bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of the RAND Asthma Control Measure
Authors: Lara Marielena , Edelen Maria Orlando , Eberhart Nicole K. , Stucky Brian D. , Sherbourne Cathy D.
Published: July 2014

Patient-based measures for asthma control are important in assessing the worldwide impact of this highly prevalent chronic illness.

We sought to refine an asthma symptom scale that RAND had previously developed to shorten it and validate it further, as well as reflect updated international expert definitions of asthma control. We conducted rigorous psychometric testing of new and adapted self-administered survey items in a sample of 2032 adults with asthma.

The reliability and preliminary validity of the resulting measure, henceforth referred to as the RAND Asthma Control Measure (RAND-ACM), matched or exceeded that of the original RAND measure and others in the literature. RAND-ACM scores for worse asthma control were significantly associated with worse asthma-related quality of life, increased asthma-related healthcare use, Hispanic ethnicity and lower educational level. Evidence for internal consistency was strong with a Cronbach’s α of 0.84. We also found adequate concordance between the RAND-ACM and the Global Initiative for Asthma categories of “uncontrolled”, “partly controlled” and “controlled” asthma.

The RAND-ACM, a five-item self-reported asthma control survey measure, performs well in a large ethnically-diverse sample of US adults with asthma and provides a cost-free alternative to other asthma control measures currently available.
Existence and approximations of fixed points for contractive mappings of integral type
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Li Xiaozhu , Kang Shin Min
Published: July 2014

The existence, uniqueness, and iterative approximations of fixed points for four classes of contractive mappings of integral type in complete metric spaces are established. The results presented in this paper generalize indeed several results of Branciari (J. Math. Math. Sci. 29(9):531-536, 2002), Rhoades (Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 2003(63):4007-4013, 2003) and Liu et al. (Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2011:64, 2011). Four illustrative examples with uncountably many points are also included.

MSC:54H25.
Sensitivity functions of transient electromagnetic methods
Authors: Christensen Niels B.
Published: July 2014

Any geophysical measurement is a filter through which the distribution of a certain physical parameter in the subsurface is seen, and the sensitivity function is a characteristic of the method that reveals the nature of this filter. Insight into the structural pattern of the sensitivity function pertaining to a certain transmitter-receiver configuration provides the geophysicist with an image that allows an immediate qualitative understanding of the characteristics of the method. The assets and shortcomings of different measuring configurations can be discussed and understood, and the sensitivity function permits qualified predictions about resolution characteristics of new configurations and measuring strategies. I evaluated a rapid and accurate method for calculating 3D sensitivity functions of a homogeneous half-space model for a wide variety of transient electromagnetic configurations using the central loop and an airborne offset loop configuration as examples. Computations of 3D sensitivity functions were performed as convolutions in the time domain between the electric fields from the transmitter and the receiver, had it been used as a transmitter. The 2D and 1D sensitivity functions are found through numerical integration of the 3D functions. Beside offering insight into the resolution capability of the measuring configuration, the sensitivity functions lend themselves to rapid calculations of approximate responses and derivatives in various modeling and inversion strategies.
Quality Measures for Palliative Care in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kamal Arif H. , Gradison Margaret , Maguire Jennifer M. , Taylor Donald , Abernethy Amy P.
Published: July 2014

Within quality measures for palliative care, there is often a focus on symptoms and adverse effects of therapy; little attention is given to other aspects of suffering observed in patients with advanced cancer, such as psychological and social distress.
Evaluating the Quality of Supportive Oncology Using Patient-Reported Data
Authors: Dy Sydney M. , Walling Anne M. , Mack Jennifer W. , Malin Jennifer L. , Pantoja Philip , Lorenz Karl A. , Tisnado Diana M.
Published: July 2014

Quality of care for symptoms measured using patient self-report was higher than when including medical record data.
Changes in the Care of Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer After Audit and Feedback: The Florida Initiative for Quality Cancer Care
Authors: Tanvetyanon Tawee , Lee Ji-Hyun , Fulp William J. , Schreiber Fred , Brown Richard H. , Levine Richard M. , Cartwright Thomas H. , Abesada-Terk Guillermo , Kim George P. , Alemany Carlos , Faig Douglas , Sharp Philip V. , Markham Merry-Jennifer , Malafa Mokenge , Jacobsen Paul B.
Published: July 2014

This study is among the first to report on the use of audit and feedback to improve medical oncology practices specifically for the processes of care in NSCLC. A modest but important improvement was observed between 2006 and 2009.
Colorectal Cancer Survivors' Needs and Preferences for Survivorship Information
Authors: Salz Talya , Baxi Shrujal S. , Blinder Victoria S. , Elkin Elena B. , Kemeny Margaret M. , McCabe Mary S. , Moskowitz Chaya S. , Onstad Erin E. , Saltz Leonard B. , Temple Larissa K.F. , Oeffinger Kevin C.
Published: July 2014

In the absence of a survivorship care plan, colorectal cancer survivors still generally understood their cancer history; however, many lacked knowledge of ongoing risks and prevention.
High Cancer Drug Prices in the United States: Reasons and Proposed Solutions
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop , Steensma David , Rius Sanjuan Judit , Elshaug Adam , Light Donald
Published: July 2014

The increase in drug prices poses questions: Are cancer drug prices too high? Are they hurting patients and our health care system? And can we do something about it? The answer to each is affirmative.
AMEN in Challenging Conversations: Bridging the Gaps Between Faith, Hope, and Medicine
Authors: Cooper Rhonda S. , Ferguson Anna , Bodurtha Joann N. , Smith Thomas J.
Published: July 2014

