bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do silvicultural practices to restore oaks affect salamanders in the short term?
Authors: Raybuck Amy L. , Moorman Christopher E. , Fritts Sarah R. , Greenberg Cathryn H. , DePerno Christopher S. , Simon Dean M. , Warburton Gordon S.
Published: July 2015

Salamanders are an important ecological component of eastern hardwood forests and may be affected by natural or silvicultural disturbances that alter habitat structure and associated microclimate. From May to August in 2008 (pretreatment) and 2011 (post‐treatment), we evaluated the response of salamanders to three silvicultural practices designed to promote oak regeneration — prescribed fire, midstory herbicide application and shelterwood harvest — and a control. We trapped salamanders using drift fences with pitfall traps in five replicates of the four treatments. Only the southern gray‐cheeked salamander Plethodon metcalfi and the southern Appalachian salamander P. teyahalee were captured in sufficient numbers for robust statistical analysis. We analyzed data for these species using single‐species dynamic occupancy models in statistical software program R. We allowed changes in four covariates to influence extinction probability from pre‐ to post‐treatment implementation: 1) percent leaf litter cover; 2) percent understory cover; 3) percent CWD cover; and 4) percent canopy cover. The final combined model set describing extinction probability contained four models with ΔAIC < 2 for P. metcalfi and nine models with ΔAIC < 2, including the null model, for P. teyahalee. For both species, the 95% confidence intervals for model‐averaged extinction probability parameter estimates overlapped zero, suggesting none were significant predictors of extinction probability. Absence of short‐term salamander response in midstory herbicide and prescribed burn treatments was likely because of minor or transitory changes to forest structure. In shelterwood harvests, any potential effects of reduced canopy and leaf litter cover may have been mitigated by rapid post‐treatment vegetation sprouting. Additionally, climatic conditions associated with high elevation sites and high amounts of rainfall in 2011 may have compensated for potential changes to microclimate. Continued monitoring of Plethodon salamanders to assess responses at longer time scales (e.g. > 3 years post‐treatment) is warranted.
Penser l’intervention correctionnelle autrement : réflexions critiques sur la prise en charge des justiciables
Authors: Jendly Manon , Quirion Bastien , Vacheret Marion , Lafortune Denis
Published: July 2015

Le modèle d’intervention qui a été développé par le Service correctionnel du Canada a inspiré beaucoup d’administrations pénitentiaires dans le monde. Ce modèle a été discuté dans le cadre de groupes de discussion menés en Belgique, en France et en Suisse. Il ressort de ces échanges un certain nombre de pistes fécondes pour analyser sous un angle nouveau les pratiques, orientations et finalités de l’intervention en milieu carcéral. Les principaux résultats analytiques de cette démarche de confrontation constructive autour de l’intervention correctionnelle sont présentés, l’intervention étant définie par nos participants comme une forme particulière de rencontre interpersonnelle se déroulant dans un cadre institutionnel normatif. Les enjeux entourant (1) le contexte, (2) les acteurs et (3) la forme des rencontres sont mis en perspective pour aboutir à des propositions potentiellement génératrices d’un renouvellement réflexif, à la fois théorique et pratique, sur la prise en charge des justiciables dans le système pénal.
Recommendations for Seal Treatment Rejuvenation Specifications Based on Bending Beam Rheometer Testing of Mixture Beams
Authors: Cox Ben C. , Howard Isaac L. , Jordan Walter S.
Published: July 2015

Recently, use of pavement preservation technologies, such as bituminous seal treatments, has increased. Seal treatments are often used to rejuvenate aged asphalt pavements and can decrease permeability and retard oxidation, cracking, and raveling. Many factors affect rejuvenation, and current specifications governing how rejuvenation is characterized could be enhanced. Viscosity testing of asphalt binder extracted and recovered from a pavement's near surface is the predominant means of characterizing rejuvenation (e.g., a product must reduce viscosity by 40% to be classified as a rejuvenator). This paper presents data that suggest other rejuvenation approaches are worth considering because (a) extraction and recovery can adversely affect viscosity results, (b) viscosity testing cannot be conducted without forced and unrealistic blending of aged binder and rejuvenator, (c) high test temperatures may not be the most informative for distresses of interest (e.g., cracking), and (d) viscosity could not detect rejuvenation behaviors of some proprietary products. Alternatively, this paper suggests rejuvenation specifications be developed with bending beam rheometer (BBR) testing of mixture beams sawn from laboratory-compacted asphalt surfaces (e.g., a product must increase the m-value by 0.040 to be classified as a rejuvenator). This approach has shown promise for viscosity testing, and many concerns about viscosity testing are alleviated with BBR testing. A specification approach that uses BBR testing of laboratory-compacted asphalt is described and recommended for rejuvenation characterization.
Optimized Maintenance Standards for Unpaved Road Networks Based on Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Chamorro Alondra , Tighe Susan L.
Published: July 2015

