bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pan-African politics in African American visual art: Where have we been? Where are we going?
Authors: Cooks Bridget R 
Published: July 2006

From the nineteenth century sculptures of Edmonia Lewis to contemporary art installations by Pat Ward Williams, the history and aesthetics of African cultures have inspired art-making and political solidarity for artists of African descent in the United States. This article examines
the ways in which African American artists have explored diverse aspects of African history and cultures in their artwork. Their desire to create a Pan-African community by visualizing common black experiences expresses their solidarity with black struggles in Africa and desire to reconnect
with an African heritage lost through the violence of the Atlantic slave trade.
The article discusses the role of Pan-Africanism as a political ideal through which people of African descent can work toward political freedom. It discusses the visual history of Pan-Africanist ideology by
African American artists and explores the current possibility for transnational reciprocity and identification despite cultural and ethnic differences between the African and American contexts.
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second Percentage Improves the Classification of Severity Among Children With Asthma
Authors: Fuhlbrigge Anne L. , Weiss Scott T. , Kuntz Karen M. , Paltiel A. David ,   for the CAMP Research Group
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVE. Spirometry is an important component of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program guidelines for asthma, yet published data show variable associations between forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage (FEV1%) predicted, symptoms and health care utilization. The objective of this analysis was to examine the association between FEV1% and future risk of exacerbations among a well-characterized population of children with asthma.METHODS. Using data that are available from the Childhood Asthma Management Program, we examined the relationship between prebronchodilator FEV1% and important clinical outcomes. Multiple observations of FEV1 were available for each patient; multivariate regression analysis, using a general estimating equation approach, was used to control for the correlation between repeated measurements among individuals and potential confounders. FEV1% was categorized into 4 levels and as a continuous variable. Outcomes of interest included mean symptom score (0–3), episode-free days, and asthma-related events (oral steroid use, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations) during the ensuing 4-month period. Our analysis was limited to the placebo group (N = 417).RESULTS. We observed a clear relationship between prebronchodilator FEV1% and important clinical outcomes. In multivariable models that simultaneously controlled for covariates of interest, age at baseline, time, previous event history, and nocturnal awakenings, a significant relationship between FEV1% and asthma symptoms and serious asthma exacerbations (oral steroids, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations) was observed. Compared with children with an FEV1% ≥100%, children with FEV1% 80% to 99%, 60% to 79%, and &lt;60% were 1.3, 1.8, and 4.8, respectively, more likely to have a serious asthma exacerbation during the ensuing 4 months.CONCLUSIONS. In children with mild to moderate asthma, FEV1% predicted is independently associated with future asthma symptoms and health care utilization. Previous asthma-related hospitalizations and nocturnal symptoms also were independently associated with risk for future adverse events. FEV1 is an important component of asthma health status and asthma severity classification.
Survival and Growth of Age-0 Steelhead after Surgical Implantation of 23-mm Passive Integrated Transponders
Authors: Bateman Douglas S. , Gresswell Robert E. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Little information is available on the effects of implanting 23-mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags in salmonids less than 90 mm fork length (FL). Using juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (range, 73–97 mm FL), we compared instantaneous growth rates and survival among three experimental groups: control, surgery with no tag, and surgery with tag. Survival rate was lower for tagged fish (86%) than for control and surgery−no tag fish (virtually 100% in each group). Approximately 90% of the mortalities occurred during days 1–3. Growth rate for the tagged group was lower for the first two 10-d measurement intervals; however, during the third 10-d interval, growth rates for tagged fish equaled or exceeded values for the other groups. These results suggest that tagged fish recovered by day 20. Growth rates for the control and surgery−no tag groups did not differ from one another during any measurement interval. Tag retention rate was 97% over the 30-d period of the study. It appears that the combination of fish length and tag size in this study resulted in short-term negative effects on growth rate and survival; however, 23-mm PIT tags may still be useful for studies of salmonids 80–90 mm FL when survival is not the parameter of interest.
Third-generation sensors for night vision
Authors: Norton P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThird generation sensors are under development to enhance capabilities for target detection and identification, threat warning, and 3D imaging. Distinct programs for both cooled HgCdTe and uncooled microbolometer devices are part of this thrust. This paper will describe the technology for HgCdle two-colour, high-definition imaging sensors and threat warning devices, avalanche photodiode arrays for 3D imaging, and the supporting technology being developed to enhance the readouts that support these devices. Uncooled detector initiatives will also be described to reduce pixel size in conjunction with the production of 480×640 arrays. Finally, efforts are also beginning to move both photon and thermal detectors closer to radiative-limited performance while simultaneously reducing the cooling requirements for photon detectors.
