bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Initial Clinical Experience' articles are poorly cited and negatively affect the impact factor of the publishing journal: a review
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed T , Rezek Issa , Mcdonald Jennifer S , Kallmes David F
Published: April 2013

Objectives

The phrase ‘Initial Clinical Experience' in a manuscript's title implies that the described technique offers promise of future clinical relevance. We assessed, using rates of subsequent citations, the actual academic relevance of such articles in comparison to articles not containing the phrase.

Design

We searched ISI database for articles that included the studied phrase in their titles between 1975 and 2009 and grouped the results by the related medical specialty. We excluded articles from journals with no available impact factor. For each identified article, we extracted number of included patients, citations/year, the average impact factor of the publishing journal over the last five years and the proportion of articles published in the same journal that garnered zero subsequent citations.

Setting

Retrospective review of a scientific database.

Participants

None

Main outcome measures

Citation rate

Results

Among a total of 982,127 articles published in 186 journals representing eight major publishing medical specialties, 531 (0.05%) were Initial Clinical Experience articles. Thirty percent of Initial Clinical Experience articles were never cited compared with 7% of the overall article volume ( p < 0.0001). Citations/year for Initial Clinical Experience articles were significantly lower than the median impact factor ( p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between citations and number of patients described in the Initial Clinical Experience articles ( p = 0.61).

Conclusions

Initial Clinical Experience articles are cited less frequently than the average, especially in Cardiovascular, Radiology and Ophthalmology journals.
Treetrimmer: a method for phylogenetic dataset size reduction
Authors: Maruyama Shinichiro , Eveleigh Robert JM , Archibald John M
Published: April 2013

Background

With rapid advances in genome sequencing and bioinformatics, it is now possible to generate phylogenetic trees containing thousands of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from a wide range of organisms. However, use of rigorous tree-building methods on such large datasets is prohibitive and manual ‘pruning’ of sequence alignments is time consuming and raises concerns over reproducibility. There is a need for bioinformatic tools with which to objectively carry out such pruning procedures.

Findings

Here we present ‘TreeTrimmer’, a bioinformatics procedure that removes unnecessary redundancy in large phylogenetic datasets, alleviating the size effect on more rigorous downstream analyses. The method identifies and removes user-defined ‘redundant’ sequences, e.g., orthologous sequences from closely related organisms and ‘recently’ evolved lineage-specific paralogs. Representative OTUs are retained for more rigorous re-analysis.

Conclusions

TreeTrimmer reduces the OTU density of phylogenetic trees without sacrificing taxonomic diversity while retaining the original tree topology, thereby speeding up downstream computer-intensive analyses, e.g., Bayesian and maximum likelihood tree reconstructions, in a reproducible fashion.
No evidence for PALB2 methylation in high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Mikeska Thomas , Alsop Kathryn ,   Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group, Mitchell Gillian , Bowtell David DL , Dobrovic Alexander
Published: April 2013

Background

High-grade serous ovarian cancers are a distinct histological subtype of ovarian cancer often characterised by a dysfunctional BRCA/Fanconi anaemia (BRCA/FA) pathway, which is critical to the homologous recombination DNA repair machinery. An impaired BRCA/FA pathway sensitises tumours to the treatment with DNA cross-linking agents and to PARP inhibitors. The vast majority of inactivating mutations in the BRCA/FA pathway are in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and occur predominantly in high-grade serous cancer. Another member of the BRCA/FA pathway, PALB2 (FANCN), was reported to have been inactivated by DNA methylation in some sporadic ovarian cancers. We therefore sought to investigate the role of PALB2 methylation in high-grade serous ovarian cancers.

Finding

PALB2 methylation was investigated in 92 high-grade serous ovarian cancer samples using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting analysis. DNA methylation of PALB2 was not detected in any of the ovarian cancer samples investigated.

Conclusion

Epigenetic silencing by DNA methylation of PALB2 is not a common event in high-grade serous ovarian cancers.
Novel muscle and connective tissue design enables high extensibility and controls engulfment volume in lunge-feeding rorqual whales
Authors: Shadwick Robert E. , Goldbogen Jeremy A. , Potvin Jean , Pyenson Nicholas D. , Vogl Wayne
Published: April 2013

Muscle serves a wide variety of mechanical functions during animal feeding and locomotion, but the performance of this tissue is limited by how far it can be extended. In rorqual whales, feeding and locomotion are integrated in a dynamic process called lunge-feeding where an enormous volume of prey-laden water is engulfed into a capacious ventral oropharyngeal cavity that is bounded superficially by skeletal muscle and ventral grooved blubber (VGB). The great expansion of the cavity wall presents a mechanical challenge for the physiological limits of skeletal muscle, yet its role is considered fundamental in controlling the flux of water into the mouth. Our analyses of the functional properties and mechanical behavior of VGB muscles revealed a crimped microstructure in an unstrained, non-feeding state that is arranged in parallel with dense and straight elastin fibers. This allows the muscles to accommodate large tissue deformations of the VGB yet still operate within the known strain limits of vertebrate skeletal muscle. VGB transverse strains in routine-feeding rorquals were substantially less than those observed in dead ones, where decomposition gas stretched the VGB to its elastic limit, evidence supporting the idea that eccentric muscle contraction modulates the rate of expansion and ultimate size of the ventral cavity during engulfment.
Retrospective analysis of outcome of women with breast or gynaecological cancer in the intensive care unit
Authors: Ostermann Marlies , Raimundo Mario , Williams Anna , Whiteley Craig , Beale Richard
Published: April 2013

Summary

Objectives

Advances in oncological care have led to improved short and long-term outcomes of female patients with breast and gynecological cancer but little is known about their prognosis when admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Our aim was to describe the epidemiology of patients with women's cancer in ICU.

