bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microvascular Disease Increases Amputation in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Behroozian Adam , Beckman Joshua A.
Published: February 2020

It is estimated that >2 million patients are living with an amputation in the United States. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes mellitus account for the majority of nontraumatic amputations. The standard measurement to diagnose PAD is the ankle-brachial index, which integrates all occlusive disease in the limb to create a summary value of limb artery occlusive disease. Despite its accuracy, ankle-brachial index fails to well predict limb outcomes. There is an emerging body of literature that implicates microvascular disease (MVD; ie, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) as a systemic phenomenon where diagnosis of MVD in one capillary bed implicates microvascular dysfunction systemically. MVD independently associates with lower limb outcomes, regardless of diabetic or PAD status. The presence of PAD and concomitant MVD phenotype reveal a synergistic, rather than simply additive, effect. The higher risk of amputation in patients with MVD, PAD, and concomitant MVD and PAD should prompt aggressive foot surveillance and diagnosis of both conditions to maintain ambulation and prevent amputation in older patients.
Negotiating on Behalf of Previous Generations: Justice in Post-Conflict Contexts
Authors: Rosoux Valerie
Published: February 2020

The focal point of this essay is the duration of intractable conflicts. The mere passage of time has no magical effect on conflicting notions of justice. On the contrary, a succession of crises and tensions accentuates entrenched positions concerning historical grievances. First, we present the processes through which parties defend a particular notion of justice on behalf of previous generations as rational games that depend, to a large extent, on parties’ interests. Second, we examine these processes from a moral perspective. Rather than emphasizing strategic dynamics that are based on political interpretations of the past, we focus on ethical quandaries related to the “paradoxical absence” of those who remain at the center of the justice claims. Third, we go beyond rational and moral dimensions to focus on the emotional weight of traumatic events and their long-lasting impacts on victims’ descendants.
A new sinoalid froghopper of Fangyuaniini (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha, Sinoalidae) in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber from northern Myanmar

Authors: CHEN JUN , JIANG HUI , ZHANG QIANQI , ZHENG YAN , WEI GUANGJIN , ZHUO DE
Published: February 2020

With nine species ascribed to eight genera, the sinoalid froghopper tribe Fangyuaniini has been the most abundant and diverse cicadomorphan group in Kachin amber. Based upon recently reported new fossil materials, we herein revised the diagnostic characters of this tribe, and a new genus and species, Electrala muae Chen & Zhuo, gen. et sp. nov., in Kachin amber is described and illustrated. The new taxon can be discriminated from its relatives by a series of unique morphological characters: the head very broad, almost as wide as thorax, the pronotum strongly shortened and about 4 times as wide as long, and forewings with the bifurcation of M and CuA almost at the same level and distad of claval apex. Additionally, a new generic name, Cretadorus Chen, nom. nov., is proposed for Mesodorus Chen & Wang, 2019, since the latter was already preoccupied by a living marine nematode genus Mesodorus Cobb, 1920.
Review of the flat bug genus Cretopiesma Grimaldi & Engel, 2008 from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and description of three new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae: Archearadinae)

Authors: AZAR DANY , HEISS ERNST , HUANG DIYING
Published: February 2020

Grimaldi & Engel (2008) described Cretopiesma suukyiae from Burmese amber and attributed it to Piesmatidae (mainly because of its very small size), but was later recognized as belonging to Aradidae. Herein we add some morphological characters to the description of Cretopiesma Grimaldi & Engel, 2008, sens. lat., sens. nov. which we assign to Archearadinae Heiss & Grimaldi, 2002. We revise the diagnosis of Archearadinae and synonymize Microaradus Heiss & Poinar, 2012, nov. syn. with Cretopiesma. We also describe, illustrate and characterize (from the same fossil genus) three new species Cretopiesma engelgrimaldii sp. nov., C. lini sp. nov. and C. inexpectatum sp. nov. A key to all species of Cretopiesma is given. The new discoveries provide new insight for understanding the palaeobiodiversity of the Aradidae during the mid-Cretaceous period.
The second genus of the extinct dragonfly family Urolibellulidae from the Eocene Green River Formation (Odonata, Anisoptera: Cavilabiata)

Authors: NEL ANDRÉ
Published: February 2020

If the oldest record of the anisopteran ‘libelluloid’ group Anauriculida Bechly, 1996 goes to the Cretaceous (Fleck et al., 1999; Kohli et al., 2016), its extant families are scarce or even absent before the Eocene. Nevertheless, the Anauriculida were already rather diverse during Eocene with a Libellulidae in the earliest Eocene (Fleck et al., 2000), and the extinct monotypic family Urolibellulidae in the middle Eocene Green River Formation (Zeiri et al., 2015). Crown Libellulidae become more and more frequent and diverse during Oligocene, and even dominate the dragonfly fauna in some outcrops (Céreste, Rott, Aix-en-Provence, Bes-Konak) (Nel & Paicheler, 1993). Thus any discovery in the Paleocene–Eocene of a new fossil related to these families is welcome. Here we describe a complete hindwing of this kind from the Green River Formation in Colorado.
Proapocritus lini sp. nov., a new ephialtitid wasp (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) from the Middle-Upper Jurassic of Daohugou, NE China

