A tunable line filter polychromator for gas temperature measurements using laser Raman scattering

A proprietary laser line filter spectrograph (LLFS) was modified to test for improved remote measurement of atmospheric temperature by Raman spectroscopy of the rotational bands of N2 and O2. Both grating scan measurements with fixed PMT and polychromator image plane PMT scans with fixed grating setting were made using HeNe and Ar(+) lasers. The LLFS was found to have a laser line rejection ratio at 6A from the laser line and provides resolved rotational Raman spectral display at the polychromator exit plane. Spectral resolution is adequate to measure and correct for background in the Stokes spectrum. It is anticipated that this system should allow measurement of gas or atmospheric temperature to + or - 1 C

Increasing Sequential Compression Device Compliance to Decrease Venous Thromboembolisms and Improve Nursing Documentation

Venous thromboembolisms (VTE) affect approximately 350,000 to 900,000 people in the United States annually and are the leading cause to preventable hospital death (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2017). Nearly 70% of these cases were preventable through the use of pharmacologic agents and/or mechanical compression devices, such as sequential compression devices (SCD). However, less than half of hospitalized patients receive VTE prophylaxis (CDC, 2017). At a large metropolitan hospital, compliance with VTE prophylaxis, specifically with SCDs, is an ongoing quality improvement project. Currently, SCD usage and nursing documentation compliance have been consistently below performance standards. Therefore, the aim of this quality improvement project is to increase SCD compliance in order to decrease the incidence of VTEs and improve nursing documentation. Based on previous data from a root cause analysis, one of the pivotal contributing factors to low SCD compliance was the lack of available SCD machines. In order to overcome this barrier, 180 SCD machines were place at the end of each patient bed across all medical-surgical units. Additionally, in-services were conducted to educate day and night shift medical-surgical nurses on the importance of VTE prevention, new SCD protocols, and were reminded to document SCDs. Audits were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. Results showed that having SCDs at the point of care did not increase SCD usage and nursing education did not improve SCD documentation compliance. These results led students to investigate other contributing factors, such as physicians. Future recommendations for this project are to conduct a six-month post audit to examine the location of SCD machines, work closely with physicians to study other contributing factors to low SCD compliance, and compose additional SCD procedures to close gaps in the current protocol

Phase diagram of an exactly solvable t-J ladder model

We study a system of one-dimensional t-J models coupled to a ladder system. A special choice of the interaction between neighbouring rungs leads to an integrable model with supersymmetry, which is broken by the presence of rung interactions. We analyze the spectrum of low-lying excitations and ground state phase diagram at zero temperature.Comment: LaTeX, 8 pp. incl. 1 figur

Preventing dentures and putting aside the fry bread: A systematic review of micro, mezzo, and macro conditions for dental health and obesity interventions for Native American youth

This systematic literature review was focused on childhood obesity and dental health interventions which have relevance to Native American communities. Childhood oral health and obesity have become significant problems across North America and among Nati

Phase diagram of the su(8) quantum spin tube

We calculate the phase diagram of an integrable anisotropic 3-leg quantum spin tube connected to the su(8) algebra. We find several quantum phase transitions for antiferromagnetic rung couplings. Their locations are calculated exactly from the Bethe Ansatz solution and we discuss the nature of each of the different phases.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX, 1 postscript figur

Third Neighbor Correlators of Spin-1/2 Heisenberg Antiferromagnet

We exactly evaluate the third neighbor correlator and all the possible non-zero correlators <S^{alpha}_j S^{beta}_{j+1} S^{gamma}_{j+2} S^{delta}_{j+3}> of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg $XXX$ antiferromagnet in the ground state without magnetic field. All the correlators are expressed in terms of certain combinations of logarithm ln2, the Riemann zeta function zeta(3), zeta(5) with rational coefficients. The results accurately coincide with the numerical ones obtained by the density-matrix renormalization group method and the numerical diagonalization.Comment: 4 page

Web-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Training for Massage Therapists: Protocol for the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education Study

Background: Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, is costly and potentially deadly. Its burden can be reduced by early detection and prevention activities. The scope of skin cancer requires going beyond traditional health care providers to promote risk reduction. Partnering with the nonbiomedical workforce, such as massage therapists (MTs), may reach more individuals at risk. MTs see much of their clients' skin and are amenable to performing skin cancer risk reduction activities during massage appointments. Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral, and Education protocol, presenting an overview of our systematic approach to developing rigorous e-training for MTs to enable them to be partners in skin cancer risk reduction. We also describe procedures for usability and feasibility testing of the training. Methods: We developed an integrated electronic learning system that includes electronic training (e-training) technology, simulated client interactions, online data collection instruments, and in-person assessment of MTs' application of their training. Results: A total of 20 participants nationally scored the e-training as high for usability and satisfaction. We have screened an additional 77 MTs in Arizona for interest and eligibility, and currently have 37 enrolled participants, of whom 32 have completed the Web-based training. Conclusions: The structured and rigorous development approach for this skin cancer risk reduction and brief behavioral intervention e-training for MTs begins to fill a gap in skin cancer risk reduction research. Iterative usability testing of our asynchronous Web-based training resulted in positive participant response. Our e-training approach offers greater learner accessibility, increased convenience, and greater scalability than the few existing programs and has the potential to reach many MTs nationally.Arizona Biomedical Research Centre through the Arizona Department of Health Services [ABRC/ADHS16-162518]; National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant [P30 CA023074]open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]