Design

Retrospective analysis of data of patients with breast and gynecological cancer in ICU between February 2004 and July 2008.

Setting

ICU in a tertiary referral centre in London.

Participants

Nineteen critically ill women with breast or gynaecological cancer.

Main outcome measures

ICU and six-month outcome.

Results

Eleven women had breast cancer and eight patients had gynaecological cancer. Twelve patients were known to have metastatic disease. The main reasons for admission to ICU were sepsis (94.7%), respiratory failure (36.8%) and need for vasoactive support (26.3%). ICU mortality was 31.6%. There was no difference in age and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score on admission to ICU between ICU survivors and non-survivors. During their stay in ICU, non-survivors had significantly more organ failure. Six-month mortality was 68.4%. Four patients had >1 admission to ICU.

Conclusions

ICU outcome of critically ill women with breast or gynaecological cancer was similar to that of other non-cancer patient cohorts but six-month mortality was significantly higher. The decision to admit patients with women's cancer to the ICU should depend on the severity of the acute illness rather than factors related to the underlying malignancy. More research is needed to explore the outcome of patients with women's cancer after discharge from ICU.
Views on the nature of chronic fatigue syndrome: content analysis
Authors: Hossenbaccus Zahra , White Peter D
Published: April 2013

Summary

Objectives

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), has provoked much controversy and led to arguments between the medical profession and patient organizations. A particular focus for debate is the categorization of the condition as physical or psychological in its nature. The aim of this study was to compare how the written media, patient organizations and medical authorities regard the illness.

Design

Content analysis of newspaper articles, ME patient organization websites, and medical websites and textbooks were assessed by two independent assessors.

Setting

Three national UK newspapers, UK ME websites, and UK medical websites and textbooks, were accessed during 2010.

Participants

146 source files were scored from 36 patients’ organizations, 72 media articles and 38 medical authorities.

Main outcome measured

The overall opinion of an article or website was rated using a five point Likert scale, from ‘extremely psychological’ (scored as 1), ‘moderately psychological’ (2), ‘both psychological and physical’ (3), ‘moderately physical’ (4) or ‘extremely physical’ (5).

Results

Eighty-nine percent (32 of 36) of ME patient organizations considered the illness to be physical, compared with 58% (42/72) of newspaper articles, and 24% (9/38) of medical authorities. Sixty-three percent (24/38) of medical authorities regarded the illness as both physical and psychological. The inter-group differences of the Likert scores were statistically significant ($cH 2 = 27.37, 2 df, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The considerable disagreement, particularly between ME patient organizations and medical authorities, may help to explain the gulf in understanding between doctors and patients and the consequent reluctance of some patients to engage in behavioural treatments.
Coherent Combining of a 1.26-kW Fiber Amplifier
Authors: McNaught Stuart J. , Rothenberg Joshua E. , Thielen Peter A. , Wickham Michael G. , Weber Mark E. , Goodno Gregory D.
Published: April 2013

A 1.26-kW, multi-stage Yb fiber MOPA was coherently combined using active polarization and phase control with 94% visibility to a second fiber amplifier, consistent with estimated decoherence effects from fiber nonlinearity, linewidth, and phasing accuracy.
Diffraction-limited operation from multimode and multi-core fibers using active digital holography precompensation
Authors: Paurisse M. , Hanna M. , Druon F. , Georges P. , Bellanger C. , Brignon A. , Huignard J. P.
Published: April 2013

We demonstrate beam pre-compensation shaping using digital holography allowing diffraction limited operation out of a multimode LMA fiber and a multi-core fiber in CW and pulsed regime.
Inband pumped Er:Lu2O3 and Er,Yb:YVO4 Lasers near 1.6 μm for CO2 LIDAR
Authors: Brandt C. , Tolstik N.A. , Kuleshov N.V. , Petermann K. , Huber G.
Published: April 2013

Er:Lu2O3 and (Er,Yb):YVO4 provide suitable spectra for CO2-LIDAR systems around 1.6μm. First inband pumped laser experiments show output powers up to 1.26W and slope efficiencies of up to 48% with respect to absorbed pump power.
Estimation of Gain Bandwidth Limitation of Short Pulse Duration Based on Competition of Gain Saturation
Authors: Tokurakawa M. , Shirakawa A. , Ueda K.
Published: April 2013

We show the gain bandwidth limitation of the short pulse duration by time independent rate equations including the reabsorption effect, laser mode diameters and wavelength integration parts. The necessary conditions for mode-locked operation are obtained.
Power scaling of a compact and efficient blue diode pumped solid state laser emitting green light
Authors: Strotkamp Michael , Schwarz Thomas , Jungbluth Bernd
Published: April 2013

A green, efficient bDPSSL for use in digital projectors has been developed. The use of Pr:YLF in an extremely short resonator and the power scaling with new pump diodes is shown.
Stable half-watt 355 nm generation with PPMgSLT
Authors: Hirohashi J. , Fukui T. , Furukawa Y.
Published: April 2013

A half-watt of 355nm laser is achieved from PPMgSLT by sum-frequency generation of fundamental and second harmonic of pulsed Nd: YVO4 laser. Over 24 hours stable generation was confirmed.
Pulse Quality Improvement in Nonlinear Fiber-Amplifiers by Using Circularly Polarized Light
Authors: Seise Enrico , Schimpf Damian N. , Eidam Tino , Hädrich Steffen , Limpert Jens , Tünnermann Andreas
Published: April 2013

