Analysis of braking marks left by vehicles equipped with ABS with IR spectroscopy – different types of asphalt

Detailed analysis of literature showed that there is no method that can be used in order to investigate skid marks left by vehicles equipped with ABS. Authors decided to identify braking trace by using IR spectroscopy. Preliminary studies have been performed and results were promising. Due to that fact authors decided to conduct detailed research where the influence of various factors on the possibility of revealing breaking traces would be taken into account. This article is the first in a series of articles taking into account the influence of various factors on the possibility of revealing breaking marks using IR spectroscopy. In this article the influence of the type of asphalt was studied. Authors conducted tests with the most popular types of asphalts used for the wearing course. 100 samples from 5 different types of asphalt were prepared. Each sample was measured 3 times to create its spectrum. The results were analyzed thoroughly using the dedicated SpectraGryph software. The analysis showed that for 4 out of 5 types of tested asphalt, the braking traces were visible at a wavelength of approximately 11 500 nm. Only for the rubberized asphalt there weren’t possibility to reveal skid mark

Long-Term Effects of Adjuvant Intravitreal Treatment with Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Lineage-Negative Cells in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Background. Autologous bone marrow-derived lineage-negative (Lin−) cells present antiapoptotic and neuroprotective activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel autologous Lin− cell therapy during a 12-month follow-up period. Methods. Intravitreal injection of Lin− cells in 30 eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) was performed. The fellow eyes (FEs) were considered control eyes. Functional and morphological eye examinations were performed before and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the injection. Results. Patients whose symptoms started less than 10 years ago gained 14±10 letters, while those with a longer disease duration gained 2.86±8.54 letters compared to baseline at the 12-month follow-up (p=0.021). There were significantly higher differences in response densities of P1-wave amplitudes in the first ring of multifocal ERGs in treated eyes than FE recordings in all follow-up points were detected. Accordingly, the mean deviation in 10-2 static perimetry improved significantly in the treated eyes compared with fellow eyes 12 months after the procedure. The QoL scores improved significantly and lasted until the 9-month visit. Conclusion. Lin− cell-based therapy is safe and effective, especially for a well-selected group of RP patients who still maintained good function of the foveal cones