Health care practitioners face patients and families in desperate situations who say, “We are hoping for a miracle.” Few providers have training in responding to this difficult situation. The authors present a useful tool to negotiate these conversations.
Oncology in the Digital Health Age
Authors: Yu Peter Paul
Published: July 2014

Health information technology is frequently cited as a fundamental driver enabling health care reform. This Perspective reviews the ways ASCO has been engaged in giving form to this vision and its own vision of the role of digital health in accelerating progress against cancer.
Probing the shRNA characteristics that hinder Dicer recognition and consequently allow Ago-mediated processing and AgoshRNA activity
Authors: Herrera-Carrillo Elena , Harwig Alex , Liu Ying Poi , Berkhout Ben
Published: July 2014

Recent evidence indicates the presence of alternative pathways for microRNA (miRNA) and short hairpin (shRNA) processing. Specifically, some of these molecules are refractory to Dicer-mediated processing, which allows alternative processing routes via the Ago2 endonuclease. The resulting RNA molecules differ in size and sequence and will thus trigger the silencing of different target RNAs. It is, therefore, important to understand these processing routes in mechanistic detail such that one can design exclusive RNA reagents for a specific processing route. The exact sh/miRNA properties that determine this routing toward Dicer or Ago2 are incompletely understood. The size of the base-paired stem seems an important determinant, but other RNA elements may contribute as well. In this study, we document the importance of a weak G-U or U-G base pair at the top of the hairpin stem.
Pat1 contributes to the RNA binding activity of the Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex
Authors: Chowdhury Ashis , Kalurupalle Swathi , Tharun Sundaresan
Published: July 2014

A major mRNA decay pathway in eukaryotes is initiated by deadenylation followed by decapping of the oligoadenylated mRNAs and subsequent 5′-to-3′ exonucleolytic degradation of the capless mRNA. In this pathway, decapping is a rate-limiting step that requires the hetero-octameric Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex to occur at normal rates in vivo. This complex is made up of the seven Sm-like proteins, Lsm1 through Lsm7, and the Pat1 protein. It binds RNA and has a unique binding preference for oligoadenylated RNAs over polyadenylated RNAs. Such binding ability is crucial for its mRNA decay function in vivo. In order to determine the contribution of Pat1 to the function of the Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex, we compared the RNA binding properties of the Lsm1-7 complex purified from pat1Δ cells and purified Pat1 fragments with that of the wild-type Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex. Our studies revealed that both the Lsm1-7 complex and purified Pat1 fragments have very low RNA binding activity and are impaired in the ability to recognize the oligo(A) tail on the RNA. However, reconstitution of the Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex from these components restored these abilities. We also observed that Pat1 directly contacts RNA in the context of the Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex. These studies suggest that the unique RNA binding properties and the mRNA decay function of the Lsm1-7–Pat1 complex involve cooperation of residues from both Pat1 and the Lsm1-7 ring. Finally our studies also revealed that the middle domain of Pat1 is essential for the interaction of Pat1 with the Lsm1-7 complex in vivo.
PATTERN FORECASTING OF PERFORMANCE INDICES FOR AIR-AND-SCREEN CLEANER FROM CHAFFING EFFICIENCY RISE
Authors: Yermolyev Yury Ivanovich , Butovchenko Andrey Vladimirovich , Doroshenko Artem Alexandrovich
Published: July 2014

The interrelation of the chaffing process efficiency growth and the air - screen grain - cleaner perfo r mance indices is considered. A mathematical functional model of the air separator and the screen clea n er is described as a closed loop quasi - static system. Agronomical performance indices of the machine are accepted as criteria. Through vari ation of the delivery, technological properties of the basic material and of the c ompleteness of each component sep aration, the rational values of the control factor arguments are revealed, the numerical results of t he grain loss ma gnitude, completeness of the foreign and other grain separation, as well as their content in the puri fied material, are determined. The developed mathematical model of the heterogenic granular medium chaffing allows — through the known parametric and structural synthesis methods — conducting a multivariate analysis of the process and eval uating the air separat or rational parameters for the specified conditions and the restrictions to its performance ind ices. As a result of modeling, a trend of the index variation of the machine performance and their in terrelation is r e vealed. The obtained results have shown a s ignificant increase in productivity and technological parameters of the similar machine performance from the efficiency growth of their air separator.
Differentiation with User-Generated Content
Authors: Zhang Kaifu , Sarvary Miklos
Published: July 2014

This paper studies competition between firms whose “products” (content) are generated by their customers (users). Video sharing sites, social networks, online games, etc. all rely heavily on user-generated content and have been growing significantly in the last decade. We model a Hotelling style market in which consumers have heterogeneous tastes along a circular city. In a first step, we consider two ex ante identical firms whose offerings entirely depend on user-generated content. Consumers contribute content to the firm they join and benefit from the content provided by the others, their valuation being higher the closer the content contributor is to the content consumer (i.e., there are local network effects). In such a setting, we show that ex ante identical firms can acquire differentiated market positions that spontaneously emerge from user-generated content. Moreover, such differentiation may take interesting patterns, wherein a firm simultaneously attracts multiple distinct consumer segments that are isolated from each other. Greater segregation, measured by the number of disjoint segments in each platform, reduces consumer valuation for content, but interestingly, it intensifies firm competition. We show that this insight can help us refine the set of possible equilibria. In a second step, we consider firms that explicitly differentiate their offerings by generating some content on their own. We show that user-generated content may strengthen or defeat firms' intended positioning (i.e., firms attract consumers located opposite to their chosen positions) and consumer surplus may be higher in the latter case. Finally, we allow multihoming by consumers and show that the previous equilibrium patterns remain valid, but in most equilibria, a subset of consumers (located between rival firms' core clienteles) are multihomers. More multihoming consumers imply reduced differentiation and higher degree of platform competition. We relate these findings to anecdotal evidence and explore their strategic implications for competing firms relying on user-generated content.