We experimentally present the advantage of using circularly polarized light during laser amplification to reduce the accumulated Kerr-nonlinearity.The theoretical value of 2/3 for the reduction of the B-integral is verified in a fiber CPA-system. The demonstrated technique is very attractive since it can be employed in nearly all kind of ultrafast laser systems to scale their performance, when they are limited by Kerr-nonlinearity.
Pump-seed synchronization measurements for high-power short-pulse pumped few-cycle OPCPA system
Authors: Ahmad Izhar , Klingebiel Sandro , Skrobol Christoph , Wandt Christoph , Trushin Sergei , Major Zsuzsanna , Krausz Ferenc , Karsch Stefan
Published: April 2013

We present the development of an optically synchronized frontend of a high-power short-pulse pumped few-cycle OPCPA system and single shot pump-seed timing jitter measurements at the position of its first OPCPA stage.
Single-frequency narrow-linewidth 2μm fiber laser using Tm-doped silicate glass fiber
Authors: Geng Jihong , Wang Qing , Luo Tao , Jiang Shibin , Amzajerdian Farzin
Published: April 2013

Single-frequency laser operation near 2μm has been demonstrated in an all-fiber DBR cavity using both cladding- and core-pump configurations in newly developed heavily Tm-doped silicate fiber with laser linewidth as narrow as 3 kHz.
Semiconductor Q-switched, Short-Pulse, High-Power, MHz-Rate Laser
Authors: Dergachev Alex , Moulton Peter F. , Petrich Gale S. , Kolodziejski Leslie A. , Kärtner Franz X.
Published: April 2013

We report a 0.8-5.0 ns-width, 0.1-2 MHz-rate Nd-MOPA laser passively Q-switched with a semiconductor saturable Bragg reflector producing 7.5 W of average power at 532 nm in a diffraction limited beam.
Spatio-temporal behaviour of fs laser pulses in a freely suspended silica glass nanoweb
Authors: Kreuzer C. , Podlipensky A. , Russell P. St. J.
Published: April 2013

The spatio-temporal propagation of fs laser pulses is studied in an optical fibre containing a freely suspended silica nanoweb. Self-focusing leads to beam collapse, resulting in the creation of damage tracks.
Gigawatt peak power - 35 fs pulses delivered by fiber amplifier pumped OPCPA system
Authors: Rothhardt J. , Hädrich S. , Gottschall T. , Clausnitzer T. , Limpert J. , Tünnermann A.
Published: April 2013

We report on an OPCPA system, which is seeded by a broadband Ti:Sa oscillator. and pumped by a frequency doubled high power picosecond Yb fiber amplifier. Temporal synchronized seed pulses within the Yb gain bandwidth are generated in a photonic crystal fiber. Fiber Bragg gratings spliced to the preamplifiers act as spectral filters to generate 100 ps long pulses. A two- stage birefringent pulse shaper is implemented to create a flat-top temporal pump pulse profile. Direct amplification of these pulses in large mode area fibers without using a stretcher and compressor provides significantly reduced complexity. The parametric amplifier is based on two BBO crystals. It delivers 35 fs, 53 µJ pulses corresponding to 1.1 GW peak power at 40 kHz repetition rate.
Generation of 2-kHz, 40-mJ Picosecond Pulses from a Cryogenic Yb:YAG Chirped-Pulse Amplifier for OPCPA Pumping
Authors: Hong Kyung-Han , Gopinath Juliet , Rand Darren , Siddiqui Aleem , Huang Shu-Wei , Li Enbang , Eggleton Benjamin , Hybl John , Fan Tso Yee , Kartner Franz X.
Published: April 2013

A 2-kHz, 40-mJ picosecond laser system based on chirped-pulse amplification with cryogenic Yb:YAG is demonstrated. 6.5-mJ, ~15-ps pulses with ~0.3% rms energy-stability are obtained from a regenerative amplifier and amplified to 80-W average power.
Few-cycle OPCPA system at 143 kHz with more than 1 μJ of pulse energy
Authors: Schultze Marcel , Binhammer Thomas , Steinmann Andy , Palmer Guido , Emons Moritz , Morgner Uwe
Published: April 2013

An OPCPA system delivering 8.8 fs pulses with 1.3 μJ of energy at 143 kHz repetition rate is presented. Pump and seed for the parametric amplification are simultaneously generated by a broadband Ti:sapphire oscillator.
20-fs 1.6-mJ Pulses from a cw-Diode-Pumped Single-Stage 1-kHz Yb Amplifier
Authors: Andriukaitis Giedrius , Kartashov Daniil , Pugžlys Audrius , Lorenc Dušan , Baltuška Andrius , Giniünas Linas , Danielius Romualdas , Ilday Ömer F.
Published: April 2013

200-fs 2.5-mJ pulses from a fiber-oscillator-seeded DPSS Yb:CaF2 MOPA are spectrally broadened in Ar and recompressed to 20 fs using a pair of LAK14 prisms. Multi millijoule 12-fs pulses are feasible upon higher-order spectral phase correction.
Highly-efficient, widely-tunable, mid-IR Cr:ZnS and Cr:ZnSe CW lasers pumped by 1685 nm InP laser diode
Authors: Moskalev Igor S. , Fedorov Vladimir V. , Mirov Sergey B.
Published: April 2013

We demonstrate compact, highly-efficient, widely-tunable, CW Cr2+:ZnSe and Cr2+:ZnS lasers (35% and 44% slope efficiencies, 2200-2650 nm, and 2100-2650 nm tuning ranges, respectively) pumped by a single-emitter 1.5 W 1685 nm InP semiconductor laser diode.
High-Efficiency 532-nm Generation with PPSLT
Authors: Pati Bhabana , Wall Kevin F. , Moulton Peter F.
Published: April 2013

