bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in biological status among Polish males and underlying socio-economic factors
Authors: Kaczmarek Maria , Skrzypczak Magdalena
Published: January 2009

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the socio-economic and lifestyle factors associated with biological status of Polish men. Data were collected during a cross-sectional survey carried out in Poznań and several localities in Western Poland, between 2000 and 2002. The sample consisted of 2509 men ranging from 30 to 90 years of age. Biological status was expressed in terms of functional-biological age (BA) computed as a composite z-score of 11 biomarkers according to the method proposed by Borkan and Norris [1980a], and physiological reserve index (PR) developed by Goffaux et al. [2005]. The average biological age profiles (BAP) were compared in several subgroups of participants. The subgroups were categorized based on demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics. It was found that values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, physical and emotional aging indicators and perceived satisfaction with life were significantly associated with most of the study factors, except for smoking habit and education level. The multivariate logistic regression models revealed that two factors, financial situation and physical activity, were significantly associated with the physiological reserve index estimation. The study confirmed the role of the socio-economic and lifestyle factors likely to play in men's biological status and aging rates.
Sex determination of skeletal remains of 4000 year old children and juveniles from Hoštice 1 za Hanou (Czech Republic) by ancient DNA analysis
Authors: Vaňharová Michaela , Drozdová Eva
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the sex by means of modern molecular genetic methods of children and immature individuals from the 4000 years old Eneolithic burial site "Hoštice 1 za Hanou" of the Bell-Beaker people, in central Moravia (Czech Republic). While the anthropological approach was in this case limited either by the state of preservation of the skeletal remains or simply by absence of definite morphological traits in the children, analysis of aDNA (SRY, amelogenin) yielded results consistent with archeological grave findings and body imposition. The burial rites of the investigated culture facilitated the analysis because the gender specific imposition of adults has previously been described (man left-side, head northwards, woman right-side, head southwards) However, this approach is often limited in case of children burials. This study showed high concordance between archeological sex-determination and genetic sex, but also revealed several exceptions in children burial rite of Bell Beaker culture.
Survey of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Yams in Ogun and Osun States of Nigeria
Authors: Adegbite Ayodele , Saka Jelili , Agbaje Gideon , Osuloye Felix
Published: January 2009

Survey of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Yams in Ogun and Osun States of Nigeria

A survey was conducted to determine the types, frequency and population of plant parasitic nematodes associated with the soils and roots of Yam (Dioscoreaspecies) in all the Local Government Areas of Ogun and Osun States of Nigeria using random sampling soil and root and pie pan modification of Baerman funnel for plant parasitic nematode extraction. Ten and nine genera of plant parasitic nematodes were encountered both from the soils and root samples from the two States. Plant parasitic nematodes recovered includedScutellonemaspp.,Meloidogynespp.,Pratylenchusspp.,Trichodorusspp.,Helicotylenchusspp.,Radopholusspp.,Longidorusspp.,Xiphinemaspp.,Rotylenchulusspp andAphelenchoidesspecies.Scutellonemaspp.,Meloidogynespp., andPratylenchusspp were most widely distributed with frequency ratings of 70, 65 and 60% respectively in soil samples from Ogun State and in the root samples the three genera predominated with 60, 55 and 45% frequency ratings respectively.Meloidogynespp.,Scutellonemaspp., andPratylenchusspp were most widely distributed with frequency ratings of 65, 45 and 35% respectively in soil samples from Osun State and in the root samples the three genera predominated with 55, 35 and 35% frequency ratings respectively.
Production of Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes and Toxins by Colletotrichum Capsici and Alternaria Alternata Causing Fruit ROT of Chillies
Authors: Anand Theerthagiri , Bhaskaran Ramanujam , Gandhi Karthikeyan Thiruvengadam , Rajesh Manikam , Senthilraja Govindasamy
Published: January 2009

Production of Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes and Toxins byColletotrichum CapsiciandAlternaria AlternataCausing Fruit ROT of Chillies

The virulent isolates ofColletotrichum capsiciandAlternaria alternataproduced more cellulolytic enzymesviz., C1and Cxin vitrothan the avirulent ones and the activity of these enzymes increased with the increase in age of culture. The virulent isolates ofC. capsiciandA. alternataproduced more pectinolytic enzymes (macerating enzymes, pectin methyl esterase and endo polygalacturonase) than the avirulent ones. All the pectinolytic enzymes were highly active in 10-day-old culture and the activities decreased with the increase of culture age. Whereas the activity of enzymes produced by avirulent isolate of pathogens did not decrease and these enzyme activities increased with the increase in the age of culture. These pathogens also produced nonspecific toxic metabolites in culture filtrate which reduced seed germination, root length, shoot length and vigour index of the seedlings of chilli, rice, mungbean, maize, cotton, groundnut, okra, egg plant, cucumber and tomato. The toxins of the pathogens reduced seed germination and caused mortality of chilli seedlings in pot culture. The toxins also produced phytotoxic symptoms in the treated ripe and green chilli fruits and leaves.
Bakanae Disease of Rice in Malaysia and Indonesia: Etiology of the Causal Agent Based on Morphological, Physiological and Pathogenicity Characteristics
Authors: Izzati Mohd Zainudin Nur , Razak Azmi , Salleh Baharuddin
Published: January 2009