This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
Intravitreal Dobesilate Treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 12-Months Results
Authors: Cuevas P. , Outeiriño L.A. , Azanza C. , Angulo J. , Giménez-Gallego G.
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the 12-month efficacy and safety of intravitreal Dobesilate in dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Patients and Methods: Thirty patients with visual impairment due to dry ARMD received a single intravitreal injection of Dobesilate in the study eye. Ophthalmic evaluation included fundoscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) prior to therapy and 1 week, 1 and 12-months after treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Mean change in BCVA. Retinal anatomy. Incidence of ocular and non-ocular adverse events. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in mean BCVA at 12 months compared with baseline (0.30±0.04 vs. 0.49±0.06 SEM) (p<0.001). BCVA increased in 26 of 30 eyes (86.7%) and only 4 eyes (13.3%) didn’t show any change. Intravitreal Dobesilate injection resulted in a significant improvement of outer retinal anatomy. Visual improvement was not correlated with age. No ocular or systemic events were reported during the follow-up period. Conclusions: This study confirms the safety of Dobesilate intravitreally injected, as well as the improvement in visual acuity and retinal anatomy at 12 months follow-up. Intravitreal Dobesilate may be a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the inflammatory component of dry ARMD.
A Cytotaxonomic Study in the Genus Zingiber
Authors: ETIKAWATI NITA , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: July 2014

The objective of the study was to know the taxonomic structure of the genus of Zingiber based on cytological characters such as ratio of number, shape and size of chromosome. Zingiber specimens were mainly from Bogorbotanical garden. There were seven species studied, Z. amaricans Nor., Z. aromaticum Val., Z. cassumunar Roxb., Z.gramineum Bl., Z. officinale Roxb., Z. ottensii Val. and Z. zerumbet (L.) J.E. Smith. Z. officinale (local name: Jahe)consinsting of 4 varieties, big ginger (jahe gajah), red ginger (jahe merah), small ginger (jahe emprit) and blue-darkbrowny ginger (jahe wulung). Species identification was based on the literature such as of Backer and Bakhuizen van den Brink (1968), Holttum (1950), and Burkill (1935). Semi permanent squash method using acetoorcein dye was used to prepare the sample (Darnaedi, 1991; Okada, 1981; Robert and Short, 1979). The results of the study indicate that the number of chromosomes of all species studied were the same, 2n=32. The length size of the first chromosome pair was about 2Î¼m. The shape of the chromosomes was mostly metacentric. Length and shape of each pair of chromosomes were hard to be determined accurately using this method, so that the chromosomal karyotype map unable to be constructed in this study. Giemsa C-banding method might be used to solve theproblems.Â© 2000 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS Surakarta
Epiphytic Plants on Stand of Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth. at Mount Lawu
Authors: SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: July 2014

The objectives of the research were to know: (1) the diversity of epiphyte species at the stand of puspa trees (Schimawallichii (D.C.) Korth.) in Cemoro Sewu and Cemoro Kandang of mount Lawu, and (2) the distribution and cover abundance of the species based on its location from the land surface. The research objects were all species of epiphyte plants on the stand of puspa trees. The procedures of data collection were including species collection in the field, make up herbariums, observation of epiphyte vegetation using transect method and morphology observation in the laboratory. The results show that in the south slope of the mount Lawu were found 23 species of epiphyte consisting 4 species of lichenes, 2 species of Fungi, 3 species of Bryophyte, 10 species of Pterydophyte, 2 species of Orchidaceae and 2 species of liana. The species with the highest density was Bryophyte, and the highest diversity was Pterydophyte. The height of the trees affects the distribution, diversity and density of the epiphyte plants.Â© 2000 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS Surakarta

Key words: Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth., mount Lawu, biodiversity, epiphyte plant.
Genetic Diversity and Sequence Variations at Growth Hormone Loci among Composite and Hereford Populations of Beef Cattle
Authors: SUTARNO SUTARNO , LYMBERY A. J.
Published: July 2014

A total of 194 Hereford and 235 composite breed cattle from Wokalup Research Station were used in this study. The aims of the study were to: Investigate polymorphisms in the growth hormone gene in the composite and purebred Hereford herds from the Wokalup selection experiment, compare genetic diversity in the growth hormone gene of the breeds, sequencing and compare the sequences of growth hormone loci between composite and purebred Hereford herds with published sequence from Genebank. The genomic DNA was extracted using Wizard genomic DNA purification system from Promega. Two fragments of growth hormone gene were amplified using PCR and continued with RFLP. Each genotype in both loci was sequenced. PCR products of each genotypes were cloned into PCR II, transformed, colonies selection, plasmid DNA extraction continued with cycle sequencing. Polymorphisms were found in both breeds of cattle in both loci of GH-L1 and GH-L2 of the growth hormone gene by PCR-RFLP analysis. Sequencing analysis confirmed the RFLPs data, polymorphism detected using AluI at GH-L1 is due to substitution between leusin/ valine at position 127, while polymorphism at the MspI restriction site was caused by transition of C to T at +837 position.Â© 2000 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: PCR-RFLP, sequencing, growth hormone gene, polymorphism
Variance Analysis of Genus Ipomoea based on Morphological Characters
Authors: SURATMAN SURATMAN , PRIYANTO DWI , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: July 2014

