on variance. Furthermore, at the same level of downside risk, optimal portfolios that based on lower partial moment are found to give higher expected return and skewness than the optimal portfolios that are based on variance. This implies that the optimal portfolios that are based on lower partial moment dominate those based on variance at the same level of downside risk. Lower partial moment is a more appropriate risk measure for the investors because it only penalizes the downside deviation.
Business Cycle Synchronization in the Enlarged EU: Comovements in the New and Old Members

It is generally recognized that countries wanting to join a monetary union should display the optimal currency area properties. One such property is the similarity of business cycles. We therefore undertook to analyze the synchronization of business cycles between the EMU and eight new EU members from Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), for which the next step to be considered in the integration process is entry into the EMU. In contrast to the usually analyzed GDP and industrial production data, we extend our analysis to the major expenditure and sectoral components of GDP and use several measures of synchronization. The main findings of the paper are that Hungary, Poland and Slovenia have achieved a high degree of synchronization with the EMU for GDP, industrial production and exports, but not for consumption and services. The other CEECs have achieved less or no synchronization. There has been a significant increase in the synchronization of GDP and also its major components in the EMU members since the start of the run-up to EMU. While this lends support for the existence of OCA endogeneity, it can not be unambiguously attributed to it because there is also evidence of a world business cycle. Another finding is that the consumption-correlation puzzle remains, but its magnitude has greatly diminished in the EMU members, which is good news for common monetary policy.
Exchange Rate Strategies in the Competition for Attracting FDI

The choice of an exchange-rate regime is considered by integrating the determinants of multinational firms locations. We consider the case of a risk-adverse multinational firm which contemplates relocating two alternative foreign locations in order to re-export. We explicit the trade-off between price competitiveness and a stable nominal exchange rate. We also show that the firm will consider both locations as substitutes or as complements depending on whether the two exchange rates against the investing country's currency are positively or negatively correlated.
The effect of stereotype content on intergroup uncertainty and interactions

ABSTRACT Drawing on intergroup threat theory and the stereotype content model, we examine intergroup relations in an organizational context. We surveyed 108 Asian immigrants working at a large international organization located in the United Kingdom. We found that perceptions of warmth and competence interact to predict minority group members’ willingness to interact with an outgroup majority. Extending previous research, we demonstrate that warmth and competence differentially affect intergroup uncertainty, which mediates the relationship between stereotype content and willingness to interact with the outgroup. Three novel aspects of this research contribute to the existing literature: (1) the focus on stereotype content eliciting intergroup emotions; (2) examining the thoughts and feelings of a minority group (Asian immigrants) toward the majority group (British citizens); (3) the organizational context of the sample presents a real-world situation.
Understanding Pharmaceutical Sustainable Supply chains - A Case Study Application

A major paradigmchange is occurring in the pharmaceutical industry and an increase of returnsand recalls has been seen; although this industry in known for the continuoussearch for quality and regulatory compliance.Hence, in this paperwe combine the findings of previous literature reviews conducted by theauthors. Essentially, explore the links between pharmaceutical drugs quality,reverse logistics, and sustainability. A case study on a global corporationmanufacturing in the area of generic drug products has been selected andcorrelations are done with regards to returns and recalls from hospitalpharmacies, in particular. With this approach it is expected to link bothparties in the application of a quality by design risk management approach aswell as reduce variability and risk of noncompliance.
IN VIVO STUDY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN FOOTBALL: A COMPARISON OF NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I VERSUS HIGH SCHOOL IMPACTS