Bakanae Disease of Rice in Malaysia and Indonesia: Etiology of the Causal Agent Based on Morphological, Physiological and Pathogenicity Characteristics

Bakanae disease on rice has been recorded almost in all countries where paddy is grown commercially, especially in Asian countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia. Bakanae disease was widespread in Peninsular Malaysia and three provinces of Indonesia with the range of disease severity from scale 1 to 5 and disease incidence from 0.5 to 12.5% during 2004-2005 main growing seasons. A total of fiveFusariumspecies belonging to section Liseola and their allied i.e.Fusarium fujikuroi, F. proliferatum, F. sacchari, F. subglutinans and F. verticillioideswere isolated and identified on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Literature data showed that the bakanae disease of rice all over the world is caused byF. fujikuroiand probably some otherFusariumspecies from section Liseola or allied. However, from pathogenicity tests that have been carried out by using variety MR 211 of rice it was evident thatF. fujikuroiwas highly virulent and the only species involved in causing bakanae disease. Therefore, this species was the only one detected to be able to produce gibberellic acid - (GA3) with Rfvalue 0.40 and 0.62, developed in solvent systems isopropanol:ammonia:water (10: 1: 1), v/v/ v and chloroform:ethyl acetate:formic acid (5: 4: 1), v/v/v, respectively. This knowledge would be invaluable in developing our understanding on the interaction betweenF. fujikuroiand the host plants.
A Pheromone-Based Trapping System for Monitoring the Population of Cosmopolites Sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Reddy Gadi , Cruz Zerlene , Naz Fritz , Muniappan Rangaswamy
Published: January 2009

A Pheromone-Based Trapping System for Monitoring the Population ofCosmopolites Sordidus(Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The banana root borerCosmopolites sordidus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is native to Malaysia and Indonesia but is found in nearly all banana-growing areas of the world. Studies were conducted to determine the pheromone trap efficacy, effect of shade on trap catches and to monitor the population ofC. sordidususing pheromones in Guam. In Guam, pheromone traps were used to monitor the population level ofC. sordidus.Before monitoring began, two basic studies were carried out, which established that pheromone-baited ramp traps positioned in the shade of the banana crop canopy caught significantly more adults than those placed in sunlight and that ramp traps baited with pheromone lures caught significantly more adults than did identical traps without pheromone lures. Ramp traps baited with pheromone lures were set up at each of 10 locations throughout the island in November 2005. Weekly counts were made of the borers caught by the pheromone traps. The data indicated higher population levels (>10 per week) in the northern region and low (<5 per week) to medium level (5-10 week) populations in the southern part of the island. These differences among sites were highly significant. Linear and quadratic effects of rainfall on the number of borers captured were statistically significant, but according to quadratic regression models, the significance was due to differences at just one site.
Susceptibility of the Selected Crops in Storage to Sitophilus Zeamais Motschulsky in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Babarinde Samuel , Sosina Adebola , Oyeyiola Ezekiel
Published: January 2009

Susceptibility of the Selected Crops in Storage toSitophilus ZeamaisMotschulsky in Southwestern Nigeria

Susceptibility of the selected Nigerian cultivars of twelve crops toSitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky was evaluated in the laboratory (28 ± 2°C temperature and 69 ± 5% relative humidity). The crops were: maize (Zea maysL.), millet [Pennisetum glaucum(L.) X R. Br.], sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench], rice (Oryza sativaL.), and yam (Dioscorea rotundataPoir). Others were cassava (Manihot esculentaCrantz), pepper (Capsicum annuumL.), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp], groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.), melon [Citrullus lanatus(Thunb.)], soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] and bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea(L.) Verdc]. The result of antixenosis prescreen shows thatS. zeamaispreferred cereals and tubers to legumes and oil crops.S. zeamaispreference for maize was highest at 1, 24 and 48 hours after infestation (HAI) and was not significantly different from its preference for pepper, millet, sorghum and yam. At 48 HAI,S. zeamaispreference for cereals, tubers and pepper was not significantly different. Soybean and bambara groundnut were the least preferred species. The highest level of damage was observed in cereals and tubers. Millet suffered significantly greater damage than maize at 2-8 weeks after infestation (WAI). Damage done to maize was not significantly different from damage done to tubers at 6 and 8 WAI. Pepper, legumes and oil crops suffered significantly lower levels of damage than maize throughout the experimental period. Cumulative number of adult was significantly higher in small-seeded cereals than maize and was of the order: sorghummilletrice. Cowpea, soybean and pepper did not support reproduction and longevity ofS. zeamais.Longevity was best supported by cassava. The results show that in storage, cereals and tubers were more susceptible toS. zeamaisinfestation than legumes, spices and oil crops.
Movement Variability and the Use of Nonlinear Tools: Principles to Guide Physical Therapist Practice
Authors: Harbourne Regina T , Stergiou Nicholas
Published: January 2009