Authors: ZHANG HAICHUN
Published: February 2020

The Ephialtitidae is an extinct family of wasps, with 29 genera reported from the Lower Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Spain, Germany and Brazil, and flourished in the Middle–Late Jurassic (Meunier, 1903; Rasnitsyn, 1975, 1977, 1990, 1999, 2008a, b; Zessin, 1981, 1985; Zhang, 1986; Darling & Sharkey, 1990; Rasnitsyn & Ansorge, 2000; Rasnitsyn & Martínez-Delclòs, 2000; Zhang et al., 2002; Rasnitsyn et al., 2003; Rasnitsyn & Zhang, 2004, 2010; Zhang et al., 2010; Ding et al., 2013, 2016; Li et al., 2013, 2014, 2015; Zhang et al., 2014). It is considered to be the most basal group of the Apocrita, one of two suborders of the order Hymenoptera (Rasnitsyn & Zhang, 2010).
An overview of the big-eyed bug fauna of French Polynesia (Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea: Geocoridae)
Authors: KÓBOR PÉTER
Published: February 2020

The representatives of the subfamily Geocorinae (Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea) distributed in French Polynesia are reviewed. Germalus ashlocki sp. nov. is described. First occurrence of genus Geocoris Fallén and a Germalus Stål species from New Caledonia are recorded. Diagnoses, keys and discussion of taxa are provided.
A new species of Sarcohyla (Anura: Hylidae: Hylini) from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero and Estado de México, México
Authors: KAPLAN MOISES , HEIMES PETER , AGUILAR RAFAEL
Published: February 2020

We describe a new species of frog Sarcohyla floresi sp. nov. from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero and the southern part of Estado de México, based on specimens previously referred to as S. pentheter and newly obtained specimens. The new species has stream-dwelling tadpoles with labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3 and adults with a distinctive dark dorsolateral band bordered by a white line. S. floresi can be included in the S. bistincta group.
Bispectral Index in predicting in‐hospital mortality in patients with ischemic stroke: A methodological study
Authors: Akgol Gur Sultan Tuna , Akbas Ilker , Kose Muhammed Zubeyir , Kocak Abdullah Osman , Eren Alper , Cakir Zeynep
Published: February 2020

Background:

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and functional disability worldwide. Several clinical scores or stroke scales, biological test or markers, clinical signs, and radiological imaging have been performed to predict both worse neurologic outcome and mortality for ischemic stroke.

Objectives:

The aim of our study was to investigate the association between early Bispectral Index scores and in‐hospital mortality in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods:

This is a comparative prospective methodological study, in which we evaluated the predictive accuracies of Bispectral Index, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Charlson Comorbidity Index for in‐hospital mortality of patients with ischemic stroke. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used for comparing the accuracy of the scoring systems, areas under receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated, and Youden J index was used for estimating associated cut‐off values.

Results:

Among the 80 ischemic stroke patients, in‐hospital mortality rate was 38.8% (n = 31). The areas under receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.984, 0.960, and 0.863 for Bispectral Index, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, respectively. The difference between areas under receiver operating characteristic curves for Bispectral Index and Glasgow Coma Scale was statistically similar. Besides, the difference between areas under receiver operating characteristic curves for Bispectral Index and Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the difference between areas under receiver operating characteristic curves for Glasgow Coma Scale and Charlson Comorbidity Index were statistically significant. The associated cut‐off values were ⩽74, ⩽12, and >4 for Bispectral Index, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, respectively. For these cut‐off points, sensitivity and specificity of Bispectral Index were 93.6% and 95.9%, sensitivity and specificity of Glasgow Coma Scale were 100.0% and 83.7%, and sensitivity and specificity of Charlson Comorbidity Index were 83.9% and 69.4%, respectively. However, accuracy of Bispectral Index was 95.0%, accuracy of Glasgow Coma Scale was 90.0%, and accuracy of Charlson Comorbidity Index was 75.0.

Conclusion:

Knowledge of the risk factors for mortality in patients with ischemic stroke can help to identify which patients have a higher risk of fatal outcome. The Bispectral Index score improved discrimination and classified patients with higher mortality better than both Glasgow Coma Scale and Charlson Comorbidity Index.
Effects of combined warmed preoperative forced-air and warmed perioperative intravenous fluids on maternal temperature during cesarean section: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ni Ting-ting , Zhou Zhen-feng , He Bo , Zhou Qing-he
Published: February 2020

Background

Preventing the frequent perioperative hypothermia incidents that occur during elective caesarean deliveries would be beneficial. This trial aimed at evaluating the effect of preoperative forced-air warming alongside perioperative intravenous fluid warming in women undergoing cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia.

Methods

We randomly allocated 135 women undergoing elective cesarean deliveries to either the intervention group (preoperative forced-air and intravenous fluid warming, n = 69) or the control group (no active warming, n = 66). The primary outcome measure was the core temperature change between groups from baseline to the end of the surgical procedure. Secondary outcomes included thermal comfort scores, the incidences of shivering and hypothermia (< 36 °C), the core temperature on arrival at the post-anesthesia care unit, neonatal axillary temperature at birth, and Apgar scores.