Unpaved roads play a crucial role in the economic and social development of societies, linking rural communities to education, health services, and markets. The asset value of unpaved roads is low compared with national and provincial road networks, because agencies responsible for rural roads management lack the resources to assess and maintain the network properly. Lack of resources is especially critical in developing countries, where the majority of the population lives in rural areas and where few tools are available for sustainable management of the unpaved network. The main objective for this study was to develop and validate cost-effective maintenance standards for unpaved rural roads. The study was directed at improving the management process of unpaved road networks that serve rural populations. The scope was to develop maintenance standards that can be used by agencies in charge of network management, given available resources and technical skills. The developed four-step methodology evaluates an unpaved road network for 4 years, identifies the effects of maintenance treatments on the condition of roads from field data analysis, defines maintenance strategies, and develops optimal maintenance standards. The study was part of a 4-year project conducted at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, Canada, that resulted in the development of a sustainable management system for rural road networks in developing countries. The proposed standards were applied and successfully validated and were demonstrated to be adaptable to varying climates, budgets, traffic, and road structures.
Applying Social Return on Investment to Risk-Based Transportation Asset Management Plans in Low-Volume Bridges
Authors: Miller Maria Catalina , Rueda Jorge A. , Gransberg Douglas D.
Published: July 2015

State departments of transportation implement risk-based transportation asset management systems to standardize risk-oriented procedures and to help decision makers allocate available funds. These procedures can help agencies effectively allocate funding to repair, replace, or maintain their assets in a way that provides the highest overall value to all stakeholders. Because reliable tools with which to measure and compare the socioeconomic impact of distribution of bridge maintenance funds are lacking, decisions are driven by annual average daily traffic (AADT) and the experience of decision makers. Although AADT measures the number of users that would benefit if funding were allocated for a given bridge project, it fails to account for the impact that a given bridge has on the state's or region's economic growth. A reliance on AADT puts low-volume bridges on farm-to-market roads at a disadvantage in competition for scarce funding, as shown by the many structurally deficient low-volume bridges located in croplands of Iowa, a state whose economy is based on agriculture. This paper proposes a method for integrating the socioeconomic impact of funds allocated to maintenance and repair with AADT and for considering the consequences of this decision. The paper demonstrates a stochastic two-way sensitivity analysis social return on investment as the primary metric on two typical Iowa bridges and finds that adding social return on investment to the decision-making process provides a mechanism for more efficiently allocating available resources.
Performance of Sand-Treated Clay Subgrade Supporting a Low-Volume Flexible Pavement
Authors: Pedarla Aravind , Puppala Anand J. , Savigamin Chatuphat , Yu Xinbao
Published: July 2015

Low-volume roads constitute a major portion of the world's transportation infrastructure and hence require an economical and effective pavement design. When constructed on unstable and soft subgrades, these roads are susceptible to premature pavement failures and require subgrade stabilization. The presented research focuses on mechanical stabilization of soft clay with graded sand that has been adopted as a base course for pavements. For this study, a local soft clayey soil from Dallas was mixed with various fractions of a graded sandy soil, and the stiffness behavior of the compounded material was studied. The soil mixtures were then studied for their basic soil characterization, including standard Proctor compaction studies. Statically compressed soil specimens were prepared and then evaluated for their unconfined compressive strength and resilient moduli. Resilient moduli results were used in the design of low-volume roads, both with aggregate base and with no aggregate base. Results show that the variation of sand content in soft soil considerably affects the strength and stiffness properties of the subgrade. The effects of improved subgrade performance on the aggregate base and surface layers of the low-volume pavement are highlighted.
Evaluation of Aggregate-Surfaced Roads for Timber Haul
Authors: Bolander Peter
Published: July 2015

The Siuslaw and Willamette National Forests in western Oregon have approximately 8,000 mi (12,900 km) of aggregate- and native-surfaced roads. These forest roads provide access for the general public (mainly recreation) and allow timber to be hauled to local lumber mills. The forests have developed a procedure for assessing whether an existing aggregate-surfaced road has the capacity to support this traffic. The procedure notes any existing surface distress, determines aggregate depths and material quality, ascertains the subgrade characteristics along the road segment, and then segments the road into like sections according to these observations. Next, the surfacing thickness program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is used to determine aggregate requirements for supporting traffic without excessive surface deterioration. Options for mitigating typical surface distress are addressed. The Siuslaw and Willamette National Forests have found that this procedure provides a reasonable and cost-effective means with which to determine where to apply aggregate on forest roads and how much, conserving the limited rock resources in national forest lands.
New Approach for Upgrading Gravel Roads to a Low-Volume Sealed Standard Based on the Use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
Authors: Pinard Michael I. , Paige-Green Philip , Hongve Jon , Mukandila Estimé
Published: July 2015

