Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Peninsular Ranges Batholith: an insight into the evolution of the Cordilleran batholiths of southwestern North America

ABSTRACT The Peninsular Ranges Batholith of southern and Baja California is the largest segment of a Cretaceous magmatic arc that was once continuous from northern California to southern Baja California. In this batholith, the emplacement of igneous rocks took place during a single sequence of magmatic activity, unlike many of the other components of the Cordilleran batholiths which formed during successive separate magmatic episodes. Detailed radiometric dating has shown that it is a composite of two batholiths. A western batholith, which was more heterogeneous in composition, formed as a static magmatic arc between 140 and 105 Ma and was intrusive in part into related volcanic rocks. The eastern batholith formed as a laterally transgressing arc which moved away from those older rocks between 105 and 80 Ma, intruding metasedimentary rocks. Rocks of the batholith range from undersaturated gabbros through to felsic granites, but tonalite is the most abundant rock throughout. Perhaps better than elsewhere in the Cordillera, the batholith shows beautifully developed asymmetries in chemical and isotopic properties. The main gradients in chemical composition from W to E are found among the trace elements, with Ba, Sr, Nb and the light rare earth elements increasing by more than a factor of two, and P, Rb, Pb, Th, Zn and Ga showing smaller increases. Mg and the transition metals decrease strongly towards the E, with Sc, V and Cu falling to less than half of their value in the most westerly rocks. Oxygen becomes very systematically more enriched in18O from W to E and the Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic systems change progressively from mantle values in the W to a more evolved character on the eastern side of the batholith. In detail the petrogenesis of the Peninsular Ranges Batholith is not completely understood, but many general aspects of the origin are clear. The exposed rocks, particularly in the western batholith, closely resemble those of present day island arcs, although the most typical and average tonalitic composition is distinctly more felsic than the mean quartz diorite or mafic andesite composition of arcs. Chemical and isotopic properties of the western part of the batholith indicate that it formed as the root of a primitive island arc on oceanic lithosphere at a convergent plate margin. Further E, the plutonic rocks appear to have been derived by partial melting from deeper sources of broadly basaltic composition at subcrustal levels. The compositional systematics of the batholith do not reflect a simple mixing of various end-members but are a reflection of the differing character of the source regions laterally and vertically away from the pre-Cretaceous continental margin.
Whisking Kinematics Enables Object Localization in Head-Centered Coordinates Based on Tactile Information from a Single Vibrissa

During active tactile exploration with their whiskers (vibrissae), rodents can rapidly orient to an object even though there are very few proprioceptors in the whisker muscles. Thus a long-standing question in the study of the vibrissal system is how the rat can localize an object in head-centered coordinates without muscle-based proprioception. We used a three-dimensional model of whisker bending to simulate whisking motions against a peg to investigate the possibility that the 3D mechanics of contact from a single whisker are sufficient for localization in head-centered coordinates. Results show that for nearly all whiskers in the array, purely tactile signals at the whisker base – as would be measured by mechanoreceptors, in whisker-centered coordinates – could be used to determine the location of a vertical peg in head-centered coordinates. Both the “roll” and the “elevation” components of whisking kinematics contribute to the uniqueness and resolution of the localization. These results offer an explanation for a behavioral study showing that rats can more accurately determine the horizontal angle of an object if one column, rather than one row, of whiskers is spared.
Memory for the Order of Events in Specific Sequences: Contributions of the Hippocampus and Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Episodic memory involves remembering the incidental order of a series of events that comprise a specific experience. Current models of temporal organization in episodic memory have demonstrated that animals can make memory judgments about the order of serially presented events; however, in these protocols, the animals can judge items based on their relative recency. Thus, it remains unclear as to whether animals use the specific order of items in forming memories of distinct sequences. To resolve this important issue in memory representation, we presented mice repeatedly with two widely separated odor sequences and then tested their natural exploratory preference between pairs of odors selected from within or between sequences. Intact animals preferred to investigate odors that occurred earlier within each sequence, indicating they did remember the order of events within each distinct sequence. In contrast, intact animals did not discriminate between pairs of odors from different sequences. These findings indicate that preferences were not guided by relative recency, which would be expected to support graded discrimination between widely separated events. Furthermore, damage to either the hippocampus or the medial prefrontal cortex eliminated order preference within sequences. Despite the deficit in order memory, control recognition tests showed that normal mice and mice with hippocampal or medial prefrontal damage could correctly identify previously experienced odors compared with novel odors. These findings provide strong evidence that animals form representations of the order of events within specific experiences and that the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are essential to order memory.
Interoperability of EFCI and ER switches for ABR services in ATM networks