Results

Two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significantly different core temperature changes (from the pre-spinal temperature to that at the end of the procedure) between groups (F = 13.022, P < 0.001). The thermal comfort scores were also higher in the intervention group than in the control group (F = 9.847, P = 0.002). The overall incidence of perioperative hypothermia was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (20.6% vs. 51.6%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Warming preoperative forced-air and perioperative intravenous fluids may prevent maternal hypothermia, reduce maternal shivering, and improve maternal thermal comfort for patients undergoing cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia.

Trial registration

The study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800019117) on October26, 2018.
Is Individualization of Sodium Bicarbonate Ingestion Based on Time to Peak Necessary?
Authors: FARIAS DE OLIVEIRA LUANA , SAUNDERS BRYAN , YAMAGUCHI GUILHERME , SWINTON PAUL , GIANNINI ARTIOLI GUILHERME
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To describe the reliability of blood bicarbonate pharmacokinetics in response to sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation across multiple occasions and assess, using putative thresholds, whether individual variation indicated a need for individualized ingestion timings.

Methods

Thirteen men (age 27 ± 5 yr; body mass [BM], 77.4 ± 10.5 kg; height, 1.75 ± 0.06 m) ingested 0.3 g·kg−1 BM SB in gelatine capsules on three occasions. One hour after a standardized meal, venous blood was obtained before and every 10 min after ingestion for 3 h, then every 20 min for a further hour. Time to peak (T
max), absolute peak (C
max), absolute peak change (∆C
max), and area under the curve were analyzed using mixed models, intraclass correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation and typical error. Individual variation in pharmacokinetic responses was assessed using Bayesian simulation with multilevel models with random intercepts.

Results

No significant differences between sessions were shown for blood bicarbonate regarding C
max, ∆C
max or area under the curve (P > 0.05), although T
max occurred earlier in SB2 (127 ± 36 min) than in SB1 (169 ± 54 min, P = 0.0088) and SB3 (159 ± 42 min, P = 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficient, coefficient of variation, and typical error showed moderate to poor reliability. Bayesian modeling estimated that >80% of individuals from the population experience elevated blood bicarbonate levels above +5 mmol·L−1 between 75 and 240 min after ingestion, and between 90 and 225 min above +6 mmol·L−1.

Conclusions

Assessing SB supplementation using discrete values showed only moderate reliability at the group level, and poor reliability at the individual level, whereas T
max was not reproducible. However, when analyzed as modeled curves, a 0.3-g·kg−1 BM dose was shown to create a long-lasting window of ergogenic potential, challenging the notion that SB ingestion individualized to time-to-peak is a necessary strategy, at least when SB is ingested in capsules.
Outcomes of solitary dilated breast ducts in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients
Authors: Choudhery Sadia , Simmons Curtis , Woodard Genevieve A. , Bhatt Asha A. , Anderson Tara L. , Lee Christine U.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic solitary dilated ducts detected on mammography, ultrasound, and MRI.

Methods:

All cases of isolated solitary dilated ducts between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016 in non-lactating females were reviewed. Clinical data, including patient’s age, breast cancer history, and pathology results were collected. Imaging was reviewed, and indication for the exam, breast density, maximum diameter of the dilated duct on ultrasound, presence of an intraductal mass, presence of intraductal vascularity, presence of intraductal echogenicity, and subareolar or peripheral location of the dilated duct were recorded.

Results:

87 cases of solitary dilated ducts were assessed in this study, of which 3 were malignant, resulting in a positive predictive value of 3.5% (3/87). No malignancy was identified in asymptomatic screening patients. The three malignant cases were seen in patients presenting with a palpable lump (n = 1) or bloody nipple discharge (n = 2). There was a statistically significant association observed between the dilated duct diameter (p = 0.049) and presence of intraductal vascularity (p = 0.0005) with presence of malignancy.

Conclusion:

Rate of malignancy is low in solitary dilated ducts, especially among asymptomatic patients. Patient’s presenting with clinical symptoms, larger dilated duct diameters, and/or intraductal vascularity may require additional evaluation including biopsy to exclude malignancy.

Advances in knowledge:

Clinical and imaging factors can assist in better identifying patients with solitary dilated ducts who should undergo biopsy.
Public-private partnership - socio-economic and innovative development of university clinics
Authors: Chopchik V. D.
Published: February 2020

