Study of a hot asphalt mixture response based on energy concepts

The main objective of the research reported in this paper is to determine the response of a hot mix asphalt (HMA) in terms of both the tensile strength and energy parameters (based on the assessment of the force-displacement curve) as potential tools for improving the HMA mixture design. The HMAs analyzed were fabricated using a 60-70 penetration asphalt binder, dense-graded aggregate, mineral filler, and different types and contents of mineral filler replacements (i.e., lime, cement, and fly ash). The indirect tensile test was conducted to determine both the HMA tensile strength and force-displacement curve, which allowed for the computation of the HMA toughness as well as the energies involved in the process before and after reaching the tensile strength. Corresponding results suggest that the replacement of mineral filler by cement, lime, and fly ash modified the HMA response in terms of both the tensile strength and energy parameters. In addition, analysis of the energy parameters discussed proved to be useful for determining the optimum mineral filler content of HMA. Consequently, analysis of these energy parameters can benefit the HMA mixture design process. // El objetivo principal de la investigación fue determinar el comportamiento de una mezcla asfáltica en función de la resistencia a la tracción indirecta y parámetros de energía (calculados en función de la curva fuerza-desplazamiento) como herramientas potenciales para mejorar el diseño de mezclas asfálticas. Las mezclas asfálticas analizadas fueron fabricadas con asfalto de penetración 60/70, granulometría cerrada md10 y relleno mineral en diferentes porcentajes y materiales (cal, cemento y ceniza volante). El ensayo de tracción indirecta se utilizó para determinar la resistencia máxima a la tracción y la curva fuerza-desplazamiento, a partir de la cual se calcularon la tenacidad de la mezcla y las energías involucradas en el proceso antes y después de alcanzar la resistencia máxima. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que reemplazar el relleno mineral por cemento, cal o ceniza volante modifica el comportamiento de la mezcla asfáltica en términos de la resistencia a la tracción y los parámetros de energía. Adicionalmente, el análisis de los parámetros de energía discutidos es útil para establecer el contenido óptimo del relleno mineral. En consecuencia, el análisis de estos parámetros de energía puede beneficiar el proceso de diseño de mezclas asfálticas.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

PDA self-register system for eating disorders: a study on acceptability and satisfaction

Self-monitoring techniques, such as the use of dietary registers, are considered to be central to cognitive-behavioral treatment of Eating Disorders (ED). This information allows the clinician to identify the triggers of the behaviors associated to ED as purges and/or binges, and the associated thoughts and emotions, helping to carry out a more accurate assessment. Traditionally these registers are made with paper and pencil mode, where the patient has to register every eating and the emotions/thoughts associated; but this system has some problems, as low portability, low adherence or methodological difficulties. The use of PDA for self-registers can help to solve these problems. The aim of this study is to study the levels of acceptability and satisfaction with PDAs self-register system specifically designed for assessment and treatment of ED. Samples of 30 subjects diagnosed with ED are receiving a PDA with software specifically designed for recording type and amount of food, emotions before and after eating and other behaviors. The participants are completing self-register daily during a week, and afterwards answer an acceptance and satisfaction questionnaire. This work is in progress at the moment. It is expected that the PDA system will show high levels of acceptance and satisfaction

Network structure of vertebrate scavenger assemblages at the global scale: drivers and ecosystem functioning implications

The organization of ecological assemblages has important implications for ecosystem functioning, but little is known about how scavenger communities organize at the global scale. Here, we test four hypotheses on the factors affecting the network structure of terrestrial vertebrate scavenger assemblages and its implications on ecosystem functioning. We expect scavenger assemblages to be more nested (i.e. structured): 1) in species-rich and productive regions, as nestedness has been linked to high competition for carrion resources, and 2) regions with low human impact, because the most efficient carrion consumers that promote nestedness are large vertebrate scavengers, which are especially sensitive to human persecution. 3) We also expect climatic conditions to affect assemblage structure, because some scavenger assemblages have been shown to be more nested in colder months. Finally, 4) we expect more organized assemblages to be more efficient in the consumption of the resource. We first analyzed the relationship between the nestedness of the scavenger assemblages and climatic variables (i.e. temperature, precipitation, temperature variability and precipitation variability), ecosystem productivity and biomass (i.e. NDVI) and degree of human impact (i.e. human footprint) using 53 study sites in 22 countries across five continents. Then, we related structure (i.e. nestedness) with its function (i.e. carrion consumption rate). We found a more nested structure for scavenger assemblages in regions with higher NDVI values and lower human footprint. Moreover, more organized assemblages were more efficient in the consumption of carrion. However, our results did not support the prediction that the structure of the scavenger assemblages is directly related to climate. Our findings suggest that the nested structure of vertebrate scavenger assemblages affects its functionality and is driven by anthropogenic disturbance and ecosystem productivity worldwide. Disarray of scavenger assemblage structure by anthropogenic disturbance may lead to decreases in functionality of the terrestrial ecosystems via loss of key species and trophic facilitation processes