With the advances in switching technologies, explicit rate (ER) switches are becoming popular since they perform better than explicit forward congestion indication (EFCI) switches. In the transitional period, the EFCI and ER switches may coexist in the same ATM network. Hence the efficiency of various ER schemes should be considered in the mixed EFCI-ER environment, not only in the homogeneous ER environment. In this paper we describe five ER control mechanisms and compare their performance in the mixed EFCI-ER environment. Simulation results show that these algorithms can interoperate with the EFCI switches. However, the behavior of these ER schemes in the mixed EFCI-ER environment is sometimes different from that in the homogeneous ER environment. These ER schemes are re-evaluated based on their interoperability with EFCI schemes.
A randomized placebo‐controlled study of long‐acting octreotide for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Although various types of treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been tried, the prognosis remains dismal, especially in patients with advanced stage of the disease. Somatostatin analogues exert antitumor effects. HCC have been shown to exhibit somatostatin receptors. The present randomized placebo‐controlled study aimed at examining the efficacy of long‐acting octreotide (Sandostatin LAR) for the treatment of advanced HCC. Seventy patients were randomized to receive a 2‐week course of 250 μg short‐acting octreotide twice daily followed by Sandostatin LAR 30 mg injection once every 4 weeks for 6 doses (n = 35) or placebo (control group) (n = 35). The clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored. There was no difference in the cumulative survival between the Sandostatin LAR‐treated group compared with the control group [median survival 1.93 months vs. 1.97 months, respectively, P = NS (log‐rank test)]. There was no tumor regression and no reduction of α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels in patients receiving Sandostatin LAR treatment. There was no improvement of quality of life assessed by Karnofsky performance score. In conclusion, Sandostatin LAR monotherapy did not have survival benefit in our selected group of patients with advanced HCC. Further studies should be performed in patients with less advanced disease and/or different etiology to evaluate its benefit.
Aerosol particle size distributions in the lower Fraser Valley: evidence for particle nucleation and growth

Abstract. Particle size distributions from 9 to 640nm diameter were measured at Eagle Ridge in the lower Fraser Valley from 13 August to 1 September 2001 as part of the Pacific 2001 Air Quality Study. The site was on top of a ridge, about 300m above the valley floor, in a predominantly agricultural area about 70km ESE of Vancouver. To further characterize the particles, their hygroscopic properties (affinity for water) were measured. The maximum of the number distributions was generally between 40 and 100nm diameter, but the number distribution was sometimes dominated by ultrafine particles with diameters below 40nm. These ultrafine particles, which appeared to some extent on all days, were frequently associated with elevated levels of CO and NOx, as expected for fresh vehicular emissions. The appearance of these fresh emissions was most pronounced when the growing mixed layer reached the altitude of the site. In contrast, pronounced nucleation events occurred on the five cleanest days; these resulted in particle number concentrations as high as 5x104 particles cm-3 and growth rates of 5 to 10nmhr-1. Nucleation appears to have been triggered when the UV flux reached about 25Wm-2. The growth of these newly formed particles was probably driven by the photochemical oxidation of biogenic organic compounds. Dramatic growth events were also observed on the afternoons of the more polluted days; these produced an extremely narrow mode σ
Palinología y paleoambientes en el perfil de Bajo Comisión (Cretácico), provincia de Santa Cruz, Argentina

Palynology and paleoenvironments of the Bajo Comision section, Cretaceous of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. A section at the classical locality Bajo Comision, originally studied by T. Halle, has provided new stratigraphical data. More than 200 palynological species assigned to the Albian have been determined. They were recovered in 16 fertile horizons along the 272 m thick column. The three lower fertile horizons are referred to the Rio Mayer Formation while the other levels belong to the Kachaike Formation. Counts of the main palynological groups include a marine sector in the lower half of the profile. Pteridophytes (abundant Anemiaceae) and ymnosperms (mainly Classopollis ) dominate throughout the column, while angiosperms are represented by scarce and moderately varied primitive types. The environment was dominated by deltaic sedimentation (prodelta-deltaic front-subaqueous plains) with a moderate marine influence in the lower part of the column, becoming typically continental (sub-aerial- fluvial) at the upper half of the section. The stratigraphic distribution of 80 selected species shows a gradual and constant change in the composition of the palynological assemblage. Two main biostratigraphic units are characterized by first and last appearences of several taxa. Further subdivisions that may have biostratigraphic significance are also suggested. Finally, comparisons with other palynofloras of the Austral Basin in Santa Cruz province, are made
Variation in Population Vulnerability to Heat Wave in Western Australia

