Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Judicial Independence: The Political Economy of Judging in Japan

Article 76 of the Japanese Constitution requires that all judges be "independent in the exercise of their conscience and bound only by this Constitution and its laws. Consistent with this requirement, Japanese courts have long enjoyed a reputation for vigilant independence. Only leftists have challenged this, and only occasionally and anecdotally. In this book, J. Mark Ramseyer and Eric B. Rasmusen use the latest statistical techniques to examine whether (and if so, to what extent) Japanese politicians manipulate the careers of lower court judges to political advantage. One the basis of careful econometric analysis of career data for hundreds of judges, they find that Japanese politicians do influence judicial careers discreetly and indirectly: judges who decide politically charged cases in ways favoured by the ruling party enjoy better careers after their decisions than those who do not. Ramseyer and Rasmusen's sophisticated yet accessible analysis has much to offer anyone interested in judicial independence or the application of econometric techniques in the social sciences.
Rivaroxaban – an oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor – lessons from a broad clinical study programme

Anticoagulants are recommended for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and secondary prevention in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). There is a clinical need for novel anticoagulants offering improvements over current standard of care, such as fixed oral dosing and no need for routine monitoring. Rivaroxaban, an oral, once‐daily, direct Factor Xa inhibitor, has recently completed the RECORD phase III programme for the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement (THR or TKR), an indication for which it is approved in Europe and Canada. It is being investigated in large‐scale phase III studies for VTE treatment and prevention of stroke in patients with AF, and phase III studies will soon commence for secondary prevention in patients with ACS. Phase I studies demonstrated that no routine anticoagulation monitoring was required, while phase II studies suggested that fixed daily doses had a wide therapeutic window. The four RECORD studies consistently showed that rivaroxaban was significantly more effective than enoxaparin in the prevention of VTE after THR and TKR, with a similar safety profile. This review describes the development of this novel anticoagulant, from bench to bedside.
Study of high-speed loading machine's missing chip detection system based on vacuum testing

A method of missing chip detection based on vacuum testing is presented in the paper in view of the requirement of response time in high-speed loading machine. On the basis of analyzing the factors that influence response time in theoretical, the experimental platform of the detection system is set up. Some key factors that affect the response time are analyzed by experiments, and the improvement of experimental platform completed in final. The experimental results show that the improved detection system has faster response time on the basis of guaranteeing the stability, the response time of this system is about 38ms, and it has put into use.
Dynamic 3D interaction using an optical See-through HMD

We propose a system that enables dynamic 3D interaction with real and virtual objects using an optical see-through head-mounted display and an RGB-D camera. The virtual objects move according to physical laws. The system uses a physics engine for calculation of the motion of virtual objects and collision detection. In addition, the system performs collision detection between virtual objects and real objects in the three-dimensional scene obtained from the camera which is dynamically updated. A user wears the device and interacts with virtual objects in a seated position. The system gives users a great sense of reality through an interaction with virtual objects.
Robust self-organization for swarm robots

This paper presents a self-organizing scheme for multi-agent swarm systems based on coupled nonlinear oscillators (CNOs). In this scheme, unicycle robots self-organize to flock and arrange group formation through attractive and repulsive forces among themselves. It is also shown how localized distributed controls are utilized throughout group behaviors such as formation and migration. The proposed self-organization scheme maintains robust formation and provides reasonable accuracy in the face of significant positioning and movement error. In the paper, the proposed formation ensures safe separation and good cohesion performance among the robots. Several examples show that the proposed self-organizing scheme provides a robust formation behavior maintaining a constant variance value effectively.
Run-time execution of reconfigurable hardware in a Java environment

We present tools that support the run-time execution of applications that mix software running on networks of workstations and reconfigurable hardware. We use JHDL to describe the reconfigurable hardware, and JavaPorts to handle the communications between nodes in the network. The heterogeneous resources are handled by interposing a communication layer between the application and the hardware. The communication layer provides (i) the ability to modify the target hardware without modifying the application, (ii) co-design of the application and hardware, (iii) simulation of the entire system before the hardware design is complete, and (iv) remote execution so the application can reside on a different host from the hardware. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach with a Java-based system which has a communication layer called the packet exchange platform (PEP). We present the system, describe the PEP and its implementation, and show how this approach has been applied to an image processing application.
Managing disruptive student behaviour: the involvement of law enforcement and juvenile justice in schools