The objective of this research was to find out the variability of morphological characters of genus Ipomoea, including coefficient variance and phylogenetic relationships. Genus Ipomoea has been identified consisting of four species i.e.Ipomoea crassicaulis Rob, Ipomoea aquatica Forsk., Ipomoea reptans Poir and Ipomoea leari. Four species of the genus took from surround the lake inside the campus of Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. Comparison of species variability was based on the variance coefficient of vegetative and generative morphological characters. The vegetative characters observed were roots, steams and leaves, while the generative characters observed were flowers, fruits, and seeds. Phylogenetic relationship was determined by clustering association coefficient. Coefficient variance analysis of vegetative and generative morphological characters resulted in several groups based on the degree of variability i.e. low, enough, high, very high or none. The phylogenetic relationship showed that Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. and Ipomoea reptans Poir. have higher degree of phylogenetic than Ipomoea leari and Ipomoea crassicaulis Rob.Â© 2000 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: Ipomoea, morphological characters, coefficient variance, phylogenetic relationships
Laser materials processing-application potentials of solid-state high-power lasers
Authors: Hügel Helmut
Published: July 2014

Benefits of short wavelength and high beam quality to process
efficiency and technical equipment are demonstrated by examples of
recent cutting and welding applications in industry.
High-power femtosecond Yb:YAG laser based on a power-scalable concept
Authors: Spühler G. J. , Aus der Au J. , Paschotta R. , Keller U. , Moser M. , Erhard S. , Karszewski M. , Giesen A.
Published: July 2014

We demonstrate a power-scalable concept for femtosecond lasers with very high average powers.
Spectral characterization and Laser operation of Er3+:Yb3+:YCOB crystals at 1.5~1.6 µm
Authors: Wang Pu , Dawes Judith M , Burns Phillip , Piper James A , Zhang Huaijin , Zhu Li , Meng Xianlin
Published: July 2014

2 at.% Er and 20 at.% Yb crystalline co-doped Er:Yb:YCOB has been grown and characterized. Polarized absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra were measured and gain cross sections were calculated. The data show that Er:Yb:YCOB is a promising material for laser emission in the favorable wavelength range of 1546-1570nm for practical applications. Laser emission at 1554nm has been obtained for the first time, using a 976nm diode pump source.
Diode-endpumped 1.5 µm Er,Yb:glass laser
Authors: Mond Michael , Diening Andreas , Heumann Ernst , Huber Günter
Published: July 2014

A 1.5 µm-Er,Yb:glass laser endpumped by a 3.7 W laser diode at a wavelength of 975 nm was investigated in continuous wave as well as in active Q-switch operation. The experimental results have been compared to a laser simulation based on a model of rate equations.
Domain switching performance of stoichiometric LiTaO3 for bulk quasi-phase matching devices
Authors: Kitamura Kenji , Furukawa Yasunori , Takekawa Shunji , Hatanaka Takaaki , Ito Hiromasa , Gopalan Verkatraman
Published: July 2014

We grew near stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystal from a Li-rich melt using a novel double crucible Czochralski method. The ferroelectric domain shape and domain wall smoothness were compared between the conventional and near stoichiometric LiTaO3 crystals. It turned out that the domain shape under the electric field at room temperature strongly depended on the densities of nonstoichometric defects. The domain shape in the conventional LiTaO3 is basically triangular while it is hexagonal in the stoichiometric LiTaO3. The sides of hexagon in the stoichiometric LiTaO3 are perpendicular to the crystallographical X axes, that is, parallel to the X faces. Therefore, considerably smooth domain walls can be obtain in the stoichiometric LiTaO3 when the periodical domain structure is designed as each domain elongates along the Y axis. This result is promising a great improvement by using stoichiometric LiTaO3 in fabricating quasi-phase matching wavelength conversion devices with high performances.
High-Power Diode-Pumped Room-Temperature Tm:YAG and Intracavity-Pumped Ho:YAG Lasers
Authors: Hayward R.A. , Clarkson W.A. , Hanna D.C.
Published: July 2014

Efficient, room-temperature operation of a diode-end-pumped Tm:YAG laser is reported. With 53.4W of incident pump power, provided by two beam-shaped diode bars, we obtained 17.5W of output at 2.013µm in a beam with a beam quality factor, M2~6. A Ho:YAG laser, intracavity-pumped by the Tm:YAG laser, produced 7.2W of output at 2.097µm.
A phase and frequency controlled femtosecond laser for metrology and single-cycle nonlinear optics
Authors: Diddams Scott A. , Jones David J. , Ma Long-Sheng , Cundiff Steven T. , Hall John L.
Published: July 2014

We stabilize the spacing and position of the frequency-domain modes of a femtosecond laser to 2.5 mHz and 2 kHz (in 1 s), respectively.
Multiwavelength Laser For Medical Applications and the Implications of Atmospheric Lensing
Authors: Murray Keith E. , Barnes Norman P. , Walsh Brian M. , Hutcheson Ralph L. , Kokta Milan R.
Published: July 2014

Lasing at two medically important wavelengths, 2.124 µm and 2.700 µm, has been achieved from a single multiply doped laser rod in a simple resonator. Effects of atmospheric absorption and lensing were explored.
An Efficient End-Pumped Ho:Tm:YLF Disk Amplifier
Authors: Yu Jirong , Petros Mulugeta , Singh Upendra N. , Barnes Norman P.
Published: July 2014