Fields studying movement generation, including robotics, psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience, utilize concepts and tools related to the pervasiveness of variability in biological systems. The concepts of variability and complexity and the nonlinear tools used to measure these concepts open new vistas for physical therapist practice and research in movement dysfunction of all types. Because mounting evidence supports the necessity of variability for health and functional movement, this perspective article argues for changes in the way therapists view variability, both in theory and in action. By providing clinical examples, as well as applying existing knowledge about complex systems, the aim of this article is to create a springboard for new directions in physical therapist research and practice.
A Qualitative Application of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Examine Determinants of Guideline Adherence Among Physical Therapists
Authors: Harting Janneke , Rutten Geert MJ , Rutten Steven TJ , Kremers Stef P
Published: January 2009

Background

Evidence-based practice has become a major issue in physical therapy. Many evidence-based guidelines, however, are not used extensively after dissemination, and interventions aimed at increasing guideline adherence often have limited effects.

Objective

As a prerequisite for changing this situation, the aims of this study were to gain an in-depth understanding of the determinants of guideline adherence among physical therapists in the Netherlands and to evaluate the opportunities of a theoretical framework in this respect.

Design and Methods

This observational study consisted of 3 focus group interviews (n=12, 10, and 8) between November 2002 and January 2003. Physical therapists were asked to discuss their opinions about and experiences with the Dutch guidelines for low back pain. Data were analyzed qualitatively using a directed approach to content analysis. Both the interview route and the analysis of the interviews were informed by Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory.

Results

Our study yielded in-depth insights into the various determinants of guideline adherence. Overall, the participants had rather unfavorable opinions about issues related to the dissemination of the guidelines (first phase of the diffusion process) and provided relatively little information on the subsequent adoption process (second phase of the diffusion process). The theoretical framework appeared to be a useful tool to properly structure the focus group interviews, to systematically analyze the data collected, and to determine that supplementary interviews would be necessary to cover the entire diffusion process.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that the diffusion process of guidelines among physical therapists was not yet completed. The use of theory can provide added value to guideline implementation studies.
Partial coronary epidermectomy (coronary peel), dorsodistal wall fenestration and deep digital flexor tenotomy to treat severe acute founder in a Connemara pony
Authors: Eustace R. A. , Emery S. L.
Published: January 2009

A new surgical treatment is described that was used to treat acute founder of 16 days' duration in both front feet of an overweight pony. The decision to employ the new method was influenced by the founder having occurred relatively recently, the presence of a large founder distance and the low anticipated success rate based on data obtained from 166 previous cases of acute founder treated with a heart bar shoe, dorsal wall resection and deep digital flexor tenotomy method. The treatment provided rapid improvement in lameness and a successful outcome with a good cosmetic result.
Suspected venous air embolism in a Finnhorse
Authors: Caporelli F. , McGowan C. M. , Tulamo R. M.
Published: January 2009

Vascular air embolism (VAE) is the entrainment of air from the operative field or other communication with the environment into the venous or arterial vasculature, producing systemic effects. The horse described in this report, after having been discovered to have dislodged the extension set from the jugular vein catheter, demonstrated clinical signs considered most likely to have resulted from a VAE, and represents a case of primarily neurological signs resolving spontaneously. Emphasis is given to the prevention and prompt recognition of this event and to the use of all available tools in the management of cardiovascular complications.
Osseous cyst‐like lesions of the lateral intertubercular groove of the proximal humerus: A report of 5 cases
Authors: Little D. , Redding W. R. , Gerard M. P.
Published: January 2009

This report documents the case presentation, evaluation, treatment and outcome of 5 horses with an osseous cystlike lesion (OCLL) of the intertubercular groove of the proximal aspect of the humerus. In 3 of the 5 cases, delayed phase gamma scintigraphic findings demonstrated increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the region of the intermediate tubercle of the proximal humerus of the affected limb, demonstrating increased bone remodelling in this region. In 4 of the 5 horses, an OCLL was identified in the intermediate tubercle of the proximal humerus, and in one horse the OCLL was identified in the greater tubercle. Medial‐lateral and craniomedial‐caudolateral oblique radiographic views were helpful to see the lesions in all cases. Ultrasonography confirmed the location of the subchondral and fibrocartilage defect associated with the OCLL and confirmed communication of the cyst with the lateral intertubercular groove of the humerus in 3 of the 5 cases. Ultrasonography also confirmed a variable degree of bicipital tendonitis in 3 of the horses. OCLL of the lateral intertubercular groove of the proximal humerus should be considered in the evaluation of any mature horse with lameness isolated to the bicipital bursa. Development of these OCLL may be a result of trauma or altered limb biomechanics as a result of shoulder osteoarthritis or concurrent chronic lameness, which leads to disruption or thinning of the fibrocartilage, remodelling of the subchondral bone and subsequent cyst development.
The wooden shoe as an option for treating chronic laminitis
Authors: O'Grady S. E. , Steward M. L.
Published: January 2009