In the search for more effective ways of managing juvenile violence and youth alienation in schools and in the broader community, a closer relationship between schools and a range of government and community agencies has developed. Cooperation between schools and the police and the juvenile justice system has brought benefits, but has also created tensions and exposed differences in viewpoints about how best to manage student behaviour. The control/punishment paradigm dominates the thinking of large sections of the community, as well as politicians, many government agencies, and some educational administrators and policy makers. This viewpoint has made it difficult for promising responses to anti-social behaviour to find a place in the behaviour management strategies of schools.
A reliable distributed control algorithm for updating replicated databases

This paper presents a robust, deadlock-free and distributed control algorithm for consistently updating replicated databases. This algorithm is based on local locking and time stamps on lock tables which permit detection of conflicts among transactions executed at replicated databases. Messages are exchanged in the network whenever a transaction commitment occurs, that is, at the end of every consistent step of local processing. Conflicts among remote transactions are resolved by a roll back procedure. Local restart is based on a journal of locks which provides backup facilities. Performance in terms of the number of messages and volume of control messages of the proposed algorithm is compared with that of the voting and centralized locking algorithms. The results reveal that the proposed distributed control algorithm performs, in most cases, comparably to the centralized locking algorithm and better than the voting algorithm.
Blind Deconvolution With Nonlocal Similarity and $l_0$ Sparsity for Noisy Image

The blind image deconvolution techniques with sparsity prior in gradient domain are sensitive to noise, even a small amount of noise. To address this problem, in this letter, we propose a novel blind deconvolution model that combines low-rank property, nonlocal similarity, and l0 sparsity prior. Low-rank property makes the proposed deblurring model robust to image noise. The joint utilization of nonlocal similarity and l0 sparsity prior has improved the accuracy of blur kernel estimation and restores the fine image details. A numerical method is also given to solve the proposed problem. Experimental results on synthetic and real data show that our algorithm performs better against with the state-of-the-art methods for both noise and noise-free images.
Evolutionary process of Bos taurus cattle in favourable versus unfavourable environments and its implications for genetic selection

The evolutionary processes that have enabled Bos taurus cattle to establish around the globe are at the core to the future success of livestock production. Our study focuses on the history of cattle domestication including the last 60 years of B. taurus breeding programmes in both favourable and unfavourable environments and its consequences on evolution and fitness of cattle. We discuss the emergence of ‘production diseases’ in temperate production systems and consider the evolutionary genetics of tropical adaptation in cattle and conclude that the Senepol, N’Dama, Adaptaur and Criollo breeds, among others with similar evolutionary trajectories, would possess genes capable of improving the productivity of cattle in challenging environments. Using our own experimental evidence from northern Australia, we review the evolution of the Adaptaur cattle breed which has become resistant to cattle tick. We emphasize that the knowledge of interactions between genotype, environment and management in the livestock systems will be required to generate genotypes for efficient livestock production that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. Livestock producers in the 21st century will have less reliance on infrastructure and veterinary products to alleviate environmental stress and more on the animal’s ability to achieve fitness in a given production environment.
Differential association between the norepinephrine transporter gene and ADHD: role of sex and subtype.

BACKGROUND Pharmacologic and animal studies have strongly implicated the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the pathophysiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conducted a family-based study, with stratification based on sex and subtype, to test the association between 30 tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the gene encoding NET (SLC6A2) and ADHD. METHODS Family-based association tests were conducted with the categorical diagnosis of ADHD, as well as quantitative phenotypes of clinical relevance (Conners Global Index for Teachers and Parents, and Child Behavior Checklist measures). Sliding window haplotype analysis was conducted with screening based on conditional power using PBAT. RESULTS A previously reported association with rs3785143 was confirmed in this study. Further, extensive association was observed with haplotype blocks, with a differential pattern observed based on sex and subtype. The 5' region of the gene (encompassing haplotype block 1 and including a functional promoter SNP, rs28386840) showed an association with ADHD in girls (irrespective of subtype). A different region of the gene (distributed around haplo-type block 2) was associated with distinct behavioural phenotypes in boys. These findings are correlated with previously reported functional studies of gene variants in SLC6A2. LIMITATIONS The most important limitation of the study is the small size of the groups resulting from the stratification based on sex followed by subtype. CONCLUSION The results obtained in this family-based study suggest that haplotype blocks within different regions of SLC6A2 show differential association with the disorder based on sex and subtype. These associations may have been masked in previous studies when tests were conducted with pooled samples.
Workflow fine-grained concurrency with automatic continuation