Objective: To substantiate the development of university clinics (UC) through innovative entrepreneurship based on the mechanism of public-private partnership (PPP). Materials and methods. The general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, integration, interpretation of scientific data, as well as systemic and structural-functional approaches. The information base of the study was the scientific works of domestic and foreign experts in innovation and PPP. Introduction. The unsatisfactory financing system for university clinics determines the existence the outdated material and technical base, lack of modern medical technologies, low level of staff remuneration, and lack of economic motivation to work in the staff. All this requires improving UC’s management. International experience accumulated over the past 25-30 years suggests that one of the main mechanisms for improving public health management is innovative entrepreneurship. The organization of PPPs as the main direction of development of medical faculties, ensuring the interaction of education, science and innovation, as a key element of state policy to stimulate the health sector, cooperation in the framework of the “knowledge triangle” can be traced to Norway example. Currently, one of the priority areas for the development of PPP mechanisms is the implementation of an economic policy for the accelerated development of innovative entrepreneurship. This is due both to the very nature of global competition, based on the advanced use of advanced innovations, and to the competition intensification between economic systems for development resources. Innovation is a driver of economic growth and a significant competitive advantage. Results. In the article presented the development of UCs focused on their innovative functioning as a high-tech medical sector and is consistent with their targeted program planning based on the complex relationship of three systems: the State, the UC and the scientific cooperation system (university). The economic component makes it necessary to introduce a new form of organizing the activities of the UC on the principles of PPP. Conclusions. In the article presented  the process of UC development based on the principles of PPP is scrutinazed.
Differences in short and long passes of midfield footballers
Authors: Sokoli Bylbyl , Ibrahimi Gani , Jahaj Qendrim
Published: February 2020

Efficiency in the game of football is possible only if phenomena is systematically defined as it is of primary importance for structuring the basic movements and the technical-tactical elements in the game of football. The main purpose of this research is to compare the midfielders of Superleague and First League of Kosovo in the technical element of the pass which is very significant for the quality of a footballer and especially of a midfielder. To this end, three hypotheses have been put forward which have been partially realized. The obtained results show that the Kosovo Superleague midfielders have shown higher efficiency in these specific technical elements during the game: in total passes, in accurate passes, inaccurate passes, in accurate short passes where Superleague footballers have had fewer long incorrect passes.
When there is kindness, there is goodness. When there is goodness, there is magic
Authors: Phillips Hannah
Published: February 2020

In the latest in the Patient Story series, Hannah Phillips reflects on the impact of kindness and charity
Estimation and correction of vibration-induced range cell migration for FMCW synthetic aperture ladar
Authors: Li Guangzuo , Zhang Zenghui , Zhang Yifei , Fang Sujuan , Hong Wen , Wu Yirong
Published: February 2020

Synthetic aperture ladar (SAL) is a newly developed imaging device for remote sensing application. Owing to its short wavelength (3–5 orders of magnitude shorter than radar), SAL is very sensitive to platform vibration. For frequency-modulated continuous-wave SAL (FMCW-SAL), the platform vibration induces an additional range cell migration (RCM) to the SAL image. The vibration-induced RCM (VI-RCM) deteriorates the image quality. The VI-RCM is a unique problem for the FMCW-SAL imaging. To address this problem, a raw-data-driven method is proposed to correct the VI-RCM in this paper. First, the signal model was developed to show the VI-RCM in FMCW-SAL echo. Then, based on the model, the differential phase function (DPF) is constructed for the adjacent range profiles. The DPF is a single-frequency signal with its frequency being proportional to the relative range shift between the adjacent range profiles. Based on the DPF, the relative range shift is estimated. After the estimation of all the relative range shifts, the VI-RCM is calculated and corrected. Experiments are performed. The simulated experiment demonstrated the feasibility, accuracy, and efficiency of the proposed method, and the real data processing result verified the effectiveness of the proposed method for FMCW-SAL in practical applications.
Review of CO2 laser range finder technology
Authors: Buczek Carl
Published: February 2020

As the technology has matured, new system applications have been found for CO2 lasers. The new systems designed for terrain following, 3-D imaging, and range finding will be described along with the technological advances important to these systems.
Compact longitudinally pulsed CO2 lasers: design and performance
Authors: Courtney C. , Ross I. E. , Freeman J. G.
Published: February 2020

Low-pressure longitudinally excited CO2 lasers offer a number of interesting features to the systems designer. The lasers described in this paper are capable of operating with pulse repetition frequencies in the 0-10-kHz region. The pulse energy and duration can be tailored over a wide range. The relatively long pulse lengths in the 10-250-μsec region with peak powers of up to 70 W can offer advantages in certain military systems.
Blue-green lasers and receivers for submarine laser communications
Authors: White Mathew
Published: February 2020

No summary was available when this Digest went to press.
Spectrally and temporally resolved back-scattered light from CO2 laser plasma interactions
Authors: Casperson D. E. , Pretzel R.
Published: February 2020

At the Helios laser facility two of the eight CO2 laser beam lines have collecting optics for obtaining f/2.4 samples of direct backscattered light. One of these two retrochannels utilizes a fast pyroelectric detector and fast oscilloscope (combined rise time of ~ 150 psec) to observe the temporal behavior of both the fundamental 10.6-μm backscatter and also the target plasma-generated second harmonic of the laser light.
Ultraviolet-visible laser development
Authors: Benedict R.
Published: February 2020

The past several years have seen the emergence and rapid growth of many highly efficient lasers that operate in the visible and UV spectral range. They range from discharge and electron-beam-pumped excimers to the free electron laser. The motivation for development of these lasers has been diverse, varying from military applications to laser isotope separation to blue-green laser communications. However, they all typically have two things in common: they are electrically driven and are amenable to closed cycle operation.
Compact system tor laser performance characterization
Authors: Rypma Roger L. , Argyle Sidney C.
Published: February 2020

