bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reading, Gender, and Engagement
Authors: Brozo William G. , Sulkunen Sari , Shiel Gerry , Garbe Christine , Pandian Ambigapthy , Valtin Renate
Published: March 2014

The authors, members of the PISA/PIRLS Task Force, provide a summary of major gender differences in performance found overall on PISA 2009, along with relevant trends since 2000. The five countries represented by the authors are highlighted in this summary, which includes findings related to the interaction of engagement and reading literacy achievement by gender. These data are foregrounded from PISA because they add further evidence of a serious global pattern of boys’ underachievement in reading and lower reading engagement relative to girls. This is followed by a discussion of what each of our five countries has done in response to the gender gap in reading literacy. The article concludes with guidelines for closing the gender achievement gap for boys, based on PISA results and any promising national initiatives.
Porous nanoapatite scaffolds synthesized using an approach of interfacial mineralization reaction and their bioactivity
Authors: Wang Jianxin , Yan Haoran , Chen Taijun , Wang Yingying , Li Huiyong , Zhi Wei , Feng Bo , Weng Jie , Zhu Minghua
Published: April 2014

There is a growing interest in the use of calcium phosphate, used to fabricate porous scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration and repair. However, it is difficult to obtain interconnected pores with very high porosity and to engineer the topography of the pore walls for calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds. In this study, a novelty method interfacial mineralization reaction was used to fabricate porous nano‐calcium phosphate ceramic scaffolds with three‐dimensional surface topography of walls, which was tuned using different surfactants; using this method, porous scaffolds with different shapes were obtained, which demonstrates that interfacial mineralization reaction is not only a good method to prepare porous ceramic scaffolds of calcium phosphate but also an efficient approach to engineer the topography of the pore walls. The as‐prepared porous ceramic scaffolds have also been proved to have good biocompatibility, bioactivity, and biodegradability, which are necessary for the clinical application. In vivo experimental results revealed that not only osteoconduction but also osteoinduction was responsible for the bone formation in our scaffolds, which accelerated the formation of new bone, and that the degradation process of our porous scaffolds could match osteoinduction, mineralization of matrix and bone, and reconstruction of new bone very well, and porous scaffolds could be completely substituted by the new bone. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1749–1761, 2014.
Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Removal of Effective Impurity (Benzhydrol) from Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Drug
Authors: Hashemi‐Moghaddam Hamid , Alaeian Mohammad Reza
Published: April 2014

The present study describes the synthesis and preliminary testing of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as scavenger resins for removal of the genotoxic impurities (GTI) benzhydrol from active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). A new molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized using benzhydrol (template molecule), methacrylic acid (functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (cross‐linker), 2,2′‐azobisisobutironitril (intiator) and chloroform (porogenic solvent). To compare the performance of this polymer, a control polymer or non‐imprinted polymer (NIP) was prepared under the same conditions without the use of template molecule. The synthesized polymers were characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy. Selectivity of the molecularly imprinted polymer for absorption benzhydrol impurities through adsorption experiments reviews and the results were compared with the adsorption of impurities by NIP. Various parameters were optimized such as time, pH, type of eluent for elution of impurities from polymer, concentration of sample and saturation of polymer. The proposed method was applied for removal of benzhydrol from Diphenhydramine hydrochloride syrup and passing it through the MIPs led to the quantitative removal of benzhydrol.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Camptothecin from Nothapodytes Foetida
Authors: Chu Fu‐Min , Chang Kai‐Ti , Chen Kau‐Ming , Wei Guor‐Tzo
Published: April 2014

Camptothecin (CPT), a quinoline alkaloid, was found to possess anti‐tumor activity. Two semi‐synthetic derivatives of CPT, irinotecan and topotecan, have lower cytotoxicity and higher water solubility than that of CPT, were found effective for the treatment of colon, lung, pancreas, and breast cancers in human clinical trials. The concentration of CPT in Nothapodytes foetida is higher than other CPT containing plants. This work utilizes supercritical fluid carbon dioxide with modifiers to extract the CPT from Nothapodytes foetida. The influence of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) parameters, including pressure, temperature, dynamic extraction time and co‐solvents, on the extraction yields were placed as the factors of experimental design, namely three‐level orthogonal array design (OAD), L9(43). The analysis and quantification of the extracted CPT were determined by a reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography. A higher pressure, higher temperature, longer dynamic extraction time, and co‐solvent (CH3OH/H2O) gives a higher extraction yield (∼0.17%). Also, the recoveries are in the range 101.5∼104.5% with relative standard deviation (RSD) 3.12%. The SFE method was compared with other methods on the extraction of Nothapodytes foetida collected from different regions to evaluate the potential of SFE for CPT isolation.
Three Questionable Cases in the Chemistry of Quinoxalines and Benzodiazepines in the Way of the Syntheses of Benzimidazoles
Authors: Mamedov Vakhid A. , Murtazina Anna M. , Adgamova Dil'bar I. , Zhukova Nataliya A. , Beschastnova Tat'yana N. , Kharlamov Sergey V. , Rizvanov Il'dar Kh. , Latypov Shamil K.
Published: April 2014

