Managers as Champions of National Competitiveness through Strengthening Knowledge Infrastructure

Dinker Raval, Ph.D., is a professor in the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251. Bala Subramanian, Ph.D., is an associate professor, in Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251. Bina Raval, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252-0001

A rare case report of spontaneous frothy secretion from intact skin: Role of fungal allergic disease

Fungi are common aeroallergens which form a major part of bioaerosol. About 2-6% of the general population is allergic to fungi belonging to genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria and Fusarium in developed countries. Here, we report a case series of 8 school going children of age 8 to 9 years who simultaneously reported with chief complaints of spontaneous mysterious white frothy secretion oozing from the surface of the intact skin while they were attending their classes. The role of fungal allergic reaction was suspected and skin secretions were sent for fungal as well as bacterial culture. Fungal culture done on air sampling plates was found positive for Aspergillus species. Cutaneous manifestations in the form of urticaria, angioedema have been reported in the previous literature, this case report shows a rare phenomenon of spontaneous oozing frothy white secretion which has not been reported in the literature so far

Evaluation of changes in perfusion defect and left ventricular systolic function using Tc-99m Tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography over 3 month period in patients of Acute Myocardial Infarction undergoing primary angioplasty

Background After a primary transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) following AMI (acute myocardial infarction), the perfusion defect and LV (left ventricular) function recover/change over a period of time. The analysis immediately after the procedure may not be true depiction of the exact success of the procedure. There is varying and scanty information available on the natural course of changes in these parameters after a successful PTCA. We hypothesized that majority of change occurs at 3–4 month period. Hence, we undertook this study on the natural course of recovery/changes occurring in perfusion defect size and LV function in first 3 months after primary angioplasty Material and methods 30 consecutive cases of first AMI who were taken up for Primary angioplasty were enrolled into the study. Resting MPI(Myocardial perfusion imaging) was done within 24–72 hrs of admission using Tc-99m–Tetrofosmin and after 10–14 weeks. Analysis of LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), summed segmental score and extent of perfusion defect was done. Images were processed using autocardiac software of emory tool box and quantification was done using QPS (quantitative perfusion SPECT) and QGS (qualitative perfusion SPECT) softwares. 20 segment scoring method was used for quantification on bull’s eye images. Student t test (two tailed, dependent) was used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale within each group. Effect size was computed to find the effect. Pearson correlation between perfusion defect and LVEF was performed at acute stage and after 10–14 weeks. Results The average acute perfusion defect extent was 19.76 ± 12.89% which after 3months became 16.79 ± 12.61%. The summed segmental score changed from 14.31 ± 10.58 to 11.38 ± 10.03 and LVEF improved from 48.40 ± 13.15% to 53.37 ± 12.8%. There was significant improvement in LVEF from acute setting to 10–14 weeks (p = 0.001). There was significant lowering of summed score (p = 0.007). Perfusion defect size showed significant reduction (p = 0.030). Three patients showed deterioration in perfusion defect size and in summed score with reduction in LVEF. Four patients had no change in any of the parameters. Correlation between perfusion defect and LVEF was strong both at baseline (r = -0.705, p &lt; 0.001) and after 10-18 weeks (r = -0.766, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion The changes we found in 3 months are similar to earlier studies and also to studies using follow up at 6 months to 1 year. We feel that 3 months is a good enough time to accurately assess the success of primary angioplasty.BACKGROUND. After a primary transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) following AMI (acute myocardial infarction), the perfusion defect and LV (left ventricular) function recover/change over a period of time. The analysis immediately after the pro­cedure may not be true depiction of the exact success of the procedure. There is varying and scanty information available on the natural course of changes in these parameters after a successful PTCA. We hypothesized that majority of change occurs at 3–4 month period. Hence, we undertook this study on the natural course of recovery/changes occurring in perfusion defect size and LV function in first 3 months after primary angioplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS. 30 consecutive cases of first AMI who were taken up for Primary angioplasty were enrolled into the study. Resting MPI (Myocardial perfusion imaging) was done within 24–72 hrs of admission using Tc-99m–Tetrofosmin and after 10–14 weeks. Analysis of LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), summed segmental score and extent of perfusion defect was done. Images were processed using autocardiac software of emory tool box and quantification was done using QPS (quantitative perfusion SPECT) and QGS (qualitative perfusion SPECT) softwares. 20 segment scoring method was used for quantification on bull’s eye images. Student t test (two tailed, dependent) was used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale within each group. Effect size was computed to find the effect. Pearson correlation between perfusion defect and LVEF was performed at acute stage and after 10–14 weeks. RESULTS. The average acute perfusion defect extent was 19.76 ± 12.89% which after 3 months became 16.79 ± 12.61%. The summed segmental score changed from 14.31 ± 10.58 to 11.38 ± 10.03 and LVEF improved from 48.40 ± 13.15% to 53.37 ± 12.8%. There was significant improvement in LVEF from acute setting to 10–14 weeks (p = 0.001). There was significant lowering of summed score (p = 0.007). Perfusion defect size showed significant reduction (p = 0.030). Three patients showed deterioration in perfusion defect size and in summed score with reduction in LVEF. Four patients had no change in any of the parameters. Correlation between perfusion defect and LVEF was strong both at baseline (r = -0.705, p < 0.001) and after 10–18 weeks (r = -0.766, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION. The changes we found in 3 months are similar to earlier studies and also to studies using follow up at 6 months to 1 year. We feel that 3 months is a good enough time to accurately assess the success of primary angioplasty.