A novel multipass optical design has been used to provide a compact long focal-length telescope for laser characterization. Care was taken in this design to provide stable operation with a high SNR. The far-field laser image is focused upon a 2-D self-scanning silicon detector array camera mounted to the telescope. The image is digitized and displayed to show the far-field energy distribution. Microprocessing of the digitized image gives the beam position and divergence. Pulse-to-pulse stability is determined by storing and analyzing consecutive images.
Effect of gain medium clipping and saturation on phase-conjugate resonator performance
Authors: Valley George C.
Published: February 2020

The phase-conjugate resonator (PGR) shown in Fig. 1 is studied with a 3-D propagation code. The resonator consists of a spatial filter, an aberrator, a gain medium, and an ideal conjugator. Modes of the resonator are obtained as a function of the size of the phase aberration, the size of the spatial filter aperture, and the Fresnel number.
Laser applications in otolaryngology
Authors: Andrews Albert H.
Published: February 2020

Using the micromanipulator and the endoscopic coupler, the accuracy, reduced bleeding, and reduced postoperative pain have made the CO2 laser a valuable addition to the otolaryngology logic armamentarium. Current applications and future needs will be discussed.
Application of laser annealing to semiconductor device fabrication
Authors: Leamy H. J.
Published: February 2020

The application of laser beams to semiconductor device fabrication is not a new field of endeavor. Lasers have been employed for many years to cut, drill, weld, and otherwise shape passive microelectronic components. During the past few years, however, the application of laser irradiation to the active portions of the devices has received great attention. Essentially laser beams may be used simply as sources of high intensity energy or may be used to stimulate photochemically a desired reaction at the semiconductor surface. This presentation will be concerned only with the thermal processing capabilities of laser beams.
Applications of laser-produced plasma x-ray radiation in structural kinetic studies
Authors: Forsyth James M.
Published: February 2020

Many optical characteristics of high peak power laser radiation correspond to the x-ray source characteristics of a laser produced plasma. As a result the spatial, temporal, and spectral characteristics of the radiation are quite different from those of other pulsed x-ray sources such as e-beams, exploding wires, or vacuum sparks. These differences create entirely new application areas for laser-plasma x-ray sources while leading to improved performance in certain conventional pulsed x-ray source applications.
Holographic system for figure sensing of large primary mirrors
Authors: Shemwell David M. , Jordan David C. , Mumola Peter B.
Published: February 2020

Large deformable mirrors, such as those envisioned for advanced space telescopes and the space laser program, will require a method for actively sensing the mirror figure while it is in use. Figure sensing is usually done at the center of curvature of the mirror; placing an interferometer at this point requires extending the telescope structure by many meters, which is not desirable because it introduces additional structural and packaging problems. There have been a variety of schemes presented in the past for figure sensing near the focal plane of the mirror. Of these schemes, the full aperture holographic zone plate studied by Erickson1 is particularly attractive, since it provides full aperture phase information and does not require modifications of the mirror other than to the coating.
Real-time two-wavelength holography for coarse aspherical surface contouring
Authors: Chen Chungte W. , Michaelis Audrey , Robinson Charles
Published: February 2020

Using two-wavelength interferometry with a recyclable thermoplastic holographic camera we have developed an interferometric technique for real time contouring of fast aspherical surfaces. The setup of this interferometer will be discussed.
Industrial high-power CO2 laser equipment
Authors: Sejima Itsuhiko , Shiono Shigeo
Published: February 2020

We have been making continuous progress in applied research in manufacturing areas by the use of kW-class CO2 lasers and have carried out various experiments in welding, cutting, and surface treatment by a 2-5 kW CO2 laser developed by us. For our 5-kW CO2 laser equipment, we use a fast-flow design: the output beam from the 5-kW CO2 laser has a diameter of 48-50 mm and a low transverse mode. The beam divergence is within 0.6-1-3 mrad. The discharge efficiency is 20-26%.
Absorptance of stainless steel 304
Authors: Morency J.-P.
Published: February 2020

Laser irradiation of materials can induce high heating rates and produce chemical reactions and phase changes even to the extent of complete target vaporization. Duley1 presents a complete description of laser material interaction phenomena, and other reviews are also available.2-4
Laser uses in ophthalmology
Authors: L’esperance F.
Published: February 2020

The advent of the laser has revolutionized therapy in ophthalmology. This paper will discuss the use of a multitude of lasers each with unique applications for chorioretinal diseases and for problems in the anterior parts of the eye.
Materials issues in future advanced thermal imaging sensors
Authors: Reynolds Richard
Published: February 2020

The potential for high density monolithic or hybrid detector arrays promises substantial advances in both spatial and temporal resolution, compared with that achieved in today’s most sophisticated thermal imaging systems. Materials and fabrication issues will be discussed which may present a substantial barrier to the achievement of this potential.
Spatially resolved combustion measurements using crossed-beam saturated absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Kychakoff George , Howe Robert D. , Hanson Ronald K.
Published: February 2020