Various farriery methods have been described for treating chronic laminitis, yet no particular method has become the preferred choice. The wooden shoe may possess certain advantages such as redistributing load evenly over the palmar/plantar section of the foot due to its flat solid construction and the mechanics (bevelled perimeter, breakover and heel elevation) that can be incorporated directly into the fabrication of the shoe. It should be apparent that the advantages of this farriery option will also be limited unless strict attention is paid to the details involving radiology, foot preparation and alignment of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule.
Cervical vertebral osteomyelitis in a 4‐month‐old foal
Authors: Hu A. J. , Grant B. , Cannon J.
Published: January 2009

Vertebral body osteomyelitis in the cervical spine secondary toRhodococcus equihas been treated both medically and surgically. This Case Report describes a 4‐month‐old foal exhibiting severe neurological signs fromR. equivertebral body osteomyelitis. Rapid, significant resolvement of neurological signs was noted in this case with surgical debridement and use of synthetic bone filler. The outcome suggests that aggressive surgical therapy in conjunction with synthetic allograft may be indicated in treatment of cervical vertebral body osteomyelitis.
Teacher Tradeoffs: Disentangling Teachers’ Preferences for Working Conditions and Student Demographics
Authors: Horng Eileen Lai
Published: January 2009

One of the greatest differences in resources across schools in California comes from an inequitable distribution of teachers. This study identifies reasons for this sorting of teachers by surveying 531 teachers in a California elementary school district. The surveys ask the teachers to make choices between various workplace characteristics. With this information, the study disentangles student demographics from other characteristics of teaching jobs that are amenable to policy influences. It finds that teachers identify working conditions—particularly, school facilities, administrative support, and class sizes—and salaries as significantly more important than student characteristics when selecting a school in which to work.
Does Design-Build Project Delivery Affect the Future of the Public Engineer?
Authors: Gransberg Douglas D. , Molenaar Keith R.
Published: January 2009

More than half the U.S. states have some form of legislated authority to procure transportation projects through design-build project delivery. Some states use the design-build delivery method extensively and some not at all because of perceived implementation barriers. One concern is that the use of design-build could result in major staff cutbacks within public agencies. To evaluate this concern objectively, this study employed a combination of literature review, surveys of state departments of transportation (DOTs), and content analysis of design-build requests for proposals and policy documents. It sought to quantify the impact on the state DOT professional workforce when the state authorizes design-build project delivery. The study reached a number of conclusions, but primarily implementation of design-build had no negative effect on the number of engineering jobs at public agencies that use it. The study also found that implementing design-build did not eliminate the use of the traditional design-bid-build procurement method. Last, it found that design-build projects performed better than design-bid-build projects in terms of cost and schedule and were comparable in quality outcomes.
Matrix-Based Decision Support Tools for Construction Activities on High-Volume Roadways
Authors: Carson Jodi L. , Anderson Stuart D. , Ullman Gerald L.
Published: January 2009

The Federal Highway Administration and the Texas Transportation Institute recently sponsored a research project to determine the most effective strategies, or combination of strategies, related to construction, traffic management, or public information when initiating pavement preservation, rehabilitation, or reconstruction activities in high-traffic environments. To assist state highway administrators (SHAs) in utilizing the information from this investigation, a series of decision-support matrices was created: (a) a preliminary strategy selection matrix; (b) more detailed matrices focused on construction, traffic management, and public information strategies; and (c) an interdependency matrix that considers synergy among multiple strategies. Application of these matrices is a three-step process. First, based on existing or anticipated local conditions and priorities, the preliminary strategy selection matrix supports selection of initial construction, traffic management, and public information strategies. Second, with initial strategies identified, the more detailed secondary strategy selection matrix supports refinement of the preliminary set of strategies based on their relative impact and identifies project examples where each strategy was applied. Third, with a reduced set of strategies for consideration, the strategy interdependency matrix suggests whether combined strategies may provide an additional synergistic benefit if simultaneously applied. The development of this matrix-based decision support tool is intended to encourage a more informed, broader consideration of construction, traffic management, and public information strategies, resulting in reduced impacts to road users, proximity businesses, and residences and reflecting positively on SHAs. This effort has generated early interest by SHAs, suggesting significant and timely perceived benefit.
Highway Construction Quality Index for Florida
Authors: Minchin R. Edward , Hammons Michael I. , Ahn Junyong , Choubane Bouzid
Published: January 2009

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is developing strategies to improve the quality of transportation infrastructure while coping with changes in business models and reductions in agency personnel. Nationwide, policy is changing more quickly than ever, and every policy change reinforces the need for contractors who perform high-quality work. There have been several initiatives in the past to develop some kind of rational, objective system of rating the quality of highway construction projects. There have also been initiatives to utilize these ratings for substantial issues such as contractor qualification and bidding purposes, but not one state uses their quality ratings for anything more substantial than setting contractors’ bidding ceilings. Some states do not use these ratings at all and some states do not even rate the quality of their projects. One of the chief complaints against current systems is their subjectivity. The construction quality index, developed through a grant from FDOT, is a rating of the quality of materials and workmanship on highway projects that, unlike current quality rating models used by state highway agencies, is totally objective. Under limited validation testing, the model assigned quality index values consistent with the owner's level of satisfaction with the project.
Rational Best-Value Model Based on Expected Performance
Authors: Abdelrahman Magdy , Zayed Tarek , Hietpas Jay Jerard , Elyamany Ahmed
Published: January 2009

The best-value procurement strategy is gaining the interest of federal and state agencies. The strategy increases the value added to a project for each dollar added. A new concept of best value, that is, a rational and flexible model based on expected performance, is presented. The model's flexibility is obvious in the selection of parameters to be included in the contractor selection process and in the determination of their weights. The model's rationality will be achieved through relating all awarded scores to the agency's expected performance. The establishment of the best-value model relies on the past record of the contractor's work for the agency as an indicator of qualification trend. This research incorporates prequalification as a first-level screening technique in selecting top contractor bids in the best-value procurement and then applies a rational scoring system in the final selection. Selection of the most appropriate contractor with the best qualifications for a given project will be based on contractor best value. Data are collected from groups of experts in the Minnesota Department of Transportation and processed through the analytic hierarchy process to establish the parameter weights. Although this research assists departments of transportation in selecting the best contractor, the results are relevant to both academics and practitioners. The paper provides practitioners with a tool for ranking contractors based on best value and provides academics with selection parameters, a model to evaluate the best value, and a methodology for quantifying the qualitative effect of subjective factors.
Ultrawideband for Automated Real-Time Three-Dimensional Location Sensing for Workforce, Equipment, and Material Positioning and Tracking
Authors: Teizer Jochen , Venugopal Manu , Walia Anupreet
Published: January 2009

Management of construction resources, such as workforce, equipment, and material, is critical to project success. Completion of work tasks on schedule, safely and within the proposed budget requires a coordinated planning effort that allocates adequate availability of project resources. Because this task alone can become a challenging and time-consuming effort for many field personnel, several existing technologies are reviewed for their benefits and limitations in keeping oversight of resource location and status at job sites. To ensure the optimal solution using the right resources, such knowledge becomes even more meaningful when optimizing construction logistics and safety at the same time. This paper introduces an emerging sensing technology called ultrawideband (UWB) that is capable of determining three-dimensional resource location information in object-cluttered construction environments in real time (up to 60 Hz). The use of UWB is explained in a variety of construction applications including simplifying on-site management, improving resource productivity and usage, reducing schedule and cost, and increasing work zone safety. UWB technology and its advantages and limitations are compared with the state of the art in positioning technologies. Results of preliminary UWB experiments in the laboratory and construction environment are presented using developed data processing algorithms and a method to determine the accuracy of UWB position measurements. The paper discusses the feasibility of using ultrawideband as a data collection and decision support tool for robotic (automated) infrastructure construction applications in the areas of real-time three-dimensional material flow and workforce location tracking, optimized machine positioning and automated navigation, and proactive work zone safety.
Robust Determination of Liquidated Damage Rates for State Highway Agencies
Authors: Zech Wesley C. , Bailey Clark B. , Crowley Larry G.
Published: January 2009

Liquidated damages (LDs) in highway construction contracts are daily monetary rates meant to compensate the owning agency for additional costs incurred because a project did not meet its completion date because of contractor delay. When LD provisions are challenged in court, provisions that lack proper documentation outlining the procedure used to determine rates have been deemed a penalty and unenforceable. This research effort sought to develop a methodology for developing a schedule of LD rates to be adopted by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The procedure outlined is to be used periodically to review and update the LD rates found in ALDOT's standard specifications for highway construction contracts, since their current schedule and review procedure has come under legal scrutiny. A statistically justifiable procedure was developed to calculate LD rates using historical project cost accounting data to create a traditional provision based on FHWA guidelines with the LD rates stipulated in a contract-size categorized table. The proposed procedure was then compared with a typical procedure used for developing LD rates. After comparisons, the proposed procedure stipulating LD rates in a table by contract value was determined to be the more robust method. The final product of this research is stepwise guidelines for practitioners to use on a periodic basis to review and update their schedule of LD rates.
Warranty Specifications for Highway Construction
Authors: Gharaibeh Nasir G. , Miron Alberto G.
Published: January 2009

Advanced quality systems (AQSs) are emerging as a framework for integrating and coordinating processes, specifications, modeling and analytical tools, testing technologies, databases, and educational capabilities that aim at improving highway construction quality. A comprehensive review of warranty specifications is presented and put in the context of AQS. Key driving factors of warranty specifications in the United States are identified; actual statewide warranty specifications for design-bid-build projects and project-specific warranty specifications for design-build projects are summarized, the concepts and elements of an AQS are laid out, and research needs for advancing warranty specifications within the context of AQSs are assessed.
Estimation of Lives of Deficient Superpave Pavements
Authors: Manandhar Chandra , Hossain Mustaque , Nelson Paul , Hobson Cliff
Published: January 2009

Nonconforming Superpave® mixtures are often encountered during construction of asphalt-surfaced pavements in Kansas. There is no rational method available to find the potential reduction in life of these pavements. Results are presented for a study in which a methodology has been developed to estimate the lives of Superpave pavements that are out of specifications for simulated in-place density and air voids. Five fine-graded, 12.5-mm nominal maximum aggregate size Superpave mixtures, sampled from five different projects, were used in this study. Replicate test specimens were prepared at three different target air void levels at Ndesign gyrations and four air void levels of the molded gyratory specimens. Hamburg wheel tests were conducted on replicate samples up to a rut depth of 20 mm or 20,000 wheel passes, whichever came first. The results were also analyzed to compute three parameters: creep slope, stripping slope, and stripping inflection point. Analysis of the results shows that, in general, higher simulated in-place density up to a certain limit results in a higher number of wheel passes up to a 20-mm rut depth in the Hamburg wheel tester. Superpave mixtures with very low air voids at Ndesign level performed very poorly in the Hamburg wheel tester. Statistical analysis of the Hamburg wheel tester results using the analysis of variance approach indicated that, for most mixtures, air voids at Ndesign and simulated in-place density have a significant effect on the average number of wheel passes to the failure condition. Good prediction of potential loss of pavement life can be made from the results of Hamburg wheel tests on the deficient mixtures. Thus Hamburg wheel test results can be used for estimation of life of defective Superpave pavements.
Effects of Design and Material Modifications on Early Cracking of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements in South Dakota
Authors: Johnston Daniel P. , Surdahl Roger W.
Published: January 2009

Newer continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCPs) in South Dakota have exhibited undesirable levels and types of transverse cracking. This poor performance was not expected under the current recommended design practices. Research was undertaken to identify design, construction, and material issues that may be contributing to the undesirable cracking. After preliminary surveys of existing projects and analysis of the available Long-Term Pavement Performance CRCP data, a systematic construction program was initiated whereby changes in design and materials were incorporated and monitored for any beneficial effects. Beneficial changes were incorporated into projects scheduled for construction the following year and parameters were modified in order to distinguish with minimum ambiguity each parameter's effects on cracking behavior. The preliminary results are a series of recommended changes in design, construction, and materials, yielding normal and more desirable cracking patterns.
Methodology for Determining the Timing of Saw Cutting in Concrete Pavements
Authors: Raoufi Kambiz , Radlinska Aleksandra , Nantung Tommy , Weiss Jason
Published: January 2009

Stresses develop in portland cement concrete pavements (PCCP) shortly after placement when the volume changes associated with temperature change, moisture loss, or chemical reaction are restrained. These stresses may become large enough to cause microcracking around the aggregates or random cracking through the depth of the pavement. To reduce the potential for microcracking and to control crack formation, saw cuts are placed in PCCP shortly after placement. Although the idea of saw cutting is relatively straightforward, determining the timing of the saw cut can be complicated. Sawing too early can result in raveling, whereas sawing too late can result in microcracking or random cracking. Even though saw cutting is done on a daily basis in practice, the timing of saw cut placement is often determined based only on the saw cutting operator's experience. Opportunities exist to provide construction crews with more reliable methods to determine when the cut should be placed. This study introduces a method to determine the timing of saw cutting based on the concrete strength and the stress that develop. Toward this end, a strength reduction factor was introduced. A finite element model was used to determine the influence of a variety of factors, including material properties (e.g., strength, elastic modulus, moisture migration, heat capacity), environmental conditions (relative humidity and wind speed), and geometric factors (pavement thickness and crack depth), on the behavior of concrete pavements. The introduction of the saw cut and the development of a localized crack are discussed. The implications of construction variability are also discussed.
Comparison of Nuclear and Nonnuclear Pavement Density Testing Devices
Authors: Smith Bryan C. , Diefenderfer Brian K.
Published: January 2009

