Nondestructive testing of railroad wheels and rails by ultrasonics

Quality control of wheels and rails can be improved by using ultrasonic technique developed for measuring stresses in metallic materials. In addition, parts already in use can be tested and replaced if they are found to be unsafe. Test equipment includes two transducers

Ultrasonic measurement of stress in 2219-T87 aluminum plate

The basic relationship of ultrasonic signal velocity to directional subsurface stress is reviewed. Inappropriateness of dependency on a single correlative value of constant for a three dimensional stress field in metallic materials is discussed. Implementation of conventional ultrasonic nondestructive testing capabilities integrated to provide a composite technique for the measurement of orthogonal stress components is described, and the procedures for performing the preparatory calibration and subsequent stress field measurements are presented. In conclusion, the prime effect of stress on ultrasonic signal velocity occurs only in the direction of material excitation or particle motion

Ultrasonic measurement of stress in railroad wheels and in long lengths of welded rail

The failure of high speed emergency braking is discussed for railroad wheels and track. It is shown that high compressive residual stresses exist in the rims of new wheels which generate excessive heat, reducing the stress levels. Thermal stresses that build up in continuous lengths of welded track are reported and nondestructive methods of measuring stresses in thick steel are presented for identification, replacement, or adjustment before hazardous failures occur

The fact of the Black poet : Four phenomenological interviews with prominent American writers on the impact of the Furious Flower Poetry Center

The purpose of this study was to discern the impact, if any, of the Furious Flower Poetry Center, the United States’ first academic center devoted to Black poetry. A qualitative approach centered on semi-structured phenomenological interviews was applied, and four nationally acclaimed poets were recruited for a purposive sample: Jericho Brown, PhD; Toi Derricotte, MA; Tyehimba Jess, MFA; and Evie Shockley, JD, PhD. Emergent themes were identified based on content analysis by hand-coding transcripts; these findings lead to a conclusion that Furious Flower’s impact on the poets has been significant and consistent in three ways: 1) creating a platform for showing and sharing art and experiences, thus asserting and insisting upon both the possibilities and realities of Black poetry, Black poetics, and Black poets; 2) fostering personal and professional networks, as well as a sense of community—connections and counterspaces—which supports and encourages the establishment of other key institutions; and 3) documenting an evolution of Black poetry, providing chronicles and contexts for current and future scholarship. These themes are illustrated in an impact model, and this study offers insight to Furious Flower’s national reach, as well as how it contributes to the credibility and reputation of James Madison University, the predominantly white institution where it has been located since 1994. Keywords: academic center, Black studies, community, counterspace, poet, predominantly white institutio

Glycaemic patterns in healthy elderly individuals and in those with impaired glucose metabolism - exploring the relationship with nonglycaemic variables.

OBJECTIVE The SENIORLABOR study data were explored (i) to examine the evolution during senescence of the differences between measured glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values and the values predicted by using regression to extrapolate from measured fructosamine levels; (ii) to scrutinise the relationship between the glycation gap and insulin resistance using a homeostasis model assessment, and between the glycation gap and a low-grade inflammation marker (C-reactive protein serum concentration); and (iii) to investigate the glycation gap ranges in relation to triglyceride levels and kidney function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 1432 Swiss individuals aged >60 years and classified as healthy (547), prediabetic (701) or diabetic (184) based on their fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c values were included in the study. The glycation gap was evaluated and assigned to one of four categories: <−0.5; −0.5 to <0.0; 0.0 to ≤0.5; >0.5. RESULTS In healthy and prediabetic participants, the homeostasis model assessment for estimation of insulin resistance (p <0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p <0.001) and triglyceride (p = 0.02) values tended to increase with increasing glycation gap category and were highest in the glycation gap category >0.5. Homeostasis model assessment for estimation of insulin resistance, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and triglyceride levels tended to increase with increasing glycation gap category and were highest in the glycation gap category >0.5. Significant differences (p <0.01) between glycation gap categories were seen among different high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration groups. Interestingly, in diabetic participants, homeostasis model assessment for estimation of insulin resistance values, triglyceride concentrations and estimation of glomerular filtration values all decreased with decreasing glycation gap category. In the group of participants with a glycation gap >0.5, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein values tended to increase with increasing glycation gap, whereas for participants with type 2 diabetes and in the glycation gap group >0.5, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels tended to decrease as the glycation gap increased. The percentage of participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus increased from 2% in the glycation gap category <−0.5 to 76% in the glycation gap category >0.5. In contrast, the percentage of healthy participants fell from 85% to 7%. CONCLUSION This is the first time that a direct comparison of healthy, prediabetic and diabetic participants, all assessed under identical conditions and using identical methodology, has clearly demonstrated a different glycation gap pattern. Thus, we contribute evidence that the glycation gap might be of interest in the care of diabetic patients and their prophylaxis, while acknowledging that more studies are needed to confirm our findings. (Trial registration number ISRCTN53778569)

Reference Intervals for Platelet Counts in the Elderly: Results from the Prospective SENIORLAB Study.

Currently, age- and sex-independent reference limits (RLs) are frequently used to interpret platelet counts in seniors. We aimed to define and validate reference intervals (RIs) for platelet counts within the framework of the prospective SENIORLAB study. Subjectively healthy Swiss individuals aged 60 years and older were prospectively included and followed for morbidity and mortality. Participants who had circumstances known to affect platelet counts were excluded. The obtained RIs were validated with indirect statistical methods. Frequencies of abnormal platelet counts in a population-based setting, including 41.5% of the entire age-specific population of the Principality of Liechtenstein, were compared by using age- and sex-independent RIs and the RLs obtained in the present study. For males (n = 542), 95% RIs for platelet counts were defined as follows: 150-300 × 109/L (60-69 years); 130-300 × 109/L (70-79 years); and 120-300 × 109/L (80 years and above). For females (n = 661), the consolidated age-independent 95% RI was 165-355 × 109/L. These RI values were validated by indirect RI determination of 51,687 (30,392 female/21,295 male) patients of the same age. Age- and sex-independent RIs exhibited imbalanced frequencies of abnormal platelet counts between the two sexes, which were corrected by introducing age- and sex-specific RLs. In conclusion, females have higher platelet counts than males. Whereas the upper RL for males remains constant, the lower RL decreases with age. We propose to abandon the practice of employing sex- and age-independent RL for platelet counts in the elderly

Amphibian, Reptile, and Small Mammal Associates of Ozark Pocket Gopher Habitat in Izard County, Arkansas

We conducted a study of the amphibian, reptile, and small mammal community assemblage of Ozark pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius ozarkensis) habitat in north-central Arkansas. We used 2 methods to capture individuals: hand capture and drift fences. During the study, we captured and marked a total of 9 anuran, 4 salamander, 5 lizard, 3 turtle, 16 snake, and 8 small mammal species exclusive of pocket gophers. We found one hatchling three-toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) and one rough earth snake (Virginia striatula) inside a pocket gopher burrow and mound, respectively. Additionally, we witnessed both eastern racers (Coluber constrictor) and eastern coachwhips (Masticophis flagellum) retreat into pocket gopher burrows, as well as Hurter’s spadefoots (Scaphiopus holbrookii hurterii) burrow into pocket gopher mounds when released. Our results highlight the importance of mammalian burrows, specifically pocket gophers, to other vertebrate associates in grassland ecosystems. Both conservationists and managers need to determine the pocket gopher’s impact on ecosystem health and viability, specifically in natural grasslands, before conservation and/or management strategies are employed