A technique has been developed for spatially resolved measurements of unstable radical species (such as OH, NH, CH, and CN) in combustion gases. White these species typically occur in concentrations of 0.1 % or less, they are important reaction intermediates. The development of techniques for measuring the concentration of these species is therefore of interest in combustion research.
Coherent Raman scattering measurements of density and temperature: application to an internal combustion engine
Authors: Rahn L. A. , Johnston S. C. , Farrow R. L. , Mattern P. L.
Published: February 2020

In this paper coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) measurements of gas temperature and density in an internal combustion (IC) engine are reported. Two coherent Raman techniques, CARS and inverse Raman spectroscopy (IRS), are also compared with spontaneous Raman scattering for use in internal combustion engine experiments. For sooting environments at engine pressures CARS is shown to have the greatest promise.
Scattered light measurements from disk targets irradiated with laser wavelengths at 1.06, 0.53, and 0.35 µm
Authors: Turner R. E. , Campbell E. M. , Mead W. C. , Ze F. , Max C. , Phillion D. W. , Lee P. , Pruett B. , Tirsell G. , Lasinski B. F.
Published: February 2020

Argus wavelength scaling experiments have been performed on low (Be) and high (Au) Z disk targets with laser wavelengths of 1.06, 0.53, and 0.35 µm. The laser provided a 700-psec pulse with up to 100 J at 1.06 µm, 200 J at 0.53 µm, and 40 J at 0.35 µm. Laser intensities on target ranged from 3×1013 to over 3×1015 W/cm2, using an f/2.2 focusing system. One goal of the experiments was to measure the levels of the parametric instabilities which generate suprathermal electrons as a function of both laser wavelength and intensity.
Effects of irradiation uniformity with large aspect ratio targets
Authors: Friedman W. D. , Hoose J. , Villeneuve D. M. , Richardson Martin C. , Lee K. , Delettrez J. , Kumpan S. , Letzring S. , Hutchison R. , Brinker B. , Peck R. , Iwan L. , McCrory R. L. , Soures J. M.
Published: February 2020

Inertial confinement fusion with laser light requires the symmetric implosion of targets to < 10−3 of their initial volume. In the direct drive approach to laser fusion it is estimated that this requires symmetrical ablation pressure to a uniformity of ~1 %. In the currently known conditions of laser light absorption and thermal energy transport, this places strict demands on the uniformity of irradiation with multibeam laser systems. To date this aspect has not been investigated experimentally. This paper presents some initial studies of the problem performed with Rochester’s 24-beam 1-nsec Omega laser system. These studies center on diagnosing the sensitivity of target implosion dynamics to known degrees of irradiation uniformity.
Anti-Stokes scattering as an XUV radiation source
Authors: Harris S. E. , Falcone R. W. , Young J. F. , Pedrotti K. D. , Rothenberg Joshua E. , Willison J. R.
Published: February 2020

The paper will describe the use of anti-Stokes scattering as a radiation source for high-resolution spectroscopy in the 100-1000-Å spectral region and as a flashlamp for the construction of XUV lasers.
Ablative implosion of different fusion targets and laser wavelength scaling
Authors: Yamanaka C. , Nakai S. , Yamanaka T. , Kato Y. , Mochizuki T. , Nakatsuka M. , Kitagawa Y. , Azechi H. , Nishimura H. , Daido H. , Miyanaga K. , Norimatsu T. , Mima K. , Nishihara K. , Yabe T.
Published: February 2020

Ablative implosion of targets has been investigated with respect to two parameters: laser wavelength and structure of the target or the physical concept that causes the pellet to implode.
Multiphoton ionization: a new chemistry tool
Authors: Fisanick G. J.
Published: February 2020

Although the fate of molecules undergoing non-linear absorptions in intense IR radiation fields has been studied for some time, it is only in the past four years that attention has focused on multiphoton absorption of visible/UV photons.
Holographic storage properties of electrooptic crystals
Authors: Kratzig E.
Published: February 2020

Holographic storage looks particularly attractive if the recording occurs in a volume. In this case many holograms can be superimposed in the same volume under different angles thus yíeldíng extremely large storage densities.
A few nanosecond resolution, 10-μm interferometer with 2-D fringe display
Authors: Brannon P. J. , Gerber R. A. , Gerardo J. B.
Published: February 2020

Sandia is developing distributed plasma sources for plasma-filled ion diodes. The need to experimentally verify theoretical calculations and to establish the operating uniformity of the plasmas was the impetus for developing the optical interferometer described below.
100-W 1000-Hz XeCl laser lifetime studies
Authors: Byron Stanley R. , Moody Stephen E. , Mullaney George J. , Cassady Philip E.
Published: February 2020

A closed-loop XeCI laser (Mistral) operating at 100-mJ/pulse and repetition rates up to 1500 pps is being used to develop long lifetime high-power rare-gas-halide excimer laser technology. The laser system is equipped with acoustic dampers, window purge flow, a gas reprocessing loop, a tube fin/heat exchanger, a centrifugal blower, and a long life pulse modulator.
Laser CVD using a CO2 TEA laser
Authors: Allen S. D. , Liu Y.-C.
Published: February 2020