Over the years, and under traffic loading and wetting and drying cycles, unpaved roads achieve a significant degree of compaction. Sustainable upgrading of these roads to a paved standard is best accomplished by making use of in situ conditions to provide a sound foundation for the new road. This usually reduces the need to import large quantities of virgin material. The dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) device can be used to quickly and cheaply assess the in situ conditions, including material quality and moisture regimes at selected test positions, as well as to determine the suitability of imported materials for incorporation into the new road pavement. The information obtained from the in situ testing can then be used to identify uniform sections along the road alignment. By comparing the in situ layer strength profiles of each of these uniform sections with the required design strength profiles for a particular design loading, the required layer needs for the new pavement can be determined. The paper describes the use of the DCP for the environmentally optimized design of low-volume roads, including the manner of characterizing the in situ road conditions and the selection and specification of borrow pit materials. The use of the DCP for compaction quality control is outlined. Data from various road sections in several countries in southern Africa are used to support the approach.
Stabilizing Sand Roads with Wood Products and Byproducts
Authors: Russell Mark L.
Published: July 2015

Significant regions of the United States are covered with unstable sands that present traction and maintenance problems on unsurfaced, low-volume roads. Gravel for road surfacing is often unavailable or expensive because of the lack of local gravel deposits. The majority of these sandy areas occur in forested lands with thriving timber and paper industries. The objectives of this study were to review the various wood products and byproducts that are available and carry out a qualitative evaluation of their potential for stabilizing low-volume roads in unstable sands. Wood-related materials may provide cost-effective and environmentally beneficial alternatives for road stabilization materials in areas where gravel is not available or economical for use. The results of a literature search and market survey of wood products, byproducts, and paper mill byproducts are presented along with grain-size distribution test results for unstable sands and some materials. The performance of U.S. Forest Service roads previously stabilized with wood chips, chunkwood, and paper mill sludge was evaluated by site observation. Most of the materials were found to be at least marginally effective in some environments. Paper mill boiler ash shows particular promise as a recycled material for road stabilization and is recommended for further study.
Postsurcharge Secondary Compression Characteristics of Marine Clay from Piezocone Penetration Tests on a Low-Volume Road
Authors: Zou Haifeng , Cai Guojun , Liu Songyu , Puppala Anand J.
Published: July 2015

Secondary compression is a major concern for road construction situated on marine clayey soil conditions in the eastern and southeastern provinces in China. Marine clay characterization in the field is hence an important step in the design of low-volume roads. Piezocone penetration tests (CPTu) were conducted for site investigation of a low-volume road situated in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. The compressibility of relatively homogeneous marine clay at the site was analyzed, with a focus on the postsurcharge secondary compressibility. The primary compression index (CCL) was obtained from odometer tests on undisturbed samples. The postsurcharge secondary compression index (Cαε) was backcalculated from the settlement curves and defined with the time-dependent strain response. The ratio of Cαε/CCL fell in the range of 0.05 ± 0.01, indicating that high secondary compressibility is associated with the clay deposits. Finally, regression analysis was performed to correlate the Cαε to the CPTu normalized cone tip resistance (Qtn). A modified empirical correlation between Cαε and Qtn was further developed on the basis of comprehensive evaluation of data from Lianyungang marine clay and the literature.
Lime and Cement Treatments for Low-Volume Roads
Authors: Praticò Filippo Giammaria , Puppala Anand J.
Published: July 2015

Sustainability and resiliency issues need to be considered for the selection of the stabilizer(s) for a given type of soil because of inherent environmental and societal impacts. Soils in southern Italy can exhibit high compressibility and low strength properties. As a result, stabilization techniques are often needed to improve subsoils and thereby optimize pavement performance. To investigate the sustainability issues, a model was formulated in which user and environmental costs were considered to assess the overall sustainability and resiliency of a transportation infrastructure for low-volume roads. An experimental plan was designed and implemented in real field conditions. Several soils and stabilizer-related variables were considered in the experimental design. Laboratory strength tests, including the California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and indirect tensile strength (ITS), were conducted on control and treated soils. The results led to conclusions pertaining to lime stabilization potential for improving the performance of weak soils, correlations between ITS and UCS properties, and the potential of combined treatments as a strategy for achieving the target performance in a short period of time. Life-cycle cost analyses were used to evaluate benefits and address the sustainability and resiliency of lime and cement treatments for the present soils for low-volume road conditions. The outcomes of this research should benefit practitioners and researchers working in this field.
Effect of the Use of a Polymeric Stabilizing Additive on Unconfined Compressive Strength of Soils
Authors: Georgees Romel N. , Hassan Rayya A. , Evans Robert P. , Jegatheesan Piratheepan
Published: July 2015

