Low Modulus Hot Pour Joint Sealant for ACC Pavements, HR-534, 1990

Over the years, the Iowa Department of Transportation has established an outstanding network of connector highways across the state of Iowa. Construction and paving of these primary roadways has essentially been completed. Unfortunately, many of these primary highway pavements are reaching their design life and are in need of rehabilitation. The emphasis, therefore, has shifted from the construction of new highways to the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing highways. The Iowa DOT in recent years has become more concerned with preventing the ingress of surface water into the pavement structure. Crack sealing is receiving greater emphasis. Specifications have been modified to require improved low modulus crack and joint sealing materials.

Effects of season, sex and body size on the feeding ecology of turtle-headed seasnakes (Emydocephalus annulatus) on IndoPacific inshore coral reefs

In terrestrial snakes, many cases of intraspecific shifts in dietary habits as a function of predator sex and body size are driven by gape-limitation - and hence, are most common in species that feed on relatively large prey, and exhibit a wide body-size range. Our data on seasnakes reveal an alternative mechanism for intraspecific niche partitioning, based on sex-specific seasonal anorexia induced by reproductive activities. Turtle-headed seasnakes (Emydocephalus annulatus) on coral reefs in the New Caledonian Lagoon feed entirely on the eggs of demersal-spawning fishes. DNA sequence data (cytochrome b gene) on eggs that we palpated from stomachs of 37 snakes showed that despite this ontogenetic-stage specialization, the prey come from a taxonomically diverse array of species including damselfish (41% of samples, at least 5 species), blennies (41%, 4 species) and gobies (19%, 5 species). The composition of snake diets shifted seasonally (with damselfish dominating in winter but not summer), presumably reflecting seasonality of fish reproduction. That seasonal shift affects male and female snakes differently, because reproduction is incompatible with foraging. Adult female seasnakes ceased feeding when they became heavily distended with developing embryos in late summer, and males ceased feeding while they were mate-searching in winter. The sex divergence in foraging habits may be amplified by sexual size dimorphism; females grow larger than males, and larger snakes (of both sexes) feed more on damselfish (which often lay their eggs in exposed sites) than on blennies and gobies (whose eggs are hidden within narrow crevices). Specific features of reproductive biology of coral-reef fish (seasonality and nest type) have generated intraspecific niche partitioning in these seasnakes, by mechanisms different from those that apply to terrestrial snakes.

Pavement Evaluation Using the Road Rater Deflection Dish, MLR-89-2, 1989

In recent years the Iowa Department of Transportation has shifted emphasis from the construction of new roads to the maintenance and preservation of existing highways. A need has developed for evaluating pavements structurally to select the correct rehabilitation strategy and to properly design a pavement overlay if necessary. Road Rater non-destructive testing has fulfilled this need and has been used successfully to evaluate pavement and subgrade conditions and to design asphaltic concrete overlays and portland cement concrete overlays. The Iowa Road Rater Design Method has been simplified so that it may be easily understood and used by various individuals who are involved in pavement restoration and management. Road Rater evaluation techniques have worked well to date and have been verified by pavement coring, soils sampling and testing. Void detection testing has also been performed, and results indicate that the Road Rater can be used to locate pavement voids and that Road Rater evaluation techniques are reasonably accurate. The success of Road Rater research and development has made dynamic deflection test data an important pavement management input.

Performance Based Specifications, TR-403, 1998

The goal in highway construction and operation has shifted from method based specifications to specifications relating desired performance attributes to materials, mix designs, and construction methods. Shifting from method specifications to performance based specifications can work as an incentive or disincentive for the contractor to improve performance or extend pavement life. This literature search was directed at a review of existing portland cement concrete performance specification development, and the criteria that can effectively measure pavement performance. The criteria identified in the literature include concrete strength, slab thickness, air content, initial smoothness, water-cement ratio, unit weight, and slump. A description of each criterion, along with the advantages, disadvantages, and test methods for each are identified. Also included are the results from a survey that was sent out to various state, federal, and trade agencies. The responses indicated that 53% currently use or are developing a performance based specification program. Of the 47% of agencies that do not use a performance based specification program, over 34% indicated that they would consider a similar program. The most commonly measured characteristics include thickness, strength, smoothness, and air content. Lastly recommendations and conclusions are made regarding other factors that affect pavement performance and a proposed second phase of the research is suggested. The research team suggests that a regional expert task group be formed to identify performance levels and criteria. The results of that effort will guide the research team in the development of new or revised specifications.

Prothèse totale de la hanche par voie antérieure "mini-invasive" [Total hip arthroplasty through anterior "minimal invasive" approach].

Total hip replacement has seen a tremendous development and has become one of the most successful surgical interventions in orthopaedics. While during the first decades of development of total hip arthroplasty the fixation of the implant into the bone was the main concern, the focus has shifted towards surgical technique and soft tissue handling. In order to avoid permanent soft tissue damage, muscular dysfunction and concerns in regards to cosmetics, minimal invasive and anatomic approaches have been developed. We here provide a short overview on various methods of total hip replacements and we describe our technique through a minimal invasive direct anterior approach. While muscle and nerve damage is minimal, this technique allows for a rapid rehabilitation and is associated with an excellent functional outcome and a minimal risk for dislocation.

