Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, February 17, 2015; With Addendums

Weekly letting report.

Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, March 17, 2015; With Addendums

Weekly letting report.

Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, April 21, 2015; With Addendums

Weekly letting report.

Limitations and information needs for engineered nanomaterial-specific exposure estimation and scenarios: recommendations for improved reporting practices

The aim of this paper is to describe the process and challenges in building exposure scenarios for engineered nanomaterials (ENM), using an exposure scenario format similar to that used for the European Chemicals regulation (REACH). Over 60 exposure scenarios were developed based on information from publicly available sources (literature, books, and reports), publicly available exposure estimation models, occupational sampling campaign data from partnering institutions, and industrial partners regarding their own facilities. The primary focus was on carbon-based nanomaterials, nano-silver (nano-Ag) and nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2), and included occupational and consumer uses of these materials with consideration of the associated environmental release. The process of building exposure scenarios illustrated the availability and limitations of existing information and exposure assessment tools for characterizing exposure to ENM, particularly as it relates to risk assessment. This article describes the gaps in the information reviewed, recommends future areas of ENM exposure research, and proposes types of information that should, at a minimum, be included when reporting the results of such research, so that the information is useful in a wider context.

CleanEx: a database of heterogeneous gene expression data based on a consistent gene nomenclature.

The main goal of CleanEx is to provide access to public gene expression data via unique gene names. A second objective is to represent heterogeneous expression data produced by different technologies in a way that facilitates joint analysis and cross-data set comparisons. A consistent and up-to-date gene nomenclature is achieved by associating each single experiment with a permanent target identifier consisting of a physical description of the targeted RNA population or the hybridization reagent used. These targets are then mapped at regular intervals to the growing and evolving catalogues of human genes and genes from model organisms. The completely automatic mapping procedure relies partly on external genome information resources such as UniGene and RefSeq. The central part of CleanEx is a weekly built gene index containing cross-references to all public expression data already incorporated into the system. In addition, the expression target database of CleanEx provides gene mapping and quality control information for various types of experimental resource, such as cDNA clones or Affymetrix probe sets. The web-based query interfaces offer access to individual entries via text string searches or quantitative expression criteria. CleanEx is accessible at: http://www.cleanex.isb-sib.ch/.

Minimal information about T cell assays: the process of reaching the community of T cell immunologists in cancer and beyond.

Many assays to evaluate the nature, breadth, and quality of antigen-specific T cell responses are currently applied in human medicine. In most cases, assay-related protocols are developed on an individual laboratory basis, resulting in a large number of different protocols being applied worldwide. Together with the inherent complexity of cellular assays, this leads to unnecessary limitations in the ability to compare results generated across institutions. Over the past few years a number of critical assay parameters have been identified which influence test performance irrespective of protocol, material, and reagents used. Describing these critical factors as an integral part of any published report will both facilitate the comparison of data generated across institutions and lead to improvements in the assays themselves. To this end, the Minimal Information About T Cell Assays (MIATA) project was initiated. The objective of MIATA is to achieve a broad consensus on which T cell assay parameters should be reported in scientific publications and to propose a mechanism for reporting these in a systematic manner. To add maximum value for the scientific community, a step-wise, open, and field-spanning approach has been taken to achieve technical precision, user-friendliness, adequate incorporation of concerns, and high acceptance among peers. Here, we describe the past, present, and future perspectives of the MIATA project. We suggest that the approach taken can be generically applied to projects in which a broad consensus has to be reached among scientists working in fragmented fields, such as immunology. An additional objective of this undertaking is to engage the broader scientific community to comment on MIATA and to become an active participant in the project.

The Effect of a Physical Activity Program on the Total Number of Primary Care Visits in Inactive Patients: A 15-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Effective promotion of exercise could result in substantial savings in healthcare cost expenses in terms of direct medical costs, such as the number of medical appointments. However, this is hampered by our limited knowledge of how to achieve sustained increases in physical activity. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care (PHC) based physical activity program in reducing the total number of visits to the healthcare center among inactive patients, over a 15-month period. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Three hundred and sixty-two (n = 362) inactive patients suffering from at least one chronic condition were included. One hundred and eighty-three patients (n = 183; mean (SD); 68.3 (8.8) years; 118 women) were randomly allocated to the physical activity program (IG). One hundred and seventy-nine patients (n = 179; 67.2 (9.1) years; 106 women) were allocated to the control group (CG). The IG went through a three-month standardized physical activity program led by physical activity specialists and linked to community resources. Measures: The total number of medical appointments to the PHC, during twelve months before and after the program, was registered. Self-reported health status (SF-12 version 2) was assessed at baseline (month 0), at the end of the intervention (month 3), and at 12 months follow-up after the end of the intervention (month 15). Results: The IG had a significantly reduced number of visits during the 12 months after the intervention: 14.8 (8.5). The CG remained about the same: 18.2 (11.1) (P = .002). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a 3-month physical activity program linked to community resources is a shortduration, effective and sustainable intervention in inactive patients to decrease rates of PHC visits. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00714831

Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, May 19, 2015; With Addendums

Weekly letting report

Iowa Department of Transportation Major Items - Preliminary Quantity Report, June 16, 2015; With Addendums

Weekly letting report

Soil-Cement Stabilization, Part 1, Materials and Construction, HR-75, 1962

This report covers the construction in 1961 of the soil-cement base and related pavement structure on Iowa 37 from Soldier to Dunlap, (F-861(6), Crawford, Harrison, Monona). The report also contains an account of the experimental work performed on the same road under research project HR-75.

Markedly blunted metabolic effects of fructose in healthy young females compared to males

ABSTRACT : Objective: to compare the metabolic effects of fructose in healthy males and females Research Design And Methods: Fasting metabolic profile and hepatic insulin sensitivity were assessed by means of a hyperglycemic clamp in 16 healthy young males and female subjects after a 6-day fructose overfeeding Results: Fructose overfeeding increased fasting triglyceride concentrations by 71 % in males vs 16% in females (p<0.05). Endogenous glucose production was increased by 12%, alanin aminotransferase concentration was increased by 38%, and fasting insulin concentrations was increased by 14% after fructose overfeeding in males (all p<0.05), but were not significantly altered in females. Fasting plasma free fatty acids and lipid oxidation were inhibited by fructose in males, but not in females Conclusions: Short term fructose overfeeding produces hypertriglyceridemia and hepatic insulin resistance in males, but these effects are markedly blunted in healthy young females. Rapport de synthèse : Objectif : De récentes études ont démontré que l'ingestion de hautes doses de fructose modifie certains paramètres métaboliques. Peu d'entre elles se sont cependant intéressées à déterminer si les effets métaboliques du fructose étaient dépendants du sexe. L'objectif de la présente étude était donc de comparer les effets du fructose chez des volontaires sains, hommes et femmes. Méthode : Le profil métabolique à jeun et la sensibilité hépatique à l'insuline ont été déterminés au moyen d'un clamp hyperglycémique chez un collectif de 16 jeunes hommes et femmes après une période de 6 jours de régime riche en fructose. Résultats : La concentration de triglycérides à jeun après ce régime était augmentée de 71% chez les hommes contre 16% chez les femmes (p<0.05). La production endogène de glucose était augmentée de 12%, l'alanine aminotransférase de 38% et la concentration d'insuline à jeun de 14% chez les hommes (p<0.05 pour tous). Chez les femmes, ces paramètres n'étaient au contraire pas significativement modifiés. L'oxydation des acides gras libres et des lipides à jeun était inhibée par le fructose chez les hommes, mais pas chez les femmes. Conclusion : Ces résultats indiquent qu'une suralimentation de courte durée en fructose induit chez l'homme une hypertriglycéridémie et une résistance hépatique à l'insuline, alors que chez la femme jeune, ces effets sont nettement atténués. Il reste à éclaircir de manière plus approfondie les mécanismes sous-tendant ces différences.

Precast Concrete Panel Thickness for Epoxy-Coated Prestressing Strands, Volume 2, HR-353, 1994

This final report for Phase 1 of the research on epoxy-coated, prestressing strands in precast prestressed concrete (PC) panels has been published in two volumes. Volume 1--Technical Report contains the problem description, literature review, and survey results; descriptions of the test specimens, experimental tests, and analytical models; discussions of the analytical and experimental results; summary, conclusions, and recommendations; list of references; and acknowledgments. Volume 2--Supplemental Report contains additional information in the form of appendix material for Volume 1 on the questionnaires, strand forces, geometry of the specimens, concrete crack patterns that formed in the strand transfer length and strand development length specimens, concrete strains in the strand transfer length specimens, and load-point deflections and strand-slip measurements for the strand development length specimens. Appendix A contains the questionnaires that were sent to the design agencies and precast concrete producers. A summary of the results to the questions on the surveys are given as the number of respondents who provided the same answers and as paraphrased comments from the respondents. Appendix B contains graphs of strand force versus time, strand force versus temperature, and strand force versus strand cutting sequence for the concrete castings. Appendix C contains figures that show the location of each specimen in the prestress bed, the geometrical configurations for the strand transfer length (T-type) specimens and strand development length (D-type) specimens, and the concrete cracks that developed in some of the T-type specimens when they were prestressed. Appendix D contains figures that show the concrete cracks that developed in the D-type specimens during the strand development length tests. For each of these tests, the sequence of the failure for the specimen is specified. Appendix E contains graphs of concrete strain versus distance from the end of the T-type specimens that were instrumented with internal embedment strain gages. Appendix F contains graphs of load versus load-point deflection and load versus strand-slip for the strand development length tests of the D-type specimens.