Possible applications for selected area deposition using laser CVD (LCVD) include many in the microelectronics area where deposition dimensions of <1 μm are necessary. To achieve this resolution, the laser heating and deposition must occur before significant thermal spreading of the laser-generated surface temperature profile can take place. We have therefore investigated the LCVD of several metallic films using a CO2 TEA laser with a 0.6-μsec pulse length.
Dual-beam optical profilometer
Authors: Lou David Y. , Martinez A. , Stanton D.
Published: February 2020

The ability to measure surface profiles and determine the statistical properties of surfaces is important for many applications. Examples can be found in fields as diverse as magnetic storage and optical fabrication. In this paper, we will describe the development of a novel noncontact optical profilometer. Instead of using a single-beam system to measure the absolute displacement profile, we use a dual-beam system and measure the velocity profile.
Compact high-repetition rate high-average power CO2 laser
Authors: Sze Robert C.
Published: February 2020

We have developed a compact high-repetition rate CO2 laser operating in the TEM00 mode which delivers over 100 mj/pulse and operates up to a 750-Hz pulse repetition rate. The device will eventually be line tunable and capable of being frequency offset locked from line center. The laser is intended for applications related to optical pumping of molecular gases to obtain coherent radiation at other wavelengths.
Laser diagnostic studies of CVD systems
Authors: Breiland W. , Coltrin M. , Hargis P.
Published: February 2020

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a widely used process for producing thin films for microelectronics and making coatings. Despite its development to a highly successful technical art, little is known about the basic chemistry and physics of the deposition process. We have applied a number of laser-based techniques to investigate the CVD process.
Laser Raman scattering as a probe of Si device structures
Authors: Brueck S. R. J. , Tsaur B.-Y. , Murphy D. V. , Fan J. C. C. , Deutsch Thomas F. , Silversmith D. J.
Published: February 2020

We report on the use of laser Raman scattering to probe the stress profile across silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) device structures. Si-on-insulator materials are of great interest for VLSI applications due to the improved isolation between densely packed devices as compared with bulk Si. In such heterogeneous material systems there is an inherent stress due to the differential thermal contraction of the Si and substrate materials upon cooling from the growth temperature.
Development of ablative optical storage devices
Authors: Tsunoda Yoshito
Published: February 2020

Optical disk memories for real time digital data recording are being actively developed in several places. It is quite probable that practical products will show up in the marketplace within a couple of years. Most real time recording disk memories being developed are the ablative type. Diode lasers are used as light sources for writing and reading data in most of these memories, and several types of ablative recording material are being developed as shown in Table I. A monolayer of a Te compound is one of the most promising media at present. Several compounds including TeSe, TeC, and TeGS2 have been investigated recently.
New GRIN lens with high N.A.
Authors: Yamagishi T. , Fujii K. , Kitano I.
Published: February 2020

A gradient-index rod lens (Selfoc) with high N.A. has been fabricated by means of a new ion-exchange technique. In the conventional ion-exchange method, a nearly parabolic distribution of the refractive index is formed by exchanging highly polarizable ions doped in the glass for the alkali ions in the fused salt.
Probing wave packet motion of D2+ with sub-femtosecond resolution
Authors: Niikura H. , Légaré F. , Hasbani R. , Ivanov M. Yu , Villeneuve D. M. , Corkum P. B.
Published: February 2020

Ionization of D2 simultaneously forms both nuclear and electronic wavepacket. Within the first optical period following ionization the electron can re-collide. We use inelastic scattering to follow both electron and nuclear motion with 1fs precision.
Ultrafast Optoelectronic Switching for Telecommunications
Authors: Miller David A. B.
Published: February 2020

The continuing growth of capacity in telecommunications systems generates a need for new technological approaches to handling large amounts of information in the optical domain. There are obvious potential needs for devices that can operate at higher bit rates, or that can help handle large numbers of wavelengths, and ultrafast technology can help in both of these areas. Additionally, however, there is new potential for optoelectronic devices that can help in the more complex functions of telecommunications switching, including possibly eliminating some of the signal processing functions that must currently be done electrically, or potentially working intimately with electronic systems in the most complex switching tasks. Optoelectronic devices are interesting especially as the complexity of the tasks grow because they have the advantages that they may be controlled electrically, possibly read out electrically, and perhaps also integrated with electronic circuits for highly functional blocks. Various recent approaches have also demonstrated that optoelectronic devices can operate at very high speeds with controllable and flexible functionality.
Fully spatially coherent EUV source for coherent imaging applications
Authors: Bartels Randy , Backus Sterling , Paul Ariel , Kapteyn Henry , Murnane Margaret , Liu Yanwei , Attwood David , Jacobsen Chris
Published: February 2020