Functional traits driving species role in the structure of terrestrial vertebrate scavenger networks

ESG, MM & JDA were funded by Ramón y Cajal contracts (MEC; RYC-2019-027216-I, RYC-2015-1923, RYC-2017-22783); several authors were funded by funds from the MEC (CGL2012-40013-C02-01/02, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R2, CGL2017-89905-R,RTI2018-099609-B-C21 and RTI2018-099609-B-C22)...Sebastián-González, E., Morales-Reyes, Z., Botella, F., Naves-Alegre, L., Pérez-García, J.M., Mateo-Tomás, P., Olea, P.P., Moleón, M., Barbosa, J.M., Hiraldo, F., Arrondo, E., Donázar, J.A., Cortés-Avizanda, A., Selva, N., Lambertucci, S.A., Bhattacharjee, A., Brewer, A.L., Abernethy, E.F., Turner, K.L., Beasley, J.C., DeVault, T.L., Gerke, H.C., Rhodes, O.E., Jr., Ordiz, A., Wikenros, C., Zimmermann, B., Wabakken, P., Wilmers, C.C., Smith, J.A., Kendall, C.J., Ogada, D., Frehner, E., Allen, M.L., Wittmer, H.U., Butler, J.R.A., du Toit, J.T., Margalida, A., Oliva-Vidal, P., Wilson, D., Jerina, K., Krofel, M., Kostecke, R., Inger, R., Per, E., Ayhan, Y., Sancı, M., Yılmazer, Ü., Inagaki, A., Koike, S., Samson, A., Perrig, P.L., Spencer, E.E., Newsome, T.M., Heurich, M., Anadón, J.D., Buechley, E.R., Gutiérrez-Cánovas, C., Elbroch, L.M., Sánchez-Zapata, J.A

Measurement of the gluon fragmentation function and a comparison of the scaling violation in gluon and quarks jets

The fragmentation functions of quarks and gluons are measured in various three-jet topologies in Z decays from the full data set collected with the Delphi detector at the Z resonance between 1992 and 1995. The results at different values of transverse momentum-like scales are compared. A parameterization of the quark and gluon fragmentation functions at a fixed reference scale is given. The quark and gluon fragmentation functions show the predicted pattern of scaling violations. The scaling violation for quark jets as a function of a transverse momentum-like scale is in a good agreement with that observed in lower energy e+e− annihilation experiments. For gluon jets it appears to be significantly stronger. The scale dependences of the gluon and quark fragmentation functions agree with the prediction of the DGLAP evolution equations from which the colour factor ratio CA/CF is measured to be: CACF=2.26±0.09stat.±0.06sys.±0.12clus.,scale

Investigation of the splitting of quark and gluon jets

The splitting processes in identified quark and gluon jets are investigated using longitudinal and transverse observables. The jets are selected from symmetric three-jet events measured in Z decays with the Delphi detector in 1991-1994. Gluon jets are identified using heavy quark anti-tagging. Scaling violations in identified gluon jets are observed for the first time. The scale energy dependence of the gluon fragmentation function is found to be about two times larger than for the corresponding quark jets, consistent with the QCD expectation TeX . The primary splitting of gluons and quarks into subjets agrees with fragmentation models and, for specific regions of the jet resolution TeX , with NLLA calculations. The maximum of the ratio of the primary subjet splittings in quark and gluon jets is TeX . Due to non-perturbative effects, the data are below the expectation at small TeX . The transition from the perturbative to the non-perturbative domain appears at smaller TeX for quark jets than for gluon jets. Combined with the observed behaviour of the higher rank splittings, this explains the relatively small multiplicity ratio between gluon and quark jets

Search for composite and exotic fermions at LEP2

A search for unstable heavy fermions with the DELPHI detector at LEP is reported. Sequential and non-canonical leptons, as well as excited leptons and quarks, are considered. The data analysed correspond to an integrated luminosity of about 48 pb^{-1} at an e^+e^- centre-of-mass energy of 183 GeV and about 20 pb^{-1} equally shared between the centre-of-mass energies of 172 GeV and 161 GeV. The search for pair-produced new leptons establishes 95% confidence level mass limits in the region between 70 GeV/c^2 and 90 GeV/c^2, depending on the channel. The search for singly produced excited leptons and quarks establishes upper limits on the ratio of the coupling of the excited fermion

Decrease of vitamin D concentration in patients with HIV infection on a non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-containing regimen

