Use Of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAP) In Airfields HMA Pavements

This report documents the results and findings of the AAPTP Project No. 05-06: Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAP) in Airfields HMA Pavements. The report includes a review of current technology in RAP pavements and its application in highway and airfield pavements. Additionally, the report includes the current highway specifications on the use of RAP and a mechanistically based method to transfer the RAP technology that has been successfully used on highway pavements into the design and specification systems for RAP on airport pavements. Review of in-service airfield pavements was conducted as part of this study. Furthermore, the report includes an evaluation of the impact of RAP on the performance life of HMA airfield pavements under three actual airport traffic mixes of a large hub, small hub, and general aviation. The Life cycle cost analysis used the characteristics and mechanical properties of HMA mixtures in the LEDFAA1.3 airfield pavement design software to compare the estimated performance life of HMA pavements with and without RAP materials. Finally, sections 401-3.3 and 403-3.3 of FAA’s P-401 and P-403 specifications, respectively, on RAP were reviewed and recommendations were made based on the findings of the research effort conducted in this project

Sex Differences in Survival from Neuroendocrine Neoplasia in England 2012–2018:A Retrospective, Population-Based Study

Pre-clinical studies have suggested sex hormone signalling pathways may influence tumorigenesis in neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN). We conducted a retrospective, population-based study to compare overall survival (OS) between males and females with NEN. A total of 14,834 cases of NEN diagnosed between 2012 and 2018, recorded in England’s National Cancer Registry and Analysis Service (NCRAS), were analysed. The primary outcome was OS with 5 years maximum follow-up. Multivariable analysis, restricted mean survival time and mediation analysis were performed. Appendiceal, pulmonary and early-stage NEN were most commonly diagnosed in females; stomach, pancreatic, small intestinal, colonic, rectal and later-stage NEN were more often diagnosed in males. Females displayed increased survival irrespective of the stage, morphology or level of deprivation. On average, they survived 3.62 (95% CI 1.73–5.90) to 10.26 (6.6–14.45) months longer than males; this was statistically significant in NEN of the lung, pancreas, rectum and stomach (p &lt; 0.001). The stage mediated improved survival in stomach, lung, and pancreatic NEN but not in rectal NEN. The reasons underlying these differences are not yet understood. Overall, females diagnosed with NEN tend to survive longer than males, and the stage at presentation only partially explains this. Future research, as well as prognostication and treatment, should consider sex as an important factor.</p

Exceptionally potent human monoclonal antibodies are effective for prophylaxis and therapy of tetanus in mice

Human monoclonal antibodies were used here to study the mechanism of neuron intoxication by tetanus neurotoxin and to evaluate them as a safe preventive and therapeutic substitute of hyperimmune sera for tetanus in mice. By screening memory B cells of immune donors, we selected two monoclonal antibodies specific for tetanus neurotoxin with exceptionally high neutralizing activities, which were extensively characterized both structurally and functionally. We found that these antibodies interfere with the binding and translocation of the neurotoxin into neurons by interacting with two epitopes, whose definition pinpoints crucial events in the cellular pathogenesis of tetanus. This information explains the unprecedented neutralization ability of these antibodies, which were found to be exceptionally potent in preventing experimental tetanus when injected in mice long before the neurotoxin. Moreover, their Fab derivatives neutralized tetanus neurotoxin in post-exposure experiments, suggesting their potential therapeutic use via intrathecal injection. As such, these human monoclonal antibodies, as well as their Fab derivatives, meet all requirements for being considered for prophylaxis and therapy of human tetanus and are ready for clinical trials

Expression profile of microRNAs in young stroke patients

10.1371/journal.pone.0007689PLoS ONE41

Human beta 2-glycoprotein I binds to endothelial cells through a cluster of lysine residues that are critical for anionic phospholipid binding and offers epitopes for anti-beta 2-glycoprotein I antibodies

Beta 2-Glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI) is a phospholipid-binding protein recognized by serum autoantibodies from the anti-phospholipid syndrome both in cardiolipin- and beta 2GPI-coated plates. We found that: 1) recombinant wild-type beta 2GPI bound to HUVEC and was recognized by both human monoclonal IgM and affinity-purified polyclonal IgG anti-beta 2GPI anti-phospholipid syndrome Abs; and 2) a single amino acid change from Lys286 to Glu significantly reduced endothelial adhesion. Double and triple mutants (from Lys284,287 to Glu284,287, from Lys286,287 to Glu286,287, and from Lys284,286,287 to Glu284,286,287) completely abolished endothelial binding. A synthetic peptide (P1) spanning the sequence Glu274-Cys288 of the beta 2GPI fifth domain still displayed endothelial adhesion. Another peptide (P8), identical with P1 except that Cys281 and Cys288 were substituted with serine residues, did not bind to HUVEC. Anti-beta 2GPI Abs, once bound to P1 adhered to HUVEC, induced E-selectin expression and up-regulated IL-6 secretion. Control experiments conducted with irrelevant Abs as well as with the P8 peptide did not show any endothelial Ab binding nor E-selectin and IL-6 modulation. Our results suggest that: 1) beta 2GPI binds to endothelial cells through its fifth domain; 2) the major phospholipid-binding site that mediates the binding to anionic phospholipids is also involved in endothelial binding; 3) HUVEC provide a suitable surface for beta 2GPI binding comparable to that displayed by anionic phospholipids dried on microtiter wells; and 4) the formation of the complex between beta 2GPI and the specific Abs leads to endothelial activation in vitr