In Australia, the mechanical and chemical stabilization of pavement materials has been under way for more than 30 years. Recently, new polymeric-based additives have been shown to provide superior sustain-ability advantages for the construction and maintenance of low-volume roads (particularly unsealed roads) over traditional cement-blended additives. However, little quantifiable information has been published on the improved geotechnical characteristics resulting from the use of such polymeric-based additives. This paper reports on a series of uncon-fined compressive strength tests that were performed on three typical pavement material types, which were all treated with a single type of polyacrylamide additive. The compaction effort was varied at three levels (i.e., 25, 35, and 45 blows per layer with modified compaction effort). All samples were cured for 14 days prior to testing. The results of this study confirmed an increase in dry density and unconfined compressive strength for the three soils treated with the polyacrylamide additive.
Determination of Load Equivalency for Unpaved Roads
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Han Jie , Wayne Mark H. , Parsons Robert L. , Kwon Jayhyun
Published: July 2015

The load equivalency method is widely used to consider the effect of traffic loading on pavement design, and the equivalent axle load factor (EALF) for paved roads has been studied often. For unpaved roads, however, EALF is not well understood because it is not necessarily the same as it is for paved roads. In this study, cyclic plate load tests were conducted on unpaved road sections (six base-over-subgrade sections and four subgrade-only sections) constructed in a geotechnical box (2 m × 2.2 m × 2 m) to investigate the load equivalency for unpaved roads. The base-over-subgrade sections were constructed as unstabilized, T1 geogrid–stabilized, and T2 geogrid–stabilized base courses of 15% California bearing ratio (CBR) with thicknesses of 0.23 m and 0.30 m over weak subgrade of 2% CBR. The subgrade-only sections were constructed with CBR values of 6.2%, 7.4%, 9.5%, and 11.0%. The intensities of the cyclic loads were increased from 5 kN to 65 kN, at increments of 5 kN. For each load intensity, 100 cycles were applied on one test section. The EALFs were analyzed in terms of permanent deformation. The results showed that the regression powers of the ratios of axle loads for unpaved roads with aggregate bases over weak subgrade ranged from 1.9 to 2.9, which were lower than a power of 4, the typical value used for paved roads. The powers for subgrade-only sections had an even wider range, from 1.1 to 3.4. The increase of base thickness, the presence of geogrid, and the use of a higher-grade geogrid increased the power.
Limitations of Using Conventional Unpaved Road Specifications for Understanding Unpaved Road Performance
Authors: Jones David , Paige-Green Philip
Published: July 2015

Numerous specifications exist for selecting materials for unpaved roads. The basis for them is often unclear; most do not indicate expected performance across the full range of grading and plasticity index (PI) envelopes. Observations of many U.S. roads that met federal or local material specifications often showed that poor performance, specifically in regard to washboarding and raveling, was common. These distresses are expensive to maintain and can lead to rapid loss of material and result in vehicle damage from loose stones. A simple method of interpreting unpaved road material properties (using grading analysis and Atterberg limit test results) in relation to expected performance was developed by Paige-Green in 1989 and modified by Jones in 2000 to interpret these properties when materials are modified with chemical treatments. Although this approach has been adopted and implemented in many countries, its use in the United States has been limited. With the approach, analysis of various grading and PI envelope combinations that meet commonly used specifications in the United States showed that poorly performing materials can still easily meet the specifications. Many practitioners managing unpaved roads may not have the expertise to refine the specifications for local conditions. Considering the analysis discussed in this paper, federal and county officials who write specifications, as well as unpaved road practitioners, are encouraged to use the approach to interpret material test results and select the most appropriate materials for unpaved roads. If optimal materials are not available, the approach can be used to refine maintenance programs, select appropriate ratios of materials for blending, or select an appropriate chemical treatment.
Utilization of Construction and Demolition Wastes in Low-Volume Roads for Rural Areas in China
Authors: Jia Xiaoyang , Ye Fen , Huang Baoshan
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a study in which the engineering properties of recycled construction and demolition wastes were evaluated for application to the construction of low-volume roads in rural areas of China. Crushed clay brick and waste concrete, two types of commonly available construction and demolition wastes, were selected. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the influence of the hydration process on microstructure. Properties, including moisture–density relationships and unconfined compression strength, were evaluated. A field application of the use of construction and demolition wastes in low-volume roads was also presented. The study results indicate that construction and demolition wastes may be successfully used as a cement-stabilized base in constructing rural low-volume roads. The results of laboratory and field investigations from the study also provided reference for future mix design and pavement structural design, as well as construction quality control and quality assurance for similar applications in the future.
Method for Increasing the Use of Locally Available Materials for Road Construction in Ethiopia by Allowing for Climatic Variations
Authors: Otto Andrew , Endale Alemayehu Ayele , Greening P. A. K.
Published: July 2015

