Moisture susceptibility of high and low compaction dry process crumb rubber modified asphalt mixtures

The field performance of dry process crumb rubber-modified (CRM) asphalt mixtures has been reported to be inconsistent with stripping and premature cracking on the surfacing. One of the concerns is that, because achieving field compaction of CRM material is difficult due to the inherent resilient nature of the rubber particle, nonuniform field compaction may lead to a deficient bond between rubber and bitumen. To assess the influence of compaction, a series of CRM and control mixtures was produced and compacted at two levels: 4% (low, optimum laboratory compaction) and 8% (high, field experience) air void content. The long-term durability, in regard to moisture susceptibility of the mixtures, was assessed by conducting repeated moisture conditioning cycles. Mechanical properties (stiffness, fatigue, and resistance to permanent deformation) were determined in the Nottingham Asphalt Tester. Results indicated that compared with conventional mixtures, the CRM mixtures, regardless of compaction effort, are more susceptible to moisture with the degree of susceptibility primarily depending on the amount of rubber in the mixture, rather than the difference in compaction. This behavior is different from that of conventional mixtures in which, as expected, poorly compacted mixtures were found to be more susceptible to moisture than were well-compacted mixtures

In vivo biocompatibility assessment of (PTFE–PVDF–PP) terpolymer-based membrane with potential application for glaucoma treatment

The aim of the work was to evaluate the in vivo biological behaviour of polymeric membrane materials for glaucoma implants. The base material was biostable synthetic terpolymer (PTFE–PVDF–PP) with proved biocompability (PN-EN ISO 10993). The samples manufactured in the form a membrane were subjected to chemical and physical treatment to create an open pore system within the polymer matrix. As a porogenic phase biodegradable natrium alginate in a fibrous form was employed. The non-perforating deep sclerectomy technique was performed in a rabbit model. The clinical observations were made after 14 and 30 days. During the study clinical symptoms of a moderate degree were observed, and histopathological changes were typical for foreign body implantation. At the end stage of the study no significant difference in histopathological assessment was found between control and experimental group. Similarities observed in both groups and relatively mild histopathological changes in the tissue surrounding the implant indicate that the observed symptoms come from a deep scleral trauma caused by surgery, and not by the presence of the implant itself

Rare variant analyses validate known ALS genes in a multi-ethnic population and identifies ANTXR2 as a candidate in PLS

BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting over 300,000 people worldwide. It is characterized by the progressive decline of the nervous system that leads to the weakening of muscles which impacts physical function. Approximately, 15% of individuals diagnosed with ALS have a known genetic variant that contributes to their disease. As therapies that slow or prevent symptoms continue to develop, such as antisense oligonucleotides, it is important to discover novel genes that could be targets for treatment. Additionally, as cohorts continue to grow, performing analyses in ALS subtypes, such as primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), becomes possible due to an increase in power. These analyses could highlight novel pathways in disease manifestation.MethodsBuilding on our previous discoveries using rare variant association analyses, we conducted rare variant burden testing on a substantially larger multi-ethnic cohort of 6,970 ALS patients, 166 PLS patients, and 22,524 controls. We used intolerant domain percentiles based on sub-region Residual Variation Intolerance Score (subRVIS) that have been described previously in conjunction with gene based collapsing approaches to conduct burden testing to identify genes that associate with ALS and PLS.ResultsA gene based collapsing model showed significant associations with SOD1, TARDBP, and TBK1 (OR = 19.18, p = 3.67 × 10–39; OR = 4.73, p = 2 × 10–10; OR = 2.3, p = 7.49 × 10–9, respectively). These genes have been previously associated with ALS. Additionally, a significant novel control enriched gene, ALKBH3 (p = 4.88 × 10–7), was protective for ALS in this model. An intolerant domain-based collapsing model showed a significant improvement in identifying regions in TARDBP that associated with ALS (OR = 10.08, p = 3.62 × 10–16). Our PLS protein truncating variant collapsing analysis demonstrated significant case enrichment in ANTXR2 (p = 8.38 × 10–6).ConclusionsIn a large multi-ethnic cohort of 6,970 ALS patients, collapsing analyses validated known ALS genes and identified a novel potentially protective gene, ALKBH3. A first-ever analysis in 166 patients with PLS found a candidate association with loss-of-function mutations in ANTXR2

Advertising, earnings prediction and market value: An analysis of persistent UK advertisers

