Impact of surface and pore characteristics on fatigue life of laser powder bed fusion Ti-6Al-4V alloy described by neural network models.

In this study, the effects of surface roughness and pore characteristics on fatigue lives of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) Ti-6Al-4V parts were investigated. The 197 fatigue bars were printed using the same laser power but with varied scanning speeds. These actions led to variations in the geometries of microscale pores, and such variations were characterized using micro-computed tomography.

Hair combing to collect organic gunshot residues (OGSR).

A protocol is presented for the collection and analysis of gunshot residues (GSR) from hair. A fine-toothed comb is used for collection of the residues. A small zip-closure bag serves as a container for both sample storage and extraction of the characteristic organic powder additives.

Treatment of fibromyalgia incorporating EEG-Driven stimulation: a clinical outcomes study.

Thirty patients from a private clinical practice who met the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) were followed prospectively through a brainwave-based intervention known as electroencephalograph (EEG)-driven stimulation or EDS. Patients were initially treated with EDS until they reported noticeable improvements in mental clarity, mood, and sleep. Self-reported pain, then, having changed from vaguely diffuse to more specifically localized, was treated with very modest amounts of physically oriented therapies.

Unacknowledged versus acknowledged rape victims: situational factors and posttraumatic stress.

Investigators of sexual assault have found that a substantial number of women who have been raped do not conceptualize their experiences as such. The present investigation examined differences between 40 unacknowledged rape victims and 20 women who acknowledged their experience as rape in a sample of college women, as well as a control group of 23 nonvictims. Groups were compared in terms of situational factors, postassault symptomatology, defense mechanisms, dissociative disorders, and sexual revictimization.

Transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain. Repeated dose pharmacokinetics.

Background: The transdermal therapeutic system (fentanyl), or TTS(fentanyl), continuously delivers fentanyl for up to 72 h. The transdermal therapeutic system (fentanyl)-100 delivers approximately 100 micrograms/h. The repeated dose pharmacokinetics of this drug using the recommended dosing interval have not been evaluated previously and were determined in the present study.

Perceived risk, trust, and the politics of nuclear waste.

The Department of Energy's program for disposing of high-level radioactive wastes has been impeded by overwhelming political opposition fueled by public perceptions of risk. Analysis of these perceptions shows them to be deeply rooted in images of fear and dread that have been present since the discovery of radioactivity. The development and use of nuclear weapons linked these images to reality and the mishandling of radioactive wastes from the nation's military weapons facilities has contributed toward creating a profound state of distrust that cannot be erased quickly or easily.

Perceived risk, stigma, and potential economic impacts of a high-level nuclear waste repository in Nevada.

This study investigates the potential impacts of the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, upon tourism, retirement and job-related migration, and business development in Las Vegas and the state. Adverse impacts may be expected to result from perceptions of risk, stigmatization, and socially amplified reactions to "unfortunate events" associated with the repository (major and minor accidents, discoveries of radiation releases, evidence of mismanagement, attempts to sabotage or disrupt the facility, etc.).

Plasma morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide during chronic morphine therapy for cancer pain: plasma profiles, steady-state concentrations and the consequences of renal failure.

Morphine-6-glucuronide (M-6-G) is an active metabolite of morphine that may contribute to drug effects. To understand better the relationship between morphine and M-6-G in cancer patients receiving chronic therapy, we employed high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to measure: (1) morphine and M-6-G plasma concentrations following discontinuation of dosing in 2 patients, one receiving oral therapy and the other an intravenous infusion; (2) morphine and M-6-G concentrations in random blood samples taken at apparent steady state from 8 patients, 7 with normal renal function and 1 with mild renal insufficiency, who were receiving continuous morphine infusions; and (3) morphine and M-6-G concentrations in random blood samples taken over a period of weeks from 4 patients, 2 with stable and 2 with declining renal function. Results demonstrated a slightly slower decline in plasma M-6-G than morphine concentrations following drug discontinuation, as would be expected for metabolite and parent relationship; roughly similar M-6-G: morphine ratios (mean molar ratio = 1.

Chronic morphine therapy for cancer pain: plasma and cerebrospinal fluid morphine and morphine-6-glucuronide concentrations.

Morphine-6-glucuronide (M-6-G) is an active metabolite that may contribute to the clinical effects produced by systemic administration of morphine. To help clarify the extent to which M-6-G may cross the blood-brain barrier and exert effects, we employed high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to measure the concentrations of M-6-G and morphine in the plasma and either ventricular (three patients) or lumbar (eight patients) CSF of cancer patients receiving chronic morphine therapy. The mean ratio of morphine in ventricular CSF:morphine in plasma was 0.

Evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility testing by agar dilution and the Micro Media system (Fox Panel).

The susceptibilities of 350 gram-positive cocci and 638 gram-negative bacilli to various antimicrobial agents were compared by using the Micro-Media system (MMS) (Fox Panel) (Micro-Media Systems, Inc., Potomac, Md.) and a standard agar dilution procedure.

Evaluation of two bioluminescence-measuring instruments, the Turner Design and Lumac systems, for the rapid screening of urine specimens.

Two bioluminescence-measuring instruments, the Turner Design and Lumac systems, were compared with a standard plate culture method for their ability to rapidly screen 400 urine specimens. For cultures with less than 1,000 CFU/ml the Turner Design, with old and new evaluation formulas, gave 6.5 and 50.

Evaluation of the MS-2 and Lumac systems for the rapid screening of urine specimens.

The authors have evaluated the MS-2 (Abbott) and Lumac (3M) systems for the rapid screening of urine specimens for bacteriuria. These systems, which can detect significant levels of microorganisms in urine in five hours (MS-2) or 30 minutes (Lumac), were compared with a standard overnight plate culture method. Three hundred fifty-eight voided urine specimens were examined.