cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age of Feiran basement rocks, Sinai: implications for late Precambrian crustal evolution in the northern Arabian–Nubian Shield

Basement exposed on the perimeter of the Red Sea was created during the Pan-African event at the end of the Precambrian. Pre-Pan-African crust in the northern part of this region has not yet been identified. This paper reports the results of Rb–Sr whole-rock and U–Pb zircon dating of gneisses and related basement units from the Wadi Feiran area in the Sinai peninsula, where the existence of such older basement has previously been suggested. A post-tectonic extensional dyke gives a Rb–Sr age of 591 ± 9 Ma with an initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of 0.7034 ± 0.0002. Rb–Sr whole-rock and thin slab dating of paragneisses gives ages of c . 610 Ma with an initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of 0.7035. A U–Pb zircon age of 632 ± 3 Ma is interpreted as either the time of formation of these gneisses or the age of the crust sampled by protolith sediments. Granodiorite to the east gives a U–Pb zircon age of 782 ± 7 Ma and is interpreted as representing the westernmost extent of a 780 ± 50 Ma terrane that extends across Sinai into Jordan. Uplift and erosion of the 780 ± 50 Ma terrane supplied detritus to flanking terranes in N and SE Sinai. This region thus acted as a foreland to the younger accretionary and extensional units to the south and west that were active later in the Pan-African event. There is still no evidence for pre-Pan-African basement in the Precambrian units around the northern Red Sea east of the Nile.
Photolysis and benzene sensitized dissociation of 1,1,3-trimethylsilacyclobutane

Abstract Benzene photosensitization may serve to select reaction products in 1,1,3-trimethylsilacyclobutane. Increasing the population of the benzene triplet state using a heavy atom, xenon, has the effect of enhancing the elimination of dimethylsilylene from the ring. Singlet and triplet benzene quenching efficiencies are 8 × 10 10 and 2 × 10 9 M −1 s −1 , respectively for 1,1,3-trimethylsilacyclobutane.
Remarks on the Circulation over the Southern Hemisphere in FGGE and on Its Relation to the Phases of the Southern Oscillation

Abstract The circulation anomalies over the whole Southern Hemisphere in the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) were not those that one would expect in either extreme of the Southern Oscillation; examples of the anomalies in such extremes are given. The zonally averaged pressure gradients between 50 and 65°S in FGGE when compared with those of several other years turned out to be abnormally strong in winter (2.5σ above the mean), and moderately strong in summer (1.4σ. above the mean). The 500 mb heights were above normal in middle latitudes and below normal at high latitudes when compared with station data from series 16–29 years long. As the computations are based on operational analyses they are not final, although the conclusions are unlikely to be changed by the use of the complete FGGE data set.
Carrier density and magnetism in graphene zigzag nanoribbons

The influence of carrier density on magnetism in a zigzag graphene nanoribbon is studied in a $\ensuremath{\pi}$-orbital Hubbard-model mean-field approximation. Departures from half filling alter the magnetism, leading to states with charge-density variation across the ribbon and parallel spin alignment on opposite edges. Finite carrier densities cause the spin density near the edges to decrease steadily, leading eventually to the absence of magnetism. At low doping densities the system shows a tendency to multiferroic order in which edge charges and spins are simultaneously polarized.
Anecdotes, Faits Divers, and the Literary

Anecdotes, the dictionaries tell us, are narratives that concern a singular event. They are supposed to be memorable or at least interesting.1 Although they are supposedly based on real life, they are not considered fit to be a serious basis for a philosophical discussion or scholarly elaboration, though they could open the way for one. In fact, one could apply to the anecdote what Roland Barthes says about the fait divers: it is "total," "immanent" information.2 Anecdotes do not formally make a point, they simply tell somethingafter them, nothing more needs to be said. Anecdotes have a kind of "so-what?" quality to them. But at the same time, anecdotes capture an essential truth about something; they are often supposed to be in some sense exemplary. For instance, Hegel's anecdotal evidence about Italian women's susceptibility to dying of love is meant to capture an essential truth about the Italian national character.3 The anecdote and the fait divers, while not identical (the fait divers belongs to a more specialized cultural context, that of the daily press with its hierarchy of bigger vs. smaller news items),4 obviously have significant overlap. One could propose that anecdotes are little stories about big people, while faits divers are stories about little people made big by publicity or the press. "Voici un assassinat: s'il est politique, c'est une information, s'il ne l'est pas, c'est un fait divers," states Barthes (188). This essay will attempt to bring to light some points about anecdotes, fait divers, and their connections to the larger formal question of the literary, in relation both to narrative ("litterairement ce sont des fragments de roman," Barthes observes about faits divers [189]) and to publication, since the etymological meaning of anecdote is "unpublished" (American Heritage Dictionary). The first example is Felix Feneon's Nouvelles en trois lignes, a genre of ultra-brief narrative he created for the daily newspaper Le Matin, where his three-liners appeared from May to November 1906. Terse, laconic, exuding a dark humor and a subversive wit, these minuscule faits divers tell stories of crimes, accidents, tragic loves and absurd deaths, abuse, strikes, and social illsall in the fewest words possible. Here are a few samples:
Epigenetic Regulation of Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-Triphosphate-dependent Rac Exchanger 1 Gene Expression in Prostate Cancer Cells