We report 62% and 56% SHG conversion efficiency in generating 532-nm using MgO-doped and undoped PPSLT crystals, respectively. We compare SHG obtained using both materials and discuss their suitability for the generation of Watt-level green-radiation.
High Efficiency, High Power 2.097-μm Ho:YAG Laser
Authors: Mu Xiaodong , Meissner Helmuth E. , Lee Huai-Chuan
Published: April 2013

Maximum power of 18.6 W has been measured at pump power of 23.7 W in Tm:fiber laser pumped adhesive-free bonded YAG/Ho:YAG/YAG composite. The corresponding slope efficiency is over 81% for both cw and Q-switched operations.
Optical Parametric Oscillations in Walk-off Compensated Adhesive-Free Bond KTP Composites
Authors: Mu Xiaodong , Meissner Helmuth E. , Lee Huai-Chuan
Published: April 2013

Quasi-noncritical phase-matched and quasi-phase-matched 2-µm optical parametric oscillations have been demonstrated and characterized in adhesive-free bonded multilayer walk-off compensated KTP composites with low pulse energy 1.064-µm pump laser.
Continuous-wave laser operation of Tm and Ho co-doped NaY(WO4)2 and NaLu(WO4)2 crystals
Authors: Han X. , Serrano M. D. , Cano-Torres J. M. , Zaldo C. , Fusari F. , Lagatsky A. A. , Brown C. T. A. , Sibbett W.
Published: April 2013

Spectroscopy and continuous-wave laser operation of Tm,Ho co-doped NaY(WO4)2 and NaLu(WO4)2 crystals are reported. A tunability range of 1830-2080nm is demonstrated with a maximum output power up to 290mW at around 2040nm during room-temperature operation.
Q-Switched Ho:YAG laser intracavity side-pumped by a diode-pumped Tm:YLF Slab Laser
Authors: Schellhorn M. , von Salisch M. , Ibach T.
Published: April 2013

We observed stable Q-switch operation from a Ho:YAG laser based on intracavity side-pumping by a Tm:YLF slab laser. At 400 Hz pulse energies of 1.6 mJ were obtained with pulse durations of 160 ns.
Development of Anisotropic Transparent Ceramics for Laser Media
Authors: Akiyama J. , Taira T.
Published: April 2013

Rare earth doped anisotropic transparent ceramics with oriented micro-domain structure have been developed by means of advanced electromagnetic processing. The cavity loss of Nd:FAP ceramics was significantly improved from α=3.54cm−1 (previous report) to 1.14cm−1.
Extreme Form Factor Imagers
Authors: Ford Joseph E. , Tremblay Eric J.
Published: April 2013

Optical design for imagers is always a problem in constrained optimization, where the application provides both optical performance as well as the typically conflicting constraints on the system cost and/or physical footprint. Here we review work on several imaging systems where the physical shape of the imager has been a dominant factor in the optical system design, including a narrow imager and light source in a laryngoscope for neonatal infants as well as a number of extremely thin imagers based on the concentric folded lens geometry.
A Review of Some Recent Work in the Area of Imaging and Optical Signal Processing
Authors: Sheridan John T.
Published: April 2013

A concise review is presented of research recently carried out within our research group. Topics discussed include: (i) Imaging through turbulent media using Lucky Imaging combined with synthetic apertures; (ii) Numerical algorithms and simulation of quadratic phases systems, i.e. the Fast Linear Canonical Transform, appropriate sampling, aliasing and the Wigner Distribution Function; (iii) Controlling speckle in such optical systems and speckle based metrology; (iv) Digital holographic systems and their application; and (v) Optical encryption and multiplexing.
Rejecting Out-of-focus Attenuation
Authors: Dillon Keith , Fainman Yeshaiahu
Published: April 2013

We consider the confocal microscope for samples where there is predominantly attenuation. We derive a computational detection approach for rejection of attenuation away from the focal point which we compare to the conventional method.
Applications of cw Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy to the Study of Trace Atmospheric Constituents
Authors: Grilli R. , Mellon D. , Kim J. , Aziz M.S.I. , Hamilton D. , Orr-Ewing A.J.
Published: April 2013

Diode laser cavity ring-down spectroscopy is a versatile method for quantitative determination of trace atmospheric constituents. Examples include measurement of mixing ratios of small organic compounds, isotopologue-specific spectroscopy, and optical extinction by atmospheric aerosol particles.
Broadband cavity enhanced trace sensing using supercontinuum light sources
Authors: Laurila Toni , Watt Rosalynne S. , Kaminski Clemens F.
Published: April 2013

Broadband multi-species detection at low concentrations in the gas and liquid phase has been achieved by coupling supercontinuum radiation and cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy.
A widely tunable cw mid-infrared spectrometer based on difference frequency generation in orientation-patterned GaAs
Authors: Geiser P. , Vasilyev S. , Bohman A. , Zhang Z. , Nevsky A. , Schiller S. , Ibsen M. , Clarkson W.A. , Grisard A. , Faye D. , Lallier E. , Kaspersen P.
Published: April 2013

A widely tunable difference frequency generation based mid-infrared spectrometer for the detection of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4) above 7 μm has been developed for industrial applications.
Fiber-Coupled Picosecond Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) Spectroscopy
Authors: Hsu Paul S. , Patnaik Anil K. , Gord James R. , Roy Sukesh , Kulatiaka Waruna D. , Meyer Terrence R.
Published: April 2013