The density of a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement is an important factor for assessing pavement quality. Sufficient density is an essential characteristic of a well-constructed pavement and will lower its potential for distress. Traditionally, pavement density is determined by laboratory measurements of core samples and in situ readings via nuclear density gauges. Recently, nonnuclear devices that measure the electromagnetic properties of pavements have been developed. Nonnuclear devices have an inherent advantage over nuclear density gauges in that stringent monitoring of the user and extra security precautions are not required. However, the literature is unclear whether the readings from these devices are equivalent to those from nuclear density gauges. In this study, in-place pavement density readings from nonnuclear and nuclear density gauges were compared with laboratory-measured density values from core samples taken from the same location. Density readings from both gauges were compared with density measurements from the core samples for percent difference, correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing. However, the effect of moisture in the HMA was found to have a significant impact on density readings from the nonnuclear gauge. For seven of eight projects when a regression-based correction incorporating the qualitative moisture index was applied to the nonnuclear gauge density readings, the densities were better correlated to core density measurements than were densities from a traditionally used nuclear density gauge. On the basis of this study, the nonnuclear density gauge is more suitable than the nuclear density gauge for measuring pavement density on dense-graded HMA, provided that the readings are corrected using the qualitative moisture index.
Evaluation of Short-Term Warranty and Prescriptive Specifications for Hot-Mix Pavements after 8 Years
Authors: Aschenbrener Tim , Goldbaum Jay , Shuler Scott
Published: January 2009

Asphalt concrete pavements constructed according to conventional construction specifications were compared with projects constructed according to performance warranty specifications. Ten projects of each type were compared to assess relative costs and benefits after 8 years. Pairs of projects were selected with similar characteristics regarding preoverlay repair work, functional class, design life, and other features to minimize bias. More than 214 lane miles of performance warranty projects were compared with 277 lane miles of prescriptive specification (control) projects. The average initial construction cost of the warranty projects was $5,318 per lane mile greater than that of the control projects. However, the warranty projects included an annual review process and weigh-in-motion (WIM) facilities. The cost of these items added $2,573 per lane mile. However, the conventional projects were constructed with smoothness specifications resulting in lower average roughness and incentive payments of $2,253 per lane mile to the contractor. Therefore, if the annual review process and WIM facilities were removed from warranty project cost, warranty projects would have $492 higher per lane mile cost than comparable conventional projects. Although the conventional projects were constructed with a lower international roughness index (IRI) initially, after 8 years of service the warranty projects have become smoother with an IRI of 75.1 and 68.8 in. per mile, respectively. Corrective repairs were required on 2 of the 10 warranty projects during the warranty period. After 8 years, the average cost of maintenance for the warranty projects was $26,189 per lane mile, while the average for the control projects was $13,921 per lane mile.
Recommended Practice for Identifying Vibration-Sensitive Work Zones Based on Falling Weight Deflectometer Data
Authors: Jackson N. Mike , Choubane Bouzid , Lee Hyung Suk , Holzschuher Charles , Hammons M. I. , Walker Robert
Published: January 2009

In recent years, larger vibratory rollers have been implemented because of their improved efficiency. An unfortunate consequence is that greater ground motion caused by these larger vibratory rollers might damage adjacent infrastructure, particularly in or near urban areas. Various federal, state, and foreign agencies have proposed vibration limit criteria; some are intended to mitigate damage to structures while others are based on limiting human annoyance. Two of these existing criteria (U.S. Office of Surface Mines blasting level criteria and German DIN 4150 standard level for human annoyance) were selected to form the basis of a recommended practice for limiting vibratory compaction in critical work zones. These criteria are used to differentiate three zones on a plot of peak particle velocity versus vibratory roller frequency. A square-root scaling law of ground motion is used to predict the ground motions from vibratory compaction equipment based on falling weight deflectometer (FWD) data. With this predictor, a potentially vibration-sensitive portion of a resurfacing project can be identified using displacement time histories from the FWD obtained during routine preconstruction testing. Detailed knowledge of the layering of the pavement structure or the geology of the surrounding site is not required. It is demonstrated that this predictor can successfully be used to restrict vibratory compaction near sensitive structures, including fragile buried infrastructure.
Critical Factors Affecting Field Determination of Hot-Mix Asphalt Density Using Nonnuclear Devices
Authors: Williams Stacy G. , Hall Kevin D.
Published: January 2009

