Factors affecting the interface shear strength of pavement layers

Flexible pavement structures are built in layers with a certain degree of bonding at the interface, which is affected by several factors which could be either material related, or construction related. The tack coat material type, residual application rate, tack coat coverage, and pavement surface type are attributed as material related factors. On the other hand, cleanliness, moisture, and vertical confinement pressure could be classified as construction related factors. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of these factors on the pavement interface bonding in terms of interface shear strength. Five types of tack coats, four of which were asphalt emulsions; CRS-1, SS-1h, SS-1, and Trackless, and one paving grade asphalt binder, PG 64-22, were considered at three residual application rates; 0.14 (0.031) l/m2 (gal/yd2), 0.28 (0.062) l/m2 (gal/yd2), and 0.70 (0.155) l/m2 (gal/yd2). The selected tack coats were applied on four different pavement surface types; existing HMA, new HMA, milled HMA, and Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). In addition, for each pavement surface type, a “no tack coat” condition was included in the analysis. The influence of moisture and cleanliness were evaluated by careful application of water and dirt respectively. To simulate these test conditions, test specimens were obtained from the test sections designed and constructed at the Louisiana DOTD Pavement Research Facility using conventional tack coat application method and paving equipment. Specimens were extracted from the research facility and were tested in the laboratory at 25 (77) oC (oF) under two vertical confinement pressures, 0 (0) kPa (psi) and 138 (20) kPa (psi), using a direct shear test device. The study yielded several important conclusions. The results strongly supported the need of applying tack coats for improving pavement interface bond strength. Except for the milled surface, the rest of the surfaces failed to adhere with the HMA overlay, in absence of a tack coat. Trackless emerged as the most effective tack coat, while SS-1 and CRS-1 were among the least effective tack coat materials. On a general basis, an increase in the residual application rate showed an increase in the interface bond strength, which is why an optimum application rate could not be established within the application rate range considered in the study. Among the four pavement surface types, milled HMA surface provided the highest bond strength with the HMA overlay. The presence of dirt at the interface remarkably improved the pavement interface bond strength. Presence of moisture did not have any consequential influence on the interface bond strength. Irrespective of tack coat material type, residual application rate, and pavement surface type, interfaces subjected to 138 (20) kPa (psi) vertical confinement pressure a provided higher shear strength than those to 0 (0) kPa (psi). However, the effect of confinement diminished with an increase in the residual application rate

Melioidosis: acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis

Melioidosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei) mostly found in endemic areas like Southeast Asia. Herein, we presented a case of melioidosis in a 32-year-old man who presented with respiratory distress, was a known case of type 2 diabetes not on any treatment presented to the emergency department (ED) with a history of pustules over skin, shortness of breath, and fever. He was initially misdiagnosed and treated as pulmonary tuberculosis in another hospital prior to his latest presentation. Melioidosis is a severe infection that can be misdiagnosed due to variable presentation and low awareness among healthcare workers of the disease. Diagnosis requires high clinical suspicion, especially in patients who are coming from endemic areas with appropriate risk factors such as diabetes mellitus. Treatment with appropriate antibiotics for a long duration, and outpatient follow-up is vital to reduce the risk of recurrence

The cognitive reflection test : a measure of intuition reflection, numeracy, and insight problem solving, and the implications of understanding real-world judgments and beliefs

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) has quickly become a popular measure of individual differences in propensity to reflect versus rely on intuition (Frederick, 2005). The test consists of three questions, and it has been found to be associated with many different every day beliefs, such as religious beliefs, and performance on heuristics and biases tasks. As such, it has dominated recent theorizing about individual differences in intuitive/reflective thinking propensities. However, it is unclear whether these questions primarily measure individual differences in reflective versus intuitive thinking propensities, versus numeracy, or even another cognitive skill such as cognitive restructuring (i.e. the ability to reframe problems). The present research examined the extent to which the CRT performance can be attributed to individual differences in intuitive/reflective thinking propensities, versus other factors such as numeracy and/or insight problem solving ability, by observing whether presenting the correct answers in multiple-choice format without the "intuitive" answers would make the problems trivially easy or if many participants would still be unable to solve the problems correctly. Furthermore, it sought to determine whether the CRT's associations with other judgments and beliefs (e.g. religiosity, paranormal beliefs, etc.) can be explained by its assessment of intuition/reflection or one of these other factors. Results indicate that performance on the CRT is multiply determined, with numeracy and insight problem solving ability also being primary factors. Furthermore, numeracy in particular could help explain some differences in everyday beliefs. Keywords: Cognitive Reflection, Intuition, Numeracy, Insight, Beliefs, JudgmentsDr. Laura Scherer, Thesis Supervisor.Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-60)

Experimental Investigation on Effective Copper Conduction Path Thickness for Multilayer Absorber Plate Type Solar Still

