ABSTRACT
Understanding the micro-mechanisms underlying the localized-ductile transition (LDT) as well as the brittle-plastic transition (BPT) has become crucial for our wider understanding of crustal processes and seismicity. Given how difficult in situ observations of these transitions are to perform, laboratory experiments might be our only way to investigate the processes active under these conditions (high T and high P). Here, we present Triaxial AppaRatus for GEoThermal energy, a new gas-based triaxial apparatus located at EPFL in Switzerland that was specifically designed to operate under conditions where both the LDT and BPT can occur in geomaterials. We show that the machine is capable of deforming rock samples at confining pressures of up to 400 MPa, temperatures of up to 800 °C, and pore pressures (liquid or gas) of up to 300 MPa while keeping the temperature gradient along samples of 40 mm in length and 20 mm in diameter minimal (less than 30 at 700 °C). Most importantly, the maximum load is 1000 kN (stresses as high as 2.2 GPa on 24 mm samples and 3 GPa on 20 mm samples), allowing for the deformation of very competent rock samples. Moreover, during deformation, the pair of syringe pore pressure pumps allow for continuous permeability or dilatancy recording. We benchmarked our machine against existing data in the literature and show that it accurately and precisely records stress, strain, permeability, pressure, and temperature.
Subject(s)
Career Choice , Decision Making , Family Practice/education , Students, Medical , Humans , Medicine , Prospective Studies , Specialization , TexasABSTRACT
This report presents the results of interviews with 16 Mexican-American folk healers (curanderos and curanderas) in San Antonio, Tex. Curanderismo was found to be alive and well in San Antonio, though its practitioners tend to be older and its future unclear. Several salient characteristics of the practitioners were clarified such as the process of becoming a healer, referral practices, types of disorders treated, and treatment of the traditional folk illnesses. We take a basically conservative position on whether curanderos can ever be incorporated into the health care delivery system. However, this study confirms that the practitioners and their clients simultaneously utilize the folk medical system and the scientific medical system.
Subject(s)
Health Services, Indigenous/statistics & numerical data , Hispanic or Latino , Medicine, Traditional , Adult , Aged , Delivery of Health Care/methods , Delivery of Health Care/standards , Female , Health Services, Indigenous/organization & administration , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Referral and Consultation , Texas , WorkforceABSTRACT
In a State hospital population, 686 patients (mean age, 65 years) were examined for patterned pigmentation on unexposed areas of the body. Of these patients, 285 (41.5 percent) met the criteria for pigmentation. There were no sex or age differences. Psychosis had been diagnosed in 96 percent of the pigmented group. All of the 239 patients examined orthopedically had vertebral malalignment greater than 15 degrees and often had other bony deformities. Nearly all of the pigmented group displayed dyskinetic activity. A possible mechanism for the production of the pigmentation-psychosis-skeletal deformity triad could be an alteration in the concentration of available melatonin. Continued research along these lines may lead to an effective means of pharmacologic treatment as well as better psychologic and physical care.