The reaction of 3‐ethoxycarbonylmethylene‐3,4‐dihydroquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one 5 with the Vilsmeier reagent, the treatment of 3‐(3,4‐dihydroquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐on‐3‐yl)‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,5‐benzodiazepin‐2(1H)‐one hydrochloride 7 with 10% sodium hydroxide and 3‐benzimidazoylquinoxaline‐2(1H)‐one 3 with both 1,2‐phenylenediamine dihydrochloride, and the reactions of 1,2‐phenylenediamine have been reinvestigated, and the structures of these reaction products have been revised. The aforementioned reactions have been shown to proceed with the formation of 1‐N,N‐dimethylaminomethylene‐2‐oxo‐1,2‐dihydrofuro[2,3‐b]quinoxaline 10 in the first case, the formation of 3‐[2‐(benzimidazol‐2‐on‐1‐yl)vinyl]‐1H‐quinoxalin‐2‐one 12 in the second case, and the formation of 2,3‐bis‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)quinoxaline 17 in the third case and not the formation of 3‐(N,N‐dimethylaminocarbonyl)furo[2,3‐b]quinoxaline hydrochloride 6, the free base of 3‐(3,4‐dihydroquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐on‐3‐yl)‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,5‐benzodiazepin‐2(1H)‐one 7, that is, compound 11 and benzodiazepine derivative 4, as has been described earlier. In the third case, the formation of 2,3‐bis‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)quinoxaline 17 occurs according to the novel quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one benzimidazole rearrangement discovered by us. The potential mechanisms for the investigated reactions are discussed.
Fourier‐based approach to overcome anomalies in high‐resolution spectra of vibrational CARS measurements of gases
Authors: Nordström E. , Bengtsson P.‐E. , Marrocco M.
Published: April 2014

In this work, we report on an unconventional experimental procedure useful for thermometric measurements on the basis of high‐resolution vibrational coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) generated using conventional lasers. The high spectral dispersion of 0.02 cm−1/pixel is achieved by means of some specific spectral arrangements (single‐mode pump laser and diffraction grating providing spectra at the sixth order) and is further strengthened by the use of a relay lens system mounted before the charge‐coupled device camera. Surprisingly, at the high spectral dispersion of our measurements, a significant and persistent thermometric inaccuracy is observed. The effect arises from an inevitable spectral modulation of defined frequency hidden in the main CARS signal of the gas under study, and to secure a good thermometric evaluation, we describe a Fourier approach that is experimentally demonstrated for the typical nitrogen CARS spectrum measured at room temperature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compressive char strength of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer nanocomposites
Authors: Jaramillo M. , Koo J. H. , Natali M.
Published: March 2014

This research encompasses the study of testing protocols and the design of sensors for evaluating the compressive strength of the char layer of ablative material used in solid rocket motors (SRMs). The testing protocol that has been developed is the continuation of previous work for determining the compressive strengths between different SRM insulation materials. A crushing test method was further developed, and a sensor platform was assembled to perform the tests. The test procedure consists of measuring the amount of force required to crush a given area of the charred sample for a specified depth. The test was repeated for the industry standard Kevlar®‐filled ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer nanocomposite with different weight loading of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, montmorillonite nanoclay, and carbon nanofibers. The energy of destruction or energy dissipated was quantified to determine which ablative exhibited the best performance. Maximum force was also recorded as a secondary quantity to determine char strength. The proposed test method is fully automated to ensure repeatability of each measurement and to remove the potential for human‐induced error. Because char layer thickness varies depending on the material, a method of differentiating neat material from char was proposed and explored. The introduced procedure also represents a novel and unique approach to solve the problem of the determination of the char strength. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radical copolymerization of chlorotrifluoroethylene with 4‐bromo‐3,3,4,4‐tetrafluorobut‐1‐ene
Authors: Lopez Gérald , Ajellal Noureddine , Thenappan Alagappan , Ameduri Bruno
Published: April 2014

The radical copolymerization of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) with 3,3,4,4‐tetrafluoro‐4‐bromobut‐1‐ene (BTFB) initiated by tert‐butylperoxypivalate is presented. The microstructures of the obtained copolymers are determined by means of NMR spectroscopies and elemental analysis and show that random copolymers were obtained. A wide range of poly(CTFE‐co‐BTFB) copolymers is synthesized, containing from 17 to 89 mol % of CTFE. In all the cases, CTFE is the less reactive of both comonomers. Td10% values, ranging from 163 up to 359 °C, are dependent on the BTFB content. These variations of thermal property are attributed to the increase in the number of C‐H and C‐Br bonds breakdown when the BTFB molar percentage in the copolymer is higher. Tg values range from 19 to 39 °C and a decreasing trend is observed when increasing the amount of BTFB in the copolymer. This observation arises from the higher flexibility of the copolymer when increasing the number of fluorobrominated lateral chains. These original fluoropolymers bearing reactive pendant bromo groups are suitable candidates for various applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1714–1720
Quantum confinement in graphene quantum dots
Authors: Huang Zhongkai , Qu Jinfeng , Peng Xiangyang , Liu Wenliang , Zhang Kaiwang , Wei Xiaolin , Zhong Jianxin
Published: March 2014