A proof-of-principle fiber-coupled ps-CARS using multimode step-index fiber is designed and demonstrated for high-temperature gas-phase thermometry in flame. The impact of fiber propagation on the delivered beam and resultant effect on CARS signal is investigated.
Linear and Nonlinear Optical Methods for Multi-Gas and Multi-Parameter Sensing
Authors: Ewart P. , Williams B. , Arita Y. , Hamilton M. , Ritchie G. A. D.
Published: April 2013

Linear multi-mode absorption spectroscopy, MUMAS, enhanced by wavelength modulation and cavity methods for simultaneous detection of multiple transitions is reported. Nonlinear laser induced gratings are shown to provide measurements of multiple parameters relevant to combustion.
A New Raman Spectra Analyzer to Measure Isotope Ratios with high Spectral Resolution
Authors: Fink Manfred , Varghese Philip , Borysow Jacek
Published: April 2013

A novel Raman spectral analyzer is presented which measures the concentrations of dilute species with high resolutions (0.3 cm−1), high sensitivity (0.1 Pa) within minutes. Examples are: standard mixtures, breathalyzers, and aqueous dissolved gases.
High Precision Trace Gas Measurements with Quantum Cascade Laser Spectroscopic Instruments
Authors: McManus J. B. , Zahniser M. S. , Nelson D. D. , Shorter J. H. , Wehr R. A. , Santoni G. W. , Lee B. H.
Published: April 2013

Newly developed quantum cascade laser spectroscopic instrumentation allows high precision measurements of atmospheric trace gases, including measurements of small fractional (<10−3) changes in stable gases (e.g. N2O), and isotopic ratios (e.g. 13CO2/12CO2, 13CH4/12CH4).
Real-time diagnostics in exhaust plumes, flames, and the atmosphere using an intra-pulse quantum cascade laser spectrometer
Authors: Duxbury Geoffrey , Hay Kenneth G. , Black Paul , Langford Nigel
Published: April 2013

Quantitative measurements of real-time variations of the chemical composition of a jet engine plume, laminar flame and ambient atmosphere are demonstrated using 5 and 8 µm intra-pulse quantum cascade laser spectrometers
In-Situ Laser Diagnostics of Temperature, Intermediate Species Concentration and Particle Sizes in Gas-Phase Nanoparticle Synthesis
Authors: Hecht C. , Yang H. , Dreier T. , Schulz C.
Published: April 2013

The development of gas-phase synthesis strategies for specific nanoparticles requires detailed knowledge about the conditions along the path of precursor decomposition, particle inception, and growth. Laser-induced fluorescence and NIR absorption provide crucial data for understanding and simulating these processes.
Standoff Detection of Vapor and Trace Amounts of Explosives by Raman Technique
Authors: Östmark Henric , Wallin Sara , Pettersson Anna , Ehlerding Anneli , Johansson Ida , Nordberg Markus
Published: April 2013

Standoff detection and identification is one of the most wanted capabilities while it is also one of the largest technical challenges. The large distances required pose several physical difficulties: The intensity of the return light decreases inversely with the distance squared, absorption losses in air (wavelength dependent) and scattering losses in air (wavelength dependent). The technologies with best potential for being fast, selective, sensitive, able to detect and identify many substances and upgradeable to new threats are laser based spectrometric methods for trace detection. One of the detection methods that are anticipated to meet the requirements for explosives standoff detection is Raman spectroscopy. Research and development of Raman spectroscopy based standoff detection technologies performed at FOI over the last few years include detection and identification of bulk as well as trace amounts of explosives. Some examples of results are given in this presentation.
Mid-Infrared Laser Source for Long-Range Range-Resolved Remote Monitoring of CO2
Authors: Berg Trenton J. , Roos Peter A.
Published: April 2013

We report a sub-10-ns, > 1 mJ mid-infrared laser at 2.0 μm for remote sensing and range resolved concentration mappings of carbon dioxide. The source will enable meter-level CO2 measurements from 100-meter distances.
Simulating an Airborne Lidar Bathymetry (ALB) System
Authors: Pe’eri Shachak , Kumar Amaresh M. V. , Calder Brian R.
Published: April 2013

This study’s focus is on the horizontal and vertical uncertainties associated with ALB measurements due to scattering through the water column. A lidar simulator was constructed and we present its design and preliminary results.
Using hyperspectral vegetation indices as a proxy to monitor soil salinity
Authors: Zhang Ting-Ting
Published: April 2013

For monitoring soil salinity, the potential of various hyperspectral vegetation indices were investigated. Furthermore, the most sensitive band combinations to salt-stress were identified and developed into a satisfied and specific salinity index for heterogeneous vegetation.
Flatcon® Concentrator Photovoltaic Modules – Design principles and Field Experience
Authors: Gombert Andreas
Published: April 2013

The FLATCON® concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology is presented. The first system in the US was installed in 2009 and shows an AC power efficiency of 25% and an AC energy efficiency of 22%.
Direct and Inverse Methods of Characterization of Solar Concentrators
Authors: Parretta A. , Martinelli G. , Antonini A. , Vincenzi D. , Privato C.
Published: April 2013

We discuss two classes of methods for characterizing solar concentrators (mainly nonimaging): “direct” and “inverse”, in relation to the way these are irradiated. We derive the optical collection efficiency under collimated and diffused light.
SCOTS: A Fast, Inexpensive Test of Solar Concentrators
Authors: Parks Robert E. , Su Peng
Published: April 2013