Investigation of Plastic Pipes for Highway Applications, HR-373A, Phase II, 1997

It is generally accepted that high density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) performs well under live loads with shallow cover, provided the backfill is well compacted. Although industry standards require carefully compacted backfill, poor inspection and/or faulty construction may result in soils that provide inadequate restraint at the springlines of the pipes thereby causing failure. The objectives of this study were: 1) to experimentally define a lower limit of compaction under which the pipes perform satisfactorily, 2) to quantify the increase in soil support as compaction effort increases, 3) to evaluate pipe response for loads applied near the ends of the buried pipes, 4) to determine minimum depths of cover for a variety of pipes and soil conditions by analytically expanding the experimental results through the use of the finite element program CANDE. The test procedures used here are conservative especially for low-density fills loaded to high contact stresses. The failures observed in these tests were the combined effect of soil bearing capacity at the soil surface and localized wall bending of the pipes. Under a pavement system, the pipes' performance would be expected to be considerably better. With those caveats, the following conclusions are drawn from this study. Glacial till compacted to 50% and 80% provides insufficient support; pipe failureoccurs at surface contact stresses lower than those induced by highway trucks. On the other hand, sand backfill compacted to more than 110 pcf (17.3 kN/m3) is satisfactory. The failure mode for all pipes with all backfills is localized wall bending. At moderate tire pressures, i.e. contact stresses, deflections are reduced significantly when backfill density is increased from about 50 pcf (7.9 kN/m^3) to 90 pcf (14.1 kN/m^3). Above that unit weight, little improvement in the soil-pipe system is observed. Although pipe stiffness may vary as much as 16%, analyses show that backfill density is more important than pipe stiffness in controlling both deflections at low pipe stresses and at the ultimate capacity of the soil-pipe system. The rate of increase in ultimate strength of the system increases nearly linearly with increasing backfill density. When loads equivalent to moderate tire pressures are applied near the ends of the pipes, pipe deflections are slighly higher than when loaded at the center. Except for low density glacial till, the deflections near the ends are not excessive and the pipes perform satisfactorily. For contact stresses near the upper limit of truck tire pressures and when loaded near the end, pipes fail with localized wall bending. For flowable fill backfill, the ultimate capacity of the pipes is nearly doubled and at the upper limit of highway truck tire pressures, deflections are negligible. All pipe specimens tested at ambient laboratory room temperatures satisfied AASHTO minimum pipe stiffness requirements at 5% deflection. However, nearly all specimens tested at elevated pipe surface temperatures, approximately 122°F (50°C), failed to meet these requirements. Some HDPE pipe installations may not meet AASHTO minimum pipe stiffness requirements when installed in the summer months (i.e. if pipe surface temperatures are allowed to attain temperatures similar to those tested here). Heating of any portion of the pipe circumference reduced the load carrying capacity of specimens. The minimum soil cover depths, determined from the CANOE analysis, are controlled by the 5% deflection criterion. The minimum soil cover height is 12 in. (305 mm). Pipes with the poor silt and clay backfills with less than 85% compaction require a minimum soil cover height of 24 in. (610 mm). For the sand at 80% compaction, the A36 HDPE pipe with the lowest moment of inertia requires a minimum of 24 in. (610 mm) soil cover. The C48 HDPE pipe with the largest moment of inertia and all other pipes require a 12 in. (305 mm) minimum soil cover.

Transportation Program Management System, HR-394, 2003

HR-394 was a software and database development project. Via funding provided by the Iowa Highway Research Board, the Iowa County Engineer's Association Service Bureau oversaw the planning and implementation of an Internet based application that supports two major local-government transportation project activities: Project programming and Development tracking. The goals were to reduce errors and inconsistencies, speed up the processes, link people to both project data and each other, and build a framework that could eventually support a 'paperless' work flow. The work started in 1999 and initial development was completed by the fall of 2002. Since going live, several 'piggy back' applications have been required to make the Programming side better fit actual work procedures. This part of the system has proven adequate but will be rewritten in 2004 to make it easier to use. The original development side module was rejected by the users and so had to be rewritten in 2003. The second version has proven much better, is heavily used, and is interconnected with Iowa DOT project data systems. Now that the system is in operation, it will be maintained and operated by the ICEA Service Bureau as an ongoing service function.