By performing density functional theory calculations, we studied the quantum confinement in charged graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which is found to be clearly edge and shape dependent. It is found that the excess charges have a large distribution at the edges of the GQD. The resulting energy spectrum shift is very nonuniform and hence the Coulomb diamonds in the charge stability diagram vary irregularly, in good agreement with the observed nonperiodic Coulomb blockade oscillation. We also illustrate that the level statistics of the GQDs can be described by a Gaussian distribution, as predicted for chaotic Dirac billiards.

magnified image

The charge stability diagram (left) and the Gaussian distribution of the width of the Coulomb diamonds (right), indicating the nonperiodic Coulomb blockade oscillation in GQD due to quantum confinement.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dynamic Characteristic Analysis of Refrigerator‐Truck Transport System by Using Inverse Substructure Method
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Wei , Zhang Yuan‐Biao
Published: April 2014

This paper is a continuation of the previous research. The refrigerator‐truck system is treated as a two‐substructure multi‐coordinate coupled system, which is composed of a refrigerator substructure and a truck substructure coupled by numerous packaging units. Applying the two‐substructure multi‐coordinate coupled inverse substructure method to a product‐transport system, the paper makes an analysis of the dynamic characteristics for the refrigerator‐truck system. In order to validate the method in the refrigerator‐truck system, the measured system‐level frequency response functions (FRFs) were used to predict the substructure‐level FRFs that were compared with those directly measured and found to be in agreement in trend. To evaluate the vibration transmissibility of packaging units, the concepts of the vibration contribution, vibration contribution ratio, overall vibration contribution and overall vibration contribution ratio to product response through each packaging unit are introduced. The vibration contributions to the refrigerator through four coupling points almost coincide with each other in the whole frequency domain. However, the vibration contribution ratios are different at each frequency. The overall vibration contributions to the refrigerator through the frequency domain 10 to 50 Hz through four coupling points are respectively 9.4, 7.5, 9.8 and 11.2 mm/N, and the overall vibration contribution ratios are respectively 0.25, 0.20, 0.26 and 0.29. The vibration transmissibilities of four coupling points are similar. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flexographic Printing of Trametes versicolor Laccase for Indicator Applications
Authors: Virtanen Heini , Vehmas Kaisa , Erho Tomi , Smolander Maria
Published: April 2014

Trametes versicolor laccase papers were prepared, and their suitability was tested for anticounterfeiting and oxygen indicator concepts in packaging applications. Laccase was coated and printed onto paper with a flexographic ink base, a sulfo polyester resin, Hydro‐Rez 1100D (HZ1100D). Laccase remains active on paper with flexographic ink HZ1100D after printing with flexographic press. Colour change of papers was observed when 2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) solution was applied to the paper. A strong colour change to dark green was obtained on the papers prepared by coating or printing of laccase with HZ1100D onto EUCA paper. EUCA paper appeared to be well suited for laccase‐based indicator applications because it remained rough even after ink deposition, allowing rapid absorption of ABTS solution. Finally, the indicators demonstrated to work as oxygen indicators in a package. Indicator colour was changed when oxygen was leaked to the package. As a conclusion, the laccase papers described here would be well suited for various indicator applications and could be produced using flexographic printing, allowing large scale manufacturing. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The uniqueness of physical and chemical natures of graphene: Their coherence and conflicts
Authors: Sheka Elena F.
Published: March 2014

Molecular‐crystalline duality of graphene ensures a tight alliance of its physical and chemical natures, each of which is unique in its own way. The article examines the physical‐chemical harmony and/or confrontation in terms of the molecular theory of graphene. Chemistry that is consistent with graphene physics expectations involves: small mass of carbon atoms, which provides a lightweight material; sp2 configuration of the atoms valence electrons, ensuring a flat two‐dimensional structure of condensed benzenoid units; high strength of CC valence bonds responsible for exclusive mechanical strength. Chemistry that is in conflict with graphene physics expectations covers: radical character of graphene material; collective character of electronic system of graphene, preventing from localization of its response on any external impact; the molecular nature and topochemical character of graphene mechanics; the molecular nature of graphene magnetism. Each of the properties is a direct consequence of the odd electron correlation, on one hand, and ensures a high instability of graphene material, on the other. Electron correlation inhibition by deposition of graphene monolayers on substrates is seen as a promising way to solve the problem. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Factors influencing detection in occupancy surveys of a threatened lagomorph
Authors: Brubaker Daniel R. , Kovach Adrienne I. , Ducey Mark J. , Jakubas Walter J. , O'brien Kathleen M.
Published: April 2014

