From Boltzmann equations to steady wall velocities

By means of a relativistic microscopic approach we calculate the expansion velocity of bubbles generated during a first-order electroweak phase transition. In particular, we use the gradient expansion of the Kadanoff-Baym equations to set up the fluid system. This turns out to be equivalent to the one found in the semi-classical approach in the non-relativistic limit. Finally, by including hydrodynamic deflagration effects and solving the Higgs equations of motion in the fluid, we determine velocity and thickness of the bubble walls. Our findings are compared with phenomenological models of wall velocities. As illustrative examples, we apply these results to three theories providing first-order phase transitions with a particle content in the thermal plasma that resembles the Standard Model.Comment: 40 pages, 8 figures; v2: added references, version published in JCA

Baby Boomers and Generation X: How organizations understand the generational differences of employees

The generational differences of Baby Boomers and Generation X have been a topic of increased attention over the last decade; although previous research has not examined to what extent organizational strategy influences an organization’s ability to understand generational differences. This study investigated the influence of the traditional, relational, and cultural strategies for understanding the generational differences of Baby Boomers and Generation Xers and presents the results of interviews with a management representative from 10 companies to determine how their organization understands and deals with generational differences. The research focusedprimarily on the factors of influence for understanding generational differences for each organizational strategy, and how organizational strategy benefits an organization’s ability to understand these differences. The findings are discussed, and organizational and generational characteristics are examined in terms of similarities and differences

Biomechanical properties of masticatory balance in cases with RPDs—The influence of preferred and nonpreferred chewing side: A pilot study

Objectives Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are inserted with the aim to restore masticatory function. There is however inconsistent evidence supporting the alleged improvements, posterior occlusal contacts being one of the decisive factors. We hypothesized that the distribution of abutment teeth in RPDs influences masticatory performance and functional parameters. To evaluate the masticatory performance and functional parameters in patients with a RPD using a single mathematical parameter (tilting index [TI]) for both jaws that predicts biomechanical behavior on the basis of the distribution of abutment teeth. Materials and Methods Masticatory performance was measured in patients wearing long-time adapted RPDs using the standardized test food optocal, yielding the mean particle size (X$_{50}$). Mastication on the preferred and nonpreferred chewing sides was analyzed. Total muscle work (TMW) was calculated using bipolar electromyographic recordings of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscle. Functional parameters were subjected to multiple linear regression analysis including X$_{50}$ as a dependent variable and functional units (FU), the number of teeth, bite forces, and sagittal and frontal components of TI (TI α and TI β) as independent variables. Results When the preferred chewing side was tested, none of the investigated parameters correlated significantly with X$_{50}$. In contrast, chewing on the nonpreferred side was correlated significantly with performance for most variables (p < .05). This means that increased dental support improved chewing performance with RPDs under these conditions. Conclusions In well-adapted RPDs, the distribution of abutment teeth as expressed by the tilting index seems to be of subordinate importance for masticatory performance

Deferiprone modulates in vitro responses by peripheral blood T cells from control and relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis subjects

T cells are important mediators of autoimmune inflammation in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Previous studies found that deferiprone, an iron chelator, suppressed disease activity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, and inhibition of T cell proliferation was implicated as a putative mechanism. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of deferiprone on suppressing in vitro responses of T cells from control and RRMS subjects. Peripheral blood T cells were co-stimulated with anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 and cultured with or without interleukin 2 (IL-2). Proliferating CD4+ T cells from control and RRMS subjects, cultured with or without IL-2, decreased in response to 75 μM deferiprone, although the extent of decreased proliferation of CD4+ T cells from RRMS subjects was less than for control subjects. Proliferating CD8+ T cells from control subjects, cultured with or without IL-2, also decreased in response to 75 μM deferiprone, and this decrease was seen in proliferating CD8+ T cells from RRMS cultured with IL-2. CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells from control subjects, cultured with or without IL-2, declined in 75 M deferiprone, but the decrease was smaller than for the CD4+ and CD8+ proliferative responses. CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells from RRMS subjects showed more variability than for control subjects, but CD4+CD25+ cultured with IL-2 and CD8+CD25+ cells cultured without IL-2 significantly declined in 75 μM deferiprone. CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ cells tended to remain constant or increase. In summary, deferiprone induced declines in proliferative responses at a dosage that is within peak serum pharmacological concentrations

Enfermedad periodontal en pacientes diabéticos del policlínico docente "Julián Grimau". Santiago de Cuba. Cuba

Objetive: To identify the periodontal status of patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: A descriptive and cross- sectional study was conducted in 125 adult patients of the medical clinic from the family No. 33, belonging to the Educational Policlinic "Julian Grimau", in the city of Santiago from Cuba, during one year. The Periodontal Index of Russell was used to determine the severity of the periodontal illness and the Index of quantitative analysis of Love to specify the degree of buccal hygiene. Results: The present research showed that most of the patients were female (92.5%), prevailing the established periodontitis for a (53.0%). Conclusions: In diabetic patients there is an increment on the severity of periodontal disease and the oral hygiene was deficient. It is recommended to generate educational interventions in diabetic patients to improve their oral hygiene.Objetivo. Identificar el estado periodontal en pacientes con diabetes Mellitus. Material y método. Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal en 125 pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus del consultorio médico de la familia No. 33, pertenecientes al Policlínico Docente "Julián Grimau", en la ciudad de Santiago de Cuba, durante un año. Se utilizó el Índice Periodontal de Russell para determinar la severidad de la enfermedad periodontal y el Índice de análisis cuantitativo de Love para precisar el grado de higiene bucal. Resultados. La investigación mostró que la mayoría de los pacientes fueron del sexo femenino (92.5%), prevaleciendo la periodontitis establecida para un (53.0%). Conclusiones. En los pacientes diabéticos. La severidad de la enfermedad periodontal esta aumentada y la higiene bucal es deficiente. Se recomienda realizar estrategias de intervención educativa en los pacientes diabéticos para mejorar la higiene bucal