Despite evidence that the environment is a major factor in the performance of pavements with natural gravel road bases, this finding is rarely used fully in road design. Conventional design standards and specifications do not allow optimal use of local materials such as weathered basalt, cinder gravels, and laterites in low-volume road construction. Significant regional variations in climate are common in many African countries, including Ethiopia. This variation may provide opportunities, especially in drier areas and on well-drained soils, to relax national specifications, enhance use of local materials, and reduce construction costs. These are important factors that influence the provision of rural roads in Ethiopia. A range of naturally occurring materials was tested to determine their properties, particularly the relationship between strength (California bearing ratio) and moisture content. The samples tested included materials not currently considered suitable for road base and surfacing in Ethiopia. These road sections are being monitored to understand their behavior under local climatic conditions. Sections have been constructed in cut and fill and with sealed and unsealed shoulders. All materials showed higher strengths at lower moisture contents; but the strength–moisture relationships differed significantly for the different materials and for the same material at different compaction densities. The approaches developed for laboratory testing, together with evidence from ongoing and future trials, will enable Ethiopia to modify its national standards and specifications. Ethiopia will then be able to safely utilize the benefits of local variations in climate and pavement environment and increase the use of naturally occurring materials, thereby reducing construction costs by 45% to 60%.
Modification of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Model 158 for Prediction of Frost–Thaw Profiles in Northern New England
Authors: Miller Heather J. , Cabral Christopher , Orr David P. , Kestler Maureen A. , Berg Richard , Eaton Robert
Published: July 2015

Knowledge concerning frost–thaw profiles is important in the design of pavements for low-volume roads located in seasonal frost areas. In addition, because these roads are highly susceptible to damage during the spring thaw–weakened period, this knowledge is helpful in making decisions about seasonal load restriction (SLR) policies. Direct measurement of frost depth is expensive and usually limited in scope. Therefore, several highway agencies have expressed the need for a prediction model to help them in estimating frost–thaw profiles beneath roadways. A report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England Division examined frost prediction models. One of the equations in that report was Model 158, which was similar to the modified Berggren equation. Model 158 uses air temperature indexes as well as pavement material properties to integrate heat flow into the calculation of maximum seasonal frost depth. That model has been modified slightly and programmed in an Excel spreadsheet to predict frost and thaw depths on a daily basis. This paper presents an overview of the modified Model 158 and compares predictions obtained from that model with measured frost–thaw profiles obtained at several test sites located in northern New England during a period of five freeze–thaw seasons. Results suggest that the model shows much promise although it generally tended to slightly underpredict maximum frost depths. In tracking the thaw process for SLR posting, the model tended to be conservative in estimating end-of-thaw dates (especially during rapid thawing events); in many instances, estimated end-of-thaw dates fell after measured dates.
Modeling the Impact of Energy Traffic on Local Unpaved Roads
Authors: Stroud Nathan K. , Ksaibati Khaled , Shinstine Debbie S.
Published: July 2015

Laramie County, Wyoming, was selected in accordance with legislative directive as part of a project to determine the impact of the oil and gas industry on county roads. This paper takes into account the impact on gravel roads. Lacking a road and bridge budget, Laramie County is only just keeping up with this impact. To receive additional funding from the state legislature, actual impact needs to be assessed. The different distresses and ride qualities of all the county gravel roads showed that, on average, the roads were in good condition, no matter the level of impact. However, keeping the affected roads in this condition has been costly. The characteristics of the gravel roads in Laramie County were modeled to gain a better understanding of the degradation taking place and to examine the main causes. This effort was undertaken in the hope that the information from the model would be used for more efficient maintenance strategies and would promote a more cost-effective use of the county's budget, so that the county might continue to keep up with the energy impact. The process developed in this study is expected to be useful for other local agencies affected by energy development.
High-Strength Geotextiles in Ultraheavy-Load Haul Roads
Authors: Douglas Robert A. , Laprade Renέ , Lawrence Karl
Published: July 2015

The heaviest trucks serving shovel-and-truck mining operations have tripled in weight to more than 600 tonnes gross weight over the past 30 years. The design of haul roads to support these trucks is becoming ever more challenging. An additional problem is the huge demand for aggregates with which to construct these thick, wide roads. In this study of the problem, a numerical modeling investigation was performed for a 300-tonne-design axle on a granular pavement consisting of a capping layer, base, and subbase (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m thick, respectively). Conventional linearly elastic analyses and analyses not permitting tension were carried out. While the results of the conventional elastic analysis permitting tension had indicated that there was no reinforcing effect with these geotextiles, the results of the no-tension analysis indicated a significant reinforcement effect attributable to the inclusion of high-strength geotextiles in the cross section. The results bring into question the use of analyses permitting tension in the granular pavement materials.
Development of Holding Strategies for Deteriorated Low-Volume Roads
Authors: Yu Jianhua , Jahren Charles T. , Williams R. Christopher
Published: July 2015