Solar still is a best alternative solution against most of the conventional water distillation system. The multilayer absorber plate type solar still is the more effective technique to enhance the passive solar still productivity. The experiment has been carried out to find out the best thickness of copper conduction path for the multilayer absorber plate type solar still. The results have concluded that the productivity of solar still is reduced with increasing the conduction path thickness and water depth. The maximum productivity of distilled water has been produced in the multilayer absorber type solar still with 0.5cm thick copper conduction path and 1cm water depth

Comparison of Induction Therapy Using Antithymocyte Globulin and Using Basiliximab for Live Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single Centre Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: Acute rejections (AR) have a negative impact on long-term graft survival and are the major predictor of chronic rejection. Induction therapy is used to reduce AR and prevent delayed graft function (DGF). Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and basiliximab are mainly used for this purpose. In this prospective, cohort study, we analysed and compared the safety and efficacy of ATG and basiliximab in induction therapy for live donor kidney transplant recipients.Methods: Graft survival, AR-free survival, renal function, DGF and tolerability were compared in patients who underwent live-donor transplantation between January 2014 and August 2014 at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad, Gujarat, India.Results and Discussion: A total of 85 live-donor kidney transplant recipients who enrolled were followed up for 12 mo. The incidence of AR was greater in the basiliximab group, as compared with the ATG group (25.6% versus 7.1%, p <0.05). The incidence of antibody treated AR was also greater (18.6% versus 2.4 %, p < 0.05). Patient survival rate and graft survival rate were 95.2% and 92.9% in the ATG group, respectively, compared with 90.4%and 90.7% in the basiliximab group, respectively. The incidence of adverse events was higher in the ATG group compared with the basiliximab group (71.4% versus 48.3%, p<0.05).Conclusion: The incidence of AR and antibody-treated AR was significantly higher in the basiliximab group than in the ATG cohort. However, ATG was associated with significantly higher incidence of adverse events and leucopenia than basiliximab. Both the strategies were achieved similar patient and graft survival

One step pre-hardening micropropagation of Bambusa balcooa Roxb.

Bamboo’s fast growth and ability to sequester atmospheric carbon consequently mitigate climate change.Abellon’s mission is to reduce CO2 from the environment by growing bamboo on marginal land and using this biomass for bioenergy. Bambusa balcooa Roxb. micropropagation protocol is established for a consistent supply of quality plantlets. Surface sterilization of nodal explants using 0.1% mercuric chloride followed by initiation in liquid and solid media with and without Gentamycin (3.0-8.0 mg/L) containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.01% myo-inositol, 3% sugar, 25 mg/L citrate 50 mg/L ascorbate, and 3.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) as growth regulator. Shoots were multiplied using MS medium augmented with 3% sugar, 6% agar, 0.01% myo-inositol with 3 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Shoot clusters were rooted in MS supplemented with 4 mg/L NAA, pre-hardened in half MS, acclimatized using coco peat, and vermicompost while at net house using vermicompost, soil, sand, and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) culture. 97% bud break was achieved from initiation while overall success ratio for establishment was 85%. Sub-culturing shoots showed proliferation rate of 3.5-fold. Rooting was successfully achieved with 83% rate.Acclimatization rate at primary and secondary hardening was 72%. The uniqueness of the study lies as bamboo confines to tropical region, however; we have described B. balcooa mass multiplication protocol using explants from arid region with one step pre-hardening process. The protocol achieved multiplication rate of 3.5-fold, overall survival rate 74.66% using vermicompost and VAM for acclimatization of B. balcooa

Antibacterial activity of methanolic and acetone extract of some medicinal plants used in indian folklore

Antibacterial study of methanolic and acetone extract in crude and treated (with 50 % lead acetate) form of medicinal plants Alstonia scholaris Linn. R.Br. (Stem bark, Apocynaceae), Achyranthus aspera Linn. (Whole plant, acantheceae), Moringa oleifera Lam. (Leaves, Morinaceae), Tinospora cordifolia (Stem, Menispermaceae), and Enicostema hyssopifolium (Willd) (Stem, Gentianaceae). Extractive values in methanol were found higher then the extractive value in acetone, for all plants. All extract of plants were tried at 40-mg/ml concentrations against eight strains of bacteria, by agarwell-difusion test. Acetone extract was found more active as compared to methanol extract. Phytochemical investigation revealed crude and treated extracts of all plants were containing more or less same type of chemical constituents (except protein and carbohydrate). Selected eight strains of bacteria were study for antibiotic susceptibility against standard antibiotics like Ampicillin (10µg), Tetracycline (25µg), Gentamicin (30µg), Co-Trimoxazole (25µg), Amikacin (10µg), by Octadisc. Treated extract of M. oleifera and A. scholaris were count as to new source of antimicrobial agent for the infectious diseases (Typhoid). Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Medicinal Plants, infectious diseases