We present measurements of the coherence of EUV light generated using the process of high-harmonic upconversion of light from a femtosecond laser1. We show that, by using a phase-matched hollow-fiber geometry, the EUV light generated exhibits the highest inherent spatial coherence of any source in this region of the spectrum to date. This source generates approximately 1012 photons/sec in a fraction of an eV FWHM bandwidth around 31eV. Since this source exhibits full spatial coherence at very short wavelength, this light source represents the smallest inherent effective source-size of any light source yet created.
Antimicrobial resistance pattern of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers of selected organized farms of India
Authors: Tamta Shikha , Kumar Obli Rajendran Vinodh , Singh Shiv Varan , Pruthvishree Bommenahalli Siddaramiah , Karthikeyan Ravichandran , Rupner Ramkumar , Sinha Dharmendra Kumar , Singh Bhoj Raj
Published: February 2020

Background and Aim: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are gradually increasing worldwide and carry a serious public threat. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from <3-month-old piglets (n=156) and farm workers (n=21) were processed for the isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli in MacConkey agar added with 1 μg/mL of cefotaxime. E. coli (piglets=124; farm workers=21) were tested for ESBL production by combined disk method and ESBL E-strip test. Each of the ESBL-positive isolate was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The ESBL-producing E. coli were further processed for genotypic confirmation to CTX-M gene.

Results: A total of 55 (44.4%, 55/124) and nine (42.9%, 9/21) ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated from piglets and farm workers, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the ESBL-positive E. coli isolates from piglets and farm workers showed 100% resistance to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefotaxime/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime/clavulanic acid, and cefpodoxime. A proportion of 100% (55/55) and 88.9% (8/9) ESBL-positive E. coli were multidrug resistance (MDR) in piglets and farm workers, respectively. On genotypic screening of the ESBL E. coli isolated from piglets (n=55), 15 were positive for the blaCTX-M gene and of the nine ESBL E. coli from farm workers, none were positive for the blaCTX-M gene.

Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli between piglets and farm workers, the ESBL-positive E. coli from piglets showed relatively higher MDR than farm workers.
Evaluation of Institutional Research Productivity
Authors: Pal Jiban K. , Sarkar Soumitra
Published: February 2020

The quantification of scholarly performance has become an obvious necessity in many academic pursuits. Evaluation of research output is therefore an integral element of R&D institutions worldwide. However the quality- weighted dimensions of quantity are gaining momentum. Consequently, a good number of evaluative studies on publication productivity have been made available in scientometric literature. This paper critically scrutinises the literature on research productivity concerning scientific institutions (include universities and departments) in an informational context. It provides a thorough review to map the quantum of knowledge relating to ‘institutional research productivity’ correlating the Indian vista. It is, however, indicative to find the gaps and shortcomings in this specialty of research; hence enunciate the issues both attended and unattended. The paper also offers a few recommendations to undertake evaluative studies with caution. Thus it shows a coherent picture of this emerging area in the sociology of science.
Przyszłość form konsensualnych w postępowaniu administracyjnym
Authors: Wegner Joanna
Published: February 2020

The article presents the institution of an administrative agreement from the perspec-tive of legal solutions in force in selected European countries. The increase in the number and diversity of tasks performed by the administration and the multitude of conducted proceedings encourage the search for alternative forms of settling a case in relation to an administrative decision. The administrative agreement is one of them. The analysis of foreign regulations confirms that the institution in question belongs to the modern procedural laws. The scope of regulation varies, as do the individual solutions concerning the admissibility and mode of concluding the contract, its subject matter, the mechanisms for removing defects, the grounds for contestability of the contract and its enforceability. It turns out that in individual European orders two patterns of regulation dominate: French and German, although they are subject to significant modifications. The performance of certain public tasks by private parties on the basis of an administrative agreement provides for certain guarantees not only for the parties to the agreement but also for the beneficiaries of those tasks. This particular type of contract allows adequate protection of the public interest. The prevalence of the administrative agreement in Europe prompts the author to formulate a conclusion on the need to include this institution in the home system. The attempt made in the 2017 reform of the Administrative Procedure Code to include in it an administrative agreement was unsuccessful. The provisions on an administrative agreement that were then drafted were intended to give a deeper meaning to mediation, a new institution in administrative proceedings, which is currently not popular. Mediation was to precede the conclusion of an administrative agreement. However, there are no significant obstacles to returning to work on the regulation of this institution, which is so widely used in other European countries, and which is clearly lacking in its home Code
Sociedad civil soberana y estado neoconstitucional en derechos de tercera generación
Authors: Méndez Rivera José Ángel , Morán Torres Enoc Francisco
Published: February 2020

La aportación académica, plantea la posibilidad de rediseñar constitucionalmente el concepto de soberanía, sustentado, en una sociedad civil soberana, para efectos de la democracia participativa en políticas públicas de derechos colectivos, y en el pueblo soberano, para efecto de la democracia representativa. Ello en aras de que, en la praxis política real, se logre un Estado Neoconstitucional en derechos de tercera generación.
Prevención de la violencia y género en Guanajuato
Authors: Rodríguez Luna Ricardo
Published: February 2020

En este trabajo se analiza la definición de prevención de la violencia en los principales instrumentos jurídicos del estado de Guanajuato que declaran adoptar una perspectiva de género; se estudian sus elementos conceptuales y se indaga qué sentido adquiere al estar definida en normas y programas que emplean un enfoque de género.