A controlled study of team-based learning for undergraduate clinical neurology education

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Team-based learning (TBL), a new active learning method, has not been reported for neurology education. We aimed to determine if TBL was more effective than passive learning (PL) in improving knowledge outcomes in two key neurology topics - neurological localization and neurological emergencies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a modified crossover study during a nine-week internal medicine posting involving 49 third-year medical undergraduates, using TBL as the active intervention, compared against self-reading as a PL control, for teaching the two topics. Primary outcome was the mean percentage change in test scores immediately after (post-test 1) and 48 hours after TBL (post-test 2), compared to a baseline pre-test. Student engagement was the secondary outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean percentage change in scores was greater in the TBL versus the PL group in post-test 1 (8.8% vs 4.3%, p = 0.023) and post-test 2 (11.4% vs 3.4%, p = 0.001). After adjustment for gender and second year examination grades, mean percentage change in scores remained greater in the TBL versus the PL group for post-test 1 (10.3% vs 5.8%, mean difference 4.5%,95% CI 0.7 - 8.3%, p = 0.021) and post-test 2 (13.0% vs 4.9%, mean difference 8.1%,95% CI 3.7 - 12.5%, p = 0.001), indicating further score improvement 48 hours post-TBL. Academically weaker students, identified by poorer examination grades, showed a greater increase in scores with TBL versus strong students (p < 0.02). Measures of engagement were high in the TBL group, suggesting that continued improvements in scores 48 hours post-TBL may result from self-directed learning.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Compared to PL, TBL showed greater improvement in knowledge scores, with continued improvement up to 48 hours later. This effect is larger in academically weaker students. TBL is an effective method for improving knowledge in neurological localization and neurological emergencies in undergraduates.</p

Brain connectivity changes in autosomal recessive Parkinson Disease: a model for the sporadic form

Biallelic genetic mutations in the Park2 and PINK1 genes are frequent causes of autosomal recessive PD. Carriers of single heterozygous mutations may manifest subtle signs of disease, thus providing a unique model of preclinical PD. One emerging hypothesis suggests that non-motor symptom of PD, such as cognitive impairment may be due to a distributed functional disruption of various neuronal circuits. Using resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI), we tested the hypothesis that abnormal connectivity within and between brain networks may account for the patients' cognitive status. Eight homozygous and 12 heterozygous carriers of either PINK1 or Park2 mutation and 22 healthy controls underwent RS-fMRI and cognitive assessment. RS-fMRI data underwent independent component analysis to identify five networks of interest: default-mode network, salience network, executive network, right and left fronto-parietal networks. Functional connectivity within and between each network was assessed and compared between groups. All mutation carriers were cognitively impaired, with the homozygous group reporting a more prominent impairment in visuo-spatial working memory. Changes in functional connectivity were evident within all networks between homozygous carriers and controls. Also heterozygotes reported areas of reduced connectivity when compared to controls within two networks. Additionally, increased inter-network connectivity was observed in both groups of mutation carriers, which correlated with their spatial working memory performance, and could thus be interpreted as compensatory. We conclude that both homozygous and heterozygous carriers exhibit pathophysiological changes unveiled by RS-fMRI, which can account for the presence/severity of cognitive symptom

Архетип свобода у контексті французької політичної теорії та історії

Розглянуто сучасні підходи щодо аналізу політичної ментальності. У межах політологічного аналізу окреслено коло проблем, які потребують вирішення з використанням підходів психології. Зроблено висновок про те, що архетип “свобода” становить важливий елемент політичної ментальності французів.Modern approaches of analysis of political mentality are considered. Within the limits of political science analysis outlined circle of problems which need decision with the use of approaches of psychology. A conclusion is done that archetype freedom makes the important element of political mentality of French’s

Food consumption frequency and perceived stress and depressive symptoms among students in three European countries

Mikolajczyk RT, El Ansari W, Maxwell AE. Food consumption frequency and perceived stress and depressive symptoms among students in three European countries. Nutrition Journal. 2009;8(1):31.Background: Certain foods might be more frequently eaten under stress or when higher levels of depressive symptoms are experienced. We examined whether poor nutritional habits are associated with stress and depressive symptoms and whether the relationships differ by country and gender in a sample from three European countries collected as part of a Cross National Student Health Survey. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among first-year students in Germany (N = 696), Poland (N = 489) and Bulgaria (N = 654). Self-administered questionnaires included a 12-item food frequency questionnaire, Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, and a modified Beck Depression Index. Linear regression analyses were conducted for two outcomes, perceived stress and depressive symptoms. Results: Food consumption frequencies differed by country and gender, as did depressive symptoms and perceived stress. For male students, none of the food consumption groups were associated with perceived stress or depressive symptoms. In females, perceived stress was associated with more frequent consumption of sweets/fast foods and less frequent consumption of fruits/vegetables. Additionally, depressive symptoms were associated with less frequent consumption of fruits/vegetables and meat. Conclusion: Our data show consistent associations between unhealthy food consumption and depressive symptoms and perceived stress among female students from three European countries, but not among male students. This suggests that efforts to reduce depressive symptoms and stress among female students may also lead to the consumption of healthier foods and/or vice-versa