The Software Configurable Optical Test System (SCOTS) is a simple, inexpensive yet highly flexible optical test configurable for almost any specular surface. It consists of a computer generated, patterned display and a digital imaging detector. The test is particularly well suited for the testing of solar concentrators.
Dual Aperture Holographic Planar Concentrator Photovoltaic Module Energy Harvesting Performance
Authors: Russo Juan Manuel , Castillo Jose , Rosenberg Glenn
Published: April 2013

Dual aperture holographic planar concentrator modules are compared to single aperture modules. Direct-current IV and alternating-current power curves are presented and used to compare modules with similar silicon active area and cell efficiency.
Planar Holographic Solar Concentrators for Low and Medium Ratio Concentration System
Authors: Castro Jose M , Zhang Deming , Kostuk Raymond K.
Published: April 2013

We analyze two planar holographic solar concentrator designs for low and medium concentration ratio applications. This type of solar concentrators can provide concentration and spectral filtering in a small form factor concentrator configuration.
Chromatic Aberration and Attenuation Properties of Water-based Rod Optical Waveguides for use in Hybrid Solar Energy Systems
Authors: Shepard Scott
Published: April 2013

We analyze a variety of optical filtering technologies and find that water-based rod waveguides can provide a cost effective alternative to the use of optical fiber for improving the performance of hybrid photovoltaic/solar-thermal systems.
Design, Assembly, and Testing of a Spectral Splitting Solar Concentrator Module
Authors: Christensen Eric , Moore Duncan , Schmidt Greg , Unger Blair
Published: April 2013

This paper describes the design, assembly, and testing of a concentrating photovoltaic module which uses spectral splitting to achieve high system power efficiency. An efficiency of 37.5% was measured on a prototype module.
Novel Organic Solar Cell Design Towards an Optical Control of the Exciton Diffusion Length
Authors: Betancur Rafael , Elias Xavier , Pasini Saverio , Vuong Luat T. , Macovez Roberto , Martorell Jordi
Published: April 2013

The exciton diffusion could be increased if highly fluorescent materials were used. We developed a kind of such material and studied the performance of solar cells where the electrodes form a cavity for fluorescence control.
Twentieth-Century Length: The Origins, Use, and Formalization of Electromagnetic Standards
Authors: Kershaw Michael
Published: April 2013

There was a fundamental change in our standards of length during the twentieth century, as the metal bars that had served for so long gave way to standards based on the wavelength, and then velocity, of light. This article describes those changes with particular emphasis on the standards-in-use of practitioners at the frontier of precision: spectroscopists, industrialists, geodesists, and astronomers. It reveals a multiplicity of de facto standards that supported their various innovations in practical electromagnetic measurement techniques. These de facto standards often came before, and guided the adoption of, the more visible new de jure standards that have been the subject of greater historical attention. I also offer a new explanation of the processes of change in our standards of length, based not simply on the search for better precision but more on concepts of mutual grounding and coherence.
Fracture behavior of heat treated liquid crystalline polymers
Authors: Reyes-Mayer A. , Alvarado-Tenorio B , Romo-Uribe A , Flores O , Campillo B , Jaffe M
Published: April 2013

Thermotropic polymers are thermally treated in air at temperatures Ta, where ΔT =Ta- Ts→n=40°C, and Ts→n is the solid-to-nematic transition. Samples are extruded thin films of a series of thermotropic random copolyesters termed B-N, COTBP and RD1000. The thermal treatment produces a second endotherm without changing Ts→n for B-N and RD1000. However, for COTBP Ts→n is significantly increased. Regardless of the complex thermal behavior exhibited by the thermotropes, the thermal treatment produces a significant increase in Young's modulus, more than 30% for B-N and over 100% for COTBP. The increase in mechanical modulus is correlated with a thermally-induced fiber-like morphology.
American Society of Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire 2012
Authors: Palmer Biff F. , Glassock Richard J. , Bleyer Anthony J.
Published: April 2013

Presentation of the Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire has become an annual tradition at the meetings of the American Society of Nephrology. It is a very popular session judged by consistently large attendance. Members of the audience test their knowledge and judgment on a series of case-oriented questions prepared and discussed by experts. They can also compare their answers in real time, using audience response devices, with the answers of program directors of nephrology training programs in the United States acquired through an Internet-based questionnaire. Topics presented here include fluid and electrolyte disorders, transplantation, and ESRD and dialysis. Cases representing each of these categories along with single best answer questions were prepared by a panel of experts (B.F.P. and Drs. Fervenza, Brennan, and Mehrotra, respectively). The correct and incorrect answers then were briefly discussed after the audience responses, and the results of the questionnaire were displayed. This article tries to recapitulate the session and reproduce its educational value for a larger audience—the readers of CJASN.
Psychometric Properties and Practicability of the Self-Report Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire in Patients With Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction Seeking Outpatient Rehabilitation
Authors: Wang Ying-Chih , Hart Dennis L. , Deutscher Daniel , Yen Sheng-Che , Mioduski Jerome E.
Published: April 2013

Background

Pelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD) affects a substantial proportion of individuals, mostly women. In responding to the demands in measuring PFD outcomes in outpatient rehabilitation, the Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire (UIQ) was developed by FOTO in collaboration with an experienced physical therapist who has a specialty in treating patients with PFD.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties and practicability of the 21-item UIQ in patients seeking outpatient physical therapy services due to PFD.

Design

This was a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from 1,628 patients (mean age=53 years, SD=16, range=18–91) being treated for their PFD in 91 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 24 states (United States).

Methods

Using a 2-parameter logistic item response theory (IRT) procedure and the graded response model, the UIQ was assessed for unidimensionality and local independence, differential item functioning (DIF), discriminating ability, item hierarchical structure, and test precision.