Workflow enactment systems are becoming an effective solution to ease programming, deployment and execution of distributed applications in several domains such as telecommunication, manufacturing, e-business, e-government and grid computing. In some of these fields, efficiency and traffic optimization represent key aspects for a wide diffusion of workflow engines and modeling tools. This paper focuses on a technique that enables fine-grained concurrency in compute and data-intensive workflows and reduces the traffic on the network by limiting the number of interactions to the ones strictly needed to bring the data where they are really necessary for continuing the flow of computations. We implemented this technique by using the concepts of wait by necessity and automatic continuation and we integrated it in a flexible, Java workflow engine that through the new mechanisms is able to navigate a workflow anticipating the enactment of sequential activities
Corporate Real Estate Unit Formation: Rationale, Industry, and Type of Unit

This research investigates relationships between a corporation's rationale for forming a Corporate Real Estate Unit (CREU), its industry, and the type of CREU formed. Four conclusions are offered. First, there is no significant relationship between industry and the type of CREU formed. Second, relationships exist between the formation motives and the corporation's industry. Third, CREU formation by wholly owned subsidiaries is likely to be motivated by development and profits, while centralized and decentralized real estate departments are likely to be motivated by contracting efficiency and cost control. Fourth, a segregated effect is observed for the motives of profit and cost control.
Cartel Enforcement with Uncertainty About Costs

What cartel agreements are possible when firms have private information about production costs? For private cost uncertainty, the authors characterize the set of cartel agreements that can be supported, recognizing incentive and participation constraints. If defection results in either Cournot or Bertrand competition, the incentive problem in large cartels is severe enough to prevent the cartel from achieving the monopoly outcome. However, if the cartel agreement requires less than unanimous ratification by the member firms, then the incentive problem can be overcome in large cartels. With common cost uncertainty, perfect collusion is possible in large cartels, regardless of the ratification rule. Copyright 1990 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.
Relationship of yoga experience to body satisfaction and eating attitudes

Title of Document: RELATIONSHIP OF YOGA EXPERIENCE TO BODY SATISFACTION AND EATING ATTITUDES Carrie Jayne Lawlor Master of Public Health, 2008 Directed By: Professor Kenneth Beck Department of Public and Community Health Yoga, a mind-body exercise, may improve body dissatisfaction and decrease eating disorder symptoms among females by addressing four theories of antecedents to body dissatisfaction: internalization of the thinness ideal, social comparison theory, selfideal discrepancy theory, and objectification theory. This study used a cross sectional survey to investigate whether there is a relationship between yoga experience among women and levels of antecedents to body dissatisfaction, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders symptoms. The results indicate that frequency of yoga practice is associated with a lower tendency to self-objectify. The data also indicate that a greater magnitude of lifetime practice of yoga is associated with body satisfaction. The data suggest that there may be a marginal relationship between a greater magnitude of lifetime yoga practice and actual-ideal discrepancies. These findings support the notion that historical yoga experience and shorter term intensity of yoga practice may be related to how women view their bodies. RELATIONSHIP OF YOGA EXPERIENCE TO BODY SATISFACTION AND EATING ATTITUDES
Huaier aqueous extract inhibits colorectal cancer stem cell growth partially via downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is central to the pathogenesis and therapy resistance of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Huaier aqueous extract, a Chinese medicine, has efficacy against CSCs and to investigate the mechanisms of its anticancer effects. It was observed that the Huaier extract significantly inhibited the spheroid formation potential (P<0.05) and decreased the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-positive cell population in colorectal primary cancer cells (P<0.05). Western blotting analysis and Wnt/β-catenin reporter assays revealed that the Huaier extract downregulated the Wnt/β-catenin self-renewal pathway. This is the first study to demonstrate that Huaier aqueous extract acts as an effective agent for eradicating colorectal CSCs and identifies the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as its potential target, which may be a new approach for colorectal cancer therapy.
Notes on Pervasive Virtuality