An Optimum Allocation Approach to Closing or Relocating Highway Maintenance Garages in Iowa, 1981

Highway maintenance engineers and administrators are often confronted with a number of problems related to highway maintenance work programs. One of these problems is concerned with determining the optimum number and locations of highway maintenance garages in a given area. Serious decline in highway revenues and a high inflation rate have made it necessary to examine existing maintenance practices and to allocate reduced financial resources more effectively and efficiently. Searching for and providing of reasonable solutions to these problems is the focus of this research project. The methodology used is to identify and modify for use (if necessary) those models which have already been developed. Models which could give optimum number and locations of highway maintenance garages were found to be too theoretical and/or practically infeasible. Consequently, research focus was shifted from these models to other models that could compare alternatives and select the best among these alternatives. Three such models -- the Alabama model, California model, and Louisiana model, were identified and studied.

Structural Analysis and Overlay Design of Pavements Using the Road Rater, MLR-84-3, 1986

In recent years the Iowa DOT has shifted emphasis from the construction of new roads to the maintenance and preservation of existing highways. A need has developed for analyzing pavements structurally to select the correct rehabilitation strategy and to properly design a pavement overlay if necessary. This need has been fulfilled by Road Rater testing which has been used successfully on all types of pavements to evaluate pavement and subgrade conditions and to design asphaltic concrete overlays. The Iowa Road Rater Design Method has been simplified so that it may be easily understood and used by the widely diverse groups of individuals which may be involved in pavement restoration and management. Road Rater analysis techniques have worked well to date and have been verified by pavement coring, soils sampling and testing, and pavement removal by block sampling. Void detection testing has also been performed experimentally in Iowa, and results indicate that the Road Rater can be used to locate pavement voids and that Road Rater analysis techniques are reasonably accurate. The success of Road Rater research and development has made deflection test data one of the most important pavement management inputs.

Hamiltonian formalism for nonlocal Lagrangians

A Hamiltonian formalism is set up for nonlocal Lagrangian systems. The method is based on obtaining an equivalent singular first order Lagrangian, which is processed according to the standard Legendre transformation and then, the resulting Hamiltonian formalism is pulled back onto the phase space defined by the corresponding constraints. Finally, the standard results for local Lagrangians of any order are obtained as a particular case.

Lactate and the injured brain: friend or foe?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Energy metabolism is increasingly recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis of acute brain injury (ABI). We review the role of cerebral lactate metabolism and summarize evidence showing that lactate may act as supplemental fuel after ABI. RECENT FINDINGS: The role of cerebral lactate has shifted from a waste product to a potentially preferential fuel and signaling molecule. According to the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle model, glycolytic lactate might act as glucose-sparing substrate. Lactate also is emerging as a key signal to regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and a neuroprotective agent after experimental ABI. Clinical investigation using cerebral microdialysis shows the existence of two main lactate patterns, ischemic - from anaerobic metabolism - and nonischemic, from activated glycolysis, whereby lactate can be used as supplemental energy fuel. Preliminary clinical data suggests hypertonic lactate solutions improve cerebral energy metabolism and are an effective treatment for elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) after ABI. SUMMARY: Lactate can be a supplemental fuel for the injured brain and is important to regulate glucose metabolism and CBF. Exogenous lactate supplementation may be neuroprotective after experimental ABI. Recent clinical data from ABI patients suggest hypertonic lactate solutions may be a valid therapeutic option for secondary energy dysfunction and elevated ICP.

Issue review : general fund revenue transfers and appropriations shifts.

This issue review examines how non-general-fund revenue sources have been used to help balance the general fund budget over the last ten years. The report includes examination of non-general-fund appropriations to fund agency operations and programs traditionally funded from the general fund. This document also reviews revenues that have been shifted from a non-general-fund source to the general fund.

Location-independent and location-linked representations of sound objects.

For the recognition of sounds to benefit perception and action, their neural representations should also encode their current spatial position and their changes in position over time. The dual-stream model of auditory processing postulates separate (albeit interacting) processing streams for sound meaning and for sound location. Using a repetition priming paradigm in conjunction with distributed source modeling of auditory evoked potentials, we determined how individual sound objects are represented within these streams. Changes in perceived location were induced by interaural intensity differences, and sound location was either held constant or shifted across initial and repeated presentations (from one hemispace to the other in the main experiment or between locations within the right hemispace in a follow-up experiment). Location-linked representations were characterized by differences in priming effects between pairs presented to the same vs. different simulated lateralizations. These effects were significant at 20-39 ms post-stimulus onset within a cluster on the posterior part of the left superior and middle temporal gyri; and at 143-162 ms within a cluster on the left inferior and middle frontal gyri. Location-independent representations were characterized by a difference between initial and repeated presentations, independently of whether or not their simulated lateralization was held constant across repetitions. This effect was significant at 42-63 ms within three clusters on the right temporo-frontal region; and at 165-215 ms in a large cluster on the left temporo-parietal convexity. Our results reveal two varieties of representations of sound objects within the ventral/What stream: one location-independent, as initially postulated in the dual-stream model, and the other location-linked.