Aberrant up-regulation of P-Rex1 expression plays important roles in cancer progression and metastasis. The present study investigated the regulatory mechanism underlying P-Rex1 gene expression in prostate cancer cells. We showed that P-Rex1 expression was much higher in metastatic prostate cancer cells than in prostate epithelial cells and non-metastatic prostate cancer cells. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors or silence of endogenous HDAC1 and HDAC2 markedly elevated P-Rex1 transcription in non-metastatic prostate cancer cells, whereas overexpression of recombinant HDAC1 in metastatic prostate cancer cells suppressed P-Rex1 expression. HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) also significantly increased P-Rex1 promoter activity and caused acetylated histones to accumulate and associate with the P-Rex1 promoter. One Sp1 site, essential for basal promoter activity, was identified as critical for the TSA effect. TSA treatment did not alter the DNA-binding activity of Sp1 toward the P-Rex1 promoter; however, it facilitated the dissociation of the repressive HDAC1 and HDAC2 from the Sp1 binding region. Interestingly, HDAC1 association with Sp1 and with the P-Rex1 promoter were much weaker in metastatic prostate cancer PC-3 cells than in non-metastatic prostate cancer cells, and HDAC inhibitors only had very modest stimulatory effects on P-Rex1 promoter activity and P-Rex1 expression in PC-3 cells. Altogether, our studies demonstrate that HDACs could regulate P-Rex1 gene transcription by interaction with Sp1 and by region-specific changes in histone acetylation within the P-Rex1 promoter. Disassociation of HDACs from Sp1 on the P-Rex1 promoter may contribute to aberrant up-regulation of P-Rex1 in cancer.
The dilemma of bright line accounting rules and professional judgment: Insights from special purpose entity consolidation rules

Special purpose entities (SPEs) gained popularity during the 1990s when they were used as a building block in structured financial transactions. The failure of Enron in late 2001, however, revealed that the accounting for these transactions was based on detailed accounting guidance that often yielded a financial reporting picture that did not reflect the substance of the underlying transaction. In December 2003 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FIN 46R ‘Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities’, which corrected many of the financial reporting inconsistencies generated by patchwork guidance on consolidation that evolved during the 1990s. This study uses the previous consolidation rules for SPEs to evaluate the impact that bright line accounting rules have on financial reporting decisions. Review of SPE consolidation rules suggests that detailed rules and bright line tests have overshadowed professional judgment, resulting in decisions that were consistent with established rules, but inconsistent with the social policy goal of providing the most useful financial information. In essence, it appears that the detailed rules-based structure of GAAP has squeezed judgment out of the financial reporting system, atrophying the accounting profession's ability to apply sound professional judgment. As a result, the solution to the financial reporting system's current problems may not lie in adding layers of complexity to the existing rule structure, but in developing broader-based principles that encourage and demand individual responsibility and the application of professional judgment.
Mesonephric cell migration induces testis cord formation and Sertoli cell differentiation in the mammalian gonad.

In mammals a single gene on the Y chromosome, Sry, controls testis formation. One of the earliest effects of Sry expression is the induction of somatic cell migration from the mesonephros into the XY gonad. Here we show that mesonephric cells are required for cord formation and male-specific gene expression in XY gonads in a stage-specific manner. Culturing XX gonads with an XY gonad at their surface, as a ‘sandwich’, resulted in cell migration into the XX tissue. Analysis of sandwich gonads revealed that in the presence of migrating cells, XX gonads organized cord structures and acquired male-specific gene expression patterns. From these results, we conclude that mesonephric cell migration plays a critical role in the formation of testis cords and the differentiation of XY versus XX cell types.
Improvement of developmental outcome between 24 and 36 months corrected age in very preterm infants.

Aim: To study early developmental course in preschool-aged very preterm infants and its association with perinatal risk factors and test-taking behaviour. Methods: Children born <30 weeks gestation and/or <1000 g in the Academic Medical Center of Amsterdam were assessed at 24 and 36 months corrected age with the Dutch Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (BSID-II-NL) and neurological examination. Linear regression analyses for developmental change were performed with perinatal risk factors. Results: One hundred and forty-six children, mean GA 28 weeks and mean birth weight 1043 g, participated. Mental and psychomotor scores improved significantly with 6 and 7 points, respectively, from 24 to 36 months (p < 0.01). Mild to severe problems on at least one domain occurred less often at 36 (32%) compared to 24 months (63%) (p < 0.01), using corrected scores. Mental improvement was associated with being born very small for gestational age or <28 weeks; psychomotor improvement was associated with not being treated with indomethacin. Difficult test behaviour occurred mostly at 24 months and was associated with non-optimal development at 36 months. Conclusion: Improved developmental outcome and test behaviour were found at 36 compared to 24 months in a cohort of very preterm children. Long-term outcome studies and retesting of behaviourally difficult children are recommended.
Modified compressive sensing for real-time dynamic MR imaging

