Durability of reclaimed asphalt pavement–coal fly ash–carbide lime blends under severe environmental conditions

The sustainable use of industrial residue in enhancing the long-term performance of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has been proven to be effective under freeze–thaw and wet–dry conditions. This study focuses on coal fly ash (FA) and carbide lime (CL) as the enhancing agents. It evaluates how the durability and long-term performance of compacted RAP–FA–CL mixtures are impacted by dry unit weight and lime content. The tested mixture’s specimens were moulded in three layers through static compaction inside a cylindrical mould. Several single-level variables were used in the stabilisation process. Among these were: FA content of 25%, optimum water content of 9% (modified effort) and seven days of curing. Additionally, three target dry unit weights (17, 18 and 19 kN/m3 – the last of which was determined using the modified Proctor energy) and three percentages of lime content (3%, 5% and 7%) were used for a comparative analysis. The tested specimens’ accumulated loss of mass (after wetting–drying and freezing–thawing cycles) and splitting tensile strength were both evaluated as a function of the porosity/lime index. The experiments revealed that compacted RAP–coal FA–CL mixtures performed noticeably worse when subjected to freezing–thawing cycles than when subjected to wetting–drying cycles. These results indicate an increase in the breadth of the porosity/lime index, as it is shown to control the long-term performance of compacted RAP–coal FA–CL mixtures, in addition to controlling their mechanical response

Clinical effectiveness of unilateral deep brain stimulation in Tourette syndrome

Dysfunctional basal ganglia loops are thought to underlie the clinical picture of Tourette syndrome (TS). By altering dopaminergic activity in the affected neural structures, bilateral deep brain stimulation is assumed to have a modulatory effect on dopamine transmission resulting in an amelioration of tics. While the majority of published case reports deals with the application of bilateral stimulation, the present study aims at informing about the high effectiveness of unilateral stimulation of pallidal and nigral thalamic territories in TS. Potential implications and gains of the unilateral approach are discussed

Subclinical hyperthyroidism and dementia: the Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study (SPAH)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several epidemiologic studies have shown a possible association between thyroid function and cognitive decline. Our aim was to evaluate the association of subclinical hyperthyroidism and dementia in a population sample of older people</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study - São Paulo Ageing & Health Study (SPAH) - in a population sample of low-income elderly people ≥ 65 years-old to evaluate presence of subclinical thyroid disease as a risk factor for dementia. Thyroid function was assessed using thyrotropic hormone and free-thyroxine as well as routine use of thyroid hormones or antithyroid medications. Cases of dementia were assessed using a harmonized one-phase dementia diagnostic procedure by the "10/66 Dementia Research Group" including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Logistic regression models were used to test a possible association between subclinical hyperthyroidism and dementia.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>Prevalence of dementia and of subclinical hyperthyroidism were respectively of 4.4% and 3.0%. After age adjustment, we found an association of subclinical hyperthyroidism and any type of dementia and vascular dementia (Odds Ratio, 4.1, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 1.3-13.1, and 5.3 95% CI, 1.1-26.4; respectively). Analyzing data by gender, we found an association of subclinical hyperthyroidism with dementia and Alzheimer's disease only for men (OR, 8.0; 95% CI, 1.5-43.4; OR, 12.4; 95% CI, 1.2-128.4; respectively). No women with subclinical hypothyroidism presented Alzheimer's disease in the sample.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results suggest a consistent association among people with subclinical hyperthyroidism and dementia.</p