The effects of impact loading on reinforced concrete panels

Includes bibliographical references.An investigation into the effects of impact loading on reinforced concrete panels (slabs) was conducted. The impact load was generated by means of a compound pendulum. The impact load was increased by increasing the height from which the pendulum was released as well as by the addition of weights (masses) to the pendulum. The duration of the impulse was varied by the addition of weights (masses). This meant that with low mass and high velocity a high initial intensity and short duration was achieved. The addition of weights (masses) gave low initial intensity and longer duration. Damage criteria identified included residual strength, pendulum backswing, crack width and permanent deformation as well as 'punching' through of the panels. It was shown that residual strength was inadequate on its own to classify a specimen as failed, but had to be used in conjunction with one or more of the other damage criteria. An Elasto-Plastic Design Method was developed and used in the analysis. The method is described in Chapter 8 and is given as a simplified method to design panels for impact loading

The Effect of a Personalized Playlist on Older Adults with Dementia

Dementia is a disease that corrodes one’s cognitive abilities such as their memory, affecting around 5million people in the United States. While there is currently no treatment available to cure dementia,music therapy was found effective to help reduce its symptoms. Based on the Music and Memoryprogram, this study is aimed to examine the impact of listening to a personalized music playlist onobservable behavior, memory, and mood of older adults with dementia. The Music and Memory programwas applied to 6 older adults with dementia at a Retirement Center in Northwest Ohio. The findingsindicated that listening to a personalized playlist had a positive outcome on improving moods anddecreasing disruptive behavior of participants, with more increased eye contact, smiling, face relaxation,and responsiveness. This study suggests that personalized music is an effective intervention tool;therefore, social workers should take on the roles of educators, evaluators, brokers, and advocators inapplying Music and Memory program to clients with dementia

Non-invasive pre-clinical MR imaging of prostate tumor hypoxia for radiation therapy prognosis

Purpose: To investigate the usefulness of Oxygen-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (OE-MRI) changes in signal intensity related to oxygen challenge for predicting tumor response to radiation therapy.Methods: Dynamic MR signal changes were acquired using Varian 4.7T small animal MR scanner prior to image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) of small (n = 6) and large subcutaneous (n = 5) prostate tumors in adult male rats. An interleaved blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) and tissue-oxygen level dependent (TOLD) data acquisition or (IBT) was performed using a baseline of medical air as positive control and using medical oxygen as a breathing challenge. BOLD used a 2-D multi-slice spoiled gradient-echo with multi-echo sequence. TOLD used a 2-D multi-slice spoiled gradient-echo sequence. Voxel changes in signal intensity were determined by a correlation coefficient mapping technique. Irradiation technique planned consisted of 1F × 15 Gy AP/PA or 2F × 7.5 Gy AP/PA to the gross tumor volume (GTV). Tumor growth measurements were recorded over time to assess the response to IGRT.Results: BOLD and TOLD signals variously illustrated positive or negative impulse responses in the tumor ROI due to inhaling medical oxygen. Correlation coefficient mapping demonstrated heterogeneity in tumors after inhaling medical oxygen. BOLD and TOLD signals exhibited increased changes in signal intensities after the first fraction of dose. Multi-fractionation had minimum effect until the second fraction of dose was applied. Tumor growth delays were observed when inhaling medical oxygen during IGRT.Conclusion: OE-MRI is a non-invasive imaging modality that can provide insight to the oxygen status of tumors. Observed increase percent changes in BOLD and TOLD signal intensities after the first fraction of dose suggest tumors experienced reoxygenation. OE-MRI could be used for predicting tumor response to IGRT when using medical oxygen for increasing GTV radiosensitivity, suggesting patient stratification for clinical implementation.------------------------------Cite this article as: White DA, Mason RP. Non-invasive pre-clinical MR imaging of prostate tumor hypoxia for radiation therapy prognosis. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):020243. DOI: 10.14319/ijcto.0202.4

Antimagic Labeling for Unions of Graphs with Many Three-Paths

Let $G$ be a graph with $m$ edges and let $f$ be a bijection from $E(G)$ to $\{1,2, \dots, m\}$. For any vertex $v$, denote by $\phi_f(v)$ the sum of $f(e)$ over all edges $e$ incident to $v$. If $\phi_f(v) \neq \phi_f(u)$ holds for any two distinct vertices $u$ and $v$, then $f$ is called an {\it antimagic labeling} of $G$. We call $G$ {\it antimagic} if such a labeling exists. Hartsfield and Ringel in 1991 conjectured that all connected graphs except $P_2$ are antimagic. Denote the disjoint union of graphs $G$ and $H$ by $G \cup H$, and the disjoint union of $t$ copies of $G$ by $tG$. For an antimagic graph $G$ (connected or disconnected), we define the parameter $\tau(G)$ to be the maximum integer such that $G \cup tP_3$ is antimagic for all $t \leq \tau(G)$. Chang, Chen, Li, and Pan showed that for all antimagic graphs $G$, $\tau(G)$ is finite [Graphs and Combinatorics 37 (2021), 1065--1182]. Further, Shang, Lin, Liaw [Util. Math. 97 (2015), 373--385] and Li [Master Thesis, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, 2019] found the exact value of $\tau(G)$ for special families of graphs: star forests and balanced double stars respectively. They did this by finding explicit antimagic labelings of $G\cup tP_3$ and proving a tight upper bound on $\tau(G)$ for these special families. In the present paper, we generalize their results by proving an upper bound on $\tau(G)$ for all graphs. For star forests and balanced double stars, this general bound is equivalent to the bounds given in \cite{star forest} and \cite{double star} and tight. In addition, we prove that the general bound is also tight for every other graph we have studied, including an infinite family of jellyfish graphs, cycles $C_n$ where $3 \leq n \leq 9$, and the double triangle $2C_3$