The strategic use of small scale water providers : an analysis of private-sector participation in peri-urban Maputo

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-134).During Portuguese colonial rule biased service provision throughout the 20th century resulted in a city that today has spatially segregated water services distinguishable along racial lines. In 1975, a newly independent Mozambique lacked the financial and human resources necessary to extend its utility network to peri-urban residents. Water coverage rates and service levels could not keep up with population growth. Donor agencies and policymakers gave a great deal of attention to large scale-private sector participation but it was unable to overcome Maputo's infrastructure challenges. Today, less than 40 percent of Maputo residents have access to the utility network. Maputo's 'other private sector' - small, informal private-sector providers (SPSP) - serve over 150,000 residents with reliable standpipes and private connections and have contributed significantly to coverage goals. Sector planners knew less, however, about how they could contribute to future sector goals. This study aims to answer that question through a detailed analysis of their cost and price structures, investment profiles, and operating environment.(cont.) We find that Maputo's SPSPs already contribute significantly to the sector's coverage, service, and financial sustainability goals. They should be viewed as an integral part of Maputo's water delivery system and not 'a problem' like much of the literature brands them. Their operations can be made more efficient, affordable, and environmentally sustainable with the appropriate policy and business interventions. We recommend actively promoting larger SPSPs, universal metering, improved electricity supply, reducing costs associated with water pumps, and taxation and regulatory measures so ISNOs can contribute to all sector goals as planning moves forward.by Jigar D. Bhatt.M.C.P

Investigation of the mechanism of chromium removal in (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane functionalized mesoporous silica

We are proposed that a possible mechanism for Cr(VI) removal by functionalized mesoporous silica. Mesoporous silica was functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) using the post-synthesis grafting method. The synthesized materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the pore structure and functionalization of amine groups, and were subsequently used as adsorbents for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. As the concentration of APTMS increases from 0.01 M to 0.25 M, the surface area of mesoporous silica decreases from 857.9 m(2)/g to 402.6 m(2)/g. In contrast, Cr(VI) uptake increases from 36.95 mg/g to 83.50 mg/g. This indicates that the enhanced Cr(VI) removal was primarily due to the activity of functional groups. It is thought that the optimum concentration of APTMS for functionalization is approximately 0.05 M. According to XPS data, NH3+ and protonated NH2 from APTMS adsorbed anionic Cr(VI) by electrostatic interaction and changed the solution pH. Equilibrium data are well fitted by Temkin and Sips isotherms. This research shows promising results for the application of amino functionalized mesoporous silica as an adsorbent to removal Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

Chromium removal from aqueous solution by a PEI-silica nanocomposite

It is essential and important to determine the adsorption mechanism as well as removal efficiency when using an adsorption technique to remove toxic heavy metals from wastewater. In this research, the removal efficiency and mechanism of chromium removal by a silica-based nanoparticle were investigated. A PEI-silica nanoparticle was synthesized by a one-pot technique and exhibited uniformly well-dispersed PEI polymers in silica particles. The adsorption capacity of chromium ions was determined by a batch adsorption test, with the PEI-silica nanoparticle having a value of 183.7 mg/g and monolayer sorption. Adsorption of chromium ions was affected by the solution pH and altered the nanoparticle surface chemically. First principles calculations of the adsorption energies for the relevant adsorption configurations and XPS peaks of Cr and N showed that Cr(VI), [HCrO4](-) is reduced to two species, Cr(III), CrOH2+ and Cr3+, by an amine group and that Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions are adsorbed on different functional groups, oxidized N and NH3+

ATP- and carbachol-stimulated 1,2-diacylglycerol production during sensitization of adenylyl cyclase

Stimulation of LM5 cells with the phorbol ester 4$\beta$-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), causes a 2-4 fold sensitization of hormonally-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity. This effect is thought to be due to protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation of either G\sb{\rm i} or the catalytic subunit of AC. PKC are components of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate phospholipase C (PIP\sb2-PLC) pathway. The currently accepted model of this pathway is that its activation by an agonist results in the production of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP\sb3) which causes Ca\sp{++} mobilization, and 1,2-diacylglycerols (DAG) which activate PKC. Based on this model, we predicted that stimulation of purinergic and muscarinic receptors with the agonists ATP and carbachol (CCh), respectively in the LM5 cells, should sensitize AC. Surprisingly we found that only stimulation of the purinergic receptors in these cells caused a sensitization of PGE\sb1-stimulated AC measured in cell-free assays. We hypothesized that ATP-and CCh-stimulated differential DAG production contributes to the effectiveness of these two agonists to sensitize PGE\sb1-stimulated AC activity. To test this hypothesis directly, we performed a combined high-performance liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography analysis of the DAG produced in the LM5 cells in response to stimulation with ATP and CCh. We found that both ATP and CCh increased levels of 23 species of DAG. Relative to the control levels (0.261 nmol DAG/100 nmol phospholipid) the CCh-induced increase in DAG levels was 280% (0.738 $\pm$ 0.051 nmol DAG/100 nmol phospholipid) whereas the ATP-induced levels increased 180% (0.441 t 0.006 nmol DAG/100 nmol phospholipid). Neither agonist created new species or eliminated the existing ones. The major species which comprised $\approx$50% of the total cellular DAG in all of the groups were 16:0-18:1, 18:0-18:1, 18:1-18:1, and 18:0-20:4. CCh was more effective than ATP at stimulating these major DAG species. It is concluded that factor(s) other than DAG contribute(s) to the differences between ATP-and CCh-sensitization of PGE\sb1-stimulated AC activity in the LM5 cells