Successful recovery of populations of rare and cryptic species requires accurate monitoring of changes in their distribution and densities, which in turn necessitates considering detection rates. Development of population monitoring protocols is needed to aid recovery of the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis; currently the top‐priority Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the northeastern United States), which lives in dense shrubby habitat and is difficult to detect. To address this need, we conducted repeated, systematic, presence–absence surveys to determine patch‐specific detection probabilities and factors influencing detection of the New England cottontail. We surveyed cottontails during 2–6 visits on 30 sites with known occupancy in the northeastern United States during the winters of 2010 and 2011. For each survey visit, we determined whether cottontails were detected by the presence of fecal pellets on fresh fallen snow and subsequent species identification by genetic analysis. Detection probabilities were modeled in Program PRESENCE to explore the influence of snow condition and depth, temperature, wind, number of pellet deposition days, woody stem density, patch size, and search effort. The overall probability of detecting a New England cottontail during a single survey visit was 0.73. The most influential factor in detection was prior knowledge of site‐specific cottontail activity. Snow depth <30.5 cm and the number of days without high winds following a snowfall had a positive influence on detection. Patch size had a negative effect on detection when surveys were restricted to 20 minutes. In the absence of prior knowledge, 2–3 surveys conducted with snowpack <30.5 cm and 2–4 days after a snowfall without high wind should yield reliable occupancy status with 95% confidence in detection. Incorporating our recommendations into monitoring programs will improve the accuracy of patch‐specific occupancy data for New England cottontail. Our approach and findings may be applicable to monitoring other rare, cryptic, or threatened species that occupy dense habitats, especially where patch‐level occupancy knowledge is required. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas Incidentally Found on Postoperative Pathological Examination
Authors: Yoshida Akira , Sugino Kiminori , Sugitani Iwao , Miyauchi Akira
Published: March 2014

Background

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is occasionally found on postoperative pathological examination of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). There is no general consensus on how we should treat these incidentally diagnosed ATC (incidental ATC).

Materials and methods

A total of 675 patients with ATC were registered with the ATC Research Consortium of Japan. These patients were treated between 1995 and 2008 in 38 registered institutions. About 81 % of the ATC patients had common‐type ATC and about 14 % had ATC co‐existing with a metastatic DTC lesion. The remaining 5 % had incidental ATC. Among the patients with incidental ATC, we investigated 25 patients whose clinical data were fully available. We examined the clinical profile of incidental ATC, and the relationships between treatment and outcome in patients with incidental ATC.

Results

The tumor size was clearly smaller, and patients with extrathyroid invasion or distant metastasis were significantly fewer in incidental ATC than in common‐type ATC. Most incidental ATC coexisted with papillary carcinoma. While the clinical course of incidental ATC was favorable compared with common‐type ATC, half of the patients had disease‐related deaths. The prognostic factors of incidental ATC were nearly the same as those of common‐type ATC, but the tumor size alone was an independent factor on multivariate analysis. Regarding treatments, the outcome was more favorable in those who underwent curative resection, and the clinical course showed a slight improvement by the addition of external beam radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy after curative resection, but it did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Incidental ATC is the only curable type of ATC, and further studies are needed to establish the effectiveness of additional postoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in incidental ATC.
Perioperative Care with Fast‐Track Management in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Kobayashi Shinjiro , Ooshima Ryuiti , Koizumi Satoshi , Katayama Masafumi , Sakurai Joe , Watanabe Taiji , Nakano Hiroshi , Imaizumi Toshihide , Otsubo Takehito
Published: April 2014

Background

It has been considered that allowing patients to return to daily life earlier after surgery helps recovery of physiological function and reduces postoperative complications and hospital stay. We investigated the usefulness of fast‐track management in perioperative care of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

Patients (n = 90) who received conventional perioperative management from 2005 to 2009 were included as the ‘conventional group’ (historical control group), and patients who received perioperative care with fast‐track management (n = 100) from 2010 to March 2013 were included as the ‘fast‐track group’. To evaluate the efficacy of perioperative care with fast‐track management, the incidence of postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups (comparative study). For statistical analysis, univariate analysis was performed using the χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in sex, mean age, presence/absence of diabetes mellitus, preoperative drainage for jaundice, previous disease, operative procedure, mean duration of operation, or blood loss (p < 0.01). The incidence of surgical site infection in the conventional group and fast‐track group was 28.9 and 14.0 %, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.019). In addition, the incidence of pancreatic fistula (grade B, C) significantly differed between the two groups (27.8 % in the conventional group, 9.0 % in the fast‐track group; p = 0.001). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 36.3 days in the conventional group and 21.9 days in the fast‐track group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Perioperative care with fast‐track management may reduce postoperative complications and decrease the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing PD.
Perineal colostomy: An option in the treatment of inferior rectal and anal canal cancer
Authors: Gama Luciano P. Nogueira da , Mota Sander Dias , Flauzino Thiago de Almeida , Ribeiro Flávia Lemos Moura , Loureiro Giovanni José Zucoloto , Gama Rossini Cipriano
Published: April 2014

Introduction The surgical treatment of anorectal cancer is considered a challenging topic. Colostomy, temporary or permanent, can be a serious limiting factor with respect to the quality of life of cancer patients. Our goal is to study the clinical and surgical experience in patients with anorectal cancer, in whom we proceeded to abdominoperineal resection with a perineal colostomy at the anterior border of the incision resulting from the amputation of the rectum.