An efficient diode-pumped, room temperature Ho:Tm:YLF disk amplifier was realized by end-pump configuration. Compared to side pump configuration, about a factor three improvement in system efficiency has been demonstrated.
High energy directly pumped Ho:YLF laser
Authors: Petros Mulugeta , Yu Jirong , Singh Upendra N. , Barnes Norman P.
Published: July 2014

The most commonly used crystal architecture to produce 2µm laser is co-doping Ho and Tm into a single host crystal. In this method, the stored energy transfer from the Tm 3F4 to the Ho 5I7 manifold is not fast enough to warrant high efficiency for short pulse applications. By separating the Ho and the Tm ions and doping the Tm in YALO3 and the Ho in YLF, we were able to directly pump the Ho 5I7 manifold with 1.94µm. The Ho:YLF laser has produced 33 mJ at 2.062 µm with a quantum efficiency of 0.88. The performance of each laser will be presented.
0.5 W efficient broadly tunable continuous-wave Cr2+:ZnSe laser
Authors: Sorokina Irina T. , Sorokin Evgeni , Di Lieto Alberto , Tonelli Mauro , Page Ralph H. , Schaffers Kathleen I.
Published: July 2014

We report room-temperature operation of a continuous-wave Cr2+:ZnSe laser. Single-pass pumped Cr2+:ZnSe generates 520 mW of tunable radiation between 2200 and 2812 nm at 1.5 W of incident power and 63
%
slope efficiency, in the multi-pass pump scheme dual Q-switehed operation at 1,75 and 2,5 µm is observed.
A compact diode-pumped passively Q-switched mid-IR fiber laser
Authors: Libatique N. J. C. , Tafoya J. D. , Feng S. H. , Mirell D. J. , Jain R. K.
Published: July 2014

A compact cladding-pumped Er:ZBLAN mid-infrared pulsed fiber laser using a liquefying gallium mirror as a saturable absorber is demonstrated for the first time. Preliminary results give pulse widths of 7 µs and energies of 38 nJ.
0.65 W single-mode Yb-fiber laser at 980 nm pumped by 1.1 W Nd:YAG
Authors: Zenteno L. A. , Minelly J. D. , Dejneka M. , Crigler S.
Published: July 2014

It is well known that Yb: SiO2 fibers lase efficiently both in the three-level transition at 980 nm and the quasi-four-level transitions from 1.030 to 1.1 µm, with early experiments reporting a few mW’s of output power [1].
PbS(Se)-Doped Glasses as Passive Q-Switches for 1.5-µm Er:Glass and 2.1-µm Ho:YAG Lasers
Authors: Malyarevich A. M. , Denisov I. A. , Posnov N. N. , Prokoshin P. V. , Yumashev K. V. , Lipovskii A. A.
Published: July 2014

Passive Q-switch operation of PbS- and PbSe-doped glasses as saturable absorbers for Er:glass and Ho:YAG lasers was demonstrated. Pulses of 110 ns in duration and 0.2 mJ in energy at 1.54 µm as well as 60 ns and 22 mJ at 2.1 µm were generated without intracavitv focusing.
Enhanced performance of Nd:YAG by direct pumping from thermally excited ground state levels directly to the upper lasing level
Authors: Lavi R. , Jackel S. , Tzuk Y. , Lebiush E. , Winik M. , Paiss I. , Arusi-Parpar T.
Published: July 2014

Pumping at 885nm from thermally excited ground state levels directly to the Nd:YAG upper lasing level is experimentally demonstrated. Efficiency is increased and heating minimized.
Diode-pumped passively Q-switched Yb:KGW laser
Authors: Lagatsky A. A. , Abdolvand A. , Kuleshov N. V.
Published: July 2014

The first realization of diode-pumped passively Q-switched Yb:KGW laser with Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber has been reported. Raman conversion of the fundamental laser emission in the Yb:KGW laser crystal has been demonstrated. Q- switched 3.4 µJ pulses with a pulse width of 85 ns were obtained at 1033 nm fundamental wavelength and 0.4 µJ pulses with a pulse width of 20 ns were produced in a first Stokes at 1139 nm.
Mid-BR photoacoustic trace gas spectroscopy with an optical parametric oscillator based difference frequency generation laser source
Authors: Bohren A. , von Lerber T. , Sigrist M. W.
Published: July 2014

A nanosecond pulsed Optical Parametric Oscillator based Difference Frequency Generation IR-Laser source is implemented in a spectrometer for sensitive and selective trace gas analysis. Tuning ranges of 400 - 2000 nm for the OPO and of 2.5 to 4.5 µm using LiNbO3 as non-linear medium for the DFG source are achieved at a line width of 0.25 cm−1. Photoacoustic measurements in a novel multi-microphone gas cell enable the monitoring of gases at ppb concentration levels.
Limitations on the use of rate equations for determining the parameters of codoped holmium-thulium lasers
Authors: Steinberg S. , Rotman S. R. , Schepler K. L. , McKay J.
Published: July 2014

Codoped laser performance is often modeled by rate equations. For thuliumholmium doped crystals, such equations can yield spurious results compared with experimental measurements.
Development of ytterbium doped Sr5(PO4)3F for high-energy diode-pumped lasers
Authors: Bowers Mark S. , Jander Don , Futtere F. , Hamilton C. E. , Hutcheson R. L. , Equall R. W.
Published: July 2014

