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Papers by Major Problem

December , , dawned clear and cold in London, England. Th e air was damp and stagnant. Heavy... more December , , dawned clear and cold in London, England. Th e air was damp and stagnant. Heavy black smoke rose from chimneys as Londoners lit the coal they burned to cook and heat their homes. Fog began to roll in. By dusk, the smoke-fi lled fog had turned an impenetrable yellowish black. By the time the smoky fog lifted four days later, , Londoners were dead of heart and lung complications. Another , died during the following two weeks, as the persistent health impacts of the fi ve-day fog continued. When researchers compiled statistics, they estimated that during the next two months, , more died of causes directly related to that deadly fog.

The Archives, 1903

I was once a jedi knight the same as your father. He was the best star pilot in the galaxy. and h... more I was once a jedi knight the same as your father. He was the best star pilot in the galaxy. and he was a stunning warrior. and a good friend.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), namely coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accidents, are ... more Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), namely coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accidents, are the main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide [1]. Risk factors for CVD in adults are: hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, microalbuminuria, over-weight and obesity; over-eating, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking, exaggerated alcohol consumption, represent risk habits [2]. The WHO has promoted a program of prevention of CVD in adults [3]. It has been proved that risk factors for CVD are already present in childhood [4]; genetic and environment factors play a role and early intervention may produce a benefit [5]. Hypertension is present in a consistent percentage of adults and is related to high mortality rate. Criteria used for diagnosis of hypertension in children are more

Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics, 2018

Over-the-counter analgesics are used globally for the relief of acute pain. Although effective, t... more Over-the-counter analgesics are used globally for the relief of acute pain. Although effective, these agents can be associated with adverse effects that may limit their use in some people. In the early 2000s, observations from clinical trials of prescription-strength and supratherapeutic doses of nonselective and cyclooxygenase-2-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) raised safety concerns regarding the risk of cardiovascular adverse effects with the use of these medications. Subsequently, the US Food and Drug Administration mandated additional study of the cardiovascular safety of NSAIDs for a more comprehensive understanding of their risk. As these data were being collected, and based on a comprehensive review of prescription data and the recommendations of the US Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee, the warning labels of over-the-counter NSAIDs were updated to emphasize the potential cardiovascular risks of these agents. The recently reported "P...

The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, 1949

International Journal of Speleology, Jul 1, 2012

Mineral ontogeny is the study of the growth and development of mineral deposits in general and, i... more Mineral ontogeny is the study of the growth and development of mineral deposits in general and, in the present context, speleothems in particular. Previous researchers, mainly in Russia, have developed a nomenclatural hierarchy based on the forms and habits of individual crystals and the assembly of individual crystals into both monomineralic and polymineralic aggegates (i.e. speleothems). Although investigations of the growth processes of speleothems are sparse, there is a large literature on growth processes of speleothem minerals and related crystals in the geochemical and materials science literature. The purpose of the present paper is to sort through the various concepts of crystal growth and attempt to relate these to observations on speleothems and to the Russian conceptual framework of mineral ontogeny. For calcite, the most common mineral in speleothems, the activation energy for two dimensional nucleation (required for the growth of large single crystals) is almost the same as the activation energy for threedimensional nucleation (which would result in the growth of many small crystals). Calcite growth is highly sensitive to minor impurities that may poison growth in certain crystallographic directions or may poison growth altogether. Extensive recent research using the atomic force microscope (AFM) provides many details of calcite growth including the transition from growth on screw dislocations to growth by two-dimensional nucleation. The deposition of aragonite speleothems requires metastable supersaturation curve and is usually ascribed to the impurities Mg 2+ and Sr 2+. AFM studies reveal that Mg 2+ poisons calcite growth by blocking deposition sites on dislocations, thus allowing supersaturation to build up past the aragonite solubility curve. Sr 2+ precipitates as a Sr-rich nucleus with the aragonite structure which acts as a template for aragonite growth. The different morphology of gypsum speleothems can be explained by the different growth habit of gypsum. Examples of twinned growth, dendrite growth, and spherulitic growth are common in the crystal growth literature and can be used to interpret the corresponding cave forms. Interpretation of monomineralic aggregate growth follows from individual crystal mechanisms. Interpretation of polymineralic aggregate growth requires knowing the evolving chemistry which in turn requires new methods for the sampling and analysis of microliter or nanoliter quantities of fluid.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of a controlled-release formulation of doxazosin (g... more Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of a controlled-release formulation of doxazosin (gastrointestinal therapeutic system; DOX GITS) compared with placebo in patients with primary hypertension uncontrolled on their current antihypertensive. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial, baseline parameters were collected after a 2-Wk placebo run-in while patients continued their baseline antihypertensive(s) (ACEI, ARB, BB, CCB, DIU). One hundred seventy five patients were randomized to DOX GITS 4 mg/d (nϭ89) or placebo (nϭ86) and followed for 6 wks. DOX GITS was increased to 8 mg/d after 2 or 4 wks if patients did not respond to treatment (response defined as BP Ͻ140/90 mmHg with a 10/10-mmHg decrease from baseline BP). BP efficacy was assessed on Wks 1, 2, 4, and 6. Lipids and A1C were measured at baseline and Wk 6. Results:Reductions from baseline in sitting and standing DBP were significantly greater in the DOX GITS group compared with placebo at all time points (PՅ0.011). Reductions in sitting and standing SBP were also significantly greater in the DOX GITS group versus the placebo group at all time points (PՅ0.017), except Wk 1 sitting SBP (Pϭ0.068). The proportion of responding patients was significantly greater in the DOX GITS group than placebo. At Wk 6, the response rate in the DOX GITS group was 37.3% vs 10.7% in the placebo group (PϽ0.001). No statistically significant changes in lipids or A1C were observed. There were no significant differences between groups in frequency of adverse events. Conclusions: DOX GITS in combination with the 5 major classes of antihypertensive agents resulted in clinically and statistically significant reductions in SBP and DBP during the 6-wk efficacy period compared with placebo. DOX GITS was well-tolerated with no adverse effects on lipid or glycemic parameters.

Blood pressure monitoring, 2015

Department of Medicine, Division of Hypertension & Clinical Pharmacology, Calhoun Cardiology ... more Department of Medicine, Division of Hypertension & Clinical Pharmacology, Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA Correspondence to William B. White, MD, Department of Medicine, Division of Hypertension & Clinical Pharmacology, Calhoun Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA Tel: + 1 860 679 2104; fax: + 1 860 679 1250; e-mail: wwhite@uchc.edu

The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2006

Core-shell structured Ag/SiO2 nanocomposite has been synthesized by a cyclohexane/Igepal/water re... more Core-shell structured Ag/SiO2 nanocomposite has been synthesized by a cyclohexane/Igepal/water reverse micelle system. The spherical nanocomposite particles were washed and concentrated with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to remove the surfactant added during synthesis. Spherical SiO2 micrometer-scale particles were packed in the HPLC column as a stationary phase for the washing and dispersing of Ag/SiO2 nanocomposite particles. Surface modification of Ag/SiO2 nanocomposite particles and SiO2 microspheres with silane coupling agent enhanced the surface charge of the particles and improved the efficiency of washing with HPLC. Well-dispersed Ag/SiO2 stable suspensions were successfully attained in ethanol/water mixed solvents after HPLC washing. The state of dispersion for the Ag/SiO2 nanocomposite suspension was systematically assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) and spin coat/atomic force microscope (AFM) analyses. The mechanism of the enabling HPLC washing protocol for SiO2-based nanoparticles is discussed.

Materials Research Bulletin, 1967

Infrared powder transmission spectra have been obtained on selected pairs of structures related b... more Infrared powder transmission spectra have been obtained on selected pairs of structures related by distortional and orderdisorder phase transformations. It is shown that lowering of space group symmetry causes resolvable and interpretable detail to appear in the spectrum only when distortions are extreme. Ordering tends to cause dramatic changes in the spectra. In both cases a factor group analysis is necessary to interpret the results.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 1986