Methods The medical records of patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection with perineal colostomy from January 1st, 1998 to July 1st, 2012 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results Twenty-seven patients were studied; 15 (55.56%) were male and 12 (44.44%) females, with a mean age of 56.3 years. The average length of hospital stay was 7.4 days. Complications included four (14.8%) prolapses of the perineal colostomy, which were surgically treated after the sixth month postoperatively, two (7.4%) partial suture dehiscences of the perineal colostomy, treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, two (7.4%) stenoses of the perineal colostomy, treated with dilation, two (7.4%) incisional hernias and one (3.7%) urinary incontinence.

Conclusion The perineal colostomy is a relatively new proposition, with acceptable morbidity rates. We understand that the perineal colostomy dismisses the use of a collection device, leaves no odor and allows the periodic application of enemas for colon cleansing, which prevents stoma incontinence. Another advantage is to enable the patient's return to a good social and work interaction; thus, it will be possible his (her) reintroduction into society.
Total mesorectal excision and sphincter preservation — the early steps of rectal cancer surgery
Authors: Perez Rodrigo O. , Julião Guilherme P. São , Proscurshim Igor , Sabbagh Charles , Grzona Esteban , Lynn Patricio B. , Gama-Rodrigues Joaqim
Published: April 2014

The treatment of rectal cancer has evolved significantly over the last 100 years. Standardization of total mesorectal excision and the development of techniques for sphincter preservation have resulted in significant improvements in the management of this disease. Still, local disease control and functional outcomes of sphincter preserving procedures remain a relevant issue. In this historical paper, the oncological and functional outcomes of patients with rectal cancer treated between 1960 and 1971 by a pioneer woman surgeon using a sphincter preserving approach and a technique resembling total mesorectal excision performed at that time are reported. The results reflect one of the earliest steps of partial intersphincteric resection and total mesorectal excision with good oncological outcomes (2% local recurrence) and acceptable functional outcomes in a highly selected group of patients.
Preoperative embolization of a cavernous hemangioma of the rectum
Authors: Carvalho Raphael Gurgel de , Feitosa Marley Ribeiro , Urbano Gustavo , Guzela Vivian Regina , Joviliano Edwaldo Edner , Féres Omar , Rocha Jose Joaquim Ribeiro da
Published: April 2014

Colorectal cavernous hemangioma is a rare benign vascular neoplasia that may be found in any segment of the colon and cause recurrent and painless rectal bleeding. Standard treatment of rectal hemangioma consists of resection of the affected segment followed by coloanal anastomosis. Massive bleeding during the operation is the most feared complication, especially during extensive resection or reoperation. The authors describe a preoperative embolization of a rectal hemangioma with Onyx-18® and microspheres, in a 49-year-old patient with successful prevention of uncontrolled hemorrhage during surgery.
Fundamentals of Mechanics
Authors: Chandra Suresh , Sharma Mohit Kumar , Sharma Monika
Published: April 2014

Fundamentals of Mechanics is a textbook intended for first year students of physics at undergraduate level. It deals with the principles and applications of mechanics which is taught as a core subject of physics. The range of topics covered in this book includes Galilean transformation, Newton's law of gravitation, vectors, centre of mass, moment of inertia and angular momentum. There are many review questions which are ideal for homework assignments. Moreover, the book is thoroughly illustrated with numerous figures to help demonstrate the key concepts.

Key features:
Provides detailed explanation of the basic concepts of mechanics;
Includes solved examples and chapter-end exercises comprising both descriptive and non-descriptive questions;
Contains 250 exercises of varying difficulties, from simple to difficult calculations.
Berlin under the New Empire
Authors: Vizetelly Henry
Published: April 2014

In the wake of German unification in 1871, Berlin became a place of increased interest to the other nations of Europe. The journalist Henry Vizetelly (1820–94) made his first journey to the capital of the new empire in 1872. Based on observations from a series of visits, this two-volume work presents a witty and detailed portrait of the city and its inhabitants. The topics covered in Volume 2 include the Prussian Landtag, the Reichstag, Berlin's places of education, its palaces, churches and museums, and its restaurants, cafés and beer gardens. Chapters on theatre, music, satire and socialism give a vivid sense of the cultural and political zeitgeist. Illustrated with hundreds of engravings from designs by German artists, the work first appeared in 1879. Vizetelly's Paris in Peril (1882) and Glances Back through Seventy Years (1893) are also reissued in this series.
A History of Egypt
Authors: Petrie William Matthew Flinders
Published: April 2014