Heat waves (HWs) have killed more people in Australia than all other natural hazards combined. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of HWs and leads to a doubling of heat-related deaths over the next 40 years. Despite being a significant public health issue, HWs do not attract the same level of attention from researchers, policy makers, and emergency management agencies compared to other natural hazards. The purpose of the study was to identify risk factors that might lead to population vulnerability to HW in Western Australia (WA). HW vulnerability and resilience among the population of the state of WA were investigated by using time series analysis. The health impacts of HWs were assessed by comparing the associations between hospital emergency department (ED) presentations, hospital admissions and mortality data, and intensities of HW. Risk factors including age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), remoteness, and geographical locations were examined to determine whether certain population groups were more at risk of adverse health impacts due to extreme heat. We found that hospital admissions due to heat-related conditions and kidney diseases, and overall ED attendances, were sensitive indicators of HW. Children aged 14 years or less and those aged 60 years or over were identified as the most vulnerable populations to HWs as shown in ED attendance data. Females had more ED attendances and hospital admissions due to kidney diseases; while males had more heat-related hospital admissions than females. There were significant dose–response relationships between HW intensity and SES, remoteness, and health service usage. The more disadvantaged and remotely located the population, the higher the health service usage during HWs. Our study also found that some population groups and locations were resilient to extreme heat. We produced a mapping tool, which indicated geographic areas throughout WA with various vulnerability and resilience levels to HW. The findings from this study will allow local government, community service organizations, and agencies in health, housing, and education to better identify and understand the degree of vulnerability to HW throughout the state, better target preparatory strategies, and allocate limited resources to those most in need.
Shikonin Increases Glucose Uptake in Skeletal Muscle Cells and Improves Plasma Glucose Levels in Diabetic Goto-Kakizaki Rats

Background There is considerable interest in identifying compounds that can improve glucose homeostasis. Skeletal muscle, due to its large mass, is the principal organ for glucose disposal in the body and we have investigated here if shikonin, a naphthoquinone derived from the Chinese plant Lithospermum erythrorhizon, increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. Methodology/Principal Findings Shikonin increases glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle myotubes, but does not phosphorylate Akt, indicating that in skeletal muscle cells its effect is medaited via a pathway distinct from that used for insulin-stimulated uptake. Furthermore we find no evidence for the involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase in shikonin induced glucose uptake. Shikonin increases the intracellular levels of calcium in these cells and this increase is necessary for shikonin-mediated glucose uptake. Furthermore, we found that shikonin stimulated the translocation of GLUT4 from intracellular vesicles to the cell surface in L6 myoblasts. The beneficial effect of shikonin on glucose uptake was investigated in vivo by measuring plasma glucose levels and insulin sensitivity in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Treatment with shikonin (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) once daily for 4 days significantly decreased plasma glucose levels. In an insulin sensitivity test (s.c. injection of 0.5 U/kg insulin), plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in the shikonin-treated rats. In conclusion, shikonin increases glucose uptake in muscle cells via an insulin-independent pathway dependent on calcium. Conclusions/Significance Shikonin increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells via an insulin-independent pathway dependent on calcium. The beneficial effects of shikonin on glucose metabolism, both in vitro and in vivo, show that the compound possesses properties that make it of considerable interest for developing novel treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Programmable Aperture Camera Using LCoS

Since 1960s, aperture patterns have been studied extensively and a variety of coded apertures have been proposed for various applications, including extended depth of field, defocus deblurring, depth from defocus, light field acquisition, etc. Researches have shown that optimal aperture patterns can be quite different due to different applications, imaging conditions, or scene contents. In addition, many coded aperture techniques require aperture patterns to be temporally changed during capturing. As a result, it is often necessary to have a programmable aperture camera whose aperture pattern can be dynamically changed as needed in order to capture more useful information. In this paper, we propose a programmable aperture camera using a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) device. This design affords a high brightness contrast and high resolution aperture with a relatively low light loss, and enables one change the pattern at a reasonably high frame rate. We build a prototype camera and evaluate its features and drawbacks comprehensively by experiments. We also demonstrate two coded aperture applications in light field acquisition and defocus deblurring.
Mobile laboratory measurements of black carbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other vehicle emissions in Mexico City