OBJECTIVETo compare the frequency and magnitude of head impacts between National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and American high school football players. The long-term goal is to correlate impact forces with injury patterns, leading to improvements in protective headgear. METHODSThe helmets of football players at the University of Oklahoma (n = 40) and Casady High School (n = 16) were instrumented with the Head Impact Telemetry System (Simbex, Lebanon, NH). Data were collected for practices and games for the 2005 football season and were analyzed by player position and school. Player positions were separated into two groups (skill and line) for analysis. Two case studies of athletes who sustained a concussion are also presented. RESULTSA total of 54,154 impacts were recorded at the University of Oklahoma and 8326 at Casady High School. College players sustained high-level impacts greater than 98 g more frequently than high school players. The mean linear accelerations for the top 1, 2, and 5% of all impacts were also higher for college players (P < 0.02). Skill position players received 24.6% of all impacts and sustained an impact greater than 98 g once every 70 impacts. In contrast, linemen sustained the highest number of impacts, but most were relatively low-magnitude (20–30 g). Linemen sustained an impact greater than 98 g once every 125 impacts. CONCLUSIONDifferences in the frequency and magnitude of head acceleration after impact exist between a Division I college team and a high school team. Compared with linemen, skill position players typically sustain the highest-level impacts. Additional data collection and analysis are required to correlate concussion diagnosis with acceleration magnitude and impact location.
Progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum (PPP) as an adjunct for surgery of hernias with loss of domain.

BACKGROUND forced repair of a giant abdominal wall defect end with unsatisfactory results despite development of prosthetics materials. The enlargement of abdominal wall dimensions could be realized altogether other methods with the aid of pneumo-peritoneum. The aim of the study is to evaluate early results of the method used for patients with giant incisional hernias. MATERIAL AND METHODS between june 1998 - june 2013, 17 patients (4 males) with giant abdominal wall defects (incisional and inguinal hernias) were prepaired for radical surgery with pneumoperitoneum. Average age was 64.35 years. We reevaluated the standard constants of the pulmonary function,blood gases, and intra-vesical pressure in 3 moments: before the first gas insuflation, 24 hours before surgery and in the 7th daypost operatively. RESULTS the method was free of accidents or incidents, no mortality was recorded. The respiratory function was significantly increased and also the intra-abdominal pressure. CONCLUSION our results suggest that the method of progressive pneumoperitoneum is safe, costless of choice for creating a clear compatibility between the wall and abdominal content inpatients with giant abdominal wall defects. Also ensures a longterm and stable improvement of the respiratory function in all its components.
The Firm's Strategy Type and Market Value

The relationship between firm-specific strategies and the firm's value has attracted considerable attention from researchers. The present article seeks to add to the literature by investigating firm-specific business strategy and value. We categorize firms into different ‘strategy clusters’ using the framework developed by Miles and Snow (1978) and examine whether the nature of a firm's strategy has an association with its perceived performance as measured by Tobin's Q.
Assessing complementarity in organizational innovations for technological innovation: the role of knowledge management practices

We empirically investigate the pattern of complementarity among four organizational practices. Firm-level data were drawn from the Community Innovation Survey, carried out in Luxembourg. Supermodularity tests confirm the crucial role of organizational innovation in raising firms’ technological innovation. The pattern of complementarity across organizational practices differs according to the type of innovation (i.e. product or process), as well as according to whether the firm is in the first stage of its innovation process (i.e. being innovative or not) or in a later stage (i.e. sales of new products).
IUF Scheduling Algorithm for Improving the Schedulability, Predictability and Sustainability of the Real Time System

The problem of real time scheduling spans a broad spectrum of algorithms from simple uniprocessor to highly sophisticated multiprocessor scheduling algorithm. This paper proposes a new novel scheduling algorithm to scheduler periodic task for soft real time systems.This is a planning based scheduler where tasks are scheduled on the basis of its instantaneous utilization.Here after every quantum of execution, instantaneous utilization of each task is calculated. task which is having highest instantaneous utilization is scheduled to the processor. Since Instantaneous Utilization Factor (IUF) is temporarily variant factor, the priority of each task will vary continuously. Experimentally IUF based scheduling shows better performance result like missing of deadline, predictability, schedulability and sustainability as compared to scheduling algorithm such as EDF, RM, LLF.