We describe progress made in the growth of defect-free Yb3+:Sr5(PO4)3F (Yb:S-FAP) and present results of laser characterization of these crystals for high-energy, Q-switched operation. Growth of Yb:S-FAP at 45° from the c-axis yielded what is believed to be the first crystal grown free of any slip dislocation defects. This crystal contains ~50% more active Yb3+ ions than previous crystals grown along the a-axis using identical concentrations of Yb3+ in the melt. Q-switched pulses can be extracted from these crystals at fluence levels over 3 times the saturation fluence (11 J/cm2) without optical damage to the crystals indicating that this material is suitable for high-energy, Q-switched operation.
Laser Demonstrations of Rare-Earth Ions in Low-Phonon Chloride and Sulfide Crystals
Authors: Nostrand M. C. , Page R. H. , Payne S. A. , Schunemann P. G. , Isaenko L. I.
Published: July 2014

Laser results are summarized for the low-phonon hosts KPb2Cl5 and CaGa2S4. Radiative quantum efficiencies were determined in KPb2Cl5:Dy3+ directly from emission spectra in order to accurately determine its long-wavelength potential. The results indicate that room-temperature laser action should be possible to near 9 µm in this host.
Elimination of photorefraction and green-induced-infrared-absorption in MgO-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3
Authors: Furukawa Yasunori , Kitamura Kenji , Takekawa Shunji , Alexandrovski Alex , Foulon Gisele , Route Roger K. , Fejer Martin M.
Published: July 2014

Photorefractive damage and green-induced IR absorption of LiNbO3 single crystals have been investigated as a function of [Li]/[Nb] and MgO concentrations. Nearstoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals doped with small amount of MgO (> 0.78 mol.%) exhibit neither photorefractive damage at 532 nm to intensities of as much as 8 MW/cm2 nor increase of IR absorption with an irradiation of 3.5 KW/cm2 of green light. This remarkable decrease of photorefraction and green-induced IR absorption in MgO-doped LiNbO3 can be attributed to the elimination of intrinsic defects of Nb at Li site by their substitution of Mg at Li site.
Ultra-broadband optical parametric amplification
Authors: De Silvestri S. , Cerullo G. , Nisoli M. , Stagira S. , Zavelani-Rossi M.
Published: July 2014

Recent advances have dramatically shortened the minimum pulse duration obtainable from optical parametric amplifiers. In this work we report on two different powerful schemes for the generation of few-optical-cycle pulses in the visible and in the near-infrared respectively; both systems use β-barium borate (BBO) as amplifier crystal, but different phase matching conditions. In the visible, with non-collinear type I phase matching and long (≈ 150 fs) pump pulses, we obtain ultra-broadband sub-10-fs pulses; in the near-infrared, using collinear type II phase matching and short (≈18 fs) pump pulses, we achieve pulses tunable from 1.1 to 2.6 µm and with duration as short as 14.5 fs.
CW 4.3 µm Intracavity Difference Frequency Generation in an Optical Parametric Oscillator
Authors: Chen Da-Wun , Masters Kevin
Published: July 2014

We have demonstrated up to 150 mW of cw output at 4.3 µm using intracavity difference frequency generation in a singly resonant PPLN OPO cavity pumped by a Nd:YAG laser.
Thresholdless Intensity Fluctuations in a Rare-Earth Microchip Laser
Authors: Lien Y. , van Druten N. J. , Serrat C. , van Exter M. P. , Woerdman J. P.
Published: July 2014

It is shown that spontaneous emission in rare-earth microchip lasers can lead to large intensity fluctuations which are similar to fluctuations in thresholdless lasers.
Dual wavelength chirped pulse amplification system
Authors: Zhang Zhuhong , Deslauriers Adam M. , Strickland Donna
Published: July 2014

We demonstrate a Chirped Pulse Amplification system that simultaneously amplifies dual wavelength pulses from a two-colour oscillator in a single regenerative amplifier.
Intracavity temporal shaping and mode-locking
Authors: Couderc V. , Kermène V. , Desfarges-Berthelemot A. , Grossard L. , Tondusson M. , Colombeau B.
Published: July 2014

An all-optical laser system is shown : intracavity spectral filtering connected with quadratic polarization switching provides high efficiency temporal pulse shaping.
Continuous wave intra-cavity periodically-poled lithium niobate optical parametric oscillator
Authors: Paiss I. , Lebiush E. , Tzuk Y. , Ehrlich Y. , Lavi R.
Published: July 2014

Mid-IR output with power >O.SW was generated using a CW diode pumped Nd laser with an intra-cavity periodically-poled LiNbO3 OPO. Both side-pumped and end-pumped configurations were employed. Temporal instabilities were investigated.
Q-switched Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 laser in the infrared and green
Authors: Dekker Peter , Blows Justin , Wang Pu , Dawes Judith , Piper James , Liu Yaogang , Wang Jiyang
Published: July 2014

Q-switched infrared and green laser performance of Yb:YAB is reported. 108mW of pulsed output at 520nm with pulsewidths of 7ns were obtained using an acousto-optic modulator.
High (>20W) Average Power Nd:YVO4 Lasers Mode Locked by Strain Compensated Saturable Bragg Reflectors
Authors: Burns D. , Südmeyer Thomas , Hetterich M. , Ferguson A.I. , Bente E. , Dawson M.D.
Published: July 2014

Strain compensated double InGaAs quantum well saturable Bragg reflectors with high damage thresholds have been developed as modelocking elements in high average power Neodymium lasers.
All-solid-state modelocked and Q-switched high-power flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser delivering 50 ps pulses
Authors: Biegert Jens , Diels Jean-Claude , Kubecek Vaclav , Kokta Milan
Published: July 2014