Heavily deteriorated low-volume roads in the United States often face the plight of insufficient maintenance funding. Funding priority is usually given to roads that are part of the National Highway System (NHS). Rural highways that have the geometry and speed limits intended for lower traffic volume are not included in the NHS and may be managed by state highway authorities, counties, or townships. Low-volume roads provide access to areas that are less populated and typically have traffic counts of less than 1,500 average daily traffic. To improve such roadways, highway agencies are interested in holding strategies that are more aggressive than preventive maintenance but not as extensive as rehabilitation. The Iowa Department of Transportation constructed test sections with 10 holding strategy treatments to aid in the development of appropriate guidelines. Holding strategy treatments use various combinations of thin surfacing technologies and base recycling and strengthening treatments for flexible pavement rehabilitation and preservation, including single- and multiple-layer chip seals, thin and ultra-thin asphalt overlays, cold in-place recycling, and full-depth reclamation. This paper summarizes the construction of the test sections and recent observations of the performance and maintenance of the treatments. On the basis of the construction costs and treatment life expectations from the literature, a draft decision table is proposed for the selection of holding strategy treatments. The decision table recommends the most cost-effective holding strategy treatment among the 10 treatments that were constructed for a specified holding period. The decision table will be validated in the future with further performance observations.
Multi-Objective Design Optimization of an Over-Constrained Flexure-Based Amplifier
Authors: Ni Yuan , Deng Zongquan , Li Junbao , Wu Xiang , Li Long
Published: July 2015

The optimizing design for enhancement of the micro performance of manipulator based on analytical models is investigated in this paper. By utilizing the established uncanonical linear homogeneous equations, the quasi-static analytical model of the micro-manipulator is built, and the theoretical calculation results are tested by FEA simulations. To provide a theoretical basis for a micro-manipulator being used in high-precision engineering applications, this paper investigates the modal property based on the analytical model. Based on the finite element method, with multipoint constraint equations, the model is built and the results have a good match with the simulation. The following parametric influences studied show that the influences of other objectives on one objective are complicated. Consequently, the multi-objective optimization by the derived analytical models is carried out to find out the optimal solutions of the manipulator. Besides the inner relationships among these design objectives during the optimization process are discussed.
Validation of the GPU-Accelerated CFD Solver ELBE for Free Surface Flow Problems in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Authors: Janßen Christian , Mierke Dennis , Überrück Micha , Gralher Silke , Rung Thomas
Published: July 2015

This contribution is dedicated to demonstrating the high potential and manifold applications of state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools for free-surface flows in civil and environmental engineering. All simulations were performed with the academic research code ELBE (efficient lattice boltzmann environment, http://www.tuhh.de/elbe). The ELBE code follows the supercomputing-on-the-desktop paradigm and is especially designed for local supercomputing, without tedious accesses to supercomputers. ELBE uses graphics processing units (GPU) to accelerate the computations and can be used in a single GPU-equipped workstation of, e.g., a design engineer. The code has been successfully validated in very different fields, mostly related to naval architecture and mechanical engineering. In this contribution, we give an overview of past and present applications with practical relevance for civil engineers. The presented applications are grouped into three major categories: (i) tsunami simulations, considering wave propagation, wave runup, inundation and debris flows; (ii) dam break simulations; and (iii) numerical wave tanks for the calculation of hydrodynamic loads on fixed and moving bodies. This broad range of applications in combination with accurate numerical results and very competitive times to solution demonstrates that modern CFD tools in general, and the ELBE code in particular, can be a helpful design tool for civil and environmental engineers.
Fractional Differential Texture Descriptors Based on the Machado Entropy for Image Splicing Detection
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha , Moghaddasi Zahra , Jalab Hamid , Noor Rafidah
Published: July 2015

Image splicing is a common operation in image forgery. Different techniques of image splicing detection have been utilized to regain people’s trust. This study introduces a texture enhancement technique involving the use of fractional differential masks based on the Machado entropy. The masks slide over the tampered image, and each pixel of the tampered image is convolved with the fractional mask weight window on eight directions. Consequently, the fractional differential texture descriptors are extracted using the gray-level co-occurrence matrix for image splicing detection. The support vector machine is used as a classifier that distinguishes between authentic and spliced images. Results prove that the achieved improvements of the proposed algorithm are compatible with other splicing detection methods.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Action of Tumour Suppressor GAS5 LncRNA
Authors: Pickard Mark , Williams Gwyn
Published: July 2015