In this work, we propose algorithms to recursively and causally reconstruct a sequence of natural images from a reduced number of linear projection measurements taken in a domain that is “incoherent” with respect to the image's sparsity basis (typically wavelet) and demonstrate their application in real-time MR image reconstruction. For a static version of the above problem, Compressed Sensing (CS) provides a provably exact and computationally efficient solution. But most existing solutions for the actual problem are either offline and non-causal or cannot compute an exact reconstruction (for truly sparse signal sequences), except using as many measurements as those needed for CS. The key idea of our proposed solution (modified-CS) is to design a modification of CS when a part of the support set is known (available from reconstructing the previous image). We demonstrate the exact reconstruction property of modified-CS on full-size image sequences using much fewer measurements than those required for CS. Greatly improved performance over existing work is demonstrated for approximately sparse signals or noisy measurements.
Diverse Chemiresistors Based upon Covalently Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

A diverse array of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sensory materials have been synthesized and used to create sensors capable of identifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the basis of their functional groups. Functionalized MWCNTs with a series of cross-sensitive recognition groups were successfully synthesized via zwitterionic and post-transformation synthetic procedures. The incorporated chemical functional groups on MWCNT surfaces introduced greatly increased sensitivity and selectivity to the targeted analytes. The distinct response pattern of each chemical was subjected to statistical treatments, which led to a clear separation and accurate identification of 100% of the VOCs. These results demonstrate that covalent functionalized MWCNT-based sensor arrays are a promising approach for low-cost, real time detection and identification of VOCs.
Fixation of Emerging Interviral Recombinants in Cucumber Mosaic Virus Populations

Interstrain recombinants were observed in the progenies of the Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) reassortant L1L2F3 containing RNAs 1 and 2 from LS-CMV and RNA 3 from Fny-CMV. We characterized these recombinants, and we found that their fixation was controlled by the nature of the replicating RNAs 1 and 2. We demonstrate that the 2b gene partially affects this fixation process, but only in the context of homologous RNAs 1 and 2.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AVERAGING ON PREDICTED PAVEMENT LIFE

Mechanistic-empirical pavement design methods for flexible pavements are based on the assumption that the pavement life is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the traffic-induced pavement strains. These strains vary with the stiffness of the asphalt layer, which in turn varies with temperature. Because these relationships are nonlinear, the additional pavement life consumed at higher-than-average temperatures is not offset by savings at lower-than-average temperatures. As a result, whenever average pavement temperatures are used to determine the asphalt stiffness, pavement life is overestimated. Using hourly pavement temperature data from an instrumented pavement site in Tennessee, the effects of temperature averaging on predicted pavement life are examined and it is shown, for a typical full-depth asphalt pavement section supported by subgrade soils of different strengths, that pavement life can be overestimated by 50% to 75% if the temperatures are aggregated into monthly averages. It is also shown that even hourly average temperatures can produce errors if the hourly distribution of truck traffic is not taken into account.
Study of the Optical Properties of RF Sputtered Lithium Niobate Thin Films

Lithium niobate optical waveguides were fabricated on (110), and (100) sapphire by both diode and magnetron rf sputtering at 500-600°C in a flowing Ar/O2 atmosphere. Light coupling utilizing a rutile prism coupler was demonstrated. The propagation losses were obtained by measuring the scattered light from the surface using a fiber probe. The mode angles were also measured and used to calculate the thickness and the refractive indices of each sample. X-ray diffraction studies and the birefringence observed in the films have confirmed the crystalline nature of the films. The lowest value of attenuation of the He-Ne laser light propagating in the lithium niobate waveguide sputtered on sapphire was determined to be 1.1 ± 0.1 dB/cm. In addition, the lowest attenuation in lithium niobate thin film waveguides sputtered on SiO2/Si substrates was measured to be 2.3 dB/cm using end-fire coupling and fiber probing techniques.
Policy Analysis in Medical Education: A Structured Approach

“Educational policy analysis” is a formal discipline that has not been widely used in medical education. A review of literature shows that the lack of policy analysis “tools” results in an approach to educational policy analysis and/or development that may be fragmented and unorganized. This paper describes a twelve step, explicit approach to policy analysis within medical schools. An example of how to use this approach is included. Adoption of this method of policy will result in a more explicit and formal approach to curricular governance and educational decision-making within medical schools.
Takeover Litigation in 2013

Takeover litigation continues to be a much discussed issue in Delaware and among the corporate bar. This report provides preliminary statistics for takeover litigation in 2013. Based on preliminary statistics, takeover litigation continued to be brought at an extraordinarily high rate in 2013. 97.5% of all transactions experienced litigation. The average transaction attracted an average number of 7 lawsuits - an all time high. 41.6% of all transactions experienced multi-jurisdictional litigation down from 51.8% in 2012. Median attorneys’ fees for settlements remained relatively steady at $485 thousand per settlement. Further information and numbers are contained in the report.
Racial Differences in Skilled Nursing Care and Home Health Use: The Mediating Effects of Family Structure and Social Class

Objectives This study investigates whether utilization of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care and Medicare home health differ by race. It then seeks to understand the extent to which family structure and social class explain any differences observed. Methods Linking measures from the 1989 National Long-Term Care Survey with Medicare claims data, we model SNF care and home health use as competing risks using a Cox proportional hazards model. Age at first use is the outcome measure, consistent with the analysis of long-term care use as a life-course transition. Results Blacks postpone both home health and SNF care until later ages than Whites, and both children and grandchildren play a part in deferring their use until even later ages. When formal assistance is needed, Blacks are more apt than Whites to use home health over SNF care. The race difference in SNF use is even greater than that previously reported for all types of nursing home use combined. Social class has little influence on the risk differential. Discussion Contrary to expectations, Black elders are not counterbalancing their lower rate of SNF use with a higher rate of home health use. This suggests that there are differences in need, preference, or access that are yet to be identified. Future research should consider the relationship between family structure and informal caregiving, variation in physician referral patterns by race, and the availability of long-term care in traditionally African American communities.
Formation of the Catecholamine Release-inhibitory Peptide Catestatin from Chromogranin A: DETERMINATION OF PROTEOLYTIC CLEAVAGE SITES IN HORMONE STORAGE GRANULES *

The catestatin fragment of chromogranin A is an inhibitor of catecholamine release, but its occurrence in vivo has not yet been verified, nor have its precise cleavage sites been established. Here we found extensive processing of catestatin in chromogranin A, as judged by catestatin radioimmunoassay of size-fractionated chromaffin granules. On mass spectrometry, a major catestatin form was bovine chromogranin A(332-364); identity of the peptide was confirmed by diagnostic Met(346) oxidation. Further analysis revealed two additional forms: bovine chromogranin A(333-364) and A(343-362). Synthetic longer (chromogranin A(332-364)) and shorter (chromogranin A(344-364)) versions of catestatin each inhibited catecholamine release from chromaffin cells, with superior potency for the shorter version (IC(50) approximately 2.01 versus approximately 0.35 microm). Radioimmunoassay demonstrated catestatin release from the regulated secretory pathway in chromaffin cells. Human catestatin was cleaved in pheochromocytoma chromaffin granules, with the major form, human chromogranin A(340-372), bounded by dibasic sites. We conclude that catestatin is cleaved extensively in vivo, and the peptide is released by exocytosis. In chromaffin granules, the major form of catestatin is cleaved at dibasic sites, while smaller carboxyl-terminal forms also occur. Knowledge of cleavage sites of catestatin from chromogranin A may provide a useful starting point in analysis of the relationship between structure and function for this peptide.
Adaptive digital correction of analog errors in MASH ADCs. I. Off-line and blind on-line calibration

Cascaded delta-sigma (MASH) modulators for higher order oversampled analog-to-digital conversion rely on precise matching of contributions from different quantizers to cancel lower order quantization noise from intermediate delta-sigma stages. This first part of the paper studies the effect of analog imperfections in the implementation, such as finite gain of the amplifiers and capacitor ratio mismatch, and presents algorithms and architectures for digital correction of such analog imperfections, as well as gain and spectral distortion in the signal transfer function. Digital correction is implemented by linear finite-impulse response (FIR) filters, of which the coefficients are determined through adaptive off line or on-line calibration. Of particular interest is an on-line "blind" calibration technique, that uses no reference and operates directly on the digital output during conversion, with the only requirement on the unknown input signal that its spectrum be bandlimited. Behavioral simulations on dual-quantization oversampled converters demonstrate near-perfect adaptive correction and significant improvements in signal-to-quantization-noise performance over the uncalibrated case, using as few as 5 FIR coefficients. An alternative on line adaptation technique using test signal injection and experimental results from silicon are presented in the second part, in a companion paper.
Increased Serum Total Creatine Kinase and Creatine Kinase Isoenzyme MB After Cryosurgical Ablation of the Prostate

AbstractPurpose: Several reports have documented that the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase is present in prostatic tissue. However, since it has been shown that lower urinary tract manipulations, including transurethral prostatectomy, do not significantly increase serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB levels, such elevations, which are found in patients after prostatic surgery, are believed to be specific for myocardial infarction. We examined whether cryosurgical ablation of the prostate altered serum creatine kinase or isoenzyme MB levels.Materials and Methods: In 81 consecutive patients undergoing routine cryosurgical ablation of the prostate serum levels of creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB were measured from peripheral blood specimens drawn preoperatively, in the recovery room and at 8 and 24 hours postoperatively. Postoperative electrocardiograms were compared to the preoperative study.Results: In 72 of 81 patients (89%) significant elevations in creatine kinase and creatine kinase isoenz...
Indoor and outdoor PM10 and associated metals and pesticides in Arizona.

