Equivalent Single Axleload Computer Program Enhancements

The objectives of the study were to review and modify previously used Equivalent Single Axleload (ESAL) prediction procedures and to develop a more efficient procedure. As part of the effort to simplify the procedure, a subtask was undertaken to reduce the number of highway functional classes being used to process data for the ESAL estimation procedure. Another objective was to develop a more definitive and accurate method for reflecting the effects of coal or heavy truck movements. Results of this task were documented as Research Report KTC-95-6. Analyses were performed and validated to reduce the twelve functional classes to six aggregate categories. The overall ESAL estimating process, which was previously accomplished using mainframe computer programs, was converted to microcomputer/PC programs and documented in detail. A procedure for processing ESAL data by aggregate classes was documented and example output was presented. An analysis was performed to determine the reliability of traffic parameter estimates used in the ESAL estimating process. Results were produced to identify the number of volume, classification and weigh-in-motion stations required to adequately define the traffic characteristics of a specific functional or aggregate class

Update of Data for Estimating ESALs

This project involved updating processing traffic characteristics data using a series of quality control and analytical programs to produce an estimate of the following parameters of interest; 1) average daily traffic, 2) percent trucks, 3) percent trucks classified as heavy/coal, 4) axles per truck, 5) axles per heavy/coal truck, 6) ESALs per truck axle, 7) ESALs per heavy/coal truck axle, and 8) total ESALs. ESAL estimation parameters used WIM data collected during 2007, 2011, and 2012–2013 (representing 41 stations); and classification data collected in 2010, 2011 and 2012 (representing 1,669 stations). Computer programs used to process classification data, process weight data, and then combining output to calculate ESALs are contained in the three following programs; 1) CLASS SUMMARY – processes vehicle classification data and produces annual average number of vehicle types at each classification station, 2) LOADOMTR SUMMARY – processes truck weight data to produce axle load distributions by vehicle type, and 3) AGGCALC – processes output form LOADOMTR AND CLASS programs to produce ESAL-related parameters of interest. A flowchart which provides steps of processing data and calculating estimates of ESALs is included in Appendix A and computer code for each of these programs is included in Appendix B

Partial Deletion of Chromosome 8 β-defensin Cluster Confers Sperm Dysfunction and Infertility in Male Mice

β-defensin peptides are a family of antimicrobial peptides present at mucosal surfaces, with the main site of expression under normal conditions in the male reproductive tract. Although they kill microbes in vitro and interact with immune cells, the precise role of these genes in vivo remains uncertain. We show here that homozygous deletion of a cluster of nine β-defensin genes (DefbΔ9) in the mouse results in male sterility. The sperm derived from the mutants have reduced motility and increased fragility. Epididymal sperm isolated from the cauda should require capacitation to induce the acrosome reaction but sperm from the mutants demonstrate precocious capacitation and increased spontaneous acrosome reaction compared to wild-types but have reduced ability to bind the zona pellucida of oocytes. Ultrastructural examination reveals a defect in microtubule structure of the axoneme with increased disintegration in mutant derived sperm present in the epididymis cauda region, but not in caput region or testes. Consistent with premature acrosome reaction, sperm from mutant animals have significantly increased intracellular calcium content. Thus we demonstrate in vivo that β-defensins are essential for successful sperm maturation, and their disruption leads to alteration in intracellular calcium, inappropriate spontaneous acrosome reaction and profound male infertility