It is increasingly recognised that lncRNAs play essential regulatory roles in fundamental biological processes and, consequently, that their dysregulation may contribute to major human diseases, including cancer. Better understanding of lncRNA biology may therefore offer new insights into pathogenetic mechanisms and thereby offer novel opportunities for diagnosis and therapy. Of particular interest in this regard is GAS5 lncRNA, which is down-regulated in multiple cancers, with expression levels related to both clinico-pathological characteristics and patient prognosis. Functional studies have further shown that GAS5 lncRNA both inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of multiple cell types, and that together these cellular mechanisms of action are likely to form the basis of its tumour suppressor action. At the same time, advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of GAS5 lncRNA action in recent years, including riborepression of certain steroid hormone receptors and sequestration of miR-21, impacting key regulatory pathways of cell survival. Overall this accumulating knowledge has the potential to improve both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and ultimately patient outcome.
An Interactive Session on Nutritional Pathologies for Health Professional Students
Authors: DeSipio Joshua , Phadtare Sangita
Published: July 2015

Various studies have emphasized the need to improve the nutrition training of health professionals, which will help them to provide optimal patient care. Nutrition-based interactive sessions may serve as an efficient approach to instigate an interest in nutrition among the students. Here we report the reception and effectiveness of a nutrition-pathology based interactive activity that we designed and implemented in the gastroenterology course given to the second year students at our medical school. The activity involved team work, individual accountability and peer-teaching. Nutrition pathology case stems (Kwashiorkor, vitamin B-12 deficiency, zinc deficiency and zinc-induced copper deficiency) were posted on the course website for the students to read before the session. At the start of the session, all the groups (each made up of four members) took a pre-quiz. Each student was then given an information sheet describing one case. Each group discussed the four cases with students acting as the “teacher” for the case assigned to them. A post-quiz was administered to the groups to assess acquisition of knowledge as well as in-depth thinking about the nutrition aspects discussed. The efficacy of the session measured by pre (39% questions correctly answered in total) and post-quizzes (96% questions correctly answered in total) and the overwhelmingly positive student feedback indicated that the session was highly effective. Ninety-five percent of students thought that the session demonstrated the clinical relevance of nutrition, while 98% students found the peer teaching to be engaging.
Seminal Shedding of CMV and HIV Transmission among Men Who Have Sex with Men
Authors: Gianella Sara , Scheffler Konrad , Mehta Sanjay , Little Susan , Freitas Lorri , Morris Sheldon , Smith Davey
Published: July 2015

As in many urban areas in the United States, the largest burden of the HIV epidemic in San Diego is borne by men who have sex with men (MSM). Using data from well-characterized HIV transmitting and non-transmitting partner pairs of MSM in San Diego, we calculated the population attributable risk (PAR) of HIV transmissions for different co-infections common among MSM in this area. We found that over a third of HIV transmissions could be potentially attributed to genital shedding of cytomegalovirus (CMV) (111 transmission events), compared to 21% potentially attributed to bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) (62 events) and 17% to herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) (51 events). Although our study cannot infer causality between the described associations and is limited in sample size, these results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing CMV shedding might be an attractive HIV prevention strategy in populations with high prevalence of CMV co-infection.
A Critical Evaluation of Waste Incineration Plants in Wuhan (China) Based on Site Selection, Environmental Influence, Public Health and Public Participation
Authors: Hu Hui , Li Xiang , Nguyen Anh , Kavan Philip
Published: July 2015

With the rapid development of the waste incineration industry in China, top priority has been given to the problem of pollution caused by waste incineration. This study is the first attempt to assess all the waste incineration plants in Wuhan, the only national key city in central China, in terms of environmental impact, site selection, public health and public participation. By using a multi-criterion assessment model for economic, social, public health and environmental effects, this study indicates these incineration plants are established without much consideration of the local residents’ health and environment. A location analysis is also applied and some influences of waste incineration plants are illustrated. This study further introduces a signaling game model to prove that public participation is a necessary condition for improving the environmental impact assessment and increasing total welfare of different interest groups in China. This study finally offers some corresponding recommendations for improving the environmental impact assessments of waste incineration projects.
Do Motives to Undertake Physical Activity Relate to Physical Activity in Adolescent Boys and Girls?
Authors: Kopcakova Jaroslava , Veselska Zuzana , Geckova Andrea , Kalman Michal , Van Dijk Jitse , Reijneveld Sijmen
Published: July 2015