YesThis paper examines whether major media advertising expenditures help in predicting future earnings. We consider the role of media advertising in firms’ marketing efforts and posit that persistent advertisers are more likely to benefit from advertising activities in creating long‐lived intangible assets. Employing a sample of persistent UK advertisers over the period 1997–2013, we find that advertising expenditures are significantly positively associated with firms’ future earnings and market value. We also report size and sector‐based differences in the association between advertising and firms’ future earnings. Our additional analysis provides support for the arguments that despite the recent rise in digital advertising budgets, traditional advertising media are still effective in positively influencing firms’ performance. Overall, the results of this study are consistent with the view that advertising expenditures produce intangible assets, at least for firms in certain sectors. These findings have implications for marketers in providing evidence of the value generated by firms’ advertising budgets, for investors in validating the relevance of advertising information in influencing future earnings, and for accounting regulators in relation to the provision of useful insights for any future deliberations on financial reporting policies for advertising expenditures

Acquisition Processing for the TDRSS Simulator

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / November 14-16, 1978 / Hyatt House Hotel, Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe TDRSS simulator forward link acquisition process requires that the epoch and frequency of the spreading code be acquired, and that the incoming carrier be phase locked. The time required for these two acquisitions must meet a specification of 20 seconds for S band and 4 seconds for K band operation. Calculations for the time required to acquire the carrier show that with the allowable sweep rates and frequency uncertainties the acquisition time specifications cannot be met with conventional sweep lock circuitry. Parallel processing is possible, but the requirements on local frequency control become difficult, and the additional circuits required make this approach unattractive. Because of these considerations, a frequency control strategy was developed which reduces the carrier acquisition time to fractions of a second. The specified acquisition time can then be allotted almost entirely to the spreading code acquisition process. This strategy is described in detail, including an experimental verification of the technique. The technique has an additional advantage of eliminating false lock to data sidebands in the carrier loop.International Foundation for TelemeteringProceedings from the International Telemetering Conference are made available by the International Foundation for Telemetering and the University of Arizona Libraries. Visit http://www.telemetry.org/index.php/contact-us if you have questions about items in this collection

Comparison Across Height Groups Between the Forward Functional Reach (FFR) Test and Other Fall Risk Outcome Measures to Identify Fall Risk Among Older Adults

BACKGROUND/Purpose: The Forward Functional Reach (FFR) test assesses anterior/posterior movement to identify fall risk. Previous studies have used the same cut value to identify fall risk for all people. The purpose of this study was to determine a correlation between FFR and other fall risk measures based on individual height. Methods: Participants age 60 plus were recruited from a senior activity center. Participants’ height was measured using a stadiometer then each performed FRR test using the 1-arm reaching method followed by completing: Fall/medical history, Activities Based Confidence Scale, Timed up and Go, & grip strength. Analysis utilized descriptive statistics and a Pearson correlation between FFR and each outcome measure. RESULTS: Sixty-six participants were stratified into height groups: \u3c 65”, 65” to 69”, \u3e69”. Using 10” cut value for all groups, low correlations were found between FFR and each measure: Grip Strength: +0.45, ABC: +0.25, Fall history: +0.05 and TUG:-0.33. Only the medium height group was accurately identified as fall risk by the FFR when identified by at least one other measure. FFR only identified 44% in the short height and 53% in the tallest height group as fall risk. Conclusion: Using the current criterion of a single value (10”) as a cutoff for FFR is not supported by this study; with results of 66% false positives in the short height group and 47% false negative in the tall height group. Future studies should look at individual markers of fall risk for the FFR based on height of the individual

Origin and early development of northern white-cedar stands in northern Michigan

Stem analysis was used to reconstruct establishment and development patterns of seven mature northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) stands in Michigan\u27s Upper Peninsula. Stands originated after single or repeated disturbances, probably timber harvests, that occurred between 1870 and 1935. These disturbances were essential for successful cedar recruitment into the overstory. Stands developed as single or multiple cohorts, depending upon the severity and frequency of disturbance. Duration of the establishment period following single disturbances ranged from less than 10 years to 50 years. Seedlings in some multiple cohort stands established almost continuously for 100 years. Cedar overstory trees, saplings, and seedlings that survived disturbances exhibited highly plastic height growth responses to suppression and release. All study areas developed stand initiation and stem exclusion stages. Only 3% of all stems ≤2.54 cm DBH established after 1945. Cedar germination beneath the mature canopy was abundant, but cedar seedlings taller than 30 cm were completely absent from most sites. Successful cedar establishment and recruitment following the initial wave of timber harvesting contrast with widespread regeneration failures after present-day cutting practices. Factors influencing the cedar recruitment process have apparently changed over the past century