We have demonstrated that, by inserting of solid state passive elements, a simple flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser can be made a high-power source of trains and single pulses of picosecond duration with high pulse to pulse reproducibility. Stabilization and subsequent stretching of pulsetrains to 150 ns and compression of individual pulses from 83 ps to 48 ps could be achieved through passive negative feedback using GaAs together with Cr:YAG as saturable absorber. Cavity dumping resulted in a single pulse output with nearly Gaussian spatial distribution

(M

x,y

2

=
2.4
/
2.2
)

at energies up to 300 at a repetition rate of 5 Hz.
24-W picosecond diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Spühler G. J. , Südmeyer T. , Paschotta R. , Keller U. , Moser M. , Weingarten K. J.
Published: July 2014

We present a side-pumped, passively mode-locked Nd:YAG laser with an average output power of 24 W and a pulse energy of 0.48 μJ directly out of the oscillator. The pulse duration is 25 ps and the output beam is diffraction-limited. Stable, self-starting, passive mode locking without any Q-switching instabilities [1] is obtained using a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) [2, 3]. Such lasers are interesting for numerous applications, particularly those involving nonlinear frequency conversion, for example RGB laser projection displays. Peak powers in the multi-kW regime facilitate efficient frequency conversion in a single pass through a nonlinear crystal, allowing for simple generation of visible and UV wavelengths.
Passive mode locking of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser using quadratic spatial solitons
Authors: Kermène V. , Couderc V. , Bourliaguet B. , Louis S. , Barthélémy A. , Mugnier A.
Published: July 2014

we report for the first time the passive mode locking of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser using quadratic spatial solitons generated by second order cascading.
Reviews
Authors: Blanco F. José , Dodd Molly , Hunt-Hurst Patricia
Published: July 2014

Body Style, Therèsa M. Winge (2012) London: Berg, 192 pp., ISBN: 9781847880239, p/bk, $29.95

Hollywood Costume, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia, 9 November 2013–17 February 2014
Head to head comparisons in performance of CD4 point-of-care assays: a Bayesian meta-analysis (2000–2013)
Authors: Wilkinson Samantha , Chiavegatti Tiago , Nauche Bénédicte , Joseph Lawrence , Pai Nitika Pant
Published: July 2014

Timely detection, staging, and treatment initiation are pertinent to controlling HIV infection. CD4+ cell-based point-of-care (POC) devices offer the potential to rapidly stage patients, and decide on initiating treatment, but a comparative evaluation of their performance has not yet been performed. With this in mind, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses. For the period January 2000 to April 2014, 19 databases were systematically searched, 6619 citations retrieved, and 25 articles selected. Diagnostic performance was compared across devices (i.e., PIMA, CyFlow, miniPOC, MBioCD4 System) and across specimens (i.e., capillary blood vs. venous blood). A Bayesian approach was used to meta-analyze the data. The primary outcome, the Bland–Altman (BA) mean bias (which represents agreement between cell counts from POC device and flow cytometry), was analyzed with a Bayesian hierarchical normal model. We performed a head-to-head comparison of two POC devices such as PIMA and PointCareNOW CD4. PIMA appears to perform better vs. PointCareNOW with venous samples (BA mean bias: –9.5 cells/μL; 95% CrI: –37.71 to 18.27, vs. 139.3 cells/μL; 95% CrI: –0.85 to 267.4, mean difference = 148.8, 95% CrI: 11.8, 285.8); however, PIMA's best performed when used with capillary samples (BA mean bias: 2.2 cells/μL; 95% CrI: –19.32 to 23.6). Sufficient data were available to allow pooling of sensitivity and specificity data only at the 350 cells/μL cutoff. For PIMA device sensitivity 91.6 (84.7–95.5) and specificity was 94.8 (90.1–97.3), respectively. There were not sufficient data to allow comparisons between any other devices. PIMA device was comparable to flow cytometry. The estimated differences between the CD4+ cell counts of the device and the reference was small and best estimated in capillary blood specimens. As the evidence stands, the PointCareNOW device will need to improve prior to widespread use and more data on MBio and MiniPOC are needed. Findings inform implementation of PIMA and improvements in other CD4 POC device prior to recommending widespread use.
Formation of NaZn13-type phase in LaFe11.5Si1.5 alloy during solidification process
Authors: HOU Xueling , LIU Chunyu , Xue Yun , Han Ning , Xu Hui , Ma Chunwei , Phan M.H.
Published: July 2014

Low-cost La(FexSi1-x)13 alloys exhibiting the large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) are one of the most promising magnetic refrigerant candidates for room temperature magnetic refrigeration. The NaZn13-type phase (hereinafter 1:13 phase) is believed to play a key role in the MCE of these alloys. While the formation of the 1:13 phase directly from the melt upon cooling was challenging, in this paper we demonstrate that the 1:13 phase can be formed directly during solidification. We found that three kinds of solidification microstructure were formed because a competitive nucleation occurred between the 1:13 and α-(Fe,Si) phase during the solidification of LaFe11.5Si1.5 alloy. In case of a high cooling speed, a large amount of NaZn13–type phase with equiaxed grains and a small amount of α-(Fe,Si) phase were formed because of a dominant nucleation rate of 1:13 phase. When the cooling rate was small, a large number of α-(Fe,Si) phase with dendrites were formed because the nucleation rate of α-(Fe,Si) phase is larger than that of the 1:13 phase. These results revealed that nucleation rates of phases is very important to the composition formation and microstructure of LaFe11.5Si1.5 alloys.
Nanodiamond Foils for H- Stripping to Support the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and Related Applications
Authors: Vispute RD , Ermer Henry K. , Sinsky Phillip , Seiser Andrew , Shaw Robert W. , Wilson Leslie L. , Harris Gary , Piazza Fabrice
Published: July 2014