This paper summarizes current notes about a new mixed-reality paradigm that we named as "pervasive virtuality". This paradigm has emerged recently in industry and academia through different initiatives. In this paper we intend to explore this new area by proposing a set of features that we identified as important or helpful to realize pervasive virtuality in games and entertainment applications.
Rapid Force Projection Technologies: Assessing the Performance of Advanced Ground Sensors

Abstract : Over the past several years, RAND has been exploring how new concepts made viable with emerging technologies can dramatically improve the effectiveness of light ground forces, particularly in the early-entry role. Motivation for this area of research is derived from studies showing that the U.S. military will need to deploy with greater speed, lethality, and survivability in the future, and that light forces will be the first deployed. Limitations of recent capability were observed during the Desert Shield build-up, where airborne ground forces such as the 82nd Division Ready Brigade (DRB) were deployed to secure key terrain without a credible anti-armor capability.1 Such improvements to early-entry capabilities appear even more germane in light of the concomitant reductions in prepositioned forces abroad and the rapid increase in threat uncertainty. Thus, as dfticult as the early-entry challenge has been in the recent past, early signposts suggest even more difficult challenges ahead.
Photobehavior of stony corals: responses to light spectra and intensity

SUMMARY Tentacle expansion and contraction were investigated in four zooxanthellate coral species and one azooxanthellate coral (Cladopsammia gracilis). Favia favus, Plerogyra sinuosa and Cladopsammia gracilis expand their tentacles at night, while tentacles in Goniopora lobata and Stylophora pistillata are expanded continuously. Light at wavelengths in the range 400-520 nm was most effective in eliciting full tentacle contraction in F. favus and in P. sinuosa. Higher light intensities in the range 660-700 nm also caused tentacle contractions in F. favus. Tentacles in C. gracilis did not respond to light. Zooxanthellar densities in tentacles were significantly higher in G. lobata, which has continuously expanded tentacles, than in F. favus and P. sinousa, where tentacles are expanded at night. Photosynthetic efficiency in F. favus and P. sinuosa was lower in specimens with contracted tentacles. However, in the dark, no differences were found in the maximum quantum yield of photochemistry in PSII (Fv/Fm) of the expanded versus the contracted tentacles of any of the four species. This work suggests that species whose tentacles remain continuously expanded have either dense algal populations in their tentacles, as in G. lobata, or minute tentacles, like S. pistillata. Dense algal populations in tentacles allow harvesting of light while small tentacles do not scatter light or shade zooxanthellae in the underlying body of the polyp.
Development of Dutch building control (1982-2003): towards certified building control

Some deathly incidents in the beginning of the 21st century put building control high on the Dutch political and public agenda. Government, municipalities and private parties are working together on new more effective and efficient building regulation enforcementstrategies. One of these initiatives is the development of a system of voluntary process certification for checking building plans on compliance with the building decree (technical building regulations). Permit applications accompanied with a certificate of approval on plancompliance with the building decree will not have to be tested by the local authorities (municipal building control departments) anymore in the future. In 2003-2005 the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) has set up trials in which building plans were controlled by private parties that were certified for this purpose. Evaluating these trials, some questions emerged. One being on the significance and possibility of developing and implementing a special certificate for controlling small or frequent building activities to the building decree, within the voluntary process certification system.
Social capital in large-scale environmental collaboration: the case of the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program

Environmental collaborative governance arrangements have the potential to build social capital, leading to long-term cooperation among parties with a history of conflict over water use, in particular in irrigation, hydropower production and riverine wildlife habitat. Previous research on social capital in the context of collaborative governance has emphasized small-scale grassroots initiatives where actors hold common membership in civic associations. This study explores a large-scale policy level collaborative arrangement as a case of collective action facilitated by elements of social capital, with a special emphasis on the concept of the institution as social capital. The Platte River Recovery Implementation Program is the basis for initial findings that social capital formation and cooperative implementation of innovative approaches to water policy can occur at both the local action and large-scale policy levels of collaboration.