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vitamin D is an important determinant of bone health and also plays a major role in the regulation of the immune system. Interestingly, vitamin D status before the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been recently associated with HIV disease progression and overall mortality in HIV-positive pregnant women. We prospectively studied vitamin D status in HIV individuals on HAART in Belgium.</p> <p>We selected samples from HIV-positive adults starting HAART with a pre-HAART CD4 T-cell count >100 cells/mm³followed up for at least 12 months without a treatment change. We compared 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma [25-(OH)D] concentration in paired samples before and after 12 months of HAART. 25-(OH)D levels are presented using two different cut-offs: <20 ng/ml and <30 ng/ml.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Vitamin D deficiency was common before HAART, the frequency of plasma 25-(OH)D concentrations below 20 ng/ml and 30 below ng/ml was 43.7% and 70.1% respectively. After 12 months on HAART, the frequency increased to 47.1% and 81.6%.</p> <p>HAART for 12 months was associated with a significant decrease of plasma 25-(OH)D concentration (p = 0.001). Decreasing plasma 25-(OH)D concentration on HAART was associated in the multivariate model with NNRTI-based regimen (p = 0.001) and lower body weight (p = 0.008). Plasma 25-(OH)D concentrations decreased significantly in both nevirapine and efavirenz-containing regimens but not in PI-treated patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in HIV-positive individuals and NNRTI therapy further decreases 25-(OH)D concentrations. Consequently, vitamin D status need to be checked regularly in all HIV-infected patients and vitamin D supplementation should be given when needed.</p

Is vitamin D deficiency involved in the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>About 20–30% of persons with HIV infection, especially those living in countries with limited resources, experience an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after starting antiretroviral treatment. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, is a key player in the clearance of pathogens and influences the level of inflammation and macrophage activation.</p> <p>Presentation of the hypothesis</p> <p>We hypothesize that low availability of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, either due to vitamin D deficiency or due to polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor or in its activating/inactivating enzymes, contributes to the appearance of IRIS. Furthermore, drug interactions with the enzymatic pathways of vitamin D could favour the development of IRIS.</p> <p>Testing the hypothesis</p> <p>Our hypothesis could be explored by a case-control study to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral treatment who develop and do not develop IRIS.</p> <p>Implications of the hypothesis</p> <p>If the role of vitamin D in IRIS is confirmed, we would be able to screen patients at risk for IRIS by screening for vitamin D deficiency. After confirmation by means of a clinical trial, vitamin D supplementation could be a cheap and safe way to reduce the incidence of IRIS.</p

Network structure of vertebrate scavenger assemblages at the global scale: drivers and ecosystem functioning implications

ESG, JMB and JMPG were supported by Juan de la Cierva contracts (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, MEC; IJCI-2015-24947, IJCI-2017-32149 and FJCI-2015-25632, respectively). ESG and LNA were also supported by Generalitat Valenciana (SEJI/2018/024 and ACIF/2019/056, respectively), ACA by the Govern de les Illes Balears (PD/039/2017) and MM by a Ramón y Cajal contract (MEC; RYC-2015-19231). EA was supported by La Caixa-Severo Ochoa International PhD Program 2015, ZMR by a postdoctoral contract co-funded by the Generalitat Valenciana and the European Social Fund (APOSTD/2019/016). (...) JDA is currently supported by a Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2017-22783) co-funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, the Agencia Estatal de Investigación and the European Social Fund. (...) Several authors were funded by funds from the MEC (CGL2012-40013-C02-01/02, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R2, CGL2017-89905-R and RTI2018-099609-B-C22) and from the Junta de Andalucía (RNM-1925). POV was supported by a research contract by the Univ. of Lleida. (...)Sebastián-González, E., Morales-Reyes, Z., Botella, F., Naves-Alegre, L., Pérez-García, J.M., Mateo-Tomás, P., Olea, P.P., Moleón, M., Barbosa, J.M., Hiraldo, F., Arrondo, E., Donázar, J.A., Cortés-Avizanda, A., Selva, N., Lambertucci, S.A., Bhattacharjee, A., Brewer, A.L., Abernethy, E.F., Turner, K.L., Beasley, J.C., DeVault, T.L., Gerke, H.C., Rhodes, O.E., Jr., Ordiz, A., Wikenros, C., Zimmermann, B., Wabakken, P., Wilmers, C.C., Smith, J.A., Kendall, C.J., Ogada, D., Frehner, E., Allen, M.L., Wittmer, H.U., Butler, J.R.A., du Toit, J.T., Margalida, A., Oliva-Vidal, P., Wilson, D., Jerina, K., Krofel, M., Kostecke, R., Inger, R., Per, E., Ayhan, Y., Ulusoy, H., Vural, D., Inagaki, A., Koike, S., Samson, A., Perrig, P.L., Spencer, E., Newsome, T.M., Heurich, M., Anadón, J.D., Buechley, E.R., Sánchez-Zapata, J.A