Black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of concern due to their effects on climate and health. The main goal of this research is to provide the first estimate of emissions of BC and particle-phase PAHs (PPAHs) from motor vehicles in Mexico City. The emissions of other pollutants including carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NO x ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter of diameter 2.5 µm and less (PM 2.5 ) are also estimated. As a part of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area field campaign in April 2003 (MCMA-2003), a mobile laboratory was driven throughout the city. The laboratory was equipped with a comprehensive suite of gas and particle analyzers, including an aethalometer that measured BC and a photoionization aerosol sensor that measured PPAHs. While driving through traffic, the mobile lab is continuously sampling exhaust plumes from the vehicles around it. We have developed a method of automatically identifying exhaust plumes, which are then used as the basis for calculation of fleet-average emission factors. In the approximately 75 h of on-road sampling during the field campaign, we have identified ~30 000 exhaust measurement points that represent a variety of vehicle types and driving conditions. The large sample provides a basis for estimating fleet-average emission factors and thus the emission inventory. Motor vehicles in the Mexico City area are estimated to emit 1700±200 metric tons BC, 57±6 tons PPAHs, 1 190 000±40 000 tons CO, 120 000±3000 tons NO x , 202 000±4000 tons VOCs, and 4400±400 tons PM 2.5 per year, not including cold start emissions. The estimates for CO, NO x , and PPAHs may be low by up to 10% due to the slower response time of analyzers used to measure these species. Compared to the government's official motor vehicle emission inventory for the year 2002, the estimates for CO, NO x , VOCs, and PM 2.5 are 38% lower, 23% lower, 7% higher, and 26% higher, respectively. The distributions of emission factors of BC, PPAHs, and PM 2.5 are highly skewed, i.e. asymmetric, while those for benzene, measured as a surrogate for total VOCs, and NO x are less skewed. As a result, the total emissions of BC, PPAHs, and PM 2.5 could be reduced by approximately 50% if the highest 20% of data points were removed, but ''super polluters'' are less influential on overall NO x and VOC emissions.
New aerogeophysical study of the Eurasia Basin and Lomonosov Ridge: Implications for basin development

In 1998 and 1999, new aerogeophysical surveys of the Arctic Ocean9s Eurasia Basin produced the first collocated gravity and magnetic measurements over the western half of the basin. These data increase the density and extend the coverage of the U.S. Navy aeromagnetic data from the 1970s. The new data reveal prominent bends in the isochrons that provide solid geometrical constraints for plate reconstructions. Tentative identification of anomaly 25 in the Eurasia Basin links early basin opening to spreading in the Labrador Sea before the locus of spreading in the North Atlantic shifted to the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. With the opening of the Labrador Sea, Greenland began ∼200 km of northward movement relative to North America and eventually collided with Svalbard, Ellesmere Island, and the nascent Eurasia ocean basin. Both gravity and magnetic data sets reconstructed to times prior to chron 13 show a prominent linear anomaly oriented orthogonal to the spreading center and immediately north of the Yermak Plateau and Morris Jesup Rise. This anomaly may mark the locus of shortening and possibly subduction as Greenland collided with the nascent Eurasia Basin and impinged upon the southern Gakkel Ridge. This collision may have contributed to volcanism on the Morris Jesup Rise. By chron 13, Greenland had ended its northward motion and had become fixed to North America, and the plateau north of Greenland had rifted apart to become the Morris Jesup Rise and the Yermak Plateau.
A nonconforming finite element method for fourth order curl equations in R3

In this paper we present a nonconforming finite element method for solving fourth order curl equations in three dimensions arising from magnetohydrodynamics models. We show that the method has an optimal error estimate for a model problem involving both curl^2 and curl^4 operators. The element has a very small number of degrees of freedom and it imposes the inter-element continuity along the tangential direction which is appropriate for the approximation of magnetic fields. We also provide explicit formulae of basis functions for this element.
Selective vs . Global Recovery of Rigid and Non-Rigid Motion

The problem of “Structure From Motion” (SFM) aims at recovering the 3D shape and motion of flexible objects from their 2D projections on images. Assuming orthographic projection, Tomasi and Kanade introduced a closed form solution to this problem. Later, Bascle and Blake specialized this method to the single image case, assuming that the 3D object belongs to a Linear Object Class for which the model was pre-computed. We present, in this paper, an alternative to this approach which improves the accuracy of the recovery. The previous approach is based on the factorization of a matrix using the low-rank constraints of the problem. Instead of this global estimate, we advocate the use of a selective estimate which we introduce in this paper. We detail both methods and assess their performance quantitatively and qualitatively, we present an efficient implementation of our algorithm and verify the theoretical results by Monte-Carlo simulations and experiment on photographs.