Economic Impact of Deer Breeding Operations in Texas

The deer breeding industry is a growing industry in the Texas economy, particularly the rural economy. Industry participants were surveyed to provide estimates of economic activity, which was then input into the IMPLAN model. The industry generates an estimated $652 million in economic activity, while supporting 7,335 jobs.Industrial Organization,

Performance-Related Specifications for Concrete Bridge Superstructures, Volume 3: Nonmetallic Reinforcement

In Volume 3 of the final report, research work conducted to investigate the behavior of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement is summarized. This study focused on the behavior of FRP reinforced concrete structures with an emphasis on bond and shear. For the bond investigation, three series of beam splice tests were performed on specimens reinforced with steel, glass FRP, and aramid FRP to determine the effect of the different types of reinforcement on bond, cracking, and deflections. The test results indicate that the use of FRP reinforcement leads to lower bond strengths and, therefore, require longer development lengths. The specimen crack widths and deflections were substantially larger for FRP specimens than steel specimens due to the significantly lower modulus of elasticity. Analysis of the test results resulted in recommendations for modifying the empirical development length equation of ACI 318- 99 design code for use with FRP reinforcement. For the shear investigation, two series of beam tests were conducted on specimens reinforced with steel, glass FRP, and aramid FRP to determine the effect of the different types of reinforcement on the concrete shear strength. All specimens did not contain transverse reinforcement. The test results indicate that the use of FRP reinforcement leads to lower concrete shear strengths than steel reinforcement for equal reinforcement cross-sectional areas (longitudinal reinforcement percentages). Analysis of the test results resulted in recommendations for the calculation of concrete shear strength. Based on the findings of this research, design and construction recommendations are provided that can be used for the design and construction of FRP reinforced bridge decks

Candidate screening for the recruitment of critical research and development workers - a report and preliminary results with evidence from experimental data from German high-tech firms

The report focuses on résumé-based screening strategies for the recruitment of highly qualified research and development (R&D) workers (critical R&D workers) in high-tech firms. We investigate which kinds of professional background, job-related experience, motivations, specific skills, and previous inventive activity make a candidate attractive for firms specializing in clean technology or mechanical elements. The report is based on a combination of survey and experimental data collected from 194 HR decision makers in German high-tech firms and from 89 technology experts in the clean technology and mechanical elements fields. A mixed logit model is used to analyse hiring preferences because this model allows us to deal with repeated choices. We find that HR decision makers prefer candidates with technology-specific patenting experience, an engineering background, analytical thinking skills, and a strong desire to develop path-breaking technologies. Furthermore, no one-size-fits-all candidate exists that is equally preferred in both technology fields. HR decision makers in mechanical element firms prefer specialists to generalists, whereas those in clean technology attach special importance to a candidate’s orientation towards environmental concerns and sustainability

Development of a Cost-Effective Concrete Bridge Deck Preservation Program: Volume 1—Development and Implementation of the Experimental Program

The deterioration of bridge decks has been identified as a major problem in Indiana. The primary cause of this deterioration is salt water ingress from the application of deicing salts during the winter. Deicing chemicals placed on the road mix with water and enter the deck through cracks and the pore structure of the concrete. This results in corrosion of the reinforcing steel and scaling of the surface, which leads to a shortened bridge deck life and costly deck replacement. The objective of this study is to investigate potentially effective and economic bridge deck preservation methods to significantly extend the service life of bridge decks, and as a result, extend the life of bridge structures in the State of Indiana. The research is presented in two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the development and implementation of the experimental program. A survey of State Departments of Transportation identified the types of bridge deck preservation programs that are currently in use, the methods that they have employed in the past, and the perceived level of success with these programs and methods. A literature review provided information regarding specific products that performed well, characteristics of broader chemical families and their best uses, and other variables that may influence the effectiveness of sealers. The results of the DOT survey and literature review were used to determine the materials and methods to be further investigated in the experimental study. Based on this background, a series of macrocell specimens were constructed, and a salt water exposure regimen was initiated to examine the effectiveness of deck/crack sealer materials and application methods that were identified. Volume 2 presents the results of this study which were developed through the analysis of the recorded electrical activity after 1600 days of exposure followed by autopsy of the specimens. A visual rating scheme was used to assess the specimens during autopsy and to demonstrate the correspondence between the observed severity of corrosion and the recorded electrical activity. In addition, a deck sealer was applied to specimens with preexisting corrosion to evaluate the sealer\u27s effectiveness in slowing the rate of corrosion. The deck sealer products were studied further by correlating both the sealer penetration depth and the chloride penetration profile with the products\u27 effectiveness in resisting corrosion activity. A preliminary field application of crack sealer to an existing bridge deck was completed to evaluate processes, equipment, and other required resources. Finally, recommendations are provided regarding product selection and application to enable cost effective implementation of a bridge deck sealing program across the State of Indiana

Development of a Cost-Effective Concrete Bridge Deck Preservation Program: Volume 2—Final Results and Recommendations

