Application and evaluation of embankment construction specification for cohesive soil using the dynamic cone penetrometer

A series of research projects were conducted starting in 1997 to evaluate the Iowa Department of Transportation\u27s construction practices and specifications after a series of large embankment failures. Iowa State University researchers developed alternative methods for construction and quality control of earthen embankment utilizing strength based soil measurements. A formal construction specification was later developed that incorporated the elements of the previous studies into a usable embankment construction specification. This research focuses on the application of that construction specification to a pilot project in high plasticity clay soils. This work is one of the few documented cases of applying a strength based earthwork quality control procedure for cohesive fill. The results of this study show that the requirements of this specification are suitable for construction in these types of soils. Furthermore, performance testing on completed embankment fill revealed that adequate levels of shear strength were attained. Observations at the project did reveal that one area of concern is the material property testing. New provisions are recommended to address these concerns

Duality of Bures and Shape Distances with Implications for Comparing Neural Representations

A multitude of (dis)similarity measures between neural network representations have been proposed, resulting in a fragmented research landscape. Most of these measures fall into one of two categories. First, measures such as linear regression, canonical correlations analysis (CCA), and shape distances, all learn explicit mappings between neural units to quantify similarity while accounting for expected invariances. Second, measures such as representational similarity analysis (RSA), centered kernel alignment (CKA), and normalized Bures similarity (NBS) all quantify similarity in summary statistics, such as stimulus-by-stimulus kernel matrices, which are already invariant to expected symmetries. Here, we take steps towards unifying these two broad categories of methods by observing that the cosine of the Riemannian shape distance (from category 1) is equal to NBS (from category 2). We explore how this connection leads to new interpretations of shape distances and NBS, and draw contrasts of these measures with CKA, a popular similarity measure in the deep learning literature

Influenza research database: an integrated bioinformatics resource for influenza research and surveillance.

BackgroundThe recent emergence of the 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus has highlighted the value of free and open access to influenza virus genome sequence data integrated with information about other important virus characteristics.DesignThe Influenza Research Database (IRD, http://www.fludb.org) is a free, open, publicly-accessible resource funded by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases through the Bioinformatics Resource Centers program. IRD provides a comprehensive, integrated database and analysis resource for influenza sequence, surveillance, and research data, including user-friendly interfaces for data retrieval, visualization and comparative genomics analysis, together with personal log in-protected 'workbench' spaces for saving data sets and analysis results. IRD integrates genomic, proteomic, immune epitope, and surveillance data from a variety of sources, including public databases, computational algorithms, external research groups, and the scientific literature.ResultsTo demonstrate the utility of the data and analysis tools available in IRD, two scientific use cases are presented. A comparison of hemagglutinin sequence conservation and epitope coverage information revealed highly conserved protein regions that can be recognized by the human adaptive immune system as possible targets for inducing cross-protective immunity. Phylogenetic and geospatial analysis of sequences from wild bird surveillance samples revealed a possible evolutionary connection between influenza virus from Delaware Bay shorebirds and Alberta ducks.ConclusionsThe IRD provides a wealth of integrated data and information about influenza virus to support research of the genetic determinants dictating virus pathogenicity, host range restriction and transmission, and to facilitate development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics

Effects of Feeding a Novel Alfalfa Leaf Pellet Product (ProLEAF MAX) and Alfalfa Stems (ProFiber Plus) on Performance in the Feedlot and Carcass Quality of Beef Steers

Alfalfa is often included in the diets of beef animals; however, the nutrient content of alfalfa is variable depending on the region in which it is grown, climate, soil, and many other factors. The leaf portion of alfalfa has a less variable nutrient composition than the stem portion of the plant. The variability that is present in the alfalfa plant can make the development of total mixed rations of consistent nutrient content difficult. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine how the inclusion of fractionated alfalfa leaves and alfalfa stems impacts performance and carcass quality of finishing beef steers. Twenty-four steers were allocated to one of three treatments: a control group fed a typical finishing diet with alfalfa as the forage (CON; n = 8), a typical diet that replaced alfalfa with fractionated alfalfa leaf pellets and alfalfa stems (ProLEAF MAX™ + ProFiber Plus™; PLM+PFP; n = 8), or a typical diet that replaced alfalfa with alfalfa stems (PFP; n = 8) for 63 days. Steers were fed individually once daily, weighed every 14 days and ultrasound images were collected every 28 days. At the end of the feeding trial, steers were harvested at a commercial facility and carcass data was obtained. Analysis of dry matter intake demonstrated that steers receiving the PFP and CON diets consumed more feed (P \u3c 0.001) than steers consuming the PLM+PFP diet. Steers receiving the PLM+PFP diet gained less (P \u3c 0.001) weight than the steers receiving the other two dietary treatments. No differences (P \u3e 0.10) in feed efficiency or carcass characteristics were observed. Steers receiving the PFP diet had improved (P = 0.016) cost of gain ($0.93 per kg) when compared with steers receiving PLM+PFP ($1.08 per kg) diet. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the inclusion of PFP in place of alfalfa hay in a finishing diet has the potential to improve cost of gain, without negatively affecting growth, performance, or carcass characteristics of finishing feedlot steers