Noise minimization via deep submicron system-on-chip integration in megapixel CMOS imaging sensors
Authors: Kozlowski L. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractInfrared sensor designers have long maximized S/N ratio by employing pixel-based amplification in conjunction with supplemental noise suppression. Instead, we suppress photodiode noise using novel SoC implementation with simple three transistor pixel; supporting SoC components include a feedback amplifier having elements distributed amongst the pixel and column buffer, a tapered reset clock waveform, and reset timing generator. The tapered reset method does not swell pixel area, compel processing of the correlated reset and signal values, or require additional memory. Integrated in a 2.1 M pixel imager developed for generating high definition television, random noise is ∼8e-at video rates to 225 MHz. Random noise of ∼30e-would otherwise he predicted for the 5 μm 5 μm pixels having 5.5 fF detector capacitance with negligible image lag. Minimum sensor S/N ratio is 52 dB with 1920 by 1080 progressive readout at 60 Hz, 72 Hz and 90 Hz. Fixed pattern noise is <2 DN via on-chip signal processing.
InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane arrays for high-resolution thermal imaging
Authors: Rehm R. , Walther M. , Schmitz J. , Fleißner J. , Fuchs F. , Ziegler J. , Cabanski W. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe first fully operational mid-IR (3–5 μm) 256×256 IR-FPA camera system based on a type-II InAs/GaSb short-period superlattice showing an excellent noise equivalent temperature difference below 10 mK and a very uniform performance has been realized. We report on the development and fabrication of the detecor chip, i.e., epitaxy, processing technology and electro-optical characterization of fully integrated InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane arrays. While the superlattice design employed for the first demonstrator camera yielded a quantum efficiency around 30%, a superlattice structure grown with a thicker active layer and an optimized V/III BEP ratio during growth of the InAs layers exhibits a significant increase in quantum efficiency. Quantitative responsivity measurements reveal a quantum efficiency of about 60% for InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane arrays after implementing this design improvement.
High-performance IR detectors at SCD present and future
Authors: Nesher O. , Klipstein P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractFor over 27 years, SCD has been manufacturing and developing a wide range of high performance infrared detectors, designed to operate in either the mid-wave (MWIR) or the long-wave (LWIR) atmospheric windows. These detectors have been integrated successfully into many different types of system including missile seekers, time delay integration scanning systems, hand-held cameras, missile warning systems and many others. SCD’s technology for the MWIR wavelength range is based on its well established 2D arrays of InSb photodiodes. The arrays are flip-chip bonded to SCD’s analogue or digital signal processors, all of which have been designed in-house. The 2D focal plane array (FPA) detectors have a format of 320×256 elements for a 30-μm pitch and 480×384 or 640×512 elements for a 20-μm pitch. Typical operating temperatures are around 77–85 K. Five years ago SCD began to develop a new generation of MWIR detectors based on the epitaxial growth of antimonide based compound semiconductors (ABCS). This ABCS technology allows band-gap engineering of the detection material which enables higher operating temperatures and multi-spectral detection. This year SCD presented its first prototype FPA from this program, an InAlSb based detector operating at a temperature of 100 K. By the end of this year SCD will introduce the first prototype MWIR detector with a 640×512 element format and a pitch of 15 μm. For the LWIR wavelength range SCD manufactures both linear Hg1−xCdxTe (MCT) detectors with a line of 250 elements and time delay and integration (TDI) detectors with formats of 288×4 and 480×6. Recently, SCD has demonstrated its first prototype uncooled detector which is based on VOx technology and which has a format of 384×288 elements, a pitch of 25 μm, and a typical NETD of 50 mK at F/1. In this paper, we describe the present technologies and products of SCD and the future evolution of our detectors for the MWIR and LWIR detection.
Study on the possibilities of controlling the laser output beam properties by an intracavity deformable mirror
Authors: Rabczuk G. , Sawczak M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe possibilities of controlling the laser beam properties by a deformable mirror introduced into the laser optical cavity were studied theoretically and experimentally. The experiments were performed under conditions of an industrial high power transverse flow cw CO2 laser operating with a stable resonator of a folded configuration. A deformable bimorph mirror of a surface profile controlled by the voltage applied to the mirror electrodes is implemented to the laser system as a back cavity mirror or as a one of the inner folding mirrors. The near-and far-field characteristics of the laser beam versus the resonator configuration controlled by the changes of the focal length of the deformable mirror are discussed in the paper. The analysis reveals that the resonator with an inner deformable mirror is much more sensitive to the mirror curvature variations than the resonator in which the deformable mirror is used as a back cavity mirror. The presented results show that dynamic and controllable changes in the resonator properties result in the controlled modification and optimisation of the laser output power and spatial parameters of the laser radiation.