The deterioration of bridge decks has been identified as a major problem in Indiana. The primary cause of this deterioration is salt water ingress from the application of deicing salts during the winter. Deicing chemicals placed on the road mix with water and enter the deck through cracks and the pore structure of the concrete. This results in corrosion of the reinforcing steel and scaling of the surface, which leads to a shortened bridge deck life and costly deck replacement. The objective of this study is to investigate potentially effective and economic bridge deck preservation methods to significantly extend the service life of bridge decks, and as a result, extend the life of bridge structures in the State of Indiana. The research is presented in two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the development and implementation of the experimental program. A survey of State Departments of Transportation identified the types of bridge deck preservation programs that are currently in use, the methods that they have employed in the past, and the perceived level of success with these programs and methods. A literature review provided information regarding specific products that performed well, characteristics of broader chemical families and their best uses, and other variables that may influence the effectiveness of sealers. The results of the DOT survey and literature review were used to determine the materials and methods to be further investigated in the experimental study. Based on this background, a series of macrocell specimens were constructed, and a salt water exposure regimen was initiated to examine the effectiveness of deck/crack sealer materials and application methods that were identified. Volume 2 presents the results of this study which were developed through the analysis of the recorded electrical activity after 1600 days of exposure followed by autopsy of the specimens. A visual rating scheme was used to assess the specimens during autopsy and to demonstrate the correspondence between the observed severity of corrosion and the recorded electrical activity. In addition, a deck sealer was applied to specimens with preexisting corrosion to evaluate the sealer\u27s effectiveness in slowing the rate of corrosion. The deck sealer products were studied further by correlating both the sealer penetration depth and the chloride penetration profile with the products\u27 effectiveness in resisting corrosion activity. A preliminary field application of crack sealer to an existing bridge deck was completed to evaluate processes, equipment, and other required resources. Finally, recommendations are provided regarding product selection and application to enable cost effective implementation of a bridge deck sealing program across the State of Indiana

Raman spectroscopy - A powerful tool for in situ planetary science

This paper introduces Raman spectroscopy and discusses various scenarios where it might be applied to in situ planetary missions. We demonstrate the extensive capabilities of Raman spectroscopy for planetary investigations and argue that this technique is essential for future planetary missions

Enhanced Proteolysis of β-Amyloid in APP Transgenic Mice Prevents Plaque Formation, Secondary Pathology, and Premature Death

AbstractConverging evidence suggests that the accumulation of cerebral amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) reflects an imbalance between the production and degradation of this self-aggregating peptide. Upregulation of proteases that degrade Aβ thus represents a novel therapeutic approach to lowering steady-state Aβ levels, but the consequences of sustained upregulation in vivo have not been studied. Here we show that transgenic overexpression of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) or neprilysin (NEP) in neurons significantly reduces brain Aβ levels, retards or completely prevents amyloid plaque formation and its associated cytopathology, and rescues the premature lethality present in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice. Our findings demonstrate that chronic upregulation of Aβ-degrading proteases represents an efficacious therapeutic approach to combating Alzheimer-type pathology in vivo

Prevalence and spectrum of illness among hospitalized adults with malaria in Blantyre, Malawi

Background As control interventions are rolled out, the burden of malaria may shift from young children to older children and adults as acquisition of immunity is slowed and persistence of immunity is short-lived. Data for malaria disease in adults are difficult to obtain because of co-morbid conditions and because parasitaemia may be asymptomatic. Regular surveys of adult admissions to a hospital in Malawi were conducted to characterize the clinical spectrum of malaria and to establish a baseline to monitor changes that occur in future. Methods In 2011–2012, at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blantyre, four separated one-week surveys in the peak malaria transmission period (wet season) and three one-week surveys in the low transmission period (dry season) were conducted using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) with confirmation of parasitaemia by microscopy. All adults (aged ≥15) being admitted to the adult medical wards regardless of the suspected diagnosis, were enrolled. Participants with a positive malaria test underwent a standardized physical examination and laboratory tests. Malaria syndromes were characterized by reviewing charts and laboratory results on discharge. Results 765 adult admissions were screened. 63 (8.2%) were RDT-positive with 61 (8.0%) positive by microscopy. Over the course of the seven study weeks, two patients were judged to have incidental parasitaemia, 31 (4.1%) had uncomplicated malaria and 28 (3.7%) had severe malaria. Both uncomplicated and severe malaria cases were more common in the rainy season than the dry season. Prostration (22/28 cases) and hyperparasitaemia (>250,000 parasites/μl) (9/28) were the most common features of severe malaria. Jaundice (4/28), severe anaemia (2/28), hyperlactataemia (2/28), shock (1/28) and haemoglobinuria (1/28) were less commonly seen, and no patient had severe metabolic derangement or organ failure. There were no deaths attributable to malaria. Conclusion In this study of adults admitted to hospital in southern Malawi, an area with year-round transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, classical metabolic and organ complications of malaria were not encountered. Prostration and hyperparasitaemia were more common indicators of severity in patients admitted with malaria, none of whom died. These data will provide a baseline for monitoring trends in the frequency and clinical patterns of severe malaria in adults