A new test procedure to measure the soil-water characteristic curves using a small-scale centrifuge

ABSTRACT: The soil-water characteristic curve is conventionally measured using a pressure plate apparatus or a Tempe cell. Considerably long periods of time are required to measure the soil-water characteristic curves using the conventional equipment. A new test procedure is proposed, using a small-scale medical centrifuge to measure the soil-water characteristic curves for compacted, fine-grained soil specimens. Soil specimen holders were designed for the small-scale centrifuge. The soil-water characteristic curves of statically compacted specimens for three different fine-grained soils with varying percentages of clay were measured using the centrifuge for a suction range between 0 to 500 kPa. There is good comparison between the soil-water characteristic curves measured using the small-scale centrifuge and the conventional laboratory equipment. The results of this study are encouraging as soil-water characteristic curves can be measured in a shorter period of time, resulting in considerable savings

Leukocyte Telomere Length in Major Depression: Correlations with Chronicity, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress - Preliminary Findings

Depression is associated with an unusually high rate of aging-related illnesses and early mortality. One aspect of “accelerated aging” in depression may be shortened leukocyte telomeres. When telomeres critically shorten, as often occurs with repeated mitoses or in response to oxidation and inflammation, cells may die. Indeed, leukocyte telomere shortening predicts early mortality and medical illnesses in non-depressed populations. We sought to determine if leukocyte telomeres are shortened in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), whether this is a function of lifetime depression exposure and whether this is related to putative mediators, oxidation and inflammation.Leukocyte telomere length was compared between 18 unmedicated MDD subjects and 17 controls and was correlated with lifetime depression chronicity and peripheral markers of oxidation (F2-isoprostane/Vitamin C ratio) and inflammation (IL-6). Analyses were controlled for age and sex.The depressed group, as a whole, did not differ from the controls in telomere length. However, telomere length was significantly inversely correlated with lifetime depression exposure, even after controlling for age (p<0.05). Average telomere length in the depressed subjects who were above the median of lifetime depression exposure (≥9.2 years' cumulative duration) was 281 base pairs shorter than that in controls (p<0.05), corresponding to approximately seven years of “accelerated cell aging.” Telomere length was inversely correlated with oxidative stress in the depressed subjects (p<0.01) and in the controls (p<0.05) and with inflammation in the depressed subjects (p<0.05).These preliminary data indicate that accelerated aging at the level of leukocyte telomeres is proportional to lifetime exposure to MDD. This might be related to cumulative exposure to oxidative stress and inflammation in MDD. This suggest that telomere shortening does not antedate depression and is not an intrinsic feature. Rather, telomere shortening may progress in proportion to lifetime depression exposure

Neurovascular unit dysfunction with blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability contributes to major depressive disorder: a review of clinical and experimental evidence

About one-third of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail at least two antidepressant drug trials at 1 year. Together with clinical and experimental evidence indicating that the pathophysiology of MDD is multifactorial, this observation underscores the importance of elucidating mechanisms beyond monoaminergic dysregulation that can contribute to the genesis and persistence of MDD. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are mechanistically linked to the presence of neurovascular dysfunction with blood-brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability in selected neurological disorders, such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast to other major psychiatric disorders, MDD is frequently comorbid with such neurological disorders and constitutes an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in disorders characterized by vascular endothelial dysfunction (cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus). Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are implicated in the neurobiology of MDD. More recent evidence links neurovascular dysfunction with BBB hyperpermeability to MDD without neurological comorbidity. We review this emerging literature and present a theoretical integration between these abnormalities to those involving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in MDD. We discuss our hypothesis that alterations in endothelial nitric oxide levels and endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling are central mechanistic links in this regard. Understanding the contribution of neurovascular dysfunction with BBB hyperpermeability to the pathophysiology of MDD may help to identify novel therapeutic and preventative approaches

Examples of How Building Information Modeling Can Enhance Career Paths in Construction

In today\u27s architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, building information modeling (BIM) technologies and practices are making a significant difference in how building projects are delivered. BIM models and tools let stakeholders visualize, simulate, and analyze how a building might behave, perform, or appear - with more precision than ever before. BIM technology and practices are not only improving design and construction processes by delivering projects faster, more cost effectively, and more sustainably, but are also helping BIM professionals by expanding career possibilities within the field. This paper identifies key personnel in AEC industry who are taking advantage of BIM technologies and practices and explains how BIM has enhanced their career paths. The study found that new processes of BIM enhance the careers of existing professionals and create new career paths for young professionals. Until recently, positions like BIM engineer/BIM manager did not exist, but now they are key positions in many companies. BIM is also opening up positions for young engineers in nontraditional industries like manufacturing, energy, media and entertainment, healthcare companies, and facility management

Ermenek Mine Accident in Turkey: The Root Causes of a Disaster

Mining accidents are one of the critical safety concerns all over the world. From the general point of safety, it is important to identify human factors, especially violations, and other types of barriers with respect to the occurrence of an accident. Root Cause Analysis helps to identify the mechanism behind accidents and develop future countermeasures for prevention. In the current analysis, Ermenek Mine Accident in Turkey was evaluated by using Root Cause Analysis Tool Kit and Manchester Patient Safety Framework (MaPSaF). Safety issues were structured by using Five Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and Barrier Analysis and safety culture were evaluated by using some of the dimensions of MaPSaF. Main factors were structured by using Five Whys, Barrier Analysis, and Manchester Safety Framework. According to these main factors, fishbone diagram was constructed. In general, natural, personnel, general policy in mining industry, and management issues in mining industry were determined as main four deficiencies affecting the occurrence and consequences of the accident. These main four factors were detailed in the fishbone diagram. The results indicated the importance of including different agents in the process of mining and working in cooperation to develop necessary policies and actions. Some methodological and practical suggestions were made for safety related issues. It is important to state policies related to basin in mining by considering both economic factors and safety factors. Moreover, reports related to safety issues should be more detailed by considering individual and organizational safety culture factors