Published in six volumes between 1894 and 1905, this collection served as a valuable reference work for students and scholars of Egyptology at a time when ongoing archaeological excavations were adding significantly to the understanding of one of the world's oldest civilisations. At the forefront of this research was Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853–1942), whose pioneering methods made Near Eastern archaeology a much more systematic and scientific discipline. Many of his other publications are also reissued in this series. Britain's first professor of Egyptology from 1892, Petrie was conscious of the fact that there was no textbook he could recommend to his students. The work of Weidemann was in German and out of date, so Petrie and his collaborators incorporated the latest theories and discoveries in this English-language resource. In Volume 1 (1894), Petrie covers Egyptian history from its beginnings to the sixteenth dynasty.
Egyptian Tales
Authors: Petrie William Matthew Flinders
Published: April 2014

Although some of Egypt's most important archaeological finds were made in the late nineteenth century, at a time when historical fiction was popular, the literature of Egypt had reached very few English readers. Aiming to bring ancient Egypt to life in the public imagination, eminent archaeologist W. M. Flinders Petrie (1853–1942) published in 1895 this two-volume collection of original stories, accompanied by illustrations and helpful contextualising comments. The six stories of Volume 1 include elements of both fantasy and historical fact, spanning the period from the court of Khufu during the fourth dynasty to the death of Amenemhat I, founder of the twelfth. Shedding light on contemporary life and literature, the stories represent a valuable resource for Egyptologists and folklorists. Petrie's rendering of the stories into English, based on translations of various papyri, remains accessible to all. Many more of his works, for both specialists and non-specialists, are also reissued in this series.
Egyptian Tales
Authors: Petrie William Matthew Flinders
Published: April 2014

Although some of Egypt's most important archaeological finds were made in the late nineteenth century, at a time when historical fiction was popular, the literature of Egypt had reached very few English readers. Aiming to bring ancient Egypt to life in the public imagination, eminent archaeologist W. M. Flinders Petrie (1853–1942) published in 1895 this two-volume collection of original stories, accompanied by illustrations and helpful contextualising comments. The four tales of Volume 2 are set in the period from the reign of Thutmose III during the eighteenth dynasty to the time of Setna, a son of Ramesses II of the nineteenth dynasty. Shedding light on contemporary life and literature, the stories represent a valuable resource for Egyptologists and folklorists. Petrie's rendering of the stories into English, based on translations of various papyri, remains accessible to all. Many more of his works, for both specialists and non-specialists, are also reissued in this series.
Memoirs of Antonio Canova
Authors: Memes John Smythe
Published: April 2014

The foremost neoclassical sculptor of his age, Antonio Canova (1757–1822) is best known for his masterpiece The Three Graces, embodying in marble an ideal of feminine beauty. Descended from stonecutters, Canova was apprenticed to the sculptor Giuseppe Bernardi, quickly establishing his reputation for originality through works such as Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss. The idealism of his art, moving away from ornate baroque style, did much to increase the popularity of contemporary sculpture, and his skills were greatly acclaimed and in demand during his lifetime. The present work, first published in 1825 by the Scottish minister John Smythe Memes (1795–1858), is one of the many eulogistic works that appeared soon after Canova's death. Opening with a contextualising history of the development of modern sculpture, the book closely studies Canova's body of work and also contains a chronological catalogue of his creations with details of their owners and locations.
The Life of Roger Langdon
Authors: Langdon Roger , Langdon Ellen
Published: April 2014

First published in 1909, this autobiography details the astonishing life of Roger Langdon (1825–94), a country station-master and amateur astronomer. Langdon's life is a remarkable story of self-education and determination: he started work as a farmer's boy at the age of eight, ran away from the home to work for a shipowner in Jersey at fourteen, and was then employed by a blacksmith, canvas manufacturers, and a solicitor before finding work with the Great Western Railway. Langdon was from an early age interested in astronomy, and eventually constructed four telescopes and his own observatory. He developed his own method for photographing the moon and the transit of Venus, and presented a paper to the Royal Astronomical Society, which is included in the appendices. Langdon died before completing his autobiography, and the latter chapters on his scientific achievements and final years were completed by his daughter Ellen.
Diary of a Scotch Gardener at the French Court at the End of the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Blaikie Thomas
Published: April 2014

Scottish gardener and botanist Thomas Blaikie (1751–1838) spent the majority of his life in France, where he designed and planted some of the most famous Parisian gardens: he drew up the original plans for the gardens of the Château de Bagatelle and renovated the Parc Monceau. He became a favourite of Marie Antoinette, and served patrons among the highest ranks of the aristocracy in pre-revolutionary France, including the Comte d'Artois and the Duc d'Orléans. After surviving the French Revolution, he received a commission to create gardens for Empress Joséphine at her Malmaison country retreat. Blaikie kept this fascinating diary from 1775 until August 1792. More than just an account of his vast gardening knowledge and achievements, the book gives a unique insight into the social history of the revolutionary period in France. It was edited by the critic and journalist Francis Birrell (1889–1935) and first published in 1931.
A Dictionary of the Mahratta Language
Authors: Carey William
Published: April 2014