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2005

Iron oxide hematite particles with various shapes (platelet, polyhedron, pseudocube, and peanut-l... more Iron oxide hematite particles with various shapes (platelet, polyhedron, pseudocube, and peanut-like) have been synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of a Fe(OH) x O y precursor under various conditions. The size and shape of hematite particles can be adjusted by carefully controlling the processing parameters such as holding time, temperature, and adsorption ions present in the system. The nearly monosized a-Fe 2 O 3 platelets possess face diameters of approximately 3 lm and a thickness of 0.5 lm under a scanning electron microscope. The apparent color of the particles changes as particle size and shape varies. Munsell color notation was employed to compare the color of hematite particles with various sizes and shapes. Diffuse reflectance spectra show that a ''red-shift'' of 40 nm is observed in platelet, pseudocube, and peanut-like particles compared with conventional particles. The band at 850 nm for the 6 A 1-4 T 1 transition was split in the pseudocubic and peanut-like particles. Raman spectra of the hematite particles also reveal that the vibrational modes of a-Fe 2 O 3 particles diminish as particle size decreases, and dependence of vibrational band intensity on frequency is also observed. The spectral profiles demonstrate significant difference as excitation radiation lines changes from blue (457 nm) to red (647 nm). Possible mechanisms responsible for the optical properties of hematite particles are postulated based on the findings of the experiments.

American Journal of Hypertension - AMER J HYPERTENS, 2002

Several formulae for the estimation of body surface area (BSA) are used in the medical literature... more Several formulae for the estimation of body surface area (BSA) are used in the medical literature to index a number of biological variables including left ventricular mass (LVM). Most authors estimate BSA using the 1916 Dubois formula {(Weight, kg) 0.425* (Height, cm)0.725* 0.007184} which was developed in only 9 patients. Other formulae such as those by Gehan {(Weight, kg) 0.51456* (Height, cm)0.42246* 0.02350} and Mosteller {[(Height, cm) * (Weight, kg) ÷ 3600]0.5} were developed in a larger number of subjects but are infrequently used in the cardiology literature. We examined the effects of different methods of LVM indexation to BSA on relationships between LVM index and ambulatory blood pressure. A group of hypertensive (60) and normotensives (32) patients in the untreated state were systematically examined. The three methods of LVM indexation gave similar correlation coefficients of LVMI with ambulatory blood pressure averages with only minor differences (range 0.32 to .42, ± 0...

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2009

Journal of Physical Oceanography, 1972

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing, 1990

In this paper, we present two algorithms to efficiently embed the pyramid network structure into ... more In this paper, we present two algorithms to efficiently embed the pyramid network structure into the hypercube. Each algorithm is analyzed with respect to three specific cost gauges: expansion, dilation, and congestion. Both algorithms maintain optimal expansion and low values for the remaining cost gauges. The first algorithm has congestion two and dilation three; the second has congestion three and dilation two.

Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 1992

The Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) was designed to create financial incentives for pro... more The Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) was designed to create financial incentives for providers to contain costs, but it also places them at financial risk. The system includes provisions to mitigate the risk, but, because they may have limited effectiveness in the case of psychiatric services, specialty psychiatric hospitals and eligible psychiatric units of general hospitals are exempt from the system. A variety of payment options have been proposed to integrate these facilities into the PPS. Empirical studies on the financial risk entailed by these options have focused on their impact on risk in the long run. Our study uses a broader framework to evaluate their impact on short-run as well as long-run risk. We use Medicare discharge data for 1985 to simulate alternative PPS payment options under the assumption that treatment patterns remain fixed. Our results suggest that under current PPS payment rules, risk would be high for psychiatric specialty hospitals. However, alternative options exist, which could substantially reduce their exposure to risk, while maintaining incentives to contain costs.

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 1988

The development of battery-powered pumps for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion added new d... more The development of battery-powered pumps for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion added new dimensions to control of diabetes during pregnancy. In this report, we describe our experiences with 28 pregnant diabetic women offered participation in an insulin pump program. Fifteen (54%) accepted pump therapy and ten continued usage during their pregnancies. Excluding abortions, eight women continuing pump use are compared to 11 others who declined such therapy and were treated with conventional methods. Although these two groups are small and not strictly comparable, the experiences now reported provide clinical insights into the application of this new technology during pregnancy. Women who successfully used insulin pumps were typically from the private sector and in better glucose control at study entry. The degree of control during pregnancy in women using pumps was not significantly different compared to conventional glucose control methods (mean glucose 120 mg/dl and 142 mg/dl, respectively). Similarly, several indices of pregnancy outcome including length of hospitalization, costs, and perinatal morbidity associated with diabetes were analyzed and no significant differences were observed. We conclude that insulin pumps are not acceptable to all pregnant diabetic women and that such therapy may not necessarily improve pregnancy outcome.