Low levels of physical activity (PA) during adolescence contribute to obesity and poor health outcomes in adolescence, and these associations endure into adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between motives for PA and the level of PA among adolescent boys and girls. We obtained data regarding motives for PA and frequency of PA in 2010 via the Health Behavior in School-aged Children cross-sectional study in the Czech and Slovak Republics (n = 9018, mean age = 13.6, 49% boys). Respondents answered questions about their motives for PA and the frequency of their PA. Motives for PA were assessed using 13 items, which were structured in four groups. We explored the association between the motives for PA and sufficient PA using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, and separately for boys and girls. “Good child” motives and Achievement motives were significantly associated with sufficient PA among both boys and girls. Health motives were associated with sufficient PA only among boys, and Social motives were associated with sufficient PA only among girls. Motives for PA were associated with the level of PA, and this association was partially gender dependent. These gender differences should be considered in interventions focusing on enhancement of PA.
Epigenetic and Posttranslational Modifications in Light Signal Transduction and the Circadian Clock in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Proietto Marco , Bianchi Michele , Ballario Paola , Brenna Andrea
Published: July 2015

Blue light, a key abiotic signal, regulates a wide variety of physiological processes in many organisms. One of these phenomena is the circadian rhythm presents in organisms sensitive to the phase-setting effects of blue light and under control of the daily alternation of light and dark. Circadian clocks consist of autoregulatory alternating negative and positive feedback loops intimately connected with the cellular metabolism and biochemical processes. Neurospora crassa provides an excellent model for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in these phenomena. The White Collar Complex (WCC), a blue-light receptor and transcription factor of the circadian oscillator, and Frequency (FRQ), the circadian clock pacemaker, are at the core of the Neurospora circadian system. The eukaryotic circadian clock relies on transcriptional/translational feedback loops: some proteins rhythmically repress their own synthesis by inhibiting the activity of their transcriptional factors, generating self-sustained oscillations over a period of about 24 h. One of the basic mechanisms that perpetuate self-sustained oscillations is post translation modification (PTM). The acronym PTM generically indicates the addition of acetyl, methyl, sumoyl, or phosphoric groups to various types of proteins. The protein can be regulatory or enzymatic or a component of the chromatin. PTMs influence protein stability, interaction, localization, activity, and chromatin packaging. Chromatin modification and PTMs have been implicated in regulating circadian clock function in Neurospora. Research into the epigenetic control of transcription factors such as WCC has yielded new insights into the temporal modulation of light-dependent gene transcription. Here we report on epigenetic and protein PTMs in the regulation of the Neurospora crassa circadian clock. We also present a model that illustrates the molecular mechanisms at the basis of the blue light control of the circadian clock.
An Overview of Practical Applications of Protein Disorder Prediction and Drive for Faster, More Accurate Predictions
Authors: Deng Xin , Gumm Jordan , Karki Suman , Eickholt Jesse , Cheng Jianlin
Published: July 2015

Protein disordered regions are segments of a protein chain that do not adopt a stable structure. Thus far, a variety of protein disorder prediction methods have been developed and have been widely used, not only in traditional bioinformatics domains, including protein structure prediction, protein structure determination and function annotation, but also in many other biomedical fields. The relationship between intrinsically-disordered proteins and some human diseases has played a significant role in disorder prediction in disease identification and epidemiological investigations. Disordered proteins can also serve as potential targets for drug discovery with an emphasis on the disordered-to-ordered transition in the disordered binding regions, and this has led to substantial research in drug discovery or design based on protein disordered region prediction. Furthermore, protein disorder prediction has also been applied to healthcare by predicting the disease risk of mutations in patients and studying the mechanistic basis of diseases. As the applications of disorder prediction increase, so too does the need to make quick and accurate predictions. To fill this need, we also present a new approach to predict protein residue disorder using wide sequence windows that is applicable on the genomic scale.
The Effect of Electroporation of a Lyotroic Liquid Crystal Genistein-Based Formulation in the Recovery of Murine Melanoma Lesions
Authors: Danciu Corina , Berkó Szilvia , Varju Gábor , Balázs Boglárka , Kemény Lajos , Németh István , Cioca Andreea , Petruș Alexandra , Dehelean Cristina , Cosmin Citu , Amaricai Elena , Toma Claudia
Published: July 2015

A lamellar lyotropic liquid crystal genistein-based formulation (LLC-Gen) was prepared in order to increase the aqueous solubility of the lipophilic phytocompound genistein. The formulation was applied locally, in a murine model of melanoma, with or without electroporation. The results demonstrated that, when the formulation was applied by electroporation, the tumors appeared later. During the 21 days of the experiment, the LLC-Gen formulation decreased the tumor volume, the amount of melanin and the degree of erythema, but when electroporation was applied, all these parameters indicated a better prognosis even (lower tumor volume, amount of melanin and degree of erythema). Although hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining confirmed the above events, application of the LLC-Gen formulation by electroporation did not lead to a significant effect in terms of the serum concentrations of the protein S100B and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), or the tissue expression of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) antibody.