Nonnuclear methods for the measurement of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) density offer the ability to take numerous density readings in a short time period, without the need for intensive licensing, training, and maintenance efforts common to nuclear gauges. The Pavement Quality Indicator (PQI) and the PaveTracker use electrical impedance to estimate density. Early models of these gauges were deemed inadequate for quality control and quality assurance testing, but improvements have been made to each. In this project, a ruggedness study was performed to evaluate the effects of gauge model, temperature, moisture, use of sand to fill surface voids, gauge orientation, number of replicate measurements, and gauge placement on two nonnuclear gauges. Significant factors arising from the ruggedness study were further investigated. Two 12.5-mm mixes and one 37.5-mm mix were evaluated, using 42 test locations. Gauge orientation was significant, suggesting that the test method protocol should specify gauge orientation with respect to the direction of paving. Four replicate measurements were deemed acceptable for producing a single reported result, and all sand and debris should be thoroughly brushed from the surface before testing. Moisture significantly affected the measured densities in some cases, most notably for the 37.5-mm test locations and for the PaveTracker device.
Acute Lung Injury:Apoptosis and Signaling Mechanisms
Authors: Chopra Mani , Reuben Jayne S. , Sharma Avadhesh C.
Published: January 2009

Acute lung injury (ALI) has been documented clinically following several pathological states such as trauma, septic shock and pneumonia. The histopathological characteristics, paired with the production of a number of cellular pro-inflammatory mediators, play a crucial role in the progression of ALI. During ALI, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-mediated apoptosis is delayed by macrophages, possibly via effects on the Fas/FasL mediated pathway, leading to the accumulation of these cells at the site of injury and inflammation. The transcriptional regulation of NFκB, CREB, and AP-1 also regulates the pathogenesis of ALI. During sepsis and septic shock, we found evidence of infiltrating leukocytes in the alveolar spaces along with an increased number of TUNEL-positive cells in the lung sections. We also observed an increased expression of TRADD and Bax/Bcl2ratio at 7 days post-sepsis. In contrast, the NFκB/IκB ratio increased at 1 day post-sepsis. Together, these data provide evidence illustrating the induction of apoptosis in lung tissues subsequent to the onset of polymicrobial sepsis. The results support the concept that the upregulation of apoptosis following lung inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of acute lung injury and related disorders such as ARDS.
Morning Glory Syndrome in a Newborn Aged 2 Weeks
Authors: Giuffrida Francesco Pozzo , Nassisi Marco , Osnaghi Silvia
Published: April 2024

This case report describes a diagnosis of morning glory syndrome in a 2-week-old infant who presented with divergent strabismus, cleft lip, and hypertelorism.
Patching in Children With Unilateral Congenital Cataract and Child Functioning and Parenting Stress
Authors: Drews-Botsch Carolyn , Cotsonis George , Celano Marianne , Hartmann E. Eugenie , Zaidi Jaffer , Lambert Scott R.
Published: April 2024

Importance

Parents may be concerned about the adverse outcomes of occlusion therapy in children treated for unilateral congenital cataract (UCC).

Objective

To determine whether occlusion therapy in children treated for UCC with poor visual outcomes is negatively associated with poorer child and/or family functioning.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study was conducted in 2023 using data collected between 2006 and 2016 in the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS). IATS participants with a visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse were included. Statistical analysis was performed from July 2022 to October 2023.

Exposure

Caregivers reported the mean daily minutes of patching during the 12 months prior to the VA assessment at 4.5 years of age. Patching was categorized as minimal (<15 minutes per day), moderate (15 to <120 minutes per day), or extensive (≥120 minutes per day).

Main Outcome Measures

At 4.25 and 10.5 years of age, caregivers reported stress associated with the parenting role using the Parenting Stress Index and the Ocular Treatment Index and child behavior problems using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. Motor skills were assessed at age 54 months using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second Edition. Children completed the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children at age 10.5 years. One-way analysis of variance and χ2 tests were used to compare outcomes by amount of patching.

Results

Patching data were available for 47 of 53 children (88.7%) with a VA of 20/200 or worse. Among these 47 children with patching data included in the study, 20 (42.5%) were female, 27 (57.5%) were male, 12 (25.5%) were reported to have been patched fewer than 15 minutes per day, 11 (23.4%) were patched 16 to 119 minutes per day, and 24 (51.1%) were patched at least 120 minutes per day. Parenting stress, child behavior problems, motor functioning, and child self-perception were similar in all groups. For example, after adjusting for gender and insurance status, there was a nonsignificant difference between mean stress scores of 11.0 (95% CI, −4.5 to 26.5) points for parents who reported minimal patching vs parents who reported patching at least 120 minutes per day, and there was no significant difference in children’s report of their global self-worth (0.0 [95% CI, −0.4 to 0.3] points).

Conclusions and Relevance

Occlusion therapy was not negatively associated with family or child functioning. Although the sample size was limited, these results do not support changes to the current practice guidelines.
My Favorite Sinus
Authors: McCoul Edward D.
Published: April 2024

This essay reflects on the author’s approach to interviewing applicants for medical residency in the otolaryngology department.