Marathi, an official language of Maharashtra and Goa, is among the twenty most widely spoken languages in the world. The southernmost Indo-Aryan language, it is also spoken in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Daman and Diu, and is believed to be over 1,300 years old, with its origins in Sanskrit. First published in 1810, this dictionary of Marathi (then known as Mahratta) was compiled by the Baptist missionary William Carey (1761–1834). Written during his time in India, it aimed to help European visitors communicate for business and social purposes with native speakers of the language. Methodical in its approach, it gives concise meanings and labels the various parts of speech. Containing over 9,500 entries in Devanagari script with English translations, it remains of interest to historical linguists and language typologists. Carey's 1805 grammar of Marathi is also reissued in this series.
Essai sur Les Moulins à Soie
Authors: Le Payen Charles-Bruno
Published: April 2014

From the fifteenth century, the silk industry developed in France to rival that of Italy. Taking off during the reign of Henri IV, sericulture was historically centred on Tours and Lyon. In the eighteenth century, attempts were made to introduce it to the north-east of France, to compensate for the decline of viticulture, which had until then represented the region's main economic activity. Agronomist and director of the Royal Academy of Metz, Charles-Bruno Le Payen (1715–82) was the first to breed silkworms on local mulberry leaves in 1754. He also invented a new type of silk-weaving mill. In this work of 1767, he gives a detailed and illustrated description of the structure and functioning of his mill. Le Payen also shares his views on the challenges of breeding silkworms and mulberry trees in the colder climate of Metz.
A Description of Patagonia, and the Adjoining Parts of South America
Authors: Falkner Thomas
Published: April 2014

Thomas Falkner (1707–84), one-time pupil of both Richard Mead and Isaac Newton, was an English Jesuit missionary who lived for nearly forty years in South America until 1767, when he returned to England following the Jesuits' expulsion from Córdoba. Originally published in 1774 in the hope that it 'might be of some public utility, and might also afford some amusement to the curious', this is a first-hand description of Patagonia, believed to have been consulted by Charles Darwin on board the Beagle. Illustrated with a map drawn from the author's knowledge and experience, it is an account of the dramatic physical geography of the area as well as the customs, beliefs and language of its inhabitants. Falkner's narrative ranges from a discussion of the virtues of American tea (in certain particulars 'far excelling the tea of China') to a detailed depiction of the role of wizards and rituals involving demons.
Abydos
Authors: Petrie William Matthew Flinders , Weigall A. E.
Published: April 2014

A pioneering Egyptologist, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853–1942) excavated over fifty sites and trained a generation of archaeologists. Originally published between 1902 and 1904 for the Egypt Exploration Fund, this three-volume set of reports documents the excavations that Petrie initiated at one of ancient Egypt's most sacred sites, the necropolis at Abydos. These reports follow on from the findings published in The Royal Tombs of the First Dynasty (1900) and The Royal Tombs of the Earliest Dynasties (1901), both of which are reissued in this series. Volume 1 presents a detailed account of the objects found in the Osiris temenos (enclosure) and the cemetery known as 'G' during the dig of 1902. Eighty pages of plates illustrate the discoveries, which range from painted pottery to early dynastic graves. A chapter by Arthur Weigall (1880–1934) sheds light on the inscriptions.
Cambria Depicta
Authors: Pugh Edward
Published: April 2014

First published in 1816, this lively and informative narrative of a walking tour of North Wales was written by Edward Pugh (1763–1813) and richly illustrated with engravings of his own watercolour drawings of people and landscapes. (In this reissue, the drawings are reproduced in black and white, but the colour originals can be viewed at http://www.cambridge.org/9781108061483.) Pugh, a native Welsh speaker, travelled some 800 miles, criss-crossing Wales in every direction, collecting information about the industrial and agricultural condition of the country. He conversed with almost everyone he met, on the road and in the inns where he stayed. The book began as a guide to artists unwilling to risk departing from the main tourist routes where English was spoken. By the time it was published, however, its main aim was to vindicate the character of the Welsh people from the ill-informed accounts of English tourists.
Memoirs of John Horne Tooke
Authors: Stephens Alexander
Published: April 2014

Equally revered and reviled, the radical John Horne Tooke (1736–1812) enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as a political firebrand. Having attended Eton and St John's College, Cambridge, he explored careers in the church and law before finally gaining recognition as a vehement advocate of political reform. This acclaimed two-volume biography by Alexander Stephens (1757–1821) was published in 1813, incorporating personal correspondence and presenting its subject as 'a firm friend to the laws and liberties of his native country'. Volume 1 covers the period 1736–77 and leads the reader from Horne's birth, education and ordination through to his early defence of John Wilkes and the foundation of the Society of Gentleman Supporters of the Bill of Rights. During this period, Horne published The Petition of an Englishman (1765) as well as stinging letters in the Oxford Magazine. This volume concludes with an account of Horne's infamous trial and imprisonment for libel.
IMPROVED RANK BOUNDS FOR DESIGN MATRICES AND A NEW PROOF OF KELLY’S THEOREM
Authors: DVIR ZEEV , SARAF SHUBHANGI , WIGDERSON AVI
Published: April 2014