Thin diamond foils are needed in many particle accelerator experiments regarding nuclear and atomic physics, as well as in some interdisciplinary research. Particularly, nanodiamond texture is attractive for this purpose as it possesses a unique combination of diamond properties such as high thermal conductivity, mechanical strength and high radiation hardness; therefore, it is a potential material for energetic ion beam stripper foils. At the ORNL Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), the installed set of foils must be able to survive a nominal five-month operation period, without the need for unscheduled costly shutdowns and repairs. Thus, a single nanodiamond foil about the size of a postage stamp is critical to the entire operation of SNS and similar sources in U.S. laboratories and around the world. We are investigating nanocrystalline, polycrystalline and their admixture films fabricated using a hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) system for H- stripping to support the SNS at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Here we discuss optimization of process variables such as substrate temperature, process gas ratio of H2/Ar/CH4, substrate to filament distance, filament temperature, carburization conditions, and filament geometry to achieve high purity diamond foils on patterned silicon substrates with manageable intrinsic and thermal stresses so that they can be released as free standing foils without curling. An in situ laser reflectance interferometry tool (LRI) is used for monitoring the growth characteristics of the diamond thin film materials. The optimization process has yielded free standing foils with no pinholes. The sp3/sp2 bonds are controlled to optimize electrical resistivity to reduce the possibility of surface charging of the foils. The integrated LRI and HFCVD process provides real time information on the growth of films and can quickly illustrate growth features and control over film thickness. The results are discussed in the light of development of nanodiamond foils that will be able to withstand a few MW proton beam and hopefully will be able to be used after possible future upgrades to the SNS to greater than a 3MW beam.
New Species of Demodex (Acari: Demodecidae) With Data on Parasitism and Occurrence of Other Demodecids of Rattus norvegicus (Rodentia: Muridae)
Authors: Izdebska Joanna N , Rolbiecki Leszek
Published: July 2014

This article describes the morphological features and occurrence of Demodex ponderosus n. sp. on brown rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout), in Poland. D. ponderosus n. sp. is a small demodecid, adults average 152 µm in length, and are oval in shape. They were found in the skin of nearly hairless regions, tail and paws, of rats. Adult mites exhibit sexual dimorphism in terms of body size and proportions. The study also compared the features of the new species with those of the four species of Demodex described previously from this host. Demodex spp. were observed in 100% of the rats examined; however, despite high infestation levels, no symptoms of parasitosis were observed in the hosts.
Oviposition and Reproductive Performance ofHabrobracon hebetor(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Six Different Pyralid Host Species
Authors: Ghimire Mukti N , Phillips Thomas W
Published: July 2014

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a gregarious ecto-parasitoid that attacks larvae of several species of Lepidoptera, mainly pyralid moths infesting stored products. Host quality strongly influences the reproductive success of the parasitoid. In this study, we assessed the reproductive performance of the parasitoid, H. hebetor in a series of laboratory experiments using six different pyralid host species: Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller), almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker), rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), and greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. Experiments were conducted using petri dishes (100 by 15 mm) as experimental arenas at 29 ± 1°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Two-day-old H. hebetor females were introduced singly into experimental arenas and given a single host larva every day throughout their lifetime. The numbers of hosts paralyzed and parasitized, numbers of eggs laid each day on each host, egg-to-adult survivorship, and progeny sex ratio were used as parameters for assessing host suitability. Paralysis of hosts by H. hebetor females was significantly affected by host species. H. hebetor paralyzed >95% of the preferred host larvae that were offered and also used ≈90% of those for oviposition. Daily fecundity was highest on G. mellonella (22.1 ± 0.4) and C. cephalonica (21.6 ± 0.3), and lowest on E. cautella (13.4 ± 0.2). The egg-to-adult survivorship and progeny sex ratio were also significantly affected by the host species. The highest percentage of parasitoid survival was on A. transitella (75.7 ± 2.0) and C. cephalonica (75.4 ± 2.5), and lowest on G. mellonella (49.7 ± 4.8). Our studies clearly showed that H. hebetor females can paralyze and lay eggs on several pyralid species, but it cannot necessarily develop and reproduce optimally on all host species that it can paralyze and parasitize.
Long-term field monitoring of shield tunnel lining
Authors: Huang An-Bin , Wang Chien-Chih , Lee Jui-Ting , Ho Yen-Te , Chen Chun-Hung
Published: July 2014

The design of soft ground shield tunnel lining for the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system relied upon semi-empirical procedures. It is not certain if the design parameters are comparable to the field conditions. Also, occasionally new underground constructions can be located dangerously close to an existing tunnel. An effective means of monitoring the behaviour of the tunnel lining is imperative to the future design and safety of the MRT tunnel system. The authors developed techniques to attach optical fibre Bragg grating (FBG) in the reinforcement as a means to monitor the strains experienced by the shield tunnel lining. Readings were recorded from precast concrete section production through field installation and continued after field installation. Analytical and numerical simulations were made considering the same tunnel lining characteristics and various stress conditions. For the monitored tunnel lining section, the stress conditions experienced by the lining were likely to be greater than the expected overburden stress at a depth comparable to that of the tunnel. The paper describes the techniques of FBG field monitoring, the interpretation of the results and the available records, and discusses implications for the design and safety monitoring of shield tunnel linings.