Time-related action of Lactobacillus plantarum in the bacterial microbiota of shrimp digestive tract and its action as immunostimulant

The objective of this work was to assess the time-related action of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum in the bacterial microbiota of the digestive tract of Litopenaeus vannamei, and the relation of total haemocyte count and serum phenol oxidase activity of shrimp challenged with Vibrio harveyi. Shrimps were fed with a probiotic-supplemented diet, for eight days, then shifted to a commercial diet. Shrimps fed only with the commercial diet served as control. Evaluations were made on the 8th day of experiment and repeated two, four, six and eight days later. Total lactic bacteria in the digestive tract was higher until the 4th day of evaluation in the probiotic-supplemented group. Vibrio spp. counts were higher in the control at days zero and two. Until the 4th day of evaluation, the total haemocyte counts in shrimps after challenge with V. harveyi were higher in probiotic-supplemented group than in control group. Significant difference was not observed in phenol oxidase activity. On the 6th day after shifting from supplemented to control diet, all parameters were equal in both groups, suggesting that the time-related action of L. plantarum in shrimp is short.

Differentiating schizoaffective and bipolar I disorder in first-episode psychotic mania.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to differentiate schizoaffective disorder (SAD) and bipolar-I-disorder (BD) in first-episode psychotic mania (FEPM). METHODS: All 134 patients from an epidemiological first-episode psychosis cohort (N=786) with FEPM and an 18-month follow-up final diagnosis of SAD (n=36) or BD (n=98) were assessed with respect to pre-treatment, baseline and outcome differences. Second, patients with baseline BD who shifted (shifted BD) or did not shift to SAD (stable BD) over the follow-up period were compared regarding pre-treatment and baseline differences. RESULTS: SAD patients displayed a significantly longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP; effect size r=0.35), a higher illness-severity at baseline (r=0.20) and more traumatic events (Cramer-V=0.19). SAD patients displayed a significantly higher non-adherence rate (Cramer-V=0.19); controlling for time in treatment and respective baseline scores, SAD patients had significantly worse illness severity (CGI-S; partial η(2)=0.12) and psychosocial functioning (GAF; partial η(2)=0.07) at 18-months, while BD patients were more likely to achieve remission of positive symptoms (OR=4.9, 95% CI=1.8-13.3; p=0.002) and to be employed/occupied (OR=7.7, 95% CI=2.4-24.4, p=0.001). The main discriminator of stable and shifted BD was a longer DUP in patients shifting from BD to SAD. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to distinguish BD with psychotic symptoms and SAD in patients presenting with FEPM. Longer DUP is related to SAD and to a shift from BD to SAD. Compared to BD, SAD had worse outcomes and higher rates of non-adherence with medication. Despite these differences, both diagnostic groups need careful dimensional assessment and monitoring of symptoms and functioning in order to choose the right treatment.

Homogeneidade e heterogeneidade de variância residual em modelos de regressão aleatória sobre o crescimento de caprinos Anglo-Nubianos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar modelos de regressão aleatória com diferentes estruturas de variâncias residuais, na estimação dos componentes de covariância e parâmetros genéticos de características de crescimento de caprinos. A função de regressão por meio de polinômios ortogonais de Legendre de ordem quatro foi usada para modelar a trajetória média de crescimento animal, e de ordem três, para modelar os efeitos genéticos aditivos direto e materno e de ambiente permanente. Diferentes estruturas de variâncias residuais foram consideradas, por meio de classes de uma a sete variâncias residuais, e funções de variâncias com uso dos polinômios ordinários e de Legendre, com ordens que variaram de linear até a do quarto grau. Os modelos foram comparados pelo teste de razão de verossimilhança, o critério de informação de Akaike e o critério bayesiano de Schwarz. Os modelos com funções de variâncias residuais foram superiores aos de classes de variância. O polinômio ordinário de terceira ordem apresentou melhores resultados. Os parâmetros genéticos são influenciados pelo ajuste da variância residual, no entanto, os estimados pelos modelos que consideraram classes de variância, polinômio ordinário e polinômio de Legendre, de terceira ordem, são semelhantes.

Iowa 58 Viking Road Corridor from U.S. 20 to Greenhill Road in Cedar Falls, Iowa, NHSX-U-58-1(91)--8S-07, 2015

The Proposed Action consists of the improvement of Iowa Highway 58 (IA 58) from U.S. Highway 20 (U.S. 20) north to Greenhill Road in Cedar Falls (Black Hawk County, Iowa). The improvement would include limiting at-grade access to IA 58 by adding one or more interchanges to the corridor which would be located at Viking Road, Greenhill Road, and reconfiguring the U.S. 20 interchange (Figure 1). In order to construct these interchanges and associated ramps, the pavement of IA 58 would be reconstructed. In a couple of locations, the alignment of IA 58 would be shifted.