Results

Four items were dropped to improve unidimensionality and discriminating ability. Remaining UIQ items met IRT assumptions of unidimensionality and local independence. One item was adjusted for DIF by age group. Item difficulties were suitable for patients with PFD with no ceiling or floor effect. Item difficulty parameters ranged from −2.20 to 0.39 logits. Endorsed items representing highest difficulty levels were related to control urine flow, impact of leaking urine on life, and confidence to control the urine leakage problem. Item discrimination parameters ranged from 0.48 to 1.18. Items with higher discriminating abilities were those related to impact on life of leaking urine, confidence to control the urine leakage problem, and the number of protective garments for urine leakage.

Limitations

Because this study was a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data, missing data might have influenced our results.

Conclusions

Preliminary analyses supported sound psychometric properties of the UIQ items and their initial use for patients with PFD in outpatient physical therapy services.
An insider’s view of Alzheimer: cinematic portrayals of the struggle for personhood
Authors: Cohen-Shalev Amir , Marcus Esther-Lee
Published: April 2013

This article looks at three recent films in which a person with dementia is the principal character. These films have been chosen according to the following criteria: representing different stages of dementia (early, moderate and advanced); films where the demented is the protagonist; and films challenging the biomedical view of dementia. Two of the characters are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease: the protagonist of Cortex (2008) is at a moderate stage, the one in Pandora’s Box (2008) is diagnosed when already in advanced stage and the third, the protagonist of Old Cats (2010), while not officially diagnosed, is in early onset of dementia. While the number of dementia films has significantly increased during the past decade, only a few access the subjective world and acknowledge the personhood of people with dementia. Made outside the mainstream film industry, making elaborate use of cinematic image and metaphor, these films, each in its own particular cinematic idiom, succeed in conveying the psychological, social and spiritual realities of dementia as they are experienced from within the protagonist’s psyche. While not denying the often bleak and painful aspects of dementia, these recent productions go against the grain, inspiring a complex, richly nuanced picture of dementia that centres around the protagonist’s stubbornly courageous struggle to forge a meaningful existence even in the direst of circumstances. These films, we believe, offer a richer and profound understating of the human aspects embedded in the phenomena of dementia.
An Allosteric Modulator of the Adenosine A1 Receptor Improves Cardiac Function Following Ischaemia in Murine Isolated Hearts
Authors: Butcher Anna , Scammells Peter , White Paul , Devine Shane , Rose'Meyer Roselyn
Published: April 2013

The effect of an allosteric modulator of the adenosine A1 receptors was investigated using an ischaemia-reperfusion protocol in murine isolated hearts. Isolated hearts were perfused with Kreb-Henseleit solution gassed with carbogen gas (95% O2 and 5% CO2) in Langendorff mode and electrically paced at 480 bpm. Following 20 min equilibration and 20 min global normothermic ischaemia, the allosteric modulator VCP333 (1 μM) or the adenosine A1 receptor partial agonist VCP102 (10 μM) were infused after 5 min of reperfusion for 15 min. Upon termination of the drug treatment, reperfusion continued for a further 40 min. At the end of 60 min reperfusion, treatment with VCP333 or VCP102 improved the recovery of the left ventricular developed pressure when compared to control group responses (p < 0.05). Neither compound affected end diastolic pressure, coronary flow rates or dP/dtmax values when compared to control tissues during reperfusion (p > 0.05). The infusion of VCP102 or VCP333 during reperfusion reduced cardiac troponin I efflux to 6.7% and 25% respectively of control heart efflux (p < 0.05). This data indicates that the allosteric modulator of the adenosine A1 receptor (VCP333) has similar characteristics to the adenosine receptor partial agonist VCP102 as it improves cardiac function and reduces myocardial cell death following an ischaemic episode.
Des travaux dans les rizières. À propos des modèles en terre cuite des Jin orientaux découverts dans le Guangdong à Zhaoqing
Authors: Watabe Takeshi
Published: April 2013

With regards to farming in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), in some cases harrowing and soil compacting were associated with ploughing. Dry farming is fully described in the agricultural manual Qimin yaoshu (6th century AD). However, its first developments may have occurred during the Han. Moreover, the dry farming method was applied in the paddy fields of the Jiangnan and Lingnan areas following the movement of population from northern China. The models of reservoirs and paddy fields deposited in the tombs of the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) periods are evidence of this major technical change. During that period, the chaoba (vertical harrow) was invented in the areas covered by paddy fields.
Clivage régional et métissage culturel : à propos d'une tombe des Qi septentrionaux
Authors: Elisseeff Danielle
Published: April 2013

Xu Xianqiu était un général de l'armée des Bei Qi, au Shanxi. Quand il mourut (571), on l'enterra dans une belle tombe, bâtie de briques, avec chambre et corridor dont les murs étaient couverts de peintures animées. À première vue, ces peintures ressemblent beaucoup à celles que l'on trouve dans les mausolées impériaux du milieu des Tang, que caractérisent leurs lignes fermes et, surtout, le fait que les personnages occupent l'ensemble du support, sans laisser place aussi, à d'autres thèmes, comme le paysage, relativement courant dès le Ve siècle dans les provinces de l'est et du sud de la grande Plaine. Or la tombe de Xu Xianxiu et ses peintures sont de quelque 150 ans antérieures à celles des Tang. Ce fait confirme que les peintres des Tang n'ont pas créé le style de peinture de personnages dont on leur attribue l'invention, mais qu'ils l'ont adapté d'un modèle antérieur, existant en Chine du Nord. Une étude enfin des thèmes iconographiques présents dans la tombe suggère d'autre part que les femmes, aussi bien que les hommes, bénéficiaient, à l'époque des dynasties du Sud et du Nord, de la représentation d'un très beau cheval et d'un chariot tiré par un bœuf - les deux animaux marquant la position sociale élevée du défunt. Enfin la confrontation de plusieurs tombes du VIe siècle avec les tombes impériales du milieu des Tang évoquées plus haut permet de suggérer que le cortège - dont on pourrait se demander s'il entre ou s'il sort de la tombe - se dirige effectivement vers la sortie, après avoir amené le ou les défunts (s'il s'agit d'un couple) dans leur dernière demeure, où il les laisse en se hâtant vers la terre des vivants.
Note sur les céramiques à double paroi en Chine et dans le monde musulman
Authors: Wenkuan Ma
Published: April 2013