The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey study in Arizona (AZ NHEXAS) sampled trace metals in multimedia in and outside of 176 representative homes in Arizona. PM10 was collected using low-flow impactors indoors and out. Primary metals evaluated from monitoring of indoor and outdoor air were lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and arsenic. Secondary metals were also evaluated. They were analyzed using gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectroscopy (CC-ICP/AES). Air concentrations of metals do not contribute appreciable amounts to total concentrations of metals, and none were above levels of concern. Measurements were made of selected pesticides (primarily chlorpyrifos and diazinon) from particulate matter (PMW) filters obtained indoors and outdoors. Indoor air pesticide exposures represent about 25% of the total exposure to these pesticides. The highest 10% of exposures were related to questions about pesticide usage, at home and at work.
Conditional Survival After Cytoreductive Surgery with Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Low- and High-Grade Appendiceal Primaries.

Survival of patients after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy for appendiceal neoplasms is projected by conventional overall survival (OS) curves that do not address the survival time a patient has already accrued. We sought to study the conditional survival (CS) after CRS, contingent on patients surviving a fixed duration of time after surgery. A retrospective analysis of 493 appendiceal cancer patients from a prospective database was performed. OS was calculated for patients who achieved a complete CRS. CS was estimated based on Kaplan–Meier curves to determine what the patient’s long-term survival (3-, 5-, 7-, or 10-year) would be if they were alive at 1, 2, or 3 years from surgery. OS at 5 and 10 years for 137 low-grade patients with complete resections was 83.3 and 74.2 %, respectively. For low-grade patients still alive at 3 years, 5- and 10-year CS was 93.4 and 83.2 %, respectively. For the 35 high-grade patients with complete CRS who survived to 3 years, CS at 10 years was 41.7 %, while their 10-year conventional OS was 24.6 %. Conventional analysis underestimates OS due to unpredictable variations in tumor biology. When adjusted for time already elapsed since surgery, improvements in survival estimates are more pronounced with high-grade tumors. CS outcomes can be used in determining the optimal frequency of long-term follow-up of these patients.
Theories of Revolution and Race Relations

Most contemporary theories of revolution are derived from the analysis of conflict between social classes in racially homogeneous societies, and they may not be very illuminating when applied to situations of revolutionary struggle between racial groups. This is the problem I discuss in the present paper, and my purpose, in general, is to raise some questions concerning the applicability of theories of class revolution to racial revolution.
Activation of Methane by Zinc: Gas-Phase Synthesis, Structure, and Bonding of HZnCH3

The methylzinc hydride molecule, HZnCH3, has been observed in the gas phase for the first time in the monomeric form using high-resolution spectroscopic techniques. The molecule was synthesized by two methods: the reaction of dimethylzinc with hydrogen gas and methane in an AC discharge and the reaction of zinc vapor produced in a Broida-type oven with methane in a DC discharge. HZnCH3 was identified on the basis of its pure rotational spectrum, which was recorded using millimeter/submillimeter direct-absorption and Fourier transform microwave techniques over the frequency ranges 332-516 GHz and 18-41 GHz, respectively. Multiple rotational transitions were measured for this molecule in seven isotopic variants. K-ladder structure was clearly present in all of the spectra, indicating a molecule with C3v symmetry and a 1 A1 ground electronic state. Extensive quadrupole hyperfine structure arising from the 67 Zn nucleus was observed for the H 67 ZnCH3 species, suggesting covalent bonding to the zinc atom. From the multiple isotopic substitutions, a precise structure for HZnCH3 has been determined. The influence of the axial hydrogen atom slightly distorts the methyl group but stabilizes the Zn-C bond. This study suggests that HZnCH3 can be formed through the oxidative addition of zinc to methane in the gas phase under certain conditions. HZnCH3 is the first metal-methane insertion complex to be structurally characterized.
Gamma-SLAM: Using stereo vision and variance grid maps for SLAM in unstructured environments

We introduce a new method for stereo visual SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) that works in unstructured, outdoor environments. Unlike other grid-based SLAM algorithms, which use occupancy grid maps, our algorithm uses a new mapping technique that maintains a posterior distribution over the height variance in each cell. This idea was motivated by our experience with outdoor navigation tasks, which has shown height variance to be a useful measure of traversability. To obtain a joint posterior over poses and maps, we use a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter: the pose distribution is estimated using a particle filter, and each particle has its own map that is obtained through exact filtering conditioned on the particle's pose. Visual odometry provides good proposal distributions for the particle pose. In the analytical (exact) filter for the map, we update the sufficient statistics of a gamma distribution over the precision (inverse variance) of heights in each grid cell. We verify the algorithm's accuracy on two outdoor courses by comparing with ground truth data obtained using electronic surveying equipment. In addition, we solve for the optimal transformation from the SLAM map to georeferenced coordinates, based on a noisy GPS signal. We derive an online version of this alignment process, which can be used to maintain a running estimate of the robot's global position that is much more accurate than the GPS readings.
The Technology of Text