Unitarity at Infinity and Topological Holography

Recently it has been suggested that non-gaussian inflationary perturbations can be usefully analysed in terms of a putative dual gauge theory defined on the future conformal infinity generated by an accelerating cosmology. The problem is that unitarity of this gauge theory implies a strong constraint [the "Strominger bound"] on the matter fields in the bulk. We argue that the bound is just a reflection of the equation of state of cosmological matter. The details motivate a discussion of the possible relevance of the ``dS/CFT correspondence" to the resolution of the Big Bang singularity. It is argued that the correspondence may require the Universe to come into existence along a non-singular spacelike hypersurface, as in the theories of ``creation from nothing" discussed by Firouzjahi, Sarangi, and Tye, and also by Ooguri et al. The argument makes use of the unusual properties of gauge theories defined on topologically non-trivial spaces.Comment: 18 pages including 2 eps file

Mechanisms Of Cannabinoid Cb 2 Receptor-Mediated Reduction Of Dopamine Neuronal Excitability In Mouse Ventral Tegmental Area

Background: We have recently reported that activation of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB 2 Rs)reduces dopamine (DA)neuron excitability in mouse ventral tegmental area (VTA). Here, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Patch-clamp recordings were performed in mouse VTA slices and dissociated single VTA DA neurons. Findings: Using cell-attached recording in VTA slices, bath-application of CB 2 R agonists (JWH133 or five other CB 2 R agonists)significantly reduced VTA DA neuron action potential (AP)firing rate. Under the patch-clamp whole-cell recording model, JWH133 (10 μM)mildly reduced the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs)but not miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). JWH133 also did not alter evoked EPSCs or IPSCs. In freshly dissociated VTA DA neurons, JWH133 reduced AP firing rate, delayed AP initiation and enhanced AP after-hyperpolarization. In voltage-clamp recordings, JWH133 (1 μM)enhanced M-type K + currents and this effect was absent in CB 2−/− mice and abolished by co-administration of a selective CB 2 R antagonist (10 μM, AM630). CB 2 R-mediated inhibition in VTA DA neuron firing can be mimicked by M-current opener (10 μM retigabine)and blocked by M-current blocker (30 μM XE991). In addition, enhancement of neuronal cAMP by forskolin (10 μM)reduced M-current and increased DA neuron firing rate. Finally, pharmacological block of synaptic transmission by NBQX (10 μM), D-APV (50 μM)and picrotoxin (100 μM)in VTA slices failed to prevent CB 2 R-mediated inhibition, while intracellular infusion of guanosine 5\u27-O-2-thiodiphosphate (600 μM, GDP-β-S)through recording electrode to block postsynaptic G-protein function prevented JWH133-induced reduction in AP firing. Interpretation: Our results suggest that CB 2 Rs modulate VTA DA neuron excitability mainly through an intrinsic mechanism, including a CB 2 R-mediated reduction of intracellular cAMP, and in turn enhancement of M-type K + currents. Fund: This research was supported by the Barrow Neuroscience Foundation, the BNI-BMS Seed Fund, and CNSF (81771437)

PENGARUH PERILAKU PEMERIKSA PAJAK DAN PROFESIONALISME PEMERIKSA PAJAK TERHADAP KINERJA PEMERIKSA PAJAK (Studi Pada KPP Pratama Bandung Karees )

ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui seberapa besar pengaruh perilaku pemeriksa pajak terhadap profesionalisme pemeriksa pajak dampaknya pada kinerja pemeriksa pajak dan untuk mengetahui seberapa besar pengaruh perilaku pemeriksa pajak dan profesionalisme pemeriksa pajak terhadap kinerja pemeriksa pajak . Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif dan verifikatif. Populasi dari penelitian ini adalah pemeriksa pajak di KPP Pratama Bandung Karees yang berjumlah 30 responden. Te knik sampling yang digunakan adalah teknik sampling jenuh yaitu keseluruhan populasi dijadikan sampel penelitian. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan analisis path dan analisis regresi linier berganda. Hasil penelitian menunju k kan bahwa Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak masuk ke dalam Kriteria cukup baik karena nilai rata - rata sebesar 33,77 berada pada interval 26,1 s/d 34. Secara parsial Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Kinerja Pemeriksa Pajak dengan kontribusi pengaruh sebesar 21, 6%. Profesionalisme Pemeriksa Pajak masuk ke dalam Kriteria cukup tinggi karena nilai rata - rata sebesar 47,8 berada pada interval 36,6 s/d 47,8 . Secara parsial Profesionalisme Pemeriksa Pajak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Kinerja Pemeriksa Pajak dengan k ontribusi pengaruh sebesar 37,2%. Secara simultan Pengaruh Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak dan Profesionalisme Pemeriksa Pajak terhadap Kinerja Pemeriksa Pajak adalah Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak dan Profesionalisme Pemeriksa Pajak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap K inerja Pemeriksa Pajak dengan kontribusi pengaruh sebesar 59%. Pengaruh tidak langsung Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak terhadap Kinerja Pemeriksa Pajak melalui Profesionalisme Pemeriksa Pajak sebesar 26,3%. Total pengaruh Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak, Profesionalism e Pemeriksa Pajak terhadap Kinerja Pemeriksa Pajak sebesar 47,9%. Kata kunci : Perilaku Pemeriksa Pajak , Profesionalisme Pemeriksa Pajak dan Kinerja Pemeriksa Pajak