We study the rank of complex sparse matrices in which the supports of different columns have small intersections. The rank of these matrices, called design matrices, was the focus of a recent work by Baraket al. [Rank bounds for design matrices with applications to combinatorial geometry and locally correctable codes.Proceedings of the 43rd annual ACM symposium on Theory of computing, STOC 11, (ACM, NY 2011), 519–528] in which they were used to answer questions regarding point configurations. In this work, we derive near-optimal rank bounds for these matrices and use them to obtain asymptotically tight bounds in many of the geometric applications. As a consequence of our improved analysis, we also obtain a new, linear algebraic, proof of Kelly’s theorem, which is the complex analog of the Sylvester–Gallai theorem.
Ship waves and Kelvin
Authors: Dias F.
Published: April 2014

Ship wakes are fascinating. They can be observed by the human eye and appear to have a V shape when the ship is advancing at constant speed along a straight trajectory. Under idealized conditions, Kelvin found that the angle between the two branches of the V is ${\sim }39^\circ $. However, in a number of cases, this angle appears to be smaller. This phenomenon has been studied by various authors, and several explanations have been suggested. The most elegant one, which is based on the amplitude of the ship waves rather than their phase, has recently been revisited by Darmon, Benzaquen & Raphaël (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 738, 2014, R3).
Correlation analysis of intense ion beam energy in a self magnetically insulated diode
Authors: Pushkarev A.I. , Isakova Yu.I. , Khaylov I.P.
Published: April 2014

This paper presents the results of a statistical and correlation analysis of the energy and energy density of an ion beam formed by a self-magnetically insulated diode with an explosive emission cathode. The experiments were carried out with the TEMP-4M accelerator operating in double-pulse mode: plasma formation occurs during the first pulse (negative polarity, 300–500 ns, 100–150 kV), and ion extraction and acceleration during the second pulse (positive polarity, 120 ns, 250–300 kV). Various arrangements of diodes have been investigated: strip focusing and planar diodes, a conical focusing diode and a spiral diode. The total ion beam energy was measured using both a calorimeter and an infrared camera and the beam energy density was measured by the thermal imaging and acoustic diagnostics. The correlation analysis showed that ion current density is only weakly dependent on the accelerating voltage and other output parameters of the accelerator, with the coefficient of determination <0.3. At the same time, in this paper, we have identified that the total energy of the beam and the energy density is strongly dependant on the accelerator output parameters, since the coefficient of determination >0.9. The mechanism governing stabilization of the beam energy density from shot to shot was discovered and attributed to formation of the neutral component in ion beam as being due to charge exchange between accelerated ions and neutral molecules from a neutral layer near the anode surface. Implementation using a self-magnetically insulated diode with an explosive-emission cathode, having an operational lifetime of up to 106 shots, has promising prospects for various technological applications.
An efficient approach to pose tracking based on odometric error modelling for mobile robots
Authors: Yang Jingdong , Yang Jinghui , Cai Zesu
Published: April 2014

Odometric error modelling for mobile robots is the basis of pose tracking. Without bounds the odometric accumulative error decreases localisation precision after long-range movement, which is often not capable of being compensated for in real time. Therefore, an efficient approach to odometric error modelling is proposed in regard to different drive type mobile robots. This method presents a hypothesis that the motion path approximates a circular arc. The approximate functional expressions between the control input of odometry and non-systematic error as well as systematic error derived from odometric error propagation law. Further an efficient algorithm of pose tracking is proposed for mobile robots, which is able to compensate for the non-systematic and systematic error in real time. These experiments denote that the odometric error modelling reduces the accumulative error of odometry efficiently and improves the specific localisation process significantly during autonomous navigation.
Quaternion-based EKF-SLAM from relative pose measurements: observability analysis and applications
Authors: Carlone Luca , Macchia Vito , Tibaldi Federico , Bona Basilio
Published: April 2014

In this work, we investigate a quaternion-based formulation of 3D Simultaneous Localization and Mapping with Extended Kalman Filter (EKF-SLAM) using relative pose measurements. We introduce a discrete-time derivation that avoids thenormalization problemthat often arises when using unit quaternions in Kalman filter and we study its observability properties. The consistency of the estimation errors with the corresponding covariance matrices is also evaluated. The approach is further tested on real data from theRawseeds datasetand it is applied within a delayed-state EKF architecture for estimating a dense 3D map of an unknown environment. The contribution is motivated by the possibility of abstracting multi-sensorial information in terms of relative pose measurements and for its straightforward extensions to the multi robot case.