Computer screens have a big problem in terms of resolution, even LCD screens on most laptops and desktop computers have a resolution of only about 100 pixels per inch. It is observed that a printed page has much better quality. This paper discusses how to achieve a much better resolution on a computer screen to improve one's reading experience.
The Coherence of Mary Barton: Romance, Realism, and Utopia

Critics have argued that Elizabeth Gaskell's first novel, Mary Barton (1848), is split by a conflict between the modes of realism and romance. But the conflict does not render the novel incoherent, because Gaskell surpasses both modes through a utopian narrative that breaks with the conflict of form and gives coherence to the whole novel. Gaskell not only depicts what Thomas Carlyle called the ‘Condition of England’ in her work but also develops, through three stages, the utopia that will redeem this condition. The first stage is romantic nostalgia, a backward glance at Eden from the countryside surrounding Manchester. The second stage occurs in Manchester, as Gaskell mixes romance with a realistic mode, tracing a utopian drive toward death. The third stage is the utopian break with romantic and realistic accounts of the Condition of England and with the inadequate preceding conceptions of utopia. This third stage transforms narrative modes and figures a new mode of production.
Real-time MPEG-2 to H.264/AVC Transcoding

In this chapter, a significantly fast MPEG-2 to H.264/AVC transcoder will be introduced. The proposed efficient transcoder takes advantage of the information stored in the MPEG-2 bit-stream, i.e. the DCT coefficients, to accelerate the Intra prediction process in the H.264/AVC side of the transcoder. While MPEG-2 side of the transcoder does not employ Intra prediction method, the H.264/AVC side eliminates spatial redundancy by the mean of the Intra frame prediction technique. Hence, both the mode selection process and the direction prediction process in the H.264/AVC encoder are responsible for a non-negligible portion of the processing delay in the transcoder. For that reason, we propose a dramatically fast Intra mode selection and direction prediction algorithm, which has been designed and optimized specially for real-time MPEG-2 to H.264/AVC transcoders that are targeting to be used in mobile applications. The proposed MPEG-2 to H.264/AVC transcoding solution proposes an early Intra mode decision and direction prediction techniques, which is based on the spatial activity analysis using our novel smoothness determining factor and our optimized edge orientation detector. Moreover, the proposed fast Intra frame prediction algorithm utilizes the DCT coefficients directly from the MPEG-2 side of the transcoder to eliminate the possible redundant operations and efficiently produce the Intra prediction mode and the macro-block reconstruction direction for the H.264/AVC side of the transcoder. The Experimental results, using the H.264/AVC standard benchmark frames, show 92 % transcoding run-time elimination at the cost of a slight PSNR degradation (less than 3.5 %) compared with the standard conventional cascaded transcoder.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Provoked by Etanercept: Report of 443 Possible Cases Combined from an IBD Referral Center and the FDA.

Background Anti-TNF therapies have revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory conditions. Paradoxical treatment with these agents is associated with the development of de novo autoimmune diseases. Less well recognized is the provocation of de novo IBD by these agents. Etanercept is not effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and may be more often reported with the development of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Publication of Entomological Techniques

In his presidential address, “The Right to Publish,” Ray F. Smith reaffirmed the purpose of the Entomological Society of America by paraphrasing Article II of the constitution that states, “It shall be the purpose of this Society to promote the science of entomology in all its sub disciplines, to assure cooperation in all measures tending to that end, and to publish periodicals and other Publications which are appropriate to the Society's interest” (Smith 1976, author's italics). He reminded us that about 80% of the Society's annual resources are invested in publishing and this effort attempts to satisfy an extraordinary diversity of perspectives, opinions, and interests. This year, President Reece 1. Sailer expounded on the origin of this diversity in his message, “On the Threshold of the Second Quarter Century” (Sailer 1977). Ostensibly, we have been experiencing the classical scientific dicotomy between basic and applied research, as a result of a philosophically incomplete merger of the parent organizations. Both of these informed leaders encouraged us to transcend this difficulty, unite, and develop our professional Society by accepting new roles and responding to current challenges.
Simultaneous Measurement of Minority-Carrier Lifetime in Single-Crystal CdTe Using Three Transient Decay Techniques