Cette note a pour but de montrer l'existence tant en Chine que dans le monde islamique de certaines céramiques composées de deux parois. La présence de ces deux parois a pu être fonctionnelle ou décorative. Mais en Chine, les premiers exemples sont très anciens puisqu'ils remontent au Néolithique tandis que le phénomène en terre d'Islam fut très localisé, en Iran uniquement, et dura peu de temps, de la fin du XIIe siècle à la première moitié du XIIIe siècle, hormis deux exemples du Xe siècle.
La compagnie cinématographique Lianhua et le cinéma progressiste chinois, 1931-1937
Authors: Kerlan-Stephens Anne , Quiquemelle Marie-Claire
Published: April 2013

La compagnie cinématographique Lianhua fut, entre la date de sa création en 1930 et sa disparition en 1937, une des plus importantes compagnies cinématographiques de Chine. Ses producteurs, scénaristes, réalisateurs et interprètes travaillèrent dans un esprit moderne et tolérant, ouvert aux influences occidentales et fidèle aux idéaux du 4 Mai. Il en résulta une liberté de ton qui explique sans doute que cette compagnie fut par la suite mal aimée par l'historiographie communiste, soucieuse de présenter une histoire du cinéma chinois des années 1930 où dominaient des films dits «de gauche». Cet article se propose, à partir de l'analyse de quelques films de la Lianhua encore existants, de définir ce qui faisait l'originalité des productions de la compagnie. On insiste ainsi sur l'influence du cinéma américain, en particulier du point de vue formel, mais aussi sur l'importance de thématiques récurrentes telles la question de la modernité, le statut des femmes ou encore le rôle de l'éducation. Ces questions furent traitées de diverses manières selon les choix artistiques et les idéaux politiques des réalisateurs ; elles se font toutes cependant le reflet de l'esprit humaniste et progressiste qui régnait à la Lianhua, et qui est celui de l'intelligentsia des années 1930.
THE REGIONS OF SOLVABILITY FOR SOME THREE POINT PROBLEM
Authors: Sergejeva Natalija
Published: April 2013

The solvability results are established for the boundary value problem , where x + = max{x, 0}, x - = max{-x, 0}, h is a bounded nonlinearity. The existence results are based of the knowledge of the spectrum for the problem with h ≡ 0.
QUADRATIC/LINEAR RATIONAL SPLINE INTERPOLATION
Authors: Ideon Erge , Oja Peeter
Published: April 2013

We describe the construction of an interpolating quadratic/linear rational spline S of smoothness class C 2 for a strictly convex (or strictly concave) function y on [a, b]. On uniform mesh x i = a + ih, i = 0,..., n, in the case of sufficiently smooth function y the expansions of S and its derivatives are obtained. They give the superconvergence of order h 4 for the first derivative, of order h 3 for the second derivative and of order h 2for the third derivative of S in certain points. Corresponding numerical examples are given.
MEASUREMENT AND ESTIMATION OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION STRENGTH USING MECHANOMYOGRAPHY BASED ON ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK ALGORITHM
Authors: LEI KIN FONG , CHENG SHIH-CHUNG , LEE MING-YIH , LIN WEN-YEN
Published: April 2013

Muscle contraction strength estimation using mechanomyographic (MMG) signal is typically calculated by the root mean square (RMS) amplitude. Raw MMG signal is processed by rectification, low-pass filtering, and mapping. In this work, beside RMS amplitude, another significant parameter of MMG signal, i.e. frequency variance (VAR), is introduced and used for constructing an algorithm for estimating the muscle contraction strength. Seven participants produced isometric contractions about the elbow while MMG signal and generated torque (resultant of muscle contraction strength) of biceps brachii were recorded. We found that MMG RMS increased monotonously and VAR decreased under incremental voluntary contractions. Based on these results, a two-layer neural network was utilized for the model of estimating the muscle contraction strength from MMG RMS and VAR. Experimental evaluation was performed under constant posture and sinusoidal contractions at 0.5 Hz, 0.25 Hz, 0.125 Hz, and random frequency. The results of the proposed algorithm and MMG RMS linear mapping were also compared. The proposed algorithm has better accuracy than linear mapping for all contraction frequencies. The mean absolute error decreased 6% for the 0.5Hz contraction, 43% for 0.25 Hz contraction, 52% for 0.125 Hz contraction, and 30% for random frequency contraction.
Revenue and Expenditure Nexus: A Case Study of ECOWAS
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo
Published: April 2013

This paper aims to assess the relationship among fiscal variables (government revenue and expenditure) in Sub-Saharan African countries. Using yearly data for the period between 1980 and 2011 in fifteen ECOWAS countries, a weak long-run relationship between government expenditure and revenue emerge, but only in the case of WAMZ countries. Granger causality analysis show mixed results for WAEMU countries, while for four out of six WAMZ countries (Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) the “tax-and-spend” hypothesis holds, since government revenue would drive the expenditure.