One dimensional model of dye-doped nematic layer for holography
Authors: Derfel G. , Buczkowska M. , Parka J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe layer of electrically conducting nematic liquid crystal doped with photosensitive dye and confined between polyimide coated electrodes can serve as a diffraction grating. In this paper, the deformations of the nematic director field induced in such a system by external voltage were studied numerically by means of one-dimensional model. The dissociation and recombination of ions were taken into account according to weak electrolyte model. The director orientation in the deformed layers and the distributions of the electric field and of the ion concentrations were calculated for blocking and for conducting electrodes. The effective extraordinary refractive index was also determined as a function of average ion concentration.
Impressing technology of optical Bragg’s gratings on planar optical sol-gel waveguides
Authors: Pustelny T. , Zielonka I. , Tyszkiewicz C. , Karasiński P. , Pustelny B. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe aim of the presented investigations was to develop a technique of producing Bragg’s grating couplers on planar waveguides. Waveguides are obtained by means of the sol-gel technology. The introduction of a light beam into the structure of the waveguide is in the case of planar or strip optical systems always an essential technical problem, requiring simple and reproducible solutions without extending excessively the waveguide structure. The paper presents a technology of producing grating couplers by impressing the pattern of the network while forming the planar waveguide structure applying the sol-gel method. Some remarks concerning the sol-gel technology are also presented. The results of investigations on grating couplers obtained in such a way have been discussed, too.Attention has been drawn to the possibility of using such structures in optoelectronic sensors, particularly gas sensors, including sensors of water vapour as well as toxic gases.
Effects of training on age estimation
Authors: Sörqvist Patrik , Eriksson Mårten 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis study examined the possibility to improve accuracy of age estimates through training. Thirty‐four participants were divided into an experimental and a control group. The sessions included a pre‐test before training, six feedback or no‐feedback training tests and a post‐test after training. The experimental group performed the feedback tests and the control group the no‐feedback tests. Training was found to improve age estimation accuracy, particularly estimations of old stimuli, and training with feedback seemed to be superior to training without feedback. No difference was found between the groups at pre‐test, but at post‐test the experimental group exhibited greater accuracy in age estimation. Moreover, the experimental group increased its accuracy between the pre‐ and post‐tests. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing children's event recall after long delays
Authors: Rooy David La , Pipe Margaret‐Ellen , Murray Janice E. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe effects of context reinstatement as means of enhancing 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children's event memory in repeated interviews after a 6‐month delay were examined. Children were interviewed immediately after the event (baseline interview) and twice at a 6‐month delay, with 24 hours between interviews. The first 6‐month interview was conducted in a perfect‐context reinstatement (n = 15), imperfect‐context reinstatement (n = 16), or no‐context reinstatement (n = 15) condition. The second 6‐month interview was conducted 24 hours later with no‐context reinstatement for all children. Context reinstatement attenuated the effects of delay on recall. The accuracy of the details reported was greater in the perfect‐context compared to the imperfect‐context and no‐context conditions. Details repeated between the immediate‐baseline interview and in the first 6‐month interview were more accurate than details repeated between the first and second 6‐month interview. There was no increase in recall (hypermnesia) across the first and second 6‐month interviews in any condition. Practical implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delayed recovery of working memory following day‐case surgery
Authors: Stollery Brian 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPost‐operative recovery of cognitive function is an important outcome measure following surgical anaesthesia. This study examined the influence of task complexity in 12 patients undergoing elective day‐case surgery using reaction time tasks that differed in their stimulus‐response mapping rules (compatible, incompatible, working memory). Tasks were administered at baseline, and at 1, 4 and 24 hours post‐surgery. Compared to a reference group of 18 non‐anaesthetised volunteers, the patient group showed considerable slowing one hour post‐operatively. This slowing remained at the time of discharge (4‐hours), was absent the next day, and did not vary as a function of task complexity. Only attentional lapses in the working memory task were sensitive to the recovery process and residual impairment remained the next day. The findings indicate that tasks requiring efficient access to working memory are impaired for longer than tasks simply requiring access to information passively retained in short‐term memory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nutritional support for patients suffering from intestinal graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Imataki Osamu , Nakatani Shigetoshi , Hasegawa Terumi , Kondo Miki , Ichihashi Kiyoko , Araki Mitsuko , Ishida Toshihiko , Kim Sung‐Won , Mori Shin‐ichiro , Fukuda Takahiro , Tobinai Kensei , Tanosaki Ryuji , Makimoto Atsushi , Takaue Yoichi 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:Patients who exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) involvement due to graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) are often recommended to withhold oral intake (NPO) to avoid further damage to the GI mucosa. However, it is possible that continuing oral intake could be beneficial in many patients compared to total parenteral nutrition (TPN).Objective:The primary objective of this prospective study was to evaluate whether programmed step‐ladder oral dieting (enteral nutrition; EN) is feasible and beneficial for these patients.Methods:A total of 18 patients who exhibited GI‐acute GVHD (stage I to III gut GVHD) after SCT received an EN dieting program, and changes in clinical and laboratory parameters were compared to those in a control cohort of 17 patients who were placed on NPO with TPN. Patients with GVHD were included prospectively and those with intestinal bleeding/obstruction, severe pancreatitis, and cytomegalovirus enterocolitis were excluded.Results:None of the patients in the EN group experienced significant adverse events, including exacerbation of GI symptoms. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the volume or frequency of diarrhea or the time to complete dietary recovery, parameters including body weight and serum levels of total protein and albumin tended to improve faster in the EN group.Conclusion:The EN diet is safely applicable to patients suffering from GI involvement by GVHD. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of perforation risk among physicians, other medical professionals and general adults with acute appendicitis in Taiwan
Authors: Deng C-Y , Huang N , Chou Y-J , Hsu Y-J , Chen L-S , Chou P 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to compare the risk of appendiceal perforation among physicians, other medical professionals and general adults, when hospitalized for acute appendicitis.MethodsNational population-based data for 92 143 patients with acute appendicitis, aged 20 years or more, who underwent appendicectomy or drainage of an appendiceal abscess in Taiwan from 1996 to 2001 were analysed retrospectively. The outcome measure was appendiceal perforation. Patients were categorized as physicians (Western medical doctors), other medical professionals (such as dentists or nurses) or general adults (not medical professionals). Adjusted odds ratios and 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.) were estimated by multiple logistic regression.ResultsMultivariable analysis showed that appendiceal perforation was 0·67 (95 per cent c.i. 0·46 to 0·96) and 0·78 (95 per cent c.i. 0·62 to 0·99) times less likely in physicians and other medical professionals respectively than in general adults, after adjusting for patient and admitting hospital characteristics, and for calendar year.ConclusionThe risk of perforation was significantly lower among physicians and other medical professionals than in general adults. Medical knowledge, familiarity with the healthcare system and better patient–doctor communication may have been contributory factors.
Analysis of stapling versus endoloops in appendiceal stump closure
Authors:   Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery Study Group, Beldi G , Vorburger S A , Bruegger L E , Kocher T , Inderbitzin D , Candinas D 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
The effectiveness of various appendiceal stump closure methods has not been evaluated systematically. The aim of this study was to compare the morbidity of stump closure by stapling or use of endoloops.

Methods
A non-concurrent cohort study of prospectively acquired data was performed. The primary outcome variable was the rate of intra-abdominal surgical-site infection. Secondary outcome measures were complications, duration of intervention, hospital stay, rate of readmission to hospital and the difference in direct costs of the operation.

Results
Staples were used in 60·5 per cent and endoloops in 39·5 per cent of 6486 patients operated on for suspected appendicitis between January 1995 and December 2003. Among 4489 patients with acute appendicitis the rate of intra-abdominal surgical-site infection was 0·7 per cent in the stapler group and 1·7 per cent in the endoloop group (P = 0·004). The rate of readmission to hospital was 0·9 and 2·1 per cent respectively (P = 0·001).

Conclusion
Application of a stapler for transection and closure of the appendiceal stump in patients with acute appendicitis lowered the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal surgical-site infection and the need for readmission to hospital.
Effect of Compressed CO2 on the Critical Micelle Concentration and Aggregation Number of AOT Reverse Micelles in Isooctane
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhang Jianling , Han Buxing , Feng Xiaoying , Hou Minqiang , Li Wenjing , Zhang Zhaofu 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe effect of compressed CO2 on the critical micelle concentration (cmc) and aggregation number of sodium bis‐2‐ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles in isooctane solution was studied by UV/Vis and florescence spectroscopy methods in the temperature range of 303.2–318.2 K and at different pressures or mole fractions of CO2 (X). The capacity of the reverse micelles to solubilize water was also determined by direct observation. The standard Gibbs free energy (Δ${G{{{\rm m}\hfill \atop {^\circ}\hfill}}}$), standard enthalpy (Δ${H{{{\rm m}\hfill \atop {^\circ}\hfill}}}$), and standard entropy (Δ${S{{{\rm m}\hfill \atop {^\circ}\hfill}}}$) for the formation of the reverse micelles were calculated by using the cmc data determined. It was discovered that the cmc versus X curve and the Δ${G{{{_{{\rm m}}}\hfill \atop {^\circ}\hfill}}}$ versus X curve for a fixed temperature have a minimum, and the aggregation number and water‐solubilization capacity of the reverse micelles reach a maximum at the X value corresponding to that minimum. These results indicate that CO2 at a suitable concentration favors the formation of and can stabilize AOT reverse micelles. A detailed thermodynamic study showed that the driving force for the formation of the reverse micelles is entropy.