Minority-carrier lifetimes have simultaneously been measured on a single-crystal CdTe sample using three transient decay techniques. These measurements are microwave-reflection photoconductive decay (μ-PCD), time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and transient free-carrier absorption (TFCA). The sample is a 0.8-mm-thick single-crystal CdTe sample from JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc., which is nominally undoped but has a hole concentration of about 2 - 3 × 10 14 cm -3 . Excess carriers are generated using a Nd:YAG laser with 5-ns pulses, and lifetimes are measured at room temperature. Using 532-nm excitation, the decay curves show an initial short-lifetime component, as carriers are generated near the unpassivated front surface. While TRPL shows a short lifetime of ~7 ns, both μ-PCD and TFCA have relatively long single-exponential decays after the initial 100 ns response. These decay times, which are more dominated by the bulk lifetime after the initial surface recombination, are 190 ns for both μ-PCD and TFCA. Simultaneous measurements using twophoton (1064 nm) excitation show bulk-dominated recombination for all three techniques. Lifetimes for both μ-PCD and TFCA are 270 ns, while the TRPL lifetime, which still shows some surfacelimited initial decay, is 160 ns.
Moral objectivism across the lifespan

AbstractWe report the results of two studies that examine folk metaethical judgments about the objectivity of morality. We found that participants attributed almost as much objectivity to ethical statements as they did to statements of physical fact and significantly more objectivity to ethical statements than to statements about preferences or tastes. In both studies, younger participants attributed less objectivity to ethical statements than older participants. Females were observed to attribute slightly less objectivity to ethical statements than males, and we found important interactions between attributions of objectivity and other factors, such as how strong participants’ moral opinions were and how much disagreement about the issue they perceived to exist within society. We believe our results have significant implications for debates about the nature of folk morality and about the nature of morality in general.
Progressive Increase in Disinfection Byproducts and Mutagenicity from Source to Tap to Swimming Pool and Spa Water: Impact of Human Inputs.

Pools and spas are enjoyed throughout the world for exercise and relaxation. However, there are no previous studies on mutagenicity of disinfected spa (hot tub) waters or comprehensive identification of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formed in spas. Using 28 water samples from seven sites, we report the first integrated mutagenicity and comprehensive analytical chemistry of spas treated with chlorine, bromine, or ozone, along with pools treated with these same disinfectants. Gas chromatography (GC) with high-resolution mass spectrometry, membrane-introduction mass spectrometry, and GC-electron capture detection were used to comprehensively identify and quantify DBPs and other contaminants. Mutagenicity was assessed by the Salmonella mutagenicity assay. More than 100 DBPs were identified, including a new class of DBPs, bromoimidazoles. Organic extracts of brominated pool/spa waters were 1.8× more mutagenic than chlorinated ones; spa waters were 1.7× more mutagenic than pools. Pool and spa samples were 2.4 ...
Novel Procedure for Mapping the Jc-Hc2-Tc Surface and its Application to High Temperature Superconductors

We have used an ac lock-in method for measuring the dynamic resistance versus current (dV/dI-I) curves to determine Jc(T,H). The sample current consisted of a small constant oscillating current added to a variable dc current. The dc current was either slowly ramped for dV/dI-I measurements or controlled keeping the dV/dI level constant while ramping temperature or field. In this way, it was possible to measure Jc(T) at constant H. The temperature was controlled between 4 and 300 K using a bathysphere cryostat. The bathysphere cryostat was inserted into a high field magnet for measurements at fields up to 7 T. We have measured several high temperature superconductors including YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films. In addition, we have measured the dV/dI-I curve of a simulator with a V-I curve having the form V = 10 μV × (I/1.4 A)13. Upon numerical integration, our data for the simulator are consistent with those obtained by a dc method using an analog dc nanovoltmeter to measure the V-I curves directly.
Flight Experiments about Human Reactions to Accelerations which are Followed or Preceded by Weightlessness

During the launching phase of manned space or orbital flight, any subject will be exposed to rather high accelerative forces. After burn-out the subject will recover from this stress not in a normal G field, but in the weightless state. On the other hand, the re-entry decelerations will act on a subject who has been exposed for extended periods to weightlessness.
In Search of a Theory for Constitutional Comparativism

Constitutional comparativism - the notion that international and foreign material should be used to interpret the U.S. Constitution - is gaining currency. Yet proponents of this practice rarely offer a firm theoretical justification for the practice. This Article contends that constitutional comparativism should be examined from the perspective of constitutional theory. The use of comparative and international material must be deemed appropriate or inappropriate based on a particular judge's interpretive mode of constitutional analysis. The Article presents four classic constitutional theories - originalism, natural law, majoritarianism, and pragmatism - and addresses the propriety of constitutional comparativism under each theory. This theoretical approach goes far to explain why particular judges embrace comparativism, while others eschew it. In so doing, it grounds the debate in the larger framework of classic constitutional theory. It also anticipates the disquiet that constitutional comparativists will experience at the inadequacy of any existing constitutional theory to capture fully the comparative agenda. It therefore introduces the broad outlines of a comparative constitutional theory and judges such a theory based on established criteria for its saliency.
Nutrition facts panel use is associated with higher diet quality and lower glycated hemoglobin concentrations in US adults with undiagnosed prediabetes

BACKGROUND The majority of US consumers use the nutrition facts panel (NFP) or health claims for food selections. Although previous studies have consistently reported positive impacts of NFP use on dietary intake, evidence regarding the effect of the use of health claims, either alone or in combination with the NFP, on diet quality and health outcomes is scarce. OBJECTIVES Our primary objective was to test for associations of the use of food labels (the NFP or health claims) with overall diet quality in individuals with prediabetes. In addition, we examined the association between food label use and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations. DESIGN We conducted a weighted linear regression, which was appropriate for a complex sampling survey, with the use of cross-sectional data from 2654 US adults with undiagnosed prediabetes who participated in the 2005-2010 NHANES cycles. The following 4 categories of food label (NFP or health claims) use were identified: 1) both labels, 2) health claims only, 3) neither label, and 4) the NFP only. Healthy Eating Index-2010 score, which we used to assess diet quality, was calculated from two 24-h recalls. Blood samples for analyzing HbA1c concentrations (glycemic control) were collected in the mobile examination center. RESULTS The overall diet quality scores for the use of both labels [b: -2.76 (95% CI: -5.04, -0.48); P = 0.019], of health claims only [b: -3.46 (-6.64, -0.28); P = 0.033], and of neither label [b: -4.01 (-5.75, -2.28); P < 0.001] were lower than those of NFP-only users. Moreover, HbA1c concentrations of users of both labels [b: 0.09% (95% CI: 0.03%, 0.16%); P = 0.008] and health claims only [b: 0.13% (95% CI: 0.02%, 0.25%); P = 0.021] were higher than those of NFP-only users. CONCLUSIONS In participants with undiagnosed prediabetes, the use of health claims alone, of both labels, or of neither label (compared with the use of the NFP only) was associated with poorer diet quality. In addition, users of neither label and users of both labels had poorer glycemic control. Further studies are needed to understand why the use of health claims may not be health promoting in this high-risk population.
Behavioral Correlates and Firing Repertoires of Neurons in the Dorsal Hippocampal Formation and Septum of Unrestrained Rats

The experiments reported here are among the simplest experiments one might do on the nervous system. We simply record action potentials from a single neuron in the dorsal hippocampal formation and septum in an unrestrained rat and study the correlation between the firing of the neuron and the behavior of a rat. However, there is no reason to believe that this approach is going to be valuable. If one were to record from a single element in a computer and try to correlate voltages at this element with either the input or the output of the computer, one would, in general, not learn much of use, except perhaps about the input and output devices. Clearly, the firing of some neurons in the brain has something to do with overt behavior or with information coming into the brain, especially for those neurons within a few synapses of a receptor or effector. Equally clearly, there are some things going on in the brain which do not have a simple relation to overt behavior or inputs to brain. The hippocampus is many synapses away from sensory or motor neurons, so simple relations cannot be expected.
Inversion of the spherical layer-matrix

In their formulation of wave problems in a spherically layered medium, Phinney and Alexander have arrived at a layer-matrix M which forms the fundamental building block of their solution. In actual application of the theory, the inversion of M is needed for each assumed spherical shell. Since numerical inversion of the matrix M may introduce undesired accumulation of errors, an analytical inverse matrix M −1 is obtained. Using Wronskians and recurrence relations of the spherical Bessel functions, it is shown that the inverse matrix M −1 can be simplified enough to insure an improvement in economy and accuracy in machine computations. Some useful properties of the inverse matrix M −1 are discussed which reduce the amount of machine time even further.
Resident-Driven Quality Improvement Project in Perioperative Hand Hygiene

OBJECTIVES The goal of the project was to improve hand hygiene compliance in the perioperative setting while involving anesthesia residents in quality improvement. To achieve this goal, we facilitated direct trainee participation on patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. The result was a project for perioperative hand hygiene improvement conceived and led by anesthesiology residents. METHODS Anesthesiology residents contributed project ideas and participated in problem-based learning discussions to develop several interventions for improving perioperative hand hygiene compliance. Interventions included electronic and laminated posters, reminder cards, monthly aggregated performance feedback, and a simulation-based hand hygiene workshop. Monthly hand hygiene compliance data were gathered during unannounced observations for a 29-month period. Run chart analysis and χ test were used to determine the impact of these interventions on compliance rates. RESULTS A total of 1122 hand hygiene observations were made for 29 months. Run chart analysis showed a nonrandom shift and increasing trend during the postintervention period. The baseline hand hygiene rate was 68% (95% CI [65%-72%], n = 661), which increased to 79% post-intervention (95% CI [76%-83%], n = 461, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our resident-led hand hygiene program used a multifaceted approach to drive sustained increases in perioperative hand hygiene compliance, while directly engaging house staff in quality improvement initiatives.
Preventing Perioperative Positioning and Equipment Injuries

Positioning the surgical patient requires teamwork and communication from all perioperative team members. Each has a unique role in positioning the patient safely and monitoring the patient for potential injury. Teams come together to assess the patient and plan preoperatively, position the patient for optimal exposure of the operative site, and monitor the patient for potential injury. This chapter provides information for all team members involved in positioning patients in various surgical positions and gives safety strategies for all patients and those with special needs such as the obese patient.