Effect of Gilsonite Use on Storage Stability of Styrene-butadiene-styrene Modified Bitumen

Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer is one of the most preferred additives to improve performance in hot mix asphalt pavements. The storage instability, in other words, the separation of a polymer-rich phase from the bitumen-rich phase in the course of storage and transportation is one of the prevalent problems in SBS modified bitumen. The present study attempted to obtain modified bitumen at the same performance level with the SBS modified bitumen, but stable with respect to the storage stability. For this purpose, both SBS and American Gilsonite (AG) were used in modified bitumen production. It was determined that modified bitumen at the same performance level was obtained with the use of 5 % SBS or 18 % AG in bitumen modification. It was also determined that the performance levels of the modified bitumen obtained with the use of 2 % SBS + 13 % AG, 3 % SBS + 10 % AG and 4 % SBS + 6 % AG were similar. Additionally, 2 %, 3 % and 4 % SBS modified bitumen were used for the assessment of storage stability properties of the SBS modified binders. These 8 different modified bitumen samples were tested for storage stability based on the EN 13399 standard. Penetration, softening point, rotational viscometer, bending beam rheometer, and dynamic shear rheometer tests were conducted on the samples. Based on all conducted tests, it was determined that more stable binders were obtained with the use of AG and SBS in terms of storage stability compared to solely SBS modified bitumen

Initial Psychometric Evaluation of the Physical Health Attitude Scale and a Survey of Mental Health Nurses

INTRODUCTION: Nurses play an important role in improving the physical health of individuals with serious mental illnesses. The literature on the attitudes of mental health nurses towards physical healthcare provides a small amount of data. Assessing trends in nurses' attitudes through suitable surveys is important to ensure holistic care. AIM/QUESTION: This study sought to examine the Turkish version of the Physical Health Attitude Scale's (PHASe) validity and reliability and to survey Turkish mental health nurses' attitudes towards physical healthcare. METHOD: The sample consisted of 174 nurses working in acute psychiatric wards. Firstly, the psychometric properties of the scale were analyzed using factor analysis and measures of internal consistency and reliability. Then, the survey results of the attitudes of mental health nurses towards the physical health of patients with serious mental illnesses were determined using the Physical Health Attitude Scale (PHASe). RESULTS: The translated PHASe scale functioned best as a 24-item version and 4-factor solution that explains 51.3% of the variance. The internal consistency value was .83. The respondents' attitudes were generally positive about their role. There was less agreement for the involvement of nurses in practices of health promotion, such as sexual health, eye and/or dental examinations. The nurses surveyed also tended to use smoking for therapeutic purposes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Mental health nurses' knowledge and attitudes should be enhanced by additional training in the ways of meeting patients' biopsychosocial needs. Obstacles to physical healthcare can be removed by implementing standard protocols nationwide. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

New national and regional bryophyte records, 69

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New national and regional bryophyte records, 52

Marchantia paleacea is a new species for the Umbria Region and is rare in central and southern Italy. This record is in a Site of Community Importance (SCI) IT5220017 and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of the Natura 2000 EU-wide network due to the presence of the 7220* ‘Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)’ Annexe I priority habitat. The particular environment, with a gorge and waterfall, created a very special microclimate that allowed the establishment of interesting liverworts and mosses

Scapania gracilis Lindb. (Hepaticae, Scapaniaceae), new to bryophyte flora of Turkey

Scapania gracilis Lindb. is a hygro- to mesophytic liverwort species which is reported for the first time from Turkey. The species is described from material collected from the north-west Anatolia (Sakarya) which has very warm summers and mild winters with high annual rainfall (800-1000 mm) in Marmara region and very humid conditions. Turkish plants are described and illustrated