Distinct subpopulations of gy T cells are present in normal and tumor-bearing human liv

gy T cells are thought to mediate immune responses at epithelial surfaces. We have quantified and characterized hepatic and peripheral blood gy T cells from 11 normal and 13 unresolved tumor-bearing human liver specimens. gy T cells are enriched in normal liver (6.6% of T cells) relative to matched blood (0.9%; P = 0.008). The majority express CD4CD8 phenotypes and many express CD56 and/or CD161. In vitro, hepatic gy T cells can be induced to kill tumor cell lines and release interferon-g, tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin-2 and interleukin- 4. Analysis of Vgand Vy chain usage indicated that Vy3+ cells are expanded in normal livers (21.2% of gy T cells) compared to blood (0.5%; P = 0.001). Tumor-bearing livers had significant expansions and depletions of gy T cell subsets but normal cytolytic activity. This study identifies novel populations of liver T cells that may play a role in immunity against tumors

Distinct subpopulations of gy T cells are present in normal and tumor-bearing human liv

gy T cells are thought to mediate immune responses at epithelial surfaces. We have quantified and characterized hepatic and peripheral blood gy T cells from 11 normal and 13 unresolved tumor-bearing human liver specimens. gy T cells are enriched in normal liver (6.6% of T cells) relative to matched blood (0.9%; P = 0.008). The majority express CD4CD8 phenotypes and many express CD56 and/or CD161. In vitro, hepatic gy T cells can be induced to kill tumor cell lines and release interferon-g, tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin-2 and interleukin- 4. Analysis of Vgand Vy chain usage indicated that Vy3+ cells are expanded in normal livers (21.2% of gy T cells) compared to blood (0.5%; P = 0.001). Tumor-bearing livers had significant expansions and depletions of gy T cell subsets but normal cytolytic activity. This study identifies novel populations of liver T cells that may play a role in immunity against tumors

Dismantling institutional racism: theory and action

Despite a strong commitment to promoting social change and liberation, there are few community psychology models for creating systems change to address oppression. Given how embedded racism is in institutions such as healthcare, a significant shift in the system's policies, practices, and procedures is required to address institutional racism and create organizational and institutional change. This paper describes a systemic intervention to address racial inequities in healthcare quality called dismantling racism. The dismantling racism approach assumes healthcare disparities are the result of the intersection of a complex system (healthcare) and a complex problem (racism). Thus, dismantling racism is a systemic and systematic intervention designed to illuminate where and how to intervene in a given healthcare system to address proximal and distal factors associated with healthcare disparities. This paper describes the theory behind dismantling racism, the elements of the intervention strategy, and the strengths and limitations of this systems change approach.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116935/1/ajcp9117.pd

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is increased in tumour bearing human liver and expands CD8C and CD56C T cells in vitro but not in vivo

Human liver is enriched with CD8CT- and CD3CCD56C natural T (NT)-lymphocytes, important anti-tumour effectors, similar to murine NKTs. IL-12 promotes anti-tumour functions of NKTs. We quantified IL-12 and CD56C/CD8CT lymphocytes in normal and tumour bearing liver. We also examined the effect of IL-12 on the expansion/activation of peripheral blood cells in vitro. IL-12 was detected in normal (n ¼ 13, median 2032 pg/100 mg protein) and increased in tumour bearing liver (n ¼ 9, 3678 pg, p!0:01). Infiltrating monocytes appear to be the principal producers. Culture with IL-12 selectively expanded CD8CT and CD3CCD56CNT cells and polarised their cytokine responses to Th1-type. However, there was no in vivo expansion of these cells in tumour bearing liver. Changes observed in culture required addition of IL-2. We therefore quantified IL-2 in hepatic tissue. IL-2 was detected in normal liver (median 4700 pg/100 mg protein). Surprisingly, there was no increase in tumour-infiltrated liver (4910 pg). The presence of IL-12 may create an environment in healthy liver that promotes the accumulation of CD8CT and CD56CNT cells. Therefore, the development of metastases in the presence of high levels of IL-12 may be due to an insufficient IL-12 response. Alternatively, lack of IL-2 rather than a defect in IL-